Andrew Stegmann

From The Hippo’s Ears: Mozambique

Facts you may not have know about Mozambique:

Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country in Southeast Africa. The capital of Mozambique is Maputo (formerly known as “Lourenço Marques” from 1876 to 1976). Mozambique is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Southern African Development Community, and is an observer at La Francophonie.

Mozambique has a population of approximately 28 million, is a Unitary, dominant-party, semi-presidential, constitutional republic, and gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

1.  When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

The common Portuguese greeting is “Olá” (hello), “Como estás?” (how are you?) It is also common to greet by saying “Bom dia” (good morning), “Boa tarde” (good afternoon), or “Boa noite” (good night), depending on the time of day.

2. What languages are spoken in the country?

The only official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, which is spoken mostly as a second language by about half the population. Common native languages include Makhuwa, Sena, and Swahili. Most Mozambicans living in the cities speak Portuguese as their first language. Makhuwa is spoken at home by the largest percentage of the population.

3. Do you use a twelve hour clock, or a twenty-four hour clock?

We use a 24-hour system.

4. What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in the country?

We drive on the left side of road. There are over 30,000 km of roads, but much of the network is unpaved.

5. How important is punctuality?

Punctuality is not a very important part of local culture, and people may arrive late for events.

6. Which types of music are popular? Who are some of the most popular musicians?

The music of Mozambique serves many purposes, ranging from religious expression to traditional ceremonies. Musical instruments are usually handmade. Some of the instruments used in Mozambican musical expression include drums made of wood and animal skin; the lupembe, a woodwind instrument made from animal horns or wood; and the marimba, which is a kind of xylophone native to Mozambique and other parts of Africa.

Mozambique’s own music is similar to reggae and West Indian calypso. Other music types are popular in Mozambique like marrabenta, kwaito, afrobeat and other Lusophone music forms like fado, bossa nova, kizomba and semba.

For a taste of Namibian music, listen to Lizha James’ Mutxangana, and Stewart Sukuma’s Xitchuketa Marrabenta.

7. Are there any Traditional Dances?

There are over 1000 traditional dances in Mozambique, each region, each village has their own traditions and variations of different rhythms and dances. There can be dances symbolising celebration, war, love or harvesting, however, today variations of the dances are mainly used as an individual expression or to represent the rich Mozambican culture at events. Watch some examples of traditional local dance here.

8.  What traditional Festivals are celebrated in the country?

AZGO Festival in Maputo
This is an annual international music festival which takes place over 3 days in the outdoors. It includes a variety of bands, music documentaries, and workshops. Additional facilities include a food court and restaurants, stalls for food and drink as well as designer fashion, merchandising and crafts.

STRAB Festival in Ponta Malongane
STRAB is the abbreviation for the Subterranean Rhythm & Blues experience, an annual music festival which started out as live entertainment for a birthday bash held by a group of scuba divers in 2003. It has grown over the years and now features about 20 live bands. Since 2008 STRAB has continued to provide exposure to bands from rock to blues to jazz to fusions of these.

Independence Day Festivities in Maputo
Independence Day is celebrated in June. The festivities include live performances and traditional dancing. The national stadium is the venue for a fantastic concert during which many celebrated Mozambique bands perform. The President often attends and addresses the attendees. Many cultural events such as poetry, dancing and visual arts take place the week before.

TAMBO International Art Camp/Festival in Pemba
The city of Pemba hosts this colourful festival that celebrates cultural diversity through art, dance, theatre and music performances. Visitors will enjoy 7 days in which to make art, exchange ideas and enjoy various kinds of workshops. There will be live performances and opportunities to interact with traditional artists from Pemba and other parts of the world.

9. What are the seasons like?

Mozambique has a tropical climate with two seasons, a wet season from October to March and a dry season from April to September. Climatic conditions vary depending on altitude. Rainfall is heavy along the coast and decreases in the north and south. Average temperature ranges in Maputo are from 13 to 24 °C (55.4 to 75.2 °F) in July (winter) to 22 to 31 °C (71.6 to 87.8 °F) in February (summer). Cyclones are common during the wet season.

