Blog – Page 831 – Windhoek Observer

26 Mar

What happens the day after?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19

The CEO of the Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma made a comment this week that needs to be repeated. He said, “The GIPF will not be making any rushed investment decisions [due to the virus].” This wisdom needs to be injected into our Covid-19 mitigation ideas and plans right now. Programs must not be entered in a rush of ‘doing something’ about Covid-19. When the virus emergency passes, as it eventually will, the after crisis recovery could be worse for the already-stressed Namibian economy. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew, in its haste to ‘save as…

25 Mar

Celebrity desert trek place Namibia on map

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia

A mixture of well-known celebrities among them radio DJ's, television broadcasters, a singer and a TV judge, last month embarked on a 100-mile trek across the Namib desert to raise vital funds to transform the lives of vulnerable people and communities throughout the UK and internationally. The challenge was filmed for a BBC One documentary, The Heat is On: Sport Relief, which aired on Wednesday last week. Every year a bunch of determined celebrities take on a gruelling challenge or Comic Relief or Sport Relief and this year, it was not different. Celebrities, including Nick Grimshaw and Frankie Bridge trekked…

24 Mar

Couch Kitten: Don’t let ‘imposter syndrome’ get you

ObserverUncategorisedOscar, Thandizo Kawerama

Thandizo Kawerama Imposter syndrome is when you downplay your achievements. You dim your own shine and shy away from opportunities you would otherwise benefit from. When you find yourself in a position you are qualified for, you get paranoid that your inadequacies will be exposed – so you shrink away from high performance. It’s basically shooting yourself in the foot. Last week I watched the critically acclaimed, Oscar winning South Korean film Parasite. It was brilliant. Outside of being a great critique on our classicist society, the film served as reminder as to why we shouldn’t let imposter syndrome get…

24 Mar

Philander’s satirical drama confronts corruption

ObserverUncategorisedcorruption, Frederick Philander, Namibia

Clementine Tjameya Frederick Philander is an iconic, talented playwright, social historian, actor and director. He uses his gift to express his love of Namibia and its people. Last month, we published an article announcing that Philander had finished his latest satirical political courtroom drama, I am NOT corrupt. He is now preparing it for a full stage presentation. Without giving spoilers, this play is based on a true Namibian court case that recently captured national headlines. Rehearsals for the play started last week and are continuing throughout the months of March and April. The Windhoek Observer had the privilege to…

24 Mar

Preserve and get what you deserve in your golden years

ObserverUncategorisedFinancial, Namibia, Preservation Fund or Retirement Annuity Fund

Patricia Olivier Chief Executive Officer Old Mutual Corporate Segment Did you know that retirement planning and its benefits is all up to you? There is no legislation for example, compelling you as a member of a retirement fund, to preserve your benefits when exiting the fund upon changing an employer. In fact, currently members of retirement funds may take 100% of their retirement savings in cash and most do. Doing so however will probably add to a series of obstacles standing between you and your retirement goals which may be to retire with financial independence. Perhaps you haven’t even given…

24 Mar

Top 5 tips to achieve financial independence

ObserverUncategorisedElzita Beukes, Financial, FNB, FNB Namibia, independence

There are no short cuts to attaining financial freedom; it requires discipline and proper financial planning. Elzita Beukes, FNB Communication Manager, said: “Financial independence is the ability to live a financially independent life that neither relies solely on debt as a form of survival or living expenses. The main reason most people grapple with the concept of financial independence is because of a lack of discipline. “There’s no truth in the belief that you can only achieve financial independence when you are wealthy, it all depends on developing good money management skills.” In order to see the full worth of…

24 Mar

NMP claims Fishrot accused blocked phosphate mining

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Namibia Phosphate Mining (NMP)

Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) spokesman Romeo Muyunda, on Wednesday dismissed claims by Namibia Phosphate Mining (NMP) that the ‘Fishrot’ files scandal and the individuals involved in it are responsible for stalling its Sandpiper phosphate mining project. The company is engaged in a protracted campaign which started over 10 years ago, to commence offshore mining for phosphates, an estimated 120km south-west of Walvis Bay. “It appears the objections to NMP’s phosphate project, as proposed and scientifically substantiated by independent environmental assessments, were spearheaded by individuals who are now implicated in, what is perhaps, Namibia’s biggest post-independence corruption scandal, the…

24 Mar

SWAPO Party 2020 – A Portrait

ObserverObserver MoneySwapo Party

Citizen Nahas Angula I have been asked to paint a portrait of SWAPO Party in 2020 for the February/March edition of the Observer Connect Magazine. At the outset I confess that I am not a good artist. In addition I am not privy to the current inner party thinking. The SWAPO Party is a legacy and heritage of all patriotic Namibians. We owe it to the Party that Namibia today is a proud nation, despite a myriad of challenges that we face. The current SWAPO Party image is best portrayed by the protagonists of the organization, especially its spokespersons. Let…

24 Mar

Observatory: Show him the real deal

ObserverUncategorisedKatutura Hospital, Katutura Intermediate Hospital, President Geingob

Clementine Tjameya President Geingob’s so-called ‘surprise’ visit to the Katutura Intermediate Hospital raised a number of frustrated and angry comments online and around town. People all over the country are wondering if it was really a surprise visit or just a staged visit. The public has been complaining about the hospital for as long as I can remember. Over the past few weeks the complaints got out of hand. There was even a petition going on social media which said, “Save Katutura Hospital”. People were, and are still, angry about the dilapidated state that of that hospital. However, after his…

24 Mar

One country: three nations

ObserverUncategorisedindependent, Namibia

Dr. Ngarikutuke Tjiriange Now that we are celebrating 30 years of independence of our country it may be important to just briefly reflect on some issues of those years, particularly what still persistently and disturbingly still haunts us. Our colonial history left Namibia economically split into three countries depending on their colour. The independence constitution was intended to build a bridge between the past divided society characterized by immeasurable misery and unequal distribution of wealth among different groups. The preamble of the constitution provides for the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human…