Observer – Page 636 – Windhoek Observer

03 Apr

Diary of an Angry Black Woman… What it’s like to compete with white femininity

ObserverUncategorisedDiary of an Angry Black Woman, What it’s like to compete with white femininity

Nameya Jacobs Disclaimer: I am light-skinned, mixed-race, and petite with 3B/3C hair. This means I am sitting on a mountain of privilege which has to be remembered throughout this article. Dark-skinned Black women who are either tall, fat, masc-presenting, disabled, or anything that doesn’t fit into the eurocentric standards of beauty have it much worse. Colourism is prevalent both in and out of the Black community and it is my duty, and the duties of the women who look like me, to speak up against it. From the age of three, I knew that stood next to a white girl,…

01 Apr

What our laws say on ownership of oil discoveries

ObserverUncategorisedWhat our laws say on ownership of oil discoveries

Obeth Mbuipaha Kandjoze A recent response by President Hage Geingob in an Al Jazeera interview that the recent oil discoveries in Namibia’s offshore waters belongs to those with the right to extract, has led to unnecessary outcry locally. The discoveries in question were followed by intensive drilling operations in two wells located 300 KM southwest of the Port of Lüderitz. So, what are the issues at hand? A cursory overview of the applicable legal instruments is paramount for a common understanding about the differences between ownership on the one hand, and rights and obligations on the other. Erring on the…

01 Apr

Climate change threaten water sources

ObserverUncategorisedCarl Schlettwein stressed that 60 percent of Namibia water supply comes from underground sources and therefore needs to be preserved, Climate change threaten water sources

Martin Endjala The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has cautioned that the availability and affordability of water is challenged by climate change and Namibia is particularly vulnerable in this regard because of its significant high temperatures. Carl Schlettwein stressed that 60 percent of Namibia water supply comes from underground sources and therefore needs to be preserved. He was speaking at the commemoration ceremony of the World Water, Wetlands and Forest Day in Windhoek at the Safari Hotel today. The Minister said surface water is easily contaminated due to pollution hence the vitality in valuable ground water. Drought also…

01 Apr

Zambezi, Hambukushu chiefs widely consulted on Bwabwata

ObserverUncategorisedZambezi Hambukushu chiefs widely consulted on Bwabwata

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has reiterated that it consulted the Hambukushu Traditional Authority on several occasions regarding the establishment of the Bwabwata National Park, despite denials by the chief, Fumu Erwin Mbambo. The issue is now the subject of a Parliamentary Standing Committee Hearing following a petition on 19 November 2021 by the Hambukushu to the National Assembly. At the hearing that started in Windhoek this week, the MEFT officials told the Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs in no uncertain terms that numerous consultations were held the tribal authority by various responsible state…

01 Apr

Politicians put on their running shoes

ObserverUncategorisedVenaani said it’s a worthy course to come together as Namibian personalities, ‘’We Race Together’’ MTC initiative

Martin Endjala The much anticipated ‘’We Race Together’’ MTC initiative is heating up, as two prominent political personalities McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement and Panduleni Iitula, leader of Independence Patriots for Change are set to battle it out on the athletics track against Namibia’s finest runners. Joining the initiative, Venaani said it’s a worthy course to come together as Namibian personalities and to unite for a noble initiative, adding that it will drive the country towards nation building. “As a society we can all come together and engage in a very noble course. My boots are ready…

01 Apr

Six Fishrot suspects denied bail

ObserverUncategorisedHigh Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele in his judgement today denied bail to six men accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, James Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi, Pius Mwatelulo, Sacky Shanghala, Six Fishrot suspects denied bail

Tujoromajo Kasuto High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele in his judgement today denied bail to six men accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, stating that the accused did not provide sufficient evidence to be granted bail. Sacky Shanghala, Mike Nghipunya, Pius Mwatelulo, James Hatuikulipi, Otneel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi are the six whose bail application was unsuccessful. They are charged with racketeering, violating the Anti-Corruption Act, conspiracy, corruptly using an office to receive gratification, fraud, theft, and money laundering, as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The six men, along with four others, are accused of…

01 Apr

NHE financial woes blamed on incompetent leadership

ObserverUncategorisedLegal Advisor and Company Secretary Ntelamo Ntelamo, NHE financial woes blamed on incompetent leadership, The Chief Executive Officer of the National Housing Enterprise Gisbertus Mukulu

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Chief Executive Officer of the National Housing Enterprise, Gisbertus Mukulu has been accused of inefficiency and blamed for the ‘’catastrophic financial situation’’ at the parastatal. The accusations are made in the resignation letter of the company’s Legal Advisor and Company Secretary, Ntelamo Ntelamo, who further says that the ‘’financial situation in my opinion is unaffected by Covid-19 … nobody measured the impact of the pandemic on the business to provide a credible argument’’. Approach for comment, Mukuluh dismissed the claims with arrogance, claiming that Ntelamo’s words reflect his personal opinions and not those of NHE. ‘’Any internal…

31 Mar

GIPF barks the trend on increments

ObserverUncategorisedGIPF barks the trend on increments, GIPF CEO David Nuyoma, Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Martin Endjala The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) today announced a 4.62 percent increase for its pensioners effective from 1 April 2022. This was said in a statement by the Marketing and Stakeholders Engagement Officer of GIPF. The increment was necessitated by the volatile economic situation, fuel and commodity price increments in the country. The 4.62 percent hike for this year, shows a slide improved of just above one percent compared to last three percent. “A pension increase serves to cushion pensioners from unexpected change in their purchasing power hence, the incessant ability to increase members’ benefits annually”, the media…

31 Mar

BoN makes money in challenging times

ObserverUncategorisedBank of Namibia, BoN makes money in challenging times, Johannes Gawaxab

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Bank of Namibia has delivered a strong net operating surplus and paid a dividend which is 42 percent higher compared to 2020 amounting to N$413.7 million. Despite the low interest rate environment that persisted in 2021, the Bank recorded a higher surplus in 2021 than in 2020 and declared a record high dividend. The Board of BoN in consultation with the Ministry of Finance has decided to use a part of the dividend as seed capital for the newly created Sovereign Wealth Fund. However, the bank experience a decline in net income mainly due to low interest…

31 Mar

Another fuel price hike….Hard times ahead

ObserverUncategorisedAnother fuel price hike….Hard times ahead, Energy Kornelia Shilunga, National Energy Fund (NEF)

Martin Endjala Petrol and diesel prices have jumped for a third month in a row effective from 6th of April 2022. The astronomical hikes will see petrol trading at N$1.95 cent and diesel at N$2.95 cent per liter respectively at the pumps. This translates into the petrol price at Walvis Bay increasing to N$19.10 cent per liter diesel retailing at N$20.23 cent. This current high prices have never been experienced in Namibia’s recent past even during the most difficult of global or local economic downturns. The Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy Kornelia Shilunga in her announcement today said that…