Blog – Page 860 – News Stand

28 Nov

Time and tide wait for no man

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedSwapo’s loss of votes

Swapo’s loss of votes in the presidential and parliamentary elections last year failed to energize the party fast enough to address concerns. This may have affected the electorate in the 2020 regional vote. While all votes are not counted and confirmed and the strong Swapo base of the North is not yet reported, assumptions about a significant loss of support for the ruling party are premature. Pundits and opposition parties should take care not to overreact. If the trend continues in the non-Swapo traditional base areas, to show a voting tally that has reduced the ruling party’s sway, then it…

28 Nov

Govt undecided on COVID-19 measures as new cases spike

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCOVID-19 measures, Dr Kalumbi Shangula

Helena Johannes Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula says that he is not sure if the government plans to tighten existing COVID-19 protective measures amid a recent spike in new cases. Shangula as minister of health, is empowered under Section 29 of the Public and Environmental Act to implement regulations. This authority has been operational since 18 September 2020. Despite the onus on amending the existing regulations being vested in his office, Shangula maintains, “it is the job of the President to announce that.” This comes as President Hage Geingob recently called off a briefing on the…

28 Nov

Voter apathy strikes elections again

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Director Graham Hopwood, Voter apathy

Andrew Kathindi Voter apathy continues to mire the local authority and regional elections after it has emerged that less than half of registered voters showed up for the past elections. This comes after the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) earlier this month announced that over 1.4 million Namibians had registered to vote. In Windhoek, the local authority with the highest number of registered voters was especially hard hit. Out of 150,172 eligible voters, only 60,339 cast their votes. And from this number, 561 votes were rejected. In Rundu, the local authority with the second highest number of registered voters, 25,962…

28 Nov

The battle for Windhoek Mayor begins … as Swapo loses control of council

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAffirmative Repositioning (AR), Battle for Windhoek Mayor, Independents Patriots for Change (IPC), Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Swapo Party

Andrew Kathindi The Swapo party has lost control of the City of Windhoek in the local elections. A battle has emerged on who will be the next mayor of the nation’s capital, after new councilors are sworn in. This comes as ruling party Swapo garnered five seats on the Council, having previously held 12, while new player Independents Patriots for Change (IPC) collected four, Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and Landless People's Movement (LPM) picked up two each while Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and National Unity Democratic Organization (NUDO) both got one seat. AR leader, Job Amupanda, who heads to the Council,…

27 Nov

The need for housing cannot wait

info_e12wt4csNational NewsWalvis Bay

As we wait for the confirmed election results, there are consistent nightmare problems in Namibia that must not be eclipsed. The need for affordable and decent housing cannot wait. In Walvis Bay, a consortium of fishing companies began constructing accommodation for 300 of their employees. Over N$65 million is in the pot for costs. This is an example of what must happen all over the country. Government and business must push everything to the back of the line – housing must be the #1 focus in 2021. This consortium of fishing companies gets a nod of approval for their housing…

27 Nov

NAC secures interim airports’ licences

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedNamibia Airports Company (NAC), Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Staff Writer Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has received interim airport operating licenses for all eight airports after submitting its applications with the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis International Airport according to the airports operator , were issued with interim aerodrome certificates valid for a period of eighteen months (18) until 05 May 2022, while the Andima Toivo ya Toivo Airport at Ondangwa was issued with an interim aerodrome license valid for a period of eighteen months (18) until 05 May 2022. The previously unlicensed aerodromes Eros, and the four regional airports of Rundu, Katima…

27 Nov

Nghipondoka in the dark over DHPS racism allegations

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDeutsche Höhere Privatschule School (DHPS), German Embassy

Helena Johannes Minister of Education Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka says she is unware of ongoing racism allegations at the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule School (DHPS) and thus the government department has not taken any measures to investigate the issue. “I have never heard about it and I did not receive a written complaint from anybody either,” she told the Windhoek Observer. This comes after allegations of racism and prejudice continued to surface at the school, after a 2016 incident where white mother barred a black Grade 1 boy from attending her daughter’s birthday. Affirmative Reposition leader, Job Amupanda’s efforts to…

27 Nov

Increase in COVID-19 cases worries health ministry

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyKalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS)

Clifton Movirongo The Ministry of Health said it is worried about a resurgence of COVID-19 cases after the country recorded its highest number on Thursday, 26 November in months, with 149 new positive cases recorded in Namibia. This comes on the day after the local and regional elections where voters stood in long lines with no social distancing. The Khomas region according to Ministry of Health figures, recorded the highest number with 105 cases recorded in Windhoek out of 149 cases from 1,327 results received from the testing laboratories countrywide. Last week, the Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS),…

27 Nov

Coalitions only hope – Venaani

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyMcHenry Venaani, PDM, SWAPO

Andrew Kathindi Official opposition party leader, McHenry Venaani says divisions among parties has costed them in some areas and going forward a coalition provides the only hope to beat Swapo in future elections. This comes as Swapo candidates have managed to narrowly edge out the opposition parties in some parts of the country, while losing strongholds in other areas, as results continue to trickle in. “That whole thing really polarized the whole election, to the point where the opposition would have garnered a combined majority,” the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader told Windhoek Observer. “We knew that the election was…

25 Nov

Tips on how to be financially savvy this Black Friday

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedBlack Friday tips, Elzita Beukes

Staff Writer With Black Friday just around the corner, it’s important for consumers to exercise caution and self-discipline when managing their money over this period. Lack of financial discipline around Black Friday can easily lead to financial woes especially in these trying times. Elzita Beukes, FNB Communication Manager says, you can avoid getting into financial distress over Black Friday by doing the following: 1. Plan your budget and be honest with yourself on what you can afford. 2. Do your research ahead of time - you need to know exactly what you want to buy and determine the price of…