Things looking up at NSS

Eberhard Hofmann
The Namibia Scientific Society (NSS) appointed its board during their Annual General Meeting in Windhoek last month, taking note in the annual report of the outgoing chairman Theo Schoeman, of the financial budget and reports from the Lüderitz, Grootfontein and Tsumeb branches.
The reports of the four working and study groups were also presented and accepted by their leaders or deputies: Astronomy working group - Dr Michael Backes; Bird Club/Ornithology Working Group - Gudrun Middendorff; Herpetology Working Group (amphibians, reptiles) - Alfred Schleicher’and the Namibia Hydrology Working Group - Ester Gustavo.
Each report listed the activities of the past year. The astronomy group is already highlighting an important date in October: The HESS observatory on the Khomas Hochland at the Gamsberg (Farm Göllschau) is celebrating its 20th anniversary on 23 October 2022.
Treasurer Ivor Lesley Aib in his report described the decline in the value of the NSS investments by around N$417 600 as part of shrunk balances totalling N$926 518. The good news is increased membership fees and increased sales of publications by the society and Kuiseb publishing house, which counteracts the losses slightly. The largest budget item is staff costs, which at N$ 2.4 million accounts for around 63% of the total costs.
The annual membership fee remains at N$300 per person, while offering a 50% discount for seniors and students. The meeting also welcomed four new NWG corporate members from the architecture and hydro-energy industries.
The board also conferred honorary membership on two former board members: Erika von Wietersheim and Bertchen Kohrs. In 2025 the NWG will be 100 years old. Members are invited to contribute to the commemorative publication planned for the anniversary.