#GIPF

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3 months ago

Gipf: I play the game Play an abstract game! Can be fun! Info, rules, strategy, tips, puzzles, pictures and much more about Project GIPF, a series of compatible games for 2 players. Free downloads: GF1!

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#Gipf

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stahlwolle

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5 months ago

Mit dem Mittleren zwei Runden Dvonn aus der Gipf-Reihe gespielt. Eins der besten Spiele der Reihe. Besonders die Haptik der Steine mag ich und das Klicken beim Stapeln.

#dvonn #gipf #krisbrum #brettspiel #boardgames #abstrakt

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Sue Staff BBW GILF

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6 months ago

Can I tempt a few tributes? #bbw #gipf #tributes

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6 months ago

OBSERVER DAILY | GIPF-backed home loans: Hope or hidden risk? For many Namibians, home ownership remains more of a dream than a reality. The numbers are sobering: a housing backlog of 300,000 units, more than 200,000 shacks in Windhoek alone, and an average three-bedroom house in the capital costing around N$1.2 million. Against this backdrop, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has launched its Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS), which will take effect next January. The scheme allows civil servants and other GIPF members to use up to one-third of their pension savings as collateral for a home loan. On paper, it promises cheaper financing, easier access, and the dignity of owning a home. But beneath the optimism lies a complex balance between solving today’s housing crisis and safeguarding tomorrow’s retirement security. The case for optimism The most immediate benefit of the PBHLS is affordability. The interest rate, repo plus 2.5%, undercuts the commercial banks, which typically offer repo plus 3.5% or more. For a borrower with a million-dollar mortgage, that one percentage point difference translates into hundreds of dollars saved each month, and tens of thousands over the life of the loan. Flexibility is another attraction. GIPF members can use the funds not only to purchase homes, but also to buy land, build from scratch, or renovate existing houses. This is important in rural areas, where formal housing finance is scarce and most erven are unproclaimed. For once, people outside the urban middle class are being given a mechanism to finance shelter that fits their lives. Then there is the matter of dignity. For many public servants, teachers, nurses, police officers, home ownership has remained frustratingly out of reach. Rental markets in urban areas are tight and exploitative. Informal settlements expand year after year. To have a scheme that says, “your years of service can also mean a roof over your head,” is more than just policy. It is psychological relief and social recognition. As Cabinet secretary Emilia Mkusa put it, the PBHLS is designed to give families “peace of mind,” knowing they are securing homes for themselves and their children. The symbolism of this cannot be overstated. A civil servant who retires with both a pension and a house retires with dignity. The shadows of concern But no scheme comes without risks. The biggest lies in the very design of the PBHLS: the use of pension savings as collateral. Retirement funds are meant to provide income security when one can no longer work. By tying them to housing debt, we risk exposing future pensioners to hardship. The assumption is that all loans will be fully repaid before retirement age. But life is rarely so neat. Divorce, illness, retrenchment, or mismanagement can interrupt repayment schedules. If members default, the pension fund can deduct from their retirement benefit. In practice, that means tomorrow’s pensioner could wake up to a reduced monthly income, or none at all. Moreover, housing markets themselves carry volatility. What happens if a member borrows heavily against their pension, only to see property values stagnate or decline? Unlike commercial banks, which spread risk across diversified assets, the pension fund is effectively betting members’ retirement on one sector: housing. There is also an issue of equity. The scheme is only available to active GIPF members, mainly civil servants. Namibia’s vast informal workforce, who make up the majority of the housing backlog, are excluded. While the PBHLS may help thousands of teachers and nurses, it does little for domestic workers, street vendors, or small-scale farmers. One could argue it deepens the divide between those with formal employment and those without. Finally, questions of sustainability remain. GIPF has initially set aside N$900 million. In a country where the government has pledged to build 50 000 houses in five years, a bill of N$76 billion, that figure is a drop in the bucket. Demand may quickly outstrip supply, forcing GIPF to choose between tightening eligibility or expanding exposure to risk. Stories behind the numbers Consider the case of a young teacher in Rundu. She earns a modest salary but has diligently contributed to her pension for five years. With the PBHLS, she could finally build a small brick house for her family instead of renting a shack. Her pension contributions, once abstract, suddenly feel tangible. Contrast that with an older nurse in Oshakati, fifteen years from retirement. She takes out a large loan to buy land and build. But midway through construction, she falls ill and is forced to stop working. The loan repayments continue. At retirement, her pension is docked to cover the shortfall. What was meant to secure her future becomes a burden. These examples illustrate the delicate balance the PBHLS is attempting to strike: present relief versus future security. Proceeding with Caution The PBHLS deserves recognition as a bold attempt to address Namibia’s housing crisis. It leverages the country’s largest pool of domestic capital, the pension fund, for a social good that is urgently needed. It challenges the dominance of commercial banks and their high lending margins. It brings hope to thousands of families. Yet, it also demands careful oversight. Policymakers must ensure that members are fully educated about the risks. Administrators like Kuleni and First Capital must act not as loan salesmen but as financial counsellors. Safeguards, such as strict affordability tests, insurance against disability, and caps on loan sizes, must be enforced to protect retirement security. Most importantly, government cannot see the PBHLS as a substitute for broader housing policy. Public-private partnerships, land servicing, affordable rental stock, and mass housing projects remain essential. If the PBHLS becomes the only game in town, it will buckle under the weight of expectations it was never designed to carry. The Verdict The pension-backed home loan scheme is not inherently good or bad. It is a tool, one that can either uplift or undermine, depending on how it is used. For some, it will mean the long-awaited key to their first front door. For others, it could one day mean a smaller pension cheque than they counted on. The challenge for Namibia is to celebrate the promise of the PBHLS without losing sight of its pitfalls. Hope must be balanced with prudence. Shelter must not come at the cost of old-age security. In short: proceed with optimism, yes, but proceed with caution.

