Blog – Page 669 – Windhoek Observer

04 Apr

Rising scabies numbers concerns health authorities

ObserverUncategorisedKalumbi Shangula, Rising scabies numbers concerns health authorities

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula says the country has recorded an alarming number of scabies cases since January this year. The cases have spiked since last month, which prompted the Ministry to conduct an assessment report to understand the severity of the situation. 3454 cases have been reported thus far since January, Shangula confirmed. According to the assessment, Kunene Region reported the most cases numbering 1 418 cases followed by Ohangwena with 708, Otjonzondjupa 402, Kavango West 375, Kavango East 204, Omusati 130, Oshana 104, Omaheke 46Hardap 20, Oshikoto 20, Erongo 17 and Karas…

04 Apr

Oil exploration too much of a gamble for government

ObserverUncategorisedObeth Mbuipaha Kandjoze, Oil exploration too much of a gamble for government, p to N$ 300 million for exploratory work and N$ 1.5 billion for a single well., TotalEnergies

Tujoromajo Kasuto Obeth Mbuipaha Kandjoze, Director General of the National Planning Commission,says that undertaking exploration to extract oil is not cheap, and the equipment required is expensive, and mostly only people with great wealth are able to invest in it as there is initially no guaranteed discovery and revenue. He explains that large sums of money are required to have a chance of making a discovery. "Up to N$ 300 million for exploratory work and N$ 1.5 billion for a single well. Once the discovery has been confirmed, three to four additional wells are required to determine whether or not…

03 Apr

Yes to One Nation, One Namibia Ideologically, not political hallucinations

ObserverUncategorisednot political hallucinations, One Namibia Ideologically, Yes to One Nation

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro IS a one nation in Namibia ever achievable, or is it only wishful thinking and hallucinations of politicians? Yours Truly Ideologically whatsoever has no aversion and cannot by any means has any, as indeed every revolutionary Namibian, to the notion and ideal of a One Nation, One Namibia. Because indeed that must have been the ultimate and essence of the Namibian Revolution. As independence and freedom was a sine qua non, and remains a sine qua non, for the Namibian Revolution, which is the ultimate. So far the First Phase of the Revolution, which is the Political Emancipation,…

03 Apr

REAL ESTATE JOINT: Shoot your shot

ObserverUncategorisedREAL ESTATE JOINT: Shoot your shot

Malcolm Ndjiharine So you see an advert of a house that you feel is very nice and it’s either in your price range or slightly above but then you stumble and hesitate. Instead of calling immediately, you send a text or if it’s on Facebook, you comment on the ad asking if it’s negotiable or when you can view. What? Are you serious? This is a common problem I see with many potential homebuyers. “Our lives improve only when we take chances.” This quote by Walter Anderson sums up my point. When you see a house that you think is…

03 Apr

Diary of an Angry Black Woman… What it’s like to compete with white femininity

ObserverUncategorisedDiary of an Angry Black Woman, What it’s like to compete with white femininity

Nameya Jacobs Disclaimer: I am light-skinned, mixed-race, and petite with 3B/3C hair. This means I am sitting on a mountain of privilege which has to be remembered throughout this article. Dark-skinned Black women who are either tall, fat, masc-presenting, disabled, or anything that doesn’t fit into the eurocentric standards of beauty have it much worse. Colourism is prevalent both in and out of the Black community and it is my duty, and the duties of the women who look like me, to speak up against it. From the age of three, I knew that stood next to a white girl,…

01 Apr

What our laws say on ownership of oil discoveries

ObserverUncategorisedWhat our laws say on ownership of oil discoveries

Obeth Mbuipaha Kandjoze A recent response by President Hage Geingob in an Al Jazeera interview that the recent oil discoveries in Namibia’s offshore waters belongs to those with the right to extract, has led to unnecessary outcry locally. The discoveries in question were followed by intensive drilling operations in two wells located 300 KM southwest of the Port of Lüderitz. So, what are the issues at hand? A cursory overview of the applicable legal instruments is paramount for a common understanding about the differences between ownership on the one hand, and rights and obligations on the other. Erring on the…

01 Apr

Climate change threaten water sources

ObserverUncategorisedCarl Schlettwein stressed that 60 percent of Namibia water supply comes from underground sources and therefore needs to be preserved, Climate change threaten water sources

Martin Endjala The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has cautioned that the availability and affordability of water is challenged by climate change and Namibia is particularly vulnerable in this regard because of its significant high temperatures. Carl Schlettwein stressed that 60 percent of Namibia water supply comes from underground sources and therefore needs to be preserved. He was speaking at the commemoration ceremony of the World Water, Wetlands and Forest Day in Windhoek at the Safari Hotel today. The Minister said surface water is easily contaminated due to pollution hence the vitality in valuable ground water. Drought also…

01 Apr

Zambezi, Hambukushu chiefs widely consulted on Bwabwata

ObserverUncategorisedZambezi Hambukushu chiefs widely consulted on Bwabwata

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has reiterated that it consulted the Hambukushu Traditional Authority on several occasions regarding the establishment of the Bwabwata National Park, despite denials by the chief, Fumu Erwin Mbambo. The issue is now the subject of a Parliamentary Standing Committee Hearing following a petition on 19 November 2021 by the Hambukushu to the National Assembly. At the hearing that started in Windhoek this week, the MEFT officials told the Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs in no uncertain terms that numerous consultations were held the tribal authority by various responsible state…

01 Apr

Politicians put on their running shoes

ObserverUncategorisedVenaani said it’s a worthy course to come together as Namibian personalities, ‘’We Race Together’’ MTC initiative

Martin Endjala The much anticipated ‘’We Race Together’’ MTC initiative is heating up, as two prominent political personalities McHenry Venaani, leader of the Popular Democratic Movement and Panduleni Iitula, leader of Independence Patriots for Change are set to battle it out on the athletics track against Namibia’s finest runners. Joining the initiative, Venaani said it’s a worthy course to come together as Namibian personalities and to unite for a noble initiative, adding that it will drive the country towards nation building. “As a society we can all come together and engage in a very noble course. My boots are ready…

01 Apr

Six Fishrot suspects denied bail

ObserverUncategorisedHigh Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele in his judgement today denied bail to six men accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, James Hatuikulipi, Mike Nghipunya, Otneel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi, Pius Mwatelulo, Sacky Shanghala, Six Fishrot suspects denied bail

Tujoromajo Kasuto High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele in his judgement today denied bail to six men accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, stating that the accused did not provide sufficient evidence to be granted bail. Sacky Shanghala, Mike Nghipunya, Pius Mwatelulo, James Hatuikulipi, Otneel Shuudifonya and Phillipus Mwapopi are the six whose bail application was unsuccessful. They are charged with racketeering, violating the Anti-Corruption Act, conspiracy, corruptly using an office to receive gratification, fraud, theft, and money laundering, as well as defeating or obstructing the course of justice. The six men, along with four others, are accused of…