10. What are some interesting facts about the President?

President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi has served as Mozambique’s fourth President, in office since 2015. He previously served as Minister of Defence from 2008 to 2014. President Nyusi has also served on the board of directors of the state-owned Mozambique Ports and Railways authority (CFM), and as president of Clube Ferroviário de Nampula, a top-division football club based in Nampula. He has a mechanical engineering degree from Brno University of Technology in Czechoslovakia, and a postgraduate degree management from the Victoria University of Manchester in England.

Nyusi is a member of the Makonde ethnic community. He is married to Isaura Nyusi, and has four children.

11. What are the country’s major industries?

The largest economic sectors are gas and oil, agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. Mozambique’s main exports include unwrought aluminum, tobacco, electricity, hydrocarbons nuts, seeds, and sugar cane.

12. How do people spend their free time?

Locals spend their free time watching popular sports, such as football and rink hockey, as well as trying out new restaurants and bars with family and friends.

13. What is a popular local drink?

Aside from the widely served Mozambican tea, known as Cha, and coffee, locally brewed beer made from maize is also very much enjoyed by people of Mozambique. Madeira, a Portuguese wine, is also popular in Mozambique.

14. What is a popular local dish?

The staple food for many Mozambicans is ncima, a thick porridge made from maize/corn flour. Cassava and rice are also eaten as staple carbohydrates. All of these are served with sauces of vegetables, meat, beans or fish. Other typical ingredients include cashew nuts, onions, bay leaves, garlic, coriander, paprika, pepper, red pepper, sugar cane, corn, millet, sorghum and potatoes.

15. What do you pay, on average, for the following? (1 USD = approx. MZN 61)

3 Course meal: MZN 1,100
Domestic beer (500ml): MZN 60
Cup of coffee: MZN 108
Coca cola (330ml): MZN 50
Milk (1l): MZN 92
Loaf of white bread: MZN 50
Apples (1 kg): MZN 125
Water (1.5l):MZN 52

16. Any general safety tips?

Although Mozambique does not pose a high crime rate, safety is still important when travelling. Remember to lock all your car doors when you leave your vehicle. Keep all valuables in a safe place when you leave the premises you are staying at. When site seeing and touring, make sure to keep the valuables you are carrying close by. Be careful of sharks when swimming in the sea, as there may not be nets. Do not go off the beaten track as Mozambique is known to have undetected landmines from its past civil war in isolated areas. Some areas may have restrictions on photography.

17. In conclusion, famous (and sometimes infamous) people from the country include:

  • Samora Machel, a Mozambican military commander, politician and revolutionary. A socialist in the tradition of Marxism–Leninism, he served as the first President of Mozambique from the country’s independence in 1975.
  • Graça Machel, a Mozambican politician and humanitarian. Machel is a member of the Africa Progress Panel, is an international advocate for women’s and children’s rights, and was made an honorary British Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for her humanitarian work.
  • Mia Couto, a Mozambican writer. He won the Camões Prize in 2013, the most important literary award in the Portuguese language, and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2014.
  • Maria Mutola, a retired female track and field athlete from Mozambique who specialised in the 800 metres running event. She is only the fourth athlete to compete at six Olympic Games. She is a three-time world champion in this event and a one-time Olympic champion.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: Rohan Reddy [1].

Andrew Stegmann

Why You Should Use a Move Management Provider and What to Look For

To put it simply, move management is managing the process of moving one or more employees’ belongings from one location to another, but the process is far more complex than that. There are various different kinds of move management, different needs depending on the employee, and different considerations depending on the locations involved. There are also many unintended consequences that can arise when not paying close attention to your move management processes. Below, we share some insights to some important questions about the matter.

What, in essence, does move management encompass?

