Observer – Page 728 – Windhoek Observer

20 Nov

Empty rhetoric cannot address regional, local dire conditions

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibian voter, Regional and Local Authorities

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Is there any single political party, association or for that matter any independent candidate that is deserving of my vote in four days’ time when we go to the polls for the Regional and Local Authorities on Wednesday? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot help but think loudly. Just four days before the elections not convinced that anyone may be so deserving. Not only the vote of Yours Truly Ideologically but certainly it would not be strange that this may be the sentiment of many a Namibian voter. Perplexed at the lack of choices from the various entities bidding to…

19 Nov

Barking at the wrong threat

ObserverNational NewsChinese, Namibia

There is negative shade flying all over about a recent N$530 tender bid won by a Chinese company to construct the road from Tses to Gochas. People are barking at the wrong threat. Rather, we need to sound the alarm because Namibia still does not possess the technical expertise to be substantive practical, logistical and development partner on major infrastructure projects in our own country. That is a real threat to our sovereignty and we are quiet. We have been inviting the world in to build things for us before independence and after. We happily remain ignorant about how to…

19 Nov

Debmarine Namibia’s diamond vessel takes shape

ObserverUncategorisedDebmarine Namibia

Debmarine Namibia’s latest additional recovery vessel has started to take a perfect shape after the installation of the helideck a week ago in Damen Mangalia Shipyard, Romania. Helideck with the diameter of 22.8m with a total weight 49.2 tonnes will be the largest in the Debmarine Namibia fleet and designed to accommodate helicopters of different specifications such as AW101, Sikorsky S92, and Sikorsky S-61 (MTOW 15600kg). The new vessel according the diamond company will be fitted with deck integrated latest technology fire-fighting system, deck helicopter navigation lighting with circle and ‘H’ marking on top as per CAP 437 - standards…

19 Nov

NUST VC case heads to court

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Vice-Chancellor

Helena Johannes Legal lawyer Sisa Namandje has revealed that a case to challenge the appointment of the newly appointed Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Vice-Chancellor will be filed in the High Court in the next two days. “I cannot give more details about my client to the media, but the case will be filed tomorrow or Friday morning,” said Namandje. This comes after the NUST Council through its lawyers had responded justifying the appointment. NUST lawyer Patrick Kauta according local media indicated that a joint search committee of council and senate on 12 November had recommended, voted in…

19 Nov

NSFAF withhold fees as students, EMONA clash

ObserverObserver MoneyEMONA, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)

Helena Johannes The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has put the payments of student’s accommodation residing in EMONA hostel on hold over alleged excessive amounts charged to students, until students review and agree on reasonable amounts. The request to withhold the payments was made by the Namibia National Student Organization (NANSO) “Your request to hold 2020 payments to EMONA hostel has been considered and payments are currently on hold,” said NSFAF Acting CEO Kennedy Kandume in a statement he issued to NANSO. He said some students accommodation payments have already been made to EMONA. “Your organization should resolve this…

19 Nov

JSC maintains PG recruitment stance

ObserverObserver MoneyJudicial Service Commission (JSC), Prosecutor General

Andrew Kathindi Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has maintained its stance that it will move ahead with the appointment of a Prosecutor General without holding public hearings, despite increased calls for transparency in the process. This comes as the process to appoint a PG has been highly criticized, amid threats from Affirmative Repositioning (AR) to hold demonstrations countrywide and demand that the process be restarted. “The JSC rejects the unfounded allegations and remains on course to perform its constitutional mandate. The JSC has previously explained why it decided not to hold public hearings for the appointment of the next Prosecutor-General. It…

18 Nov

Going too far hurts credibility

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

The claims by the vibrant politician Bernadus Swartbooi that Swapo wants to kill him are over-the-top and challenge his credibility. Many in Namibia are depending on new firebrand politicians, including Swartbooi, to challenge sacred cows. People want them to question authority, give voice to the marginalized, and energize younger people. They are expected to force political debate into the 21st century, put the spotlight on those suffering in silence, and fearlessly call out corruption. But, statements from the Trump School of Demagoguery and Lunacy reflect poorly on the politicians who make them. Swartbooi’s ravings with no evidence or proof whatsoever…

18 Nov

Botswana sends Cabinet team to border areas

ObserverObserver MoneyBotswana, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Namibia

Clifton Movirongo A Permanent Secretary from the Republic of Botswana, Andrew Sesinyi, revealed on Monday that Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi will dispatch a high level Cabinet Team to the border areas between Namibia and Botswana on Tuesday 17 November. The team according to Sesinyi will keep the Botswana communities in the areas abreast of the recent developments following the fatal shooting of the four unarmed Namibian fishermen that took place along the Chobe River near Kasane on 5 November. Sesinyi said the ministerial mission is to further enhance the spirit of good neighbourliness nurtured by the “excellent bilateral relations subsisting…

18 Nov

Ministry of Health spends N$3m on COVID-19 drug …as WHO cast doubt over its effectiveness

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services has spent N$3 million on procuring Remdesivir, the experimental drug used as a last ditch treatment for COVID-19 patients in extreme conditions. Although the ministry has announced that it will be halting further purchases stating that they have enough stock, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula however, said the government would still purchase the drug should the need arise. “COVID-19 has not gone away, patients still need the medication,” he told Windhoek Observer. The minister’s position comes as a World Health Organization (WHO) study recently cast doubt on the effectiveness of the drug.…

18 Nov

Parliament still to discuss abortion …as matter is postponed to next year

ObserverObserver MoneyAbortion, Covid-19, eputy Minister of Health, Esther Muinjangue, NUDO

Helena Johannes Parliament has blamed COVID-19 for its failure to debate the issue of legalizing abortion in Namibia despite the matter having been tabled for discussion during the pandemic. National Assembly spokesperson David Nahogandja said Parliament has received two petitions of which one is for and the other against abortion in June this year. “We only sat for two terms this year due to COVID-19, we have not sat as usual to discuss more about this,” he said. Nahogandja said the parliamentarian committee seized with the matter will sit early next year when parliament opens to look at both petition…