Observer – Page 855 – Windhoek Observer

05 Jun

Namibia declined N$192m reparations offer

ObserverObserver MoneyGerman, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob made a startling revelation on Thursday when answering questions after delivering his state of the nation address that his government turned down a N$192 million dollar settlement offer from the German government as part of reparations. “They offered Euro 10 million and we said that is an insult,” he said. The revelations by the President means the country could be gunning for more in compensation and comes after German minister for economic cooperation and development Gerd Müller in September last year said the reparation negotiations between the two countries could soon be finalised. Geingob also…

04 Jun

Everything is connected

ObserverNational NewsCivil servants, lockdown

People are uncertain these days. The economy is in decline. Solutions to lift it up will be slow, painful and might not work. The pandemic might take turns that no one can predict (though we all hope not). In such distressing circumstances, selfishness easily emerges in people and in businesses. Far too many are ready to step on the bodies of others, just to get to the lifeboats first. To avoid the stampede of self-preservation, we all must understand that everything is connected. The money needed to be paid to others must come from others who don’t have money because…

04 Jun

Nampol speed cameras idle

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibian Police Force (Nampol), NAMPOL

Staff Writer Twelve speed cameras, commonly referred to as the “Yellow Pole Camera”, installed by the Namibian Police Force (Nampol) more than two years ago on the country’s highways at a cost of N$4 million are still to be operationalized. According to insiders although the cameras are functional, Nampol cannot use any of the speed violation information collected as their functionality still needs to be gazetted into law. The failure to operationalize the technology has been attributed to continued delays by the Ministry of Safety and Security, under whom Nampol falls, to promulgate the law. The development, however, comes as…

03 Jun

Indemnity forms won’t save schools – AG

ObserverObserver MoneyAttorney General, Covid-19, Executive Director Sanet Steenkamp, Festus Mbandeka

Andrew Kathindi Indemnity forms that some private schools have been forcing parents to sign before readmitting their children will not save them should a child contract COVID-19 as a result of their negligence, Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka, has informed Windhoek Observer. This comes as certain schools have been forcing parents to sign indemnity forms in order for them not to be held liable should a learner contract COVID-19 while in their care. “Generally, indemnity forms or clauses are not illegal per se, however if someone suffers a loss as a result of failure or negligence caused by a person seeking…

03 Jun

Get Deezer – put together your own playlist

ObserverUncategorisedDeezer

…spend time singing to yourself Jackie Wilson Asheeke Even though things are opening up again, the down time on our own should have taught us ways to have fun at home, in our own gardens, with our family members and for less money than we otherwise would have spent. Check out the music service called: “#Deezer”. Since I found it, I have been singing different songs in the shower and to my pets. My 2 dogs and 2 cats told me they love hearing the updated music (they were getting tired of hearing the same old songs). Deezer has nearly…

03 Jun

Schools want absolution

ObserverNational News

As schools partially re-open this week, some are forcing parents to sign indemnity forms that they assume will relieve these educational institutions of any responsibility for protecting learners from exposure to COVID-19. Are these forms a type of ‘washing of the hands’ ala Pontius Pilot or are they an insensitive bureaucratic step that leaves parents even more uncertain? During a time of crisis, reassurance is needed. People are nervous and uncertain, particularly parents of school aged kids. Institutions of stability like the government, churches and schools must step up to their higher place in society. They must lead from the…

03 Jun

Lockdown results in road accident decline

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF), MVA Fund

Staff Writer The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF) says the government-imposed lock down to curb the spread of COVID-19 had a positive contribution to the drastic decline in road accidents and fatalities on the country’s roads. Fewer cars on the nation’s roads meant fewer accidents. Findings by the MVA Fund show that the number of crashes declined by 71 percent, injuries 72 percent and fatalities 62 percent for the period 27 March to 4 May 2020,compared to the same period last year. The fund which is mandated to design, promote and implement crash and injury prevention measures, notes…

03 Jun

Thousands of learners to show-up for classes

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Education

Andrew Kathindi Ministry of Education expects over 49,000 learners to return to schools around the country on Wednesday when they re-open under the country’s Stage 3 lifting of the State of Emergency. This comes as the ministry has so far spent N$58 million in sanitation and cleaning costs, in preparation for the day the classroom doors open again. The initial group of returning students comprise of grades 11 and 12. They will attend face-to-face classes, with students split into smaller groups, making use of the empty classrooms. This will ensure ample social spacing for each lesson. “If there are 40…

02 Jun

Business leadership during a crisis

ObserverUncategorisedBusiness, Covid-19, leadership

Mbo Mena Luvindao Merriam-Webster defines a crisis as "an unstable or difficult time or state of affairs". It is unplanned or uncontrolled change. During times of crisis, leadership is critical. While the existing economic crisis caused by COVID-19 is unprecedented, small businesses have historically proved themselves to be flexible and resilient. The crisis has led to paradigm shifts in the way we view and conduct our business - don’t bury your head in the sand, but consider new ways of doing things as an entrepreneur. COVID-19 has changed the way we work, and in some industries, it has forced companies…

02 Jun

WHK informal settlements to get electricity

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower

Staff Writer NamPower and the City of Windhoek have signed a “Project Development and Transfer Agreement on the Electrification of Peri-urban Areas in the Municipality of Windhoek.” The project will be funded by NamPower to the tune of N$15.5 million as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), aims to electrify 1,000 households in peri-urban areas of Windhoek. “According to this agreement, NamPower is committing to contribute to the improvement of the lives of communities living in peri-urban areas, in and around Windhoek, by providing electricity to one thousand (1,000) households, as part of NamPower’s corporate social investment,” NamPower Managing…