#HomeLoans #Namibia #HousingCrisis #PensionLoans #GIPF

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6 months ago

GIPF Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme expected to start on 12 January 2026 By: Hertha Ekandjo Qualifying members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) will be able to start claiming pension-backed home loans from 12 January 2026, after a four-month period of...

#GIPF #PensionLoans #HomeLoans #FinancialInclusion #InvestInYourFuture

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6 months ago

GIPF management visits blue bank leaders to talk strategic collaboration - Namibia Economist GIPF management visits blue bank leaders to talk strategic collaboration Namibia Economist

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7 months ago

Opinion – GIPF home loan scheme: Namibia’s landmark intervention - New Era Namibia Opinion – GIPF home loan scheme: Namibia’s landmark intervention New Era Namibia

#GIPF #HomeLoan #Namibia #RealEstate #FinancialAid

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7 months ago

Kadhila rejoins GIPF in top investment role Allexer Namundjembo The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the return of Immanuel Ndinoomwa Kadhila as general manager for investments, effective 1 September 2025. Kadhila previously held the position of head of treasury at GIPF from 2015 to 2022. His return comes as the fund moves to strengthen its investment portfolio and align with its Responsible Investment Policy. GIPF stated that Kadhila brings experience in investment management across various sectors. The fund expressed confidence in his ability to help protect and grow its portfolio to meet obligations to members receiving lifetime benefits. GIPF CEO Martin Inkumbi said Kadhila’s appointment supports the fund’s development goals. “The GIPF’s investments play a pivotal role through value creation in various sectors of the Namibian economy. As the single largest investor in the country promoting socio-economic development, the appointment of Mr Kadhila is critical in driving the Fund’s position in supporting national development objectives and fostering an investment ecosystem of opportunity and progress in our country,” Inkumbi said. The board of trustees, executive management, and staff congratulated Kadhila and said they look forward to welcoming him back in September.

