Observer – Page 730 – Windhoek Observer

14 Nov

Things the US Presidential Election showed me

ObserverUncategorisedGovernment, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, US President

The Time Traveler: Hugh Ellis Joe Biden has squeezed through to become US President, and Kamala Harris will be the first-ever US Vice-President of Asian and African descent. This should be good news, but much of the TV and internet feed out of the world’s most economically and militarily powerful country in the past week does not leave me optimistic about the nature of humankind. For one thing, there have been the Donald Trump ‘sore loser’ press conferences, where he whined about this and that, claimed that an election his government organized was somehow rigged, against him, while providing no…

14 Nov

Confessions of a couch kitten: Diets are nothing but lies

ObserverUncategorisedConfessions of a Couch Kitten

KHANYISWA MOGOTSI If there is anything that my 22-years on this earth has taught me, it is that dieting is the biggest scam ever. This year alone, I have been on four different diets and yes, not staying consistent might have added to my demise but when was somebody going to tell me that the lost weight would return as soon as the first cheat day comes around? My first diet took place at the start of lockdown when we were told to work from home, and I was so ready to return to work a brand new woman. A…

14 Nov

October inflation slows to 2.3%

ObserverUncategorisedAlex Shimuafeni, NSA Statistician-General & CEO

Staff Writer The Namibia statistics Agency (NSA) has announced that the October 2020 annual inflation rate slowed to 2.3 percent from 3.0 percent recorded in October 2019. “The slow growth in the annual inflation rate for October 2020 was mainly as a result of declines in the price levels of Clothing and footwear (from 0.9 percent to -6.1 percent); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (from 1.9 percent to -1.3 percent) and Transport (from 1.5 percent to -1.2 percent), ” NSA Statistician-General & CEO, Alex Shimuafeni said. “Further, prices of the Health category reflected a slowdown in October 2020…

14 Nov

Thousands demonstrate against BDF killings

ObserverObserver MoneyBotswana Defense Force (BDF)

Helena Johannes Thousands of Namibians took to the streets to demand justice for four Namibian fishermen killed by the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) on Thursday 05 November 2020. One group marched to the Botswana High Commission in Windhoek, were it presented a petition, which was received by the High Commissioner, Batlang Comma Serema, who was given seven days to respond. Among some of the demands was the speedy completion of investigations, to be jointly conducted by the Namibian Police Force and the Botswana Police. The Botswana government has been asked to abolish its shoot to kill policy which has been…

14 Nov

Vice Chancellor appointed amidst scandal at NUST

ObserverObserver MoneyDr Erold Naomab, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL)

Clifton Movirongo A new scandal has rocked the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) after the institutions council is accused of overlooking Professor Frednard Gideon for the post of Vice-Chancellor (VC) opting for Dr Erold Naomab, despite him having scored higher during the interview process. This comes as the Nust Council Chairperson, Florette Nakusera on Friday afternoon announced Naomab as the new Nust VC for the next five years, effective January 2021, replacing Dr Tjama Tjivikua. According to information made available to the Windhoek Observer, the Nust Council appointed Naomab for the top post despite him scoring 64.5 percent…

14 Nov

Government flirts with legalising cannabis…as PM’s office chairs taskforce

ObserverObserver Moneycannabis, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services has begun consultations on the regulation and controlled use of cannabis, in anticipation of its possible legalization. This comes as according to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 33 countries in the world have permitted the cultivation of cannabis for medical and research purposes. Some of these countries are in SADC region. In addition, some countries have decriminalized its use. Health Ministry Executive Director Ben Nangombe said the Ministry had engaged several governmental agencies a few months ago on the matter. He hinted that it could be time for Namibia to…

13 Nov

The unseen is more dangerous

ObserverNational NewsNamibia, Ohangwena

Over 2,000 previously registered students in the Ohangwena region did not return to school as classes reopened after the state of emergency. There is a wide range of reasons for this. But, the bottom line is that 2,000 more young people have their futures placed in jeopardy. They and any children they have are in line for grinding, cyclical, generational poverty. This is the kind of issue that should be driving the 2020 regional elections and should inspire budgets of every relevant ministry. Often it is the unseen threat that is more dangerous. If we see a problem coming, we…

13 Nov

Practical ways to teach your kids how to manage money

ObserverUncategorisedAlna Booysen, Head of FNB Premium

Staff Writer In the digital age, parents cannot afford to neglect the crucial responsibility of teaching their kids about managing money. Alna Booysen, Head of FNB Premium says whether it's a billboard on the way to school, lifestyle images in a magazine or social media images of their favourite celebrity or idol - children can access information which may give them a misguided view of how money is 'easily' earned and how it should be used. "Once a child has pre-conceived ideas of how money management supposedly works, it may be difficult for parents to entrench their preferred principles. Hence,…

13 Nov

Air Namibia announces Ondangwa, Walvis Bay flights

ObserverUncategorisedAir Namibia, Ondangwa, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer Air Namibia has announced that it will operate flights between Ondangwa and Walvis Bay from the 4th of December 2020 to the 10th of January 2021. The flights according to the airline will be operated on Fridays and Sundays and serviced by Air Namibia’s Embraer Jet (ERJ) aircraft with 37 seating capacity, with travel time between the north and the coast expected to be 60 minutes. “This development opens new travel possibilities and opportunities, as the national airline continues to respond positively to the increasing demand of flying by air. This much-needed service will give our passengers a…

13 Nov

Jooste backs Fishcor board . . .as Nghipunya clings onto CEO post

ObserverObserver MoneyFishcor, Leon Jooste, Public Enterprises minister

Staff Writer Public Enterprises minister, Leon Jooste has come out in support of the beleaguered Fishcor board, amid mounting tension between it and the company’s management. The minister’s support comes as the fishing company’s managers in a scathing letter leaked to the media in which the minister was copied in, accused the interim board of malfeasance. They claimed that board members Social Security Commission Executive officer Milka Mungunda, lawyer Ruth Herunga, Mihe Goamab II and Penny Hiwilepo-Hal directly interfere in the day-to-day operations of the company. “This Board was appointed to an institution with a multitude of complex, intricate legacy…