Blog – Page 757 – Windhoek Observer

18 Sep

State of emergency comes to an end

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, State of Emergency

Andrew Kathindi The six-month state of emergency which was put in place in March, and lapses at midnight on Thursday 17 September, will not be extended, President Hage Geingob has announced. This comes as it emerged that Geingob did not have the legal power to make an extension without making overtures to the opposition as the move will require parliamentary approval. The President, however, said his government had assessed and weighed both the positive and negative impacts of the regulations and considered the additional capacity created during the six-month period, which led to the decision. “This is a defining moment…

17 Sep

“If I don’t win, it was rigged”

ObserverNational Newsdemocracy, Namibian

The above words are perhaps the greatest modern-day threat to democracy. We all must be vigilant when anyone running for office says an election is rigged unless they win. We don’t have a perfect country, but it is the only one we have. Those claiming to be loyal, proud Namibians are obliged to make sure this country operates according to the constitution. Those proved to have broken the law or calling for the law to be broken, must be held accountable. In the USA, presidential candidate Donald Trump is stoking (and perhaps hoping for) a violent insurrection after national elections…

17 Sep

PayPulse adds new venders

ObserverUncategorisedPayPulse, Standard Bank

Staff Writer Standard Bank is proud to announce that it has added Liberty Life, Olusheno and MTC Data to its bouquet of partners on its Cardless Transaction Application, PayPulse, as part of the strategy to offer variety and enhance the mobile payment experience for our partners and customers. With the addition of the three partners, Standard Bank says customers are now able to pay their Liberty Life insurance premiums, as well as pay for the off-grid home lighting Olusheno kit and MTC Data using the convenience of PayPulse. “As the leading payment App in Namibia, PayPulse has been at the…

17 Sep

MTC starts SIM upgrade campaign

ObserverUncategorisedMTC

Staff Writer MTC in a drive to continue the acceleration of digital transformation, has announced that it will allow prepaid customers the opportunity for a one-time FREE sim (2G/3G) upgrade to a 4G sim card. MTC Manager Retail: Infrastructure and Development, Alan Krohne, said that "the campaign will run from 15 September - 15 December 2020, and customers who swaps their sim during this time will qualify for free 3G of Data, which will be awarded over a period of 3 months." Krohne said only prepaid customers are eligible and will qualify for free SIM Swop Campaign and that sim…

17 Sep

Agribusdev boss found dead

ObserverObserver MoneyAgricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev), Petrus Uugwanga

Staff Writer Suspended Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) Managing Director, Petrus Uugwanga was found dead on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. According to the Police, Uugwanga’s body was found in Otjimuise with a gunshot wound to the chest. A pump action shotgun found lying few meters from the body. “The body was lying next to a Grey Amarok Volswagen D/Cab which is registered in the name of the deceased,” Namibian Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said. “The motive is not known and there was no suicide note left behind. The deceased was an employee of Agricultural Business Development (AgriBusDev). His…

17 Sep

Swapo grapples with 2/3 majority loss …As state of emergency extension requires parliamentary approval

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Swapo has for the first time felt the impact of losing the 2/3 majority in Parliament as the decision over extending the state of emergency looms. This comes as President Hage Geingob would need a two/third majority (66 members of the 95 voting members) in order to extend state of emergency which lapses on Thursday. Geingob will address the nation tomorrow to pronounce himself on the matter. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader, McHenry Venaani last week said that his party will not support any extension of the state of emergency. “That 2/3 majority allows the [ruling] party that…

16 Sep

Public need for justice is being denied

ObserverNational Newsfishrot, justice, Namibia

Justice is not served by constant delays in the fishrot case. These postponements deny the public a front-row seat to see if corruption is stronger than the constitution. The people have demanded to witness the prosecution of the fishrot accused. Let us get on with it. What does it say about the case if these men languish in pandemic-unsafe jails, in limbo? How often will the prosecution, ACC and police put their tails between their legs and beg the magistrate for more time to get their cases together? Namibia has an overall problem with a sluggish arrest, investigation, and trial…

16 Sep

Old Mutual Personal Cover: Funeral Insurance

ObserverUncategorisedFuneral Insurance, Old Mutual, Old Mutual Personal Cover

Ndangi Katoma 8 things you need to know about Old Mutual’s new funeral insurance If you are the breadwinner in your family, the day may come when your phone rings and you are called upon to open up your heart and your wallet simultaneously. How many of your family members would reach out to you first when there is not enough money to cover a funeral? If you happen to be the “go-to-guy” or “gal” in your family, forking out over N$200 000 for various family funerals over the course of your life, might not be an over-exaggeration at all.…

16 Sep

Taxi union want N$14 retained …as Ministry declines N$15.40 increase

ObserverObserver MoneyNTTU leader Werner Januarie

Andrew Kathindi The Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) is calling for the N$14 taxi fare to remain in place whether or not the state of emergency is lifted on Thursday at midnight. This comes after the union’s attempt to increase the going taxi rate to N$15.40 for 1 September, citing an increase in the price for petrol was rejected by Ministry of Works and Transport. NTTU leader Werner Januarie said the union is looking at the situation on the ground and is considering a demonstration in this regard. “We did make a request previously, which was turned down by…

16 Sep

Education ministry still in repetition conundrum

ObserverObserver MoneyArts and Culture, Ministry of Education

Helena Johannes The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is yet to pronounce itself on the matter of learners repeating their grades next year should they fail their end of the year assessments. This comes after certain learners, particularly those in Khomas region, have not received any face-to-face teaching since schools were first closed during the state of emergency proclaimed by President Hage Geingob in March, with classes having only resumed this week. Acting Director of Programmes and Quality Assurance at the Education Ministry, Ayesha Wentworth said the constant U-turns made by the Ministry since the beginning of the pandemic…