The control of an employee’s move from door to door. Component parts are controlled and broken down to save costs. Efficiencies are the key through the process. The communication with the assignee is retained by the controlling move management company, not the moving suppliers. Communication is directly from the move management company. Insurance is covered and control by the move management company.

Forwarders and carriers who demonstrate the highest degree of proficiency with the respect to country-specific import and export customs laws are selected. It is ensured that the selected network providers are fully credited and aligned with the corporate values.

Stress and time is removed from assignee and HR due to having one point of contact.

What are some of the downsides to a company deciding to orchestrate move management in-house, instead of using a provider?

The downside is your need for a moving expert to control the costs of the supplier. Also, there is a need for software to regulate the move experience and the corporate compliance.

In most cases the companies who carry do this in-house, could be biased to a certain vendor – ‘personal kickbacks”. The internal employee carrying out the function could be senior or junior to the assignee which can cause internal challenges.

Experience and day to day immersion in the industry is crucial, whether it is picking the right partners, understanding changes in protocol or simply knowing who is doing a good job and where – it is very hard for in-house teams to keep on top of this and remain independent. They also do not have the purchasing power that a move management company has, through the volumes of business that they provide partners they are able to provide significant cost savings to clients.

What are some advantages of using a move management provider?

Cost control and improved communication, and an improved assignee experience are amongst the advantages.

A move management company will aim to provide Independent, competitive, transparent service, and may be geographically positioned to understand the laws and custom requirements of the country being moved to.

A single point of contact is another advantage. Expertise and experience on each and every case, and reduced costs on the move itself along with insurance rates are also provided.

What should one look for when choosing a provider?

One should look for an experienced team with a good reputation and culture, combined with great communication skills.

The company should have a very good reputation in the specific country or countries involved in the move, and demonstrate this proficiency with service and quality evaluations, and price competitiveness. The provider should also understand the specific needs of the employee being relocated and possess the relevant accreditations.

What should I do if I’m struggling to work with my current provider?

Have a small RFP, go out to the friends in the market to gain a recommended supplier. Put a number of questions together of the key service requirements. Also put a rate matrix together based on origin and destination locations, volume based on previous moves in the last year. Better still, get the Move Management companies to provide three quotes each for door to door move and compare – it will be insightful.

Meet with the supplier and advise where they are not meeting the expectations set.
Complete an RFQ to get other suppliers to provide information as to how they would provide the service.

If this does not work out, you may need to find a new provider who suits your needs better.

Is it best to go with a global company, or one that specializes in the area I’m interested in?

It is better to build up a supplier network in each location you require and dictate which companies carry out the origin, freight services and another for the destination services.

Most move management companies would be global.

Should the company be based in my current location, or the one I’m moving to?

It can help with on the ground response, but is not necessary if you have a good supplier with a great partner network. With a single point of contact, it is not necessary to have local representation.

Insights on move management industry trends happening right now:

The current situation is that a lot of corporations are using a service provider where there is one point of contact to meet all their relocation requirements. This service is been outsourced to one service provider, or to regional service providers based on the corporation’s requirements. Corporations are vetting their service providers thoroughly, and may shop around should they be dissatisfied. Move management providers are aware that it is important to keep the needs of their clients top of mind at all times, update their accreditations if need be, and provide the best possible service within their capabilities to retain and grow their client bases.

A special thanks Ben Carter from Icon Relocation, George Holmes from Clearview Relocation, and Kim Becker from Africa Mobility Services for their insights, which we have shared with you below.

 

If you are looking for a move management solution, feel free to contact Relocation Africa via info@relocationafrica.com.
For information as to how else Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann

From The Hippo’s Ears: Namibia

Facts you may not have know about Namibia:

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean; it shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek, and it is a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Namibia has a population of approximately 2.6 million, is a Unitary dominant-party semi-presidential republic, and gained independence from South Africa in 1990.