#Investment #GIPF #Namibia #FinanceNews #EconomicDevelopment

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7 months ago

GIPF set to launch pension‑backed home loans GIPF set to launch pension‑backed home loans NBC Online Tue, 07/22/2025 - 14:15

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7 months ago

Home Loans Only, Says GIPF on Pension Scheme The Government Institutions Pension Fund has clarified that its Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme is strictly intended to help members buy or build houses. The Pension Funds Act limits pension access...

#HomeLoans #PensionScheme #HousingFinance #GIPF #RealEstate

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8 months ago

Weddings off limit in pension purse Justicia Shipena Members of the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) will not be allowed to use their pension savings to pay for weddings. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi confirmed this during a press conference on the pension-backed home loan scheme (PBHLS), held on Monday. He said pension savings may also not be used for business ventures or any other non-housing-related expenses. “A member can access that money to finance their wedding; it is not allowed, and we unfortunately will not be able to allow the member to access money for that purpose, nor for other purposes, even including businesses, business opportunities or farming. That will not be permitted,” said Inkumbi. His comments follow a recent report by The Namibian showing that some couples are spending up to N$200 000 on weddings. Last month, the government approved the PBHLS, which allows GIPF members to access part of their pension savings for housing. “As I have indicated, this whole scheme is based on the provisions of the Pension Fund Act. GIPF is a pension fund, and there is a specific purpose of and use for pension fund resources, [which] is to provide pension benefits to members and, of course, their beneficiaries. It’s not to provide loans for consumer goods, etc,” Inkumbi said. He explained that the provision was introduced to help members who struggle to get home loans from commercial banks. “A recognition has been made that there is an opportunity to use pension benefits for a productive purpose, such as helping a member who maybe finds it difficult to acquire a house through commercial lending to acquire a home,” he said. On where members can build, Inkumbi said homes may be built in both proclaimed towns and rural villages, as long as there is proof of ownership or permission to occupy the land. “What is important is that you must have some form of ownership or permission to occupy the piece of land where that house is going to be built,” he said. GIPF further clarified that a primary home may be in either a rural or urban area. “A member can have two primary homes, as long as there is some criteria we check for primary residence, whether your kids are staying in that house… or you yourself,” Inkumbi said. At the same time, Inkumbi announced that GIPF has unlocked access to pension-backed housing loans, committing up to N$900 million to help members buy or build homes. Members will now be able to borrow up to one-third of their pension benefits for this purpose. The Fund is also preparing to roll out the PBHLS, but full implementation depends on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the office of the prime minister. The MoU will define the roles and responsibilities of each party. The scheme will only launch once the interest rate, set at the repo rate plus 2.5%, is officially gazetted. The GIPF board of trustees approved the rule amendments for the scheme in 2016. Regulatory approval from the office of the prime minister and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) followed in 2018. The PBHLS is aimed at active GIPF members and it allows them to use their pension benefits as collateral to secure home loans, particularly for those who do not qualify for traditional financing. First Capital Housing Scheme and Kuleni Financial Services have been selected to manage applications, repayments, and member support under the scheme.

#Weddings #PensionSavings #GIPF #FinancialPlanning #Namibia

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8 months ago

TUCNA questions GIPF Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme TUCNA questions GIPF Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme NBC Online Tue, 07/08/2025 - 19:49

