Observer – Page 822 – Windhoek Observer

20 Aug

Education Ministry consults on next step . . . As ED rules out full e-learning

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, education executive director Sanet Steenkamp, Ministry of Education Arts and Culture

Andrew Kathindi After several failed attempts to restart the school year for all levels, the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture has begun consulting schools and unions on the way forward ahead of all grades reopening on 31 August 2020. This comes as the Ministry has posed several questions to schools, unions, parents, community members and stakeholders in a survey as part of an attempt to get a better understanding of where everyone stands regarding the issue of school re-openings. “We looked at what happens after August 31 in terms of school resumption for face-to-face learning. What is it that…

19 Aug

The Hair and Beauty Charity sees 78% increase in support requests during Covid-19

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Hair and Beauty Charity

Amanda Pauley The Hair and Beauty Charity has experienced a 78% increase in requests for financial support from beauty and hair professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic – the largest surge since the charity was established in 1853. Despite suffering a “major loss of income” due to the cancellation of several fundraising activities, the charity has been able to support beneficiaries through a relief fund that has currently raised £30,000 during the crisis. In the first month of lockdown, the charity saw its monthly expenditure rise by 105%. The charity had distributed more than £60,000 to beneficiaries between April and June;…

19 Aug

Book Reviews – Jackie’s recent reading list

ObserverUncategorisedBook Reviews

Staying at home more these days has allowed me the time to do what I have been doing since I was four years old. That is: Reading books. I love leaving my reality and entering a world created by authors. I love a good story. Amazon.com and Audible.com have massive sales these days. I got into the .99 cent and 2-for-1 sale and came away with great reads. Here are three that I just finished. Lila by Naima Coster – This is supposed to be an intimate true story about the complexities of female friendship and the way two girls…

19 Aug

How to protect yourself against cybercrime

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, cybercrime, Johnny Truter

Johnny Truter Worldwide studies indicate that approximately five billion people were active internet users in July 2020. This comprises 59 percent of the global population. These numbers, accompanied by COVID-19’s preventative measures such as social distancing, has led to an increase in cyber-crime attacks. The responsibility is on us as individuals and businesses to strengthen our defences, and mitigate the risks by taking the essential precautions. Here are a variety of ways on how to protect yourself against cyber-crime - wrongdoing that involves a computer and a network: Use unique and robust passwords: You should use long, unique, and cryptic…

19 Aug

Directive: Decongest the ghettos right now . . . But how? – The devil is in the details

ObserverNational NewsCOVID, Erastus Uutoni

A letter from the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni to mayors and regional governors announced a ‘directive’ to develop urgent decongestion plans. This is a part of the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Local political officials and appointees, likely without technical skills, must now do the job of the ministry. Assuming there are funds available, they must decongest (undefined) the impoverished peri-urban residential areas. This is easier said than done. The fact that land for residences can materialize out of nowhere in haste, points to something disturbing. If the ministry could provide basic land to house…

19 Aug

Government to honor bonuses

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Government

Andrew Kathindi Public service workers will breathe a sigh of relief as government stated that it still plans to honour birthday bonuses for its employees despite revenue pressures intensified by COVID-19. Despite hundreds of private sector workers being retrenched on a monthly basis due to economic pressures, with many companies cancelling the 13th cheque as part of cost containment measures, government maintains it will continue to pay bonuses to its employees. “The pay structure of government employees did not change, all conditions of employment, as per the contract of employment each employee has signed with their respective employer, remain applicable…

19 Aug

Corona hits Windhoek Central Prison . . . As 120 inmates are quarantined

ObserverObserver MoneyCorona, Covid-19, NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, Windhoek Central Prison

Katrina Andreas The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) says it has no plans to decongest its prisons after 12 inmates from the Windhoek Central Prison tested positive for COVID-19. The Windhoek Observer can reveal that 122 inmates and 14 prison officers were tested for Covid-19 a week ago and the results confirmed 13 positive cases, of which 12 are inmates. NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela stated that there will be no further release of non-serious offenders for the purpose of decongestion to allow social distancing within the correctional facilities. This is because there are no more petty offenders after President Hage…

19 Aug

Sisa case has merit – LSN lawyer . . . as pressure mounts on conflicted lawyers

ObserverObserver MoneyLaw Society of Namibia, LSN, Sisa Namandje, Uno Katjipuka

Andrew Kathindi Lawyer Uno Katjipuka, who unsuccessfully argued the Law Society of Namibia’s (LSN) case to have Sisa Namandje’s books opened, has said that Judge Herman Oosthuizen’s ruling was not made on the merits of the case. This comes as Judge Oosthuizen, on Friday, dismissed with costs the LSN’s application to probe Namandje’s law firm’s books to investigate his possible involvement in the Fishrot saga. Katjipuka told Windhoek Observer that the Judge’s ruling is unfortunate but not surprising. “I guess we saw it coming.” “He just dealt with whether or not the Director of the LSN was properly authorized to…

18 Aug

O&L acquires majority stake in German company

ObserverUncategorisedCRONIMET Mining Power Solutions GmbH, O&L Nexentury, Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group

Staff Writer The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group has acquired a majority stake in CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions GmbH from the exiting shareholder CRONIMET Mining AG in Switzerland and the deal is effective, 1 August 2020. Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC), is a German-based renewable energy project development, investment and asset management company. “The merger comes after half a decade of successfully partnering with CRONIMET in Namibia through a joint venture. In cementing the corporate merger, the O&L Energy business and CRONIMET will henceforth adopt its new trade name and brand, “O&L Nexentury” As of August 2020, “CRONIMET Mining Power Solutions” and “O&L…

18 Aug

We have less than two weeks to get it right

ObserverNational News

The Stage 3 state of emergency rules in play in Windhoek and other areas gives the nation a chance to get it right. Masks, sign-in at stores, hand sanitizing, staying at home, closure of public places (to varying degrees) are all difficult. But, we have 16 days to buckle down and get it right. Let’s do it. Resisting the rules, scoffing at common sense (i.e., going to parties when COVID test results are pending), avoiding quarantine, or moving around without a mask, will prolong the problem. The public must accept that the pandemic is here to stay. Stop resisting the…