1.  When you first meet someone, how do you greet them?

The basic physical greeting is the handshake. In English, the common greeting is “hello”. In Afrikaans, it’s “hallo”. German speakers say “guten tag”, and in Oshiwambo it’s “Ongaipi”.

2. What languages are spoken in the country?

English is the only official language in Namibia. The most common language, spoken by around half of the population, is Oshiwambo. Other common languages include Nama, Afrikaans, Otjiherero, Kavango, Lozi, San, and German.

3. Do you use a twelve hour clock, or a twenty-four hour clock?

We use a 24-hour system.

4. What side of the road do people drive on? What do we need to know about driving in the country?

We drive on the left side of road. Due to low traffic volumes the majority of roads are not tarred.

5. How important is punctuality?

Punctuality is important in Namibia, with trying to arrive on time being part of the local culture.

6. Which types of music are popular? Who are some of the most popular musicians?

The music of Namibia has a number of folk styles, as well as pop, rock, reggae, jazz, house and hip hop. Folk music accompanies storytelling or dancing. The Namaqua use various strings, flutes and drums while the Bantu use xylophones, gourds and horn trumpets. The Namibian reggae platform has produced artist such as Ras Sheehama, Petu, Ngatu, who has been performing since 1994. Rock n roll is widely celebrated by the white communities of Namibia. Die Vögel is one of Namibia’s most outstanding rock n roll bands. Kwaito is also very popular in Namibia, with local artists including The Dogg, Gazza, Sunny Boy, Qonja, Tre Van Die Kasie, and OmPuff.

For a taste of Namibian music, listen to Ras Sheehama’s Inotila, and Makgona Ngwao.

7. Are there any Traditional Dances?

Traditional Namibian dance occurs at events such as weddings and at traditional festivals such as the Caprivi Arts Festival. Watch an example of traditional Namibian dance here.

8.  What traditional Festivals are celebrated in the country?

Lusata Festival
Lusata Festival is an annual festival for all Mafwe tribal people of Namibia and nearby countries. The Mafwe people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Caprivi Region. The festival celebrates traditional values, commemorates the past, and looks forward to the future. It occurs annually in the last week of September. The festival’s name is a reference to the royal mace – an ivory-encrusted stick. Most people from all villages in Caprivi come to celebrate by dancing and feasting. It always is held where the king stays, in Chinchimani village, 6 km away from Katima Mulilo.

Bank Windhoek Arts Festival
Held every February, the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival celebrates local artists and their work. It encourages the development of artists, helping locals establish a name in the industry and giving people a vehicle to enjoy the local design scene. A variety of events from dance and theater to visual arts are held throughout the capital.

Windhoek Karneval
The biggest cultural event in Windhoek, and Namibia in general, is the Windhoek Kareneval or WIKA. A remnant leftover from German occupation, visitors in attendance will feel a distinct German vibe throughout the festival. Held in April, WIKA involves a number of events including musical performances and a masked ball for adults and carnival and Independence Avenue parade for kids.

Oktoberfest
Having formally been a territory of the Germans, Namibians naturally celebrate what has become one of the world’s best-known drinking events, Oktoberfest. Beer, fun and games attract people of all ages to the capital of Windhoek..

9. What are the seasons like?

The winter (June – August) is generally dry. Both rainy seasons occur in summer: the small rainy season between September and November, the big one between February and April. Rainfall is highly variable, and droughts are common. Weather and climate in the coastal area are dominated by the cold, north-flowing Benguela Current of the Atlantic Ocean, which accounts for very low precipitation (50 mm (2 in) per year or less), frequent dense fog, and overall lower temperatures than in the rest of the country. Efundja, the annual seasonal flooding of the northern parts of the country, often causes damage.

10. What are some interesting facts about the President?

President Hage Geingob has been President of Namibia since 2015. He previously served as the country’s Prime Minister, from 2012 to 2015, and its Minister of Trade and Industry, from 2008 to 2012. After obtaining a MA degree in International Relations in New York, Geingob was appointed SWAPO Representative at the United Nations and to the Americas. He served in this position until 1971.

