Blog

18 May

Moving the needle on Infrastructure Development … ‘An Allocator’s perspective’

ObserverUncategorised, , ,
Sara Mezui Engo Much discourse has taken place on the catalytic role of infrastructure development in spurring economic growth and attracting investment. Similarly, policy makers have responded in the form of NDP 5; HPP2; SDG; Climate resilience forums; PPP 1legislation and the Namibia Financial Sector Strategy, which through regulatory provisions, enforced contractual savings to increase domestic asset allocation. Furthermore, institutions have been set up to support the cause, in particular the Private Public Partnership unit at Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). In addition, through HPP2 government offices, ministries, and agencies (OMAs) have…
Read More
‘Rushed’ genocide deal questioned
18 May

‘Rushed’ genocide deal questioned

ObserverObserver Money, , , ,
Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Concerns have been raised around the agreement reached between Namibia and Germany over the Nama and Ovaherero genocide reparations. This is amid concerns the imminent deal was rushed and might not come out in the best interest of Namibia after almost six years of negotiations. According to political analyst, Henning Melber, the announced agreement set to be signed in two weeks’ time, will be in the best interest of Germany, as it brings the negotiations to a close ahead of the country’s elections scheduled for September. “This might not have been in the best strategic interest of the…
Read More
LPM lodges Supreme Court appeal
18 May

LPM lodges Supreme Court appeal

ObserverObserver Money, , , ,
Andrew Kathindi The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has lodged an appeal against the Supreme Court a decision by High Court Judge Kobus Miller, to dismiss its leader, Bernardus Swartbooi, and Henny Seibeb’s application against Speaker of Parliament, Peter Katjavivi. The application was to set aside Katjavivi’s indefinite suspension of the two LPM leaders from Parliament’s Chamber following their forceful removal after being deemed disruptive during President Hage Geingob’s parliamentary state of the nation address last month. The High Court dismissed the application with costs. The appeal was lodged last week on 12 May. The LPM legal representatives argued that Judge…
Read More
Namibia in push to legalise homosexuality
18 May

Namibia in push to legalise homosexuality

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Andrew Kathindi The Namibian Government is forging ahead with plans to terminate a law that has made the practice of homosexuality in the country illegal. The development could see the particular law being overturned before the end of the year. Justice Minister, Yvonne Dausab , confirmed to Windhoek Observer that she has committed to submit draft regulations to Cabinet in two weeks at the deliberative meeting. “After which it will go through the normal law-making process: principal approval from Cabinet, scrutiny from the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL), possible further discussions with the Law Reform and Development Commission (LRDC), certification…
Read More
15 May

No more room for ideological errors and opportunism

ObserverUncategorised
Kae Matundu-Tjiparoro In many aspects and respects than one there’s no time than now that the writing must be clearly on the wall for all and sundry, especially true revolutionaries, to see for themselves. Time and again, one has been hearing the cliché, from especially politicians, ruling, and ruling is the appropriate word to describe the political system prevalent in Namibia. Ruling as opposed to governing. Because Namibians during the last 31 years of freedom, independence, sovereignty, justice, you can mention all the adjectives imaginable, has indeed been ruled. Liken ruling in this sense with an archaic political systems and…
Read More
15 May

Africa’s Covid-19 vaccination woes present a pandemic paradox

ObserverUncategorised
One year into the Covid-19 pandemic, African countries are staring at a daunting new triple challenge: vaccine shortage, vaccine hesitancy, and perception of dwindling virus risk. Health officials see what happens elsewhere in the world – especially India right now – and worry which regions will get hit next. Vaccine hesitancy Even amidst grim vaccine shortages, some countries are destroying their first consignment of COVAX vaccines, which are now past their expiration dates. Millions of doses delivered to the continent were never used and have been stockpiled in warehouses across the continent. Malawi and South Sudan are the latest countries…
Read More
Dennis Noa remains in custody
15 May

Dennis Noa remains in custody

ObserverUncategorised, ,
Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Dennis Noa, son of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Director, Paulus Noa, made his second appearance on Friday at Katutura Magistrate court, facing charges of sexually violating an 18- year-old male patient at Katutura Hospital. According to magistrate Shikalepo Atutala Namwenyo, investigations are still not finalized. “The matter is scheduled for further investigations, which are outstanding as they have additional statements to be obtained, and further analysis from the lab (Nation Forensic Science Institution of Namibia) to be obtained. We have agreed the date of 22 July 2021 for further investigations,” Namwenyo stated. The magistrate added that “the objections to…
Read More
Shangula rules out CDC mask guidelines
15 May

Shangula rules out CDC mask guidelines

ObserverUncategorised, , ,
Andrew Kathindi Namibia has ruled out new guidelines from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) (USA) that people who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 do not have to wear masks or adhere to social distancing in most settings. According to the Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) , Kalumbi Shangula, people who have been vaccinated are not necessarily out of the woods yet. “We are doing exactly what we are doing now. We are not changing anything,” said Shangula. “I will then see, what is the basis for them saying so. Because if you’re vaccinated, you don’t immediately develop…
Read More
Ministers paid pennies – Shiimi
15 May

Ministers paid pennies – Shiimi

ObserverUncategorised, , ,
Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Tujoromajo Kasuto Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, says Government has no plans to cut salaries of ministers as part of cost cutting measures as they are already paid pennies compared to managers in the private sector. This is in response to whether ministers will be taking salary cuts in solidarity with thousands of Namibians whose salaries were cut by half due to the economic strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Government employees don’t get paid much compared to the private sector. We have discussed it but it will not be considered because it would not be beneficial…
Read More
Qatar backed fund buys Safari Hotels
14 May

Qatar backed fund buys Safari Hotels

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Staff Writer Kasada Capital Management, a fund backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, and French hospitality group, Accor, has announced its acquisition of the Safari Hotels and Conference Centre in Windhoek for an undisclosed amount. The transaction, which is still subject to approval by the Namibian Competition Commission, will be made through Kasada Hospitality Fund LP. The acquisition comes as the 55-year-old, 414 room hotel and conference venue, has been on the market after a failed 2018 bid by United Africa Group to acquire JH Hamman Beherende Beleggings, the holding company…
Read More
Like Us
Follow Us
Subscribe Us
Follow Us
LinkedIn