Observer – Page 764 – Windhoek Observer

09 Jun

NSFAF owed N$2.8 billion

ObserverObserver MoneyNSFAF

Andrew Kathindi The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) said that it is still owed N$2.8 billion in loan repayments from past beneficiaries. This announcement comes as NSFAF has allocated a budget of N$244 million for the purchase of mobile devices and laptops. These devices are needed for vulnerable students to have access to e-learning. “There is a data integrity project we are running that is in entering its final stage. So far, the data indicated by the records is that N$2.8 billion is outstanding from former recipients. That tells you that there is a lot of funds that need…

09 Jun

Erongo region placed under lockdown again

ObserverObserver MoneyErongo, president Hage Geingob, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob has placed the entire Erongo region back under Stage 1 of the state of emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a complete lockdown. This action comes as a result of Walvis Bay residents not adhering to health and safety isolation measures for that city’s restrictions. The move is aimed at curbing the spread of the virus from the coastal region. The Coast has continued to record positive cases. “Stage 1 restrictions will be extended to the entire Erongo Region, for a period of 14 days, effective from midnight tonight, 8 June 2020 until…

09 Jun

Creditor fears ground Air Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer Air Namibia has ceased all its international repatriation missions amid fears its aircrafts could be attached by creditors following President Hage Geingob’s announcement that he wants to liquidate the airline. According to insiders, the airline’s board is said to have met over the weekend where it was agreed that it would avoid international flights amid concerns that its creditors could attempt to attach its aircrafts as part of efforts to recover funds owed, following the President’s announcement on Thursday during his State of the Nation Address. "Air Namibia must be liquidated; we have a serious problem with Air…

06 Jun

Ripe for surveillance abuse – Unpacking Namibia’s SIM card registration limbo

ObserverUncategorised2009 Communications Act, Namibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS), Namibian, SIM card registration

Frederico Links Namibia is one of the last hold-outs on the African continent when it comes to mandatory SIM card registration, but indications are the country is now moving to officially operationalise such a system, even as the relevant sections of the enabling law remain in contention and state actors appear to be exploiting the partial legal vacuum. After more than a decade of foot-dragging, Namibian authorities now appear set on formally operationalising a mandatory SIM card registration regulatory mechanism, despite a legal quandary existing. The dilemma is that Part 6 (Interception of Telecommunications) of chapter five of Namibia’s Communications…

06 Jun

Big Ben: Adapt or die

ObserverUncategorisedBig Ben

…keep the music flowing when times are tough Jackie Wilson Asheeke With the state of emergency restrictions, those producing songs that soothe our souls, make our feet move or hips sway are on lockdown. There is no doubt that musicians are challenged during this pandemic. That said, one of Namibia’s premier artists and musical performers, Big Ben, has not been idle during lockdown; brotha’man has been on the move. During Stage 1 and State 2 of the lockdown and pandemic response phase Ben held two live online performances. Check out his Facebook page and find out how you can get…

06 Jun

I’m not singing any more

ObserverUncategorisedpresident Hage Geingob

Jackie Wilson Asheeke The rebellion during a pandemic which has started in the USA is not to overthrow the government. It is to attack institutional racism. It is not to destroy the constitution, it is to make sure it is applied to everyone equally. Those screaming for justice, love the USA; their home. But, the USA they love does not believe it is ok to murder a man with your knee on his neck. Last week, President Hage Geingob made his announcement regarding the beginning of Stage 3 of the State of Emergency phase-out plan and included a brilliantly worded…

06 Jun

The Time Traveler: One will always get through

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Hugh Ellis Recent revelations in the fight against Covid-19 - that some truck drivers allegedly broke quarantine to visit their families, transact at banks, or sleep over with their girlfriends, not to mention the sailor who spent days on shore after his Coronavirus infection was not diagnosed – are saddening but not surprising. The government has done a great job in keeping our borders closed and people with suspected Covid-19 infections in quarantine. But there will always be loopholes. I’m no epidemiologist or doctor (well, no doctor of medicine, anyway), and my only public health experience was brief stint as…

06 Jun

SONA shout-backs are the new normal

ObserverNational NewsNamibian Parliament, SONA

We watched the State of the Nation speech delivered by President Hage Geingob. We want to focus on the shout-backs during his speech by a few members of the parliament. With the change in the Swapo over-dominance in the previous parliament, there are now more voices of elected parties that have much to say. And, they will most definitely say it. Many of these voices are younger and might be new to public politics. Others have different experiences and agendas and will be ready to ‘take on’ the mighty Swapo Party in a den it previously controlled. Regardless of the…

06 Jun

AgriBank provides billions in funding

ObserverUncategorisedAgribank, Finance minister, Government, Iipumbu Shiimi

Staff writer Finance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi says AgriBank has extended up to N$1 billion in loans to farmers in various regions of the country over the past three years. “Equally commercial bank loans to agriculture over the past five years have averaged in excess of N$4 billion, indicating a healthy flow of funds to this sector. Drought relief disbursements amounting to N$245 million has also been provided by AgriBank over the past year,” he said in his reply on matters raised during the Second Reading of the 2020/21 Appropriation Bill in Parliament. He, however, warned AgriBank loan beneficiaries to repay…

06 Jun

Don’t worry about my age – Kanime

ObserverObserver MoneyAbraham Kanime, City Police Chief

Andrew Kathindi City Police chief, Abraham Kanime, who, this week, started his duties under a new three-year contract, informed Windhoek Observer that his age should not be an issue as he is not the only public servant above the retirement threshold. Kanime, who already turned 60, last month, resumed his duties following a much-publicized conflict between himself and City of Windhoek Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robert Kahimise, over the renewal of his contract. The age of retirement for public servants in Namibia is 60. “You want to say I'm the only person who is in a government service, or in…