Geingob is known to be an avid football fan, and has attended many high-profile games. He also regularly attends the Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), and in his youth sang in a choir, and played in a band.

11. What are the country’s major industries?

The largest economic sectors are mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. About half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood, but Namibia must still import some of its food. Namibia is the fourth largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and the world’s fourth largest producer of uranium. Tourism is a major contributor to Namibia’s GDP, creating tens of thousands of jobs directly or indirectly, and servicing over a million tourists per year. The country is a prime destination in Africa and is known for ecotourism which features Namibia’s extensive wildlife.

12. How do people spend their free time?

Locals spend their free time with family and friends, visiting the beach, taking road trips or off-roading, camping, or watching local sports matches. There are also a number of nature reserves to visit.

13. What is a popular local drink?

Namibia has a strong beer culture, and produces many varieties of local beer, including traditional African millet varieties. Examples are Windhoek lager, DAS Pilsner, and Oshikundu. Despite the climate, the country also produces its own wine.

14. What is a popular local dish?

When you visit Namibia, you will find that the cuisine is very different and varied. Local specialities worth sampling are Swakopmund green asparagus (September to April), Luderitz oysters (all year round), Kalahari truffles (May and June if they appear), and Omajowa, the large fleshy mushrooms that appear for a brief period at the foot of termite hills north of Okahandja shortly after the rains in February.

A wide selection of home-made cheeses are made by Danis Kuche near Otjiwarongo and the production of Namibian olives — the Kalamata (black) variety as well as the green —has taken off well. In Swakopmund, Luderitz and Windhoek you can indulge in traditional German-style confectionery including classics such as Schwarzwälder, Kirschtorte, and Apfelstrudel as well as the renowned Springer chocolates produced in Windhoek. A favourite breakfast and light lunch are crisp bread rolls, referred to as Brötchen, filled with cheese, eggs, meat or salad.

15. What do you pay, on average, for the following? (1 USD = approx. NAD 14)

3 Course meal: NAD 250
Domestic beer (500ml): NAD 20
Cup of coffee: NAD 25
Coca cola (330ml): NAD 12
Milk (1l): NAD 18
Loaf of white bread: NAD 10
Apples (1 kg): NAD 30
Water (1.5l):NAD 17

16. Any general safety tips?

Namibia is generally very safe for travellers. Exercise the same precautions as you would back home: don’t have valuables on show, and don’t walk through the townships at night unless accompanied by a guide. It is safer to call a taxi than hail one on the street – your accommodation should be able to arrange this for you. Avoid driving outside of the towns at night – the roads are not lit and vehicles are in danger of colliding with roaming wildlife.

17. In conclusion, famous (and sometimes infamous) people from the country include:

  • Rosa Namises, a politician and human rights activist, and former member of parliament. A prominent voice on gender issues, human-rights violations, and violence against women and children in Namibia, she is the director of Woman Solidarity Namibia.
  • Frankie Fredericks, a former track and field athlete. Running in the 100 metres and 200 metres, he won four silver medals at the Olympic Games (two in 1992 and two in 1996), making him Namibia’s so far only Olympic medalist. He also won gold medals at the World Championships, World Indoor Championships, All-Africa Games and Commonwealth Games. He is the world indoor record-holder for 200 metres, with a time of 19.92 seconds set in 1996.
  • Trevor Dodds, a professional golfer. Turning pro in 1985, Dodds has compiled 14 wins on four different tours.
  • Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma, a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served three terms as the first President of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005. Nujoma was a founding member and the first president of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) in 1960. He played an important role as leader of the national liberation movement in campaigning for Namibia’s independence from South African rule. Nujoma led SWAPO during the lengthy Namibian War of Independence, which lasted from 1966 to 1989.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: Jonatan Pie [1].

