Observer – Page 781 – Windhoek Observer

02 Dec

Talk must now turn to action

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

It is easy to sit on the sidelines and speak loudly about what is wrong. It costs nothing to loudly and rudely challenge those with power and responsibility when you have neither. With the success of the opposing parties and some independent candidates in certain areas, 2021 means the time for populist promises and brazen talking is over. To those enjoyed success at the polls: It is you in the hot seat now. Others will take your former chair from the sidelines and snipe, gripe and complain about you. Let us hope you have a thick skin. Your vociferous talk…

02 Dec

The Namibian debt capital market: a rough diamond that’s ready to sparkle

ObserverUncategorised

Ray Auala Jr The benefits of deep capital markets in emerging economies is well known, and a fundamental pillar of this is the bond market. Although researchers may debate the specific impact the debt capital markets have on economic growth in developing nations, they cannot dispute that a positive link does exist. A welcomed reality when one considers the strides the Namibian bond market has made in recent years in achieving the long-term objective of becoming a world-class capital market. Here are a few notable achievements: 1. The local debt market has 29 Corporate and SOE bonds, including one green…

02 Dec

The missing link: including civil society in COVID-19 responses

ObserverObserver Money2020)., AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA), Covid-19, HIV and AIDS, undertook the assessment, University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), whose findings were released virtually yesterday (December 1

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK - A rapid assessment on the impact of the COVID-19 national measures on community-led HIV responses in the SADC Region shows a complex scenario in which interventions aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 significantly disrupted community-based responses to HIV and AIDS, while also catalysing creativity and innovation in the way Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) respond to the health and rights challenges facing their communities. The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), undertook the assessment, whose findings were released virtually yesterday…

02 Dec

Keetmanshoop CEO accused of going rogue again

ObserverObserver MoneyKeetmanshoop Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Desmond Basson

Andrew Kathindi Keetmanshoop Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Desmond Basson once again stands accused of costing the town millions after allegedly entering into an agreement on 22 October 2015 with a South African company without council’s approval. The town currently faces an invoice of N$1.8 million from South African profit recovery firm, Maxprof for "generated financial benefit to the municipality amounting to N$8.2 million." However according to sources, this was done without officials from the company who were operating in Namibia having work permits. In addition, the initial agreement for work to commence was allegedly done without council approval. Further accusations…

02 Dec

Ndeitunga contradicts Geingob’s BDF report claims

ObserverObserver MoneyBotswana Defense Force, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga, president Hage Geingob

Helena Johannes President Hage Geingob’s statement on Tuesday that he had now received a joint investigation report on the fatal shooting of four unarmed Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Forces (BDF) last month, have been contradicted by head of the investigation, Inspector General Sebastian Ndeitunga who says the investigations are yet to be concluded. “The team from Namibia went back today (Tuesday) to meet with the Botswana team in Kasane. Investigations are not yet concluded as more information is yet to come from the joint investigation,” Ndeitunga said. Quizzed on the report that the President had received, Ndeitunga the…

01 Dec

Accept reality and strategize accordingly

ObserverNational NewsHilma Nicanor, Swapo Party

The ruling party did not perform at last week’s polls as it may have expected. Swapo did not ‘lose’. It still maintains a simple majority, though ground was lost. There is no need for panic within the party faithful. The short-sighted comments by party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor that accuses ‘outside’ forces of trying to unseat the ruling party are not in line with the dignity of the mighty Swapo Party. There is a time to fight hard for the hearts and minds of the people and there is a time to accept reality and strategize accordingly based on the outcomes.…

01 Dec

Understanding regional and local elections

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia, National Assembly, President, Regional and local elections

Willem N Namboga Regional and local elections are important, but many people do not understand how they are constituted. The President and the members of the National Assembly represent all the people of Namibia. But individual communities need other government bodies which are closer to them to focus on the issues and problems of the community. Local government focuses on the needs of the people who live in that local authority. Regional and local councilors are important contacts for lobbying on regional and local issues. Some regions are very well developed, with many schools and clinics and a good supply…

01 Dec

DBN plans N$500m relief facility

ObserverUncategorisedDBN CEO Martin Inkumbi, Development Bank of Namibia (DBN)

Staff Writer The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) is planning a N$500 million Covid-19 relief facility in the first quarter of 2021. According to DBN CEO Martin Inkumbi, this is in addition to the N$500 million made available by the Ministry of Finance to be offered by commercial banks. “The Bank, is committed to financing Namibian economic activity, and will take all feasible measures to ensure its health,” Inkumbi said. This comes as preliminary figures of the bank for the first two quarters to September of 2020/21 show the expected adverse impact of Covid-19 and risk-aversion on demand for SME…

01 Dec

COVID-19 measures extended to 2021

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob has extended the period under which current COVID-19 regulations are observed to 25 January 2021. This comes after the current set of measures to fight COVID-19, which came into force on 17 October, will expire at midnight, 30 November 2020. Following the lapse of the State of Emergency in September, the Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula was empowered, under the Public and Environmental Act to make further adjustments to measures even after the end of the State of Emergency, which could not be extended beyond six months without cabinet approval. “I observed, with great concern, that…

01 Dec

Swapo snubs LPM overtures

ObserverObserver MoneyLandless People’s Movement, LPM, National Unity Democratic Organization of Namibia, NUDO, UDF, United Democratic Front of Namibia

Andrew Kathindi The ruling Swapo party has snubbed Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) olive branch and sent out directives to its elected councilors to only work with National Unity Democratic Organization of Namibia (NUDO) and United Democratic Front of Namibia (UDF). This comes as LPM leader Bernardus Swartbooi earlier on Monday revealed that the party would welcome the opportunity to work with Swapo. Following a Swapo Politburo Central Committee meeting, with the aim of reflecting on the recently held elections, Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa directed regional leadership to “enter into a coalition with only (NUDO) and (UDF) where Swapo party…