Blog – Page 812 – Windhoek Observer

20 Apr

The Time Traveler: Fake news!

ObserverUncategorisedChinese, Covid-19

Hugh Ellis In this Covid-19 crisis, it was only a matter of time before fake news would rear its ugly head. No, a brand-new vaccine is not on the market in France (at bare minimum, another 18 months of research to make sure it is safe and it works, lie ahead). That picture you may have seen, supposedly of French doctors and policemen celebrating the new vaccine, was actually taken in Spain some years ago. Bananas are a nutritious fruit, but there’s no proof that eating them dramatically reduces your risk of contracting Covid-19. There is no evidence Covid-19 was…

20 Apr

Observatory: Lockdown breeds hopelessness among northerners

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Observatory

Clementine Tjameya Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, families are forced to be together in their homesteads, with nothing to do but stare at each other and grow tired of each other’s company. It is tough. Parents in the north are complaining about what to do with bored, troublesome younger family members. Everything about social distancing goes against our nature as human beings. We are social beings. We need each other and the community at large in order to function well. Community co-dependency is not that noticeable in the cities because everyone is within their high wall fences and watching television or…

20 Apr

SHOUT OUT: Something to think about in lockdown

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Jackie Wilson Asheeke Allow me to give you something positive to think about during the extended lockdown and COVID restrictions. We need to start calming ourselves down, accepting what has happened, following all rules assiduously, and begin preparing our bank accounts and hearts for the Post-COVID financial earthquake that is on the way. As I contemplate my own fears with my 82 year old, very fit and active mother in Delaware in the USA being cared for by my sister and her husband who are working from home these days, I will not let fear and panic take me for…

20 Apr

COVID should change how the world views Africa

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, World Health Organization

French Doctors Jean-Paul Mira and Camille Locht on live French TV gave their nod to testing re-engineered COVID vaccines in Africa. They claim that the entire continent of 52 different countries and over 1.2 billion souls have no virus protective equipment and no intensive care units. World outrage over these racist comments has been severe. Could COVID be the springboard for people to unite as equal human beings and refute those who see Africans as second class? Google Josef Mengele. Read about his views on human ‘test subjects' to find new drug treatments. Then, view or read the complete comments…

20 Apr

Don’t limit yourself to being good or bad

ObserverUncategorised

Thandi Kawerama I’ve recently decided to revisit one of my favorite TV shows, Avatar. It’s a 2005 classic which follows the journey of a 12 year old boy who has to learn how to control the element: water, earth, fire and air. While watching the show I felt the elements were akin to the different emotions people experience every day. I was reminded that emotions are neither good nor bad but are all part of the human experience. In the fictional world, people who are able to manipulate the elements are limited to mastering only one, but the Avatar can…

20 Apr

Rent pressure mounts

ObserverObserver MoneyAnne Gebhardt, Cirrus Capital, Covid-19, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, Yvonne Dausab

Staff Writer A rent default crisis is looming come month-end. A number of individuals and businesses have been negatively affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus. They will struggle to meet their monthly rent payments. The country’s precarious position will also cause a bulk of homeowners to struggle to service their monthly home repayments. This comes amid mounting job losses due to the government-imposed lockdown to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation is compounded by an already weak economy. Financial services company, Cirrus Capital estimates the country could lose as much as N$2 billion per week. This is due to…

20 Apr

Namibia lags in Covid 19 testing

ObserverObserver MoneyBernard Haufiku, Covid-19, Namibia

Staff Writer Former Health Minister and National Coordinator of the Covid-19 task team, Bernard Haufiku says with the current low number of Covid-19 tests conducted in relation to the population and disappointingly high level of people movement, the country cannot confidently say it’s on top of the pandemic in Namibia. According to Haufiku the country should have carried out 5,000-10,000 tests by now, more than a month since the country announced its first positive case in March. “The less than 500 tests we have carried out so far is nothing in relation to our population. We should at least have…

06 Apr

Tabling of national budget postponed

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, president Hage Geingob

Newly appointed finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi has confirmed that the 2020 Appropriation Bill will be delayed until further notice. The decision is a direct result of the state of emergency declared by president Hage Geingob on 18 March 2020 in response to the deadly and fast-spreading COVID-19 virus. Meanwhile, the finance ministry has requested all government entities to comply strictly and to continue utilizing proper authorisation procedures, as well as to continue applying prudent financial management measures during the state of emergency and beyond. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 analysts have been calling for a massive stimulus package to mitigate…

06 Apr

Pinehas new chief of the NDF

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Marshall Martin Kambulu Pinehas, NDF, president Hage Geingob

President Hage Geingob this week appointed Air Marshall Martin Kambulu Pinehas as the new chief of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF). Former commander of the Namibian Air Force (NAF) Pinehas’ appointment became effective on Wednesday, 1 April as he replaces Lieutenant General John Mutwa. “President Hage Geingob appoints Air Marshall Martin Kambulu Pinehas as chief of the Namibian Defence Force in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Namibian Defence Force and by virtue of the power vested in him by the country’s constitution,” a statement from the presidency read. According to the statement as CDF, Pinegas will be called upon…

06 Apr

Free water will cost CoW millions

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, Robert Kahimise

The reconnection of running water for many cash-strapped Windhoek residents, especially those living in the burgeoning informal settlements surrounding the capital, is expected to cost the city an estimated N$8.9 million, according to the Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise. Kahimise made the announcement this week during a media conference in the council chambers. He said the council approved an emergency response plan to help mitigate the risks associated with the virus. The measure will also benefit about 1 200 taps or households of clients who were disconnected for non-payment. Around 18 water tanks have been deployed strategically at various locations…