Andrew Stegmann

The Benefits of Using an Immigration Provider, and How to Choose the Right One

In the second part of our Choosing a Service Provider series, we’re looking at Immigration. As with temporary relocation, immigration can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor. And however rewarding it may be in the end, it can also cost a lot, especially if you don’t do research leading up to your move.

Fortunately, you are able to get help if need be. Making use of an Immigration Service Provider can alleviate these issues, potentially saving you time, energy, and money. We asked our Director, Tracy, who heads up our Immigration Division, for an overview of the reasons you should use an Immigration Service Provider, and what to consider when looking for the best one for your needs.

What types of services is an Immigration Service Provider able to assist with?

Immigration Service Providers are able to offer a variety of related services, including facilitation, assistance, advice, and guidance relating to Visas, Permits, Authentications, Translations, Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications, Board/Body/Council Registrations, and Citizenship matters. The scope of these services may vary between providers.

Are there any limitations with regards to what a Service Provider can assist with?

Generally, such a provider is:

  • Unable to submit applications on behalf of clients.
  • Unable to influence processing times at the relevant departments (for example, VFS in South Africa).
  • Unable to predetermine whether the missions outside the country will request documentation which is not prescribed in the respective Immigration Act.

What are the major benefits of using an Immigration Service Provider?

Benefits include ensuring that:

  • Applications are correctly completed. Errors can delay processing significantly.
  • The correct visa category is chosen, based on the intentions of the client.
  • Letters are correctly worded, decreasing the chance that amendments need to be made at a later stage.
  • All correspondence is in sync.
  • All supporting documentation is as prescribed in the Immigration Act.
  • Red flags are raised prior to the submission of applications, saving time and money.
  • Expert and up-to-date knowledge of the Immigration Act and Regulations is provided throughout the application process.

What are the downsides of doing everything oneself?

Choosing to apply on your own may result in the application forms not being completed, or filled out correctly; choosing the incorrect visa category; nor wording letters correctly; and general uncertainties and misinterpretations of requirements, which leads to submission of incorrect support documentation, which further leads to application rejections.

What should one look for when choosing a Service Provider?

When choosing your Immigration Service Provider, it is important to ensure that they have references from past work provided, and that they are registered with a local professional body. In South Africa, this is the Forum of Immigration Practitioners of SA (FIPSA). It is also important to ensure that the Provider has been in business for several years, and that they have a comprehensive business set up (physical office address, reachable contact numbers and emails, websites with information about their services, etc). Checking all of these things before conducting business will give you peace of mind that your chosen Provider is trustworthy and well-established.

What should one do if one is experiencing difficulty working with one’s current Service Provider?

If you have tried unsuccessfully to resolve the issue with your chosen Provider, and the provider is a member of a local professional body, such as FIPSA, one may reach out to the body to request guidance. It may also be advisable to reach out to a second Provider for advice.

Is it best to work with a Service Provider located in one’s current country, or the country which one is planning to relocate to?

With current technology, it is almost irrelevant which country the service provider is located in. Make your decision based on whichever method will be easier for your communication. Bear in mind that a provider may have more knowledge about the country (and its Immigration Acts) that they are established in than a provider located elsewhere in the world.

Any insights with regards to what is happening in the South African Immigration space right now?

The Department of Home Affairs is doing random inspections at companies (without prior notice), to check if their foreign employees have the necessary legal documentation. These random checks may increase with time. Changes to the SA Immigration Act will more than likely be implemented during 2019. If so, we will be sure to let our readers know about them.

 

Using an established Immigration Service Provider can help you save both time and money, and allow you to enjoy more of the process of moving to your new country. With over 25 years of experience across the African continent, Relocation Africa would be happy to assist you with your immigration needs, and help you embrace the unknown. For more information about our Immigration services, feel free to reach out to Tracy du Plessis, via marketing@relocationafrica.com, or on +27 21 763 4240.

 

Sources: [1]. Image sources: Nils Nedel on Unsplash [1].

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, and Remuneration needs, email marketing@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.