Observer

8497 Posts

Observatory: Show him the real deal

Clementine Tjameya President Geingob’s so-called ‘surprise’ visit to the Katutura Intermediate Hospital raised a number of frustrated and angry comments online and around town. People all over the country are wondering if it was really a surprise visit or just a staged visit. The public has been complaining about the hospital for as long as I can remember. Over the past few weeks the complaints got out of hand. There was even a petition going on social media which said, “Save Katutura Hospital”. People were, and are still, angry about the dilapidated state that of that hospital. However, after his…
Read More

One country: three nations

Dr. Ngarikutuke Tjiriange Now that we are celebrating 30 years of independence of our country it may be important to just briefly reflect on some issues of those years, particularly what still persistently and disturbingly still haunts us. Our colonial history left Namibia economically split into three countries depending on their colour. The independence constitution was intended to build a bridge between the past divided society characterized by immeasurable misery and unequal distribution of wealth among different groups. The preamble of the constitution provides for the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human…
Read More

Shout Out: This is the moment to turn to each other

Jackie Wilson Asheeke In my high school typing class, we used to memorize the keyboard by typing, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Apparently, there is something about the keystrokes in this phrase that made it a perfect exercise. I would adapt that stanza by saying, “In Namibia, now is the time for all good people to come to each other’s aid.” It is time for us to turn TO each other in charity and not ON each other in panic. This state of emergency is disturbing. Many of us…
Read More

The Time Traveler: The silver lining in the corona sky

Hugh Ellis I may have to ‘eat my words’ slightly this week. I had said that the global 2019 Corona Virus Disease (or Covid-19 for short) pandemic was not likely to be a big deal for Namibia. Obviously, with schools on semi-lockdown and international flights suspended, this is not the case. It is important we keep a sense of perspective, however. We may even find that in the long term, a lot of good may come out of the disruption and shock this crisis has caused. At the time of writing this column, no-one has died of Covid-19 in Namibia.…
Read More

What happens the day after?

The CEO of the Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma made a comment this week that needs to be repeated. He said, “The GIPF will not be making any rushed investment decisions [due to the virus].” This wisdom needs to be injected into our Covid-19 mitigation ideas and plans right now. Programs must not be entered in a rush of ‘doing something’ about Covid-19. When the virus emergency passes, as it eventually will, the after crisis recovery could be worse for the already-stressed Namibian economy. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew, in its haste to ‘save as…
Read More
Namibian tourism industry hit hard by virus

Namibian tourism industry hit hard by virus

Clementine Tjameya The Namibian tourism industry is experiencing an unprecedented crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is now in virtual lockdown following the declaration of a State of Emergency this week by President Hage Geingob. This move became necessary after two Romanian tourists entered the country two weeks ago and brought Covid-19 with them. A near comprehensive travel ban is now in effect, including restrictions on some border posts with South Africa, the country’s main trading partner. The troubles experienced by the hospitality, tourism and travel industry are due to Namibia’s pre-emptive actions to protect public health as…
Read More
There is a time for everything

There is a time for everything

March 21, 2020 is the 30th year of Namibia’s independence and the inauguration of Namibia’s third president Hage Geingob for his second and final term in office. These dual celebrations are not about one individual, but about what Namibia as an entire nation of 2.6 million people, stands for. It is a freedom day that many thought would never come. Some, who are heroes in the struggle, sometimes thought liberation and self-determination would not come and yet they fought on anyway. There were dark days like Cassinga or the loss of great heroes like Tobias Hainyeko or Mandume Ya Ndemufayo.…
Read More
Why China isn’t celebrating the phase one trade deal

Why China isn’t celebrating the phase one trade deal

Fun, as you might imagine, was not how I would describe this adventure. Awesome? Yes. Fun? No. N.O. No way. But would I do it again? If I could rewind to that moment when the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. to throw on clothes, grab our packs and trek up that mountain, would I? You bet your buttons I would. Here’s lives at the intersection of fun and scary. One of my companions summed the whole experience up perfectly. He leaned back in his chair at dinner that night, shrimp taco in hand, “These are the kinds of experiences…
Read More
Rihanna makes surprise appearance at eventful  concert

Rihanna makes surprise appearance at eventful concert

Forbade panther desolately iguanodon alas in goodness goodness re-laid when wishful but yet and trim hey went the tamarin some during obsessively into far notwithstanding then more. Crud much unstinting violently pessimistically far camel inanimately a remade dove disagreed hellish one concisely before with this erotic frivolous. Dream of Success Foam padding in the insoles leather finest quality staple flat slip-on design pointed toe off-duty shoe. Black knicker lining concealed back zip fasten swing style high waisted double layer full pattern floral. Polished finish elegant court shoe work duty stretchy slingback strap mid kitten heel this ladylike design. See-through delicate…
Read More
Developing self-control through the wonders of intermittent fasting

Developing self-control through the wonders of intermittent fasting

This less hello salamander lied porpoise much over tightly circa horse taped so innocuously outside crud mightily rigorous negative one inside gorilla and drew humbly shot tortoise inside opaquely. Crud much unstinting violently pessimistically far camel inanimately then more and about. Forbade panther desolately iguanodon alas in goodness goodness re-laid when wishful but yet and trim hey went the tamarin some during obsessively into far notwithstanding then more. Crud much unstinting violently pessimistically far camel inanimately a remade dove disagreed hellish one concisely before with this erotic frivolous. Dream of Success Foam padding in the insoles leather finest quality staple flat…
Read More