#TUCNA #GIPF #PensionLoan #HomeLoans #Namibia

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8 months ago

GIPF awaits MoU signing to launch pension-backed home loan scheme Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is on the verge of rolling out its long-awaited Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS), pending the signing of a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the office of the prime minister. The MoU will define roles and responsibilities between the Fund and the Prime Minister’s office. The signing will take place once the approved interest rate, set at the repo rate plus 2.5%, is officially gazetted. Until then, the Fund cannot fully implement the scheme. The GIPF Board of Trustees approved rule amendments for the scheme in 2016, allowing members to access home loans using their pension benefits as collateral. The amendments received regulatory approval in 2018 from both the Office of the Prime Minister and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa). This process cleared the way for the development of the scheme’s operational framework. The PBHLS is aimed at active GIPF members. It provides an alternative way to finance a home by using pension entitlements as security. The goal is to make home loans more accessible and affordable, especially for public sector workers who often struggle to qualify for conventional financing. GIPF spokesperson Edwin Tjiramba said the Fund is in the final stages of readiness. “We are currently awaiting the gazetting of the interest rate and the signing of the MoU with the Office of the Prime Minister. Once these are completed, we will move forward with onboarding the selected service providers who will administer the loan scheme,” he said. The Fund has selected First Capital Housing Scheme and Kuleni Financial Services to manage loan applications, repayments, and member support. These providers will be formally engaged once the required agreements are in place. Over the past two years, GIPF has carried out awareness campaigns across the country to inform members about the scheme and how it works. The Fund said it wants members to understand the benefits and procedures before the rollout. The scheme supports national efforts to expand access to affordable housing for government employees. By using pension savings to back home loans, it seeks to address financing challenges that have limited homeownership in the public sector. Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo welcomed the initiative, saying it has the potential to improve living standards in the region. GIPF said full details on eligibility, application procedures, and loan terms will be made public once the scheme is launched.

#GIPF #PensionLoans #HomeLoanScheme #MoUSigning #FinancialInclusion

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8 months ago

GIPF’s housing scheme in final stages Chamwe Kaira The Government Institution Pension Fund (GIPF) is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Prime Minister for the Pension Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHL). Edwin Tjiramba, general manager for marketing and stakeholder engagement, told Observer Money that the fund will soon inform members and stakeholders of the outcome and the way forward. He declined to answer further questions, saying the fund is not in a position to share more information at this stage. In its 2024 Annual Report, GIPF said it had been engaging stakeholders on the PBHL scheme. The initiative is designed to allow members to access a portion of their pension savings for buying or improving property. The fund stated that the scheme aims to boost financial flexibility and encourage homeownership. It also aims to help address housing challenges while contributing to broader economic growth. The board has approved the scheme, which allows members to use their pension as security for home loans. GIPF said the approach will assist those who may not qualify for loans from commercial banks, regardless of their location. In July 2023, GIPF announced that the rollout was expected soon. It noted that only 30% of its members currently have access to adequate housing. GIPF said the PBHL scheme is a key part of its short-term strategy to improve member welfare by making homeownership more accessible. Over the medium term, the fund said it will focus on strengthening its investment strategy. It aims to achieve returns of inflation plus 5% by working with top asset consultants and maintaining a diversified portfolio. The fund said this target is essential for growing assets and ensuring it can meet long-term obligations. GIPF remains committed to keeping the fund fully funded and able to deliver promised benefits to all members. The housing shortage in the country continues to grow. The parliamentary committee on economics and public administration recently reported a backlog of 300,000 housing units. The report called for investment in urban land development and affordable housing, especially for first-time buyers and low-income households. Namibia’s 2023 National Housing Policy outlines key interventions, including the Participatory Informal Settlement Upgrading programme targeting 150,000 plots and the Sustainable Incremental Greenfield Development programme aimed at developing 130,000 plots. Urbanisation in Namibia has risen sharply, with the urban population growing from 28% in 1991 to 65.5% in 2023. This growth has led to an increase in informal settlements across the country.

#HousingScheme #HomeOwnership #GIPF #PensionSavings #EconomicGrowth

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stahlwolle

@stahlwolle.bsky.social

10 months ago

Mit MiJo1703 Tzaar aus der Gipf-Reihe gespielt. Die Einführungsrunde habe ich gewonnen, das wird bald wieder gespielt. In manchen Momenten erinnert es an Dvonn und dann ist es doch sehr eigenständig.
#tzaar #gipf #krisbrum #brettspiele #boardgames

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10 months ago