Observer

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Southern Africa: rethinking the media sustainability models in the post-COVID-19
07 May

Southern Africa: rethinking the media sustainability models in the post-COVID-19

ObserverUncategorised, ,
Admire Mare As the world is ceased with trying to find a lasting solution against the deadly coronavirus (code-named COVID-19), the media industry in particular has been negatively affected by the state of disaster (emergence) and locked down measures put in place by governments across the globe. All of sudden the oxygen of the [print] media industry, which includes advertising, events and newspaper sales, have been extinguished. Some corporates have moved in quickly to suspend or even terminate their advertising contracts during the lockdown period. Others have had to move their adverts to platform companies and online newspapers in anticipation…
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07 May

Find your #newnormal before it finds you

ObserverNational News
Don’t deny the reality that everything is changing. Accept that your world post-COVID-19 will be the same as before the pandemic. Other than the banks, all economic sectors and households are taking a beating. And Government cannot save each of us. We must plan to save ourselves. The world as we all knew it is gone. If you are middle class, prepare for the lower middle class or worse. If you were living pay check to pay check, you are in big trouble. If the cash lenders own your pay check and it is not coming any more, you are…
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Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss
06 May

Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss

ObserverObserver Money, , ,
. . . as government continues to delay N$400m subsidy Andrew Kathindi Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta has said that the tourism sector could lose at least N$20 billion in anticipated revenues and fixed assets by the end of 2020 due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Namibia has received no inbound tourists since international borders of all countries were virtually closed to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Minister has told the Windhoek Observer that he believes that it is most likely that the tourism sector in Namibia will pick up only after…
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Conservation sustainability gets N$16 million boost
06 May

Conservation sustainability gets N$16 million boost

ObserverObserver Money
Andrew Kathindi A total of N$16 million has been raised for the Conservation Relief, Recovery and Resilient Facility which aims to address the long-term impacts associated with COVID-19 on the sustainability of the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Program in Namibia. Of this amount, the Namibia Association for CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will receive N$7.5 million. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) pledged an amount of N$1.5 million, while Nedbank Namibia has pledged an amount of N$1 million to the project. This amount is about a quarter of the conservancy income from tourism operations…
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NACADA: THE COMBATANT COMMANDER
06 May

NACADA: THE COMBATANT COMMANDER

ObserverUncategorised,
General Martin Shalli In the midst of corona virus pandemic with its economic rampage, lockdown, fear, death, internet conspiracy theories and infodemic, Namibia commemorates 42nd anniversary of the Cassinga massacre and the battle of Chetequera. In remembrance of all those who died, shed blood and survived on this day, we pay tribute to all of them. May their souls continue to rest in eternal peace! And may their blood continue to water our freedom! We salute them and in the hope that their revolutionary spirit help to continue to serve as a glue of unity, patriotism, solidarity, peace, and justice.…
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06 May

Masks: the cart before the horse

ObserverNational News
The national phased plan to reopen Namibia is not Namibian. We have cut-and-pasted regulations suited to other people’s COVID-19 situations. However, prevention of the pandemic is not always a one-size-fits-all proposition. The Phase 2 demand that masks be worn by everyone while in public has given rise to this concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) website clearly states that there is no need for ALL citizens to wear masks. On the contrary, they cite that ONLY those working with patients in hospitals, those who are ill or living with those who are, the immune-compromised, and essential health care and safety…
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04 May

The Time Traveler: Criminalizing fake news is not the way

ObserverUncategorised,
Hugh Ellis It seems that Government may criminalize the spreading of fake news on the Coronavirus pandemic, during the current state of emergency. In terms of regulations published in the Government Gazette, it is now (at least technically) a criminal offense to publish a statement, including on social media, that is intended to deceive people about the Covid-19 status of someone or about measures intended to combat, prevent and suppress the disease. Offenders may be fined N$2000 or face six months imprisonment. Readers of this column will know I despise fake news, and have little time for those who spread…
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04 May

Disagreement is NOT a personal attack

ObserverUncategorised,
Jackie Wilson Asheeke I have much respect for the intelligence and openness of Presidential Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari. But, in reading his last missive in defense of the president, I am disappointed. He included a section where he seems to say that the massive loss of public support for Geingob in the last elections was due to biased media reporting. I strongly disagree with that conclusion and hold up a hand of caution. It is one thing to defend your boss to keep him sweet. It is quite another thing to assign blame to the media because he dropped significantly…
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04 May

Observatory: We need to protect trans people

ObserverUncategorised,
Thandizo Kawerama A disgusting video of a member of the Gobabis trans community being assaulted has recently surfaced online. The conversation surrounding the incident highlights how we as a society refuse to protect the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, and continue to gas light them on the discrimination they face in our society. Contrary to popular belief, trans people are human beings. They live a human experience just like the people outside of their community. If someone outside of the community has a problem with a trans person they should look to resolve their differences instead of attacking…
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04 May

Read the fine print before cheering

ObserverNational News,
The statement that the devil is in the details is spot on. As people slog through the criteria, rules, and exceptions attached to the announced COVID-19 financial support plans, all that glitters is not gold. Before giving more applause to the headline-grabbing announcements of N$8.1 billion for this or N$400 million for that or N$700 million for these, people must step back, take a deep breath. Read the fine print. Fact: Namibia was broke before COVID-19 hit and the coffers were dry. This remains the case. The money that is being bandied about is coming from sleight of hand by…
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