Safeguarding the Namibian public interest louw presentation

1. Safeguarding the Public Interest
& Cross-border effects of Consumer Protection in
Namibia
Milton Shaanika-Louw
Volunteer Director: Namibia Consumer Protection
Group

2. Why consumer activism?
• “What if these services
were not available to
me?”
• “What are about my
fellow consumers who
struggle to get the same
access to allow them to
sleep peacefully at
night?”

3. What is the NCPG
• non-profit organisation that campaigns for customer rights. It
focuses on illegal and unethical behavior by companies.
• Founded in 2009 on social media
• Over 600 members – less than 5% actively involved in issues
• Presently also in newspaper as “Consumer Court”
▫ Frozen Chickens – immediate reaction
▫ Price labelling - supermarkets

4. NCPG Focus
• Namibian Consumer Charter
• Consumer Awareness – Consumer Day
• Partnership for Information provision
• Sectors problems experienced with:
▫ Banks
▫ Debt Counseling
▫ Legal Insurance
▫ Life Insurance
▫ Real Estate
▫ Food Industry

5. Market Behaviour & the need for Regulation
• Consumer versus Business interest
▫ All are consumer – end users of products
▫ Consumer = happy, treated with dignity & respect through fair &
honest dealings
• Market fails in fiduciary duties = Government steps in to protect
• By drafting and enforcing regulation to balance the scales to
ensure fair and responsible trade

6. Consumer Protection Environment
• Various institutions exist however consumers still have need for
protection
• Consumer protection violations are prevalent with
▫ misleading and bait advertising,
▫ non-honouring of guarantees,
▫ abuse of information,
▫ non-disclosure,
▫ unfair contract terms,
▫ deliberate none use of plain and simple language and
▫ poor product quality

7. Consumer Charter
• The aim of the Charter is to develop corporate practice in light of consumer
concerns.
▫ The right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival.
▫ The right to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of
services that are hazardous to health and life.
▫ The right to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labeling.
▫ The right to choose products and services at competitive prices with an assurance
of satisfactory quality.

8. Consumer Charter (continued)
• The right to express consumer interests in the making and execution of
government policy.
• The right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or
unsatisfactory services.
• The right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed
consumer.
• The right to live and work in an environment which permits a life of dignity
and well-being.

9. Consumer protection is good for business
• “Made in Namibia” meets consumer rights is a plus for exporters
• Regulation means products are “meeting standards”
• Trust in regulator means trust in business

10. Consumer protection on externally sourced goods
• SADC cooperation between consumer regulators
• Recourse to cross border rights enforcement
• UN Resolutions on Consumers
▫ is Namibia doing its part?
▫ Do we know our obligations?

11. Future needs
• Independent Consumer Protection Commission
• Consumer Ombudsmen
• Electronic Transactions Act
• Consumer Education at schools
• Small Claims Court
• Debtors Counselling
• Period of “change of mind”