Blog

19 May

If you need help, ask for it

ObserverNational News, ,
Namibia faces a serious problem of re-paying the Eurobonds that will come due in October 2021. The time for outside professional, experienced professionals to address the problem has come. This cannot be done on the cheap. We are loathed to make this admission. We have always criticized government ministries about their dependence on foreign consultants. Since independence, Namibia has spent hundreds of millions in hard currency for consultants. Ministries have paid consultants to do their jobs for them over 30 years. Consultants contracted for a month to help write one document, were given every assignment under the sun. Consultants paid…
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16 May

Get out of your head and get into something new

ObserverUncategorised,
Jackie Wilson Asheeke Check out WhatsOn Namibia - delia@whatsonnamibia.com It is time to get back into the saddle…at least a little bit. Get on to the mailing list of WhatsonNamibia noted above. They will send you notices of different events that are happening virtually and after this cup passes, they will send events that you can attend. I think this is a part of the new normal! I rarely have time after a long day at work to go to Song Night, but I always have wanted to go. Now, because it is online on Wednesdays, I’ll be able to…
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16 May

The Time Traveler: Why men should embrace ‘Men are Trash’

ObserverUncategorised
Hugh Ellis Look, I get it. ‘Men are trash’ sounds offensive at first glance. Worse still, it sounds like the sort of crass gender stereotype that feminism should rise up against, not support and shout in the streets. If you’re a man and you think this, I understand why. But ultimately, you are wrong, and once you understand the reasons why so many young women are crying, ‘men are trash,’ you, if you have any decency, will do likewise. Firstly, understand it’s not about you. The phrase ‘men are trash’ originated as a rallying cry of the ‘Me Too’ movement…
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16 May

Let’s talk about alcohol shall we?

ObserverUncategorised
Jackie Wilson Asheeke A person drinking a beer could be arrested in Namibia. And yet, people with masks that only cover their mouths and not their noses (or wearing no masks at all), walk around like everything is fine. That is ridiculous. I submit that a gin and tonic (with extra ice, extra lemon, a twist of lime and two maraschino cherries) does not spread COVID-19. I am no scientist, but I feel pretty confident in my assertion. Someone should read the history of Prohibition in the USA in the 1930s. It didn’t work and the idea was dropped. In…
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16 May

National Resistance only first phase of National Revolution

ObserverUncategorised
Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro What was actually ushered in on March 21, 1990, was the first phase of the national revolution. An outcome of and legacy of years of colonial resistance as spearhead by the brave and valiant leaders. Initially in the national resistance against German colonialism and imperialism and occupation, and subsequently against the Apartheid South African regime’s occupation and de facto annexation of South West Africa as its first province. The National Resistance had as its vanguard true patriotic nationalist leaders. The National Resistance, or the first phase of the National Revolution which, notably, led to the Genocide, currently the…
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16 May

Couch kitten: Don’t dump your friends

ObserverUncategorised,
Wetumwene Shikage During this time when the world is greatly affected by the global pandemic COVID-19, restrictive measures have been put in place. These measures are not to cage us, they are to keep us safe. It is important to remember the people who keep you going and keep you happy or entertained. Our friends are people we have bonds of mutual affection outside work and home. A global pandemic should not weaken the bonds we have with the different friends we have. All of my friends are different from one another. Recognizing the friends you have is important so…
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16 May

The kitchen: where strong bonds are built

ObserverUncategorised
Clementine Tjameya After years and years of mixing every edible thing in the kitchen with my mom to come up with new recipes, I have learned that the kitchen is where strong mother-daughter bonds are born. Nothing strengthens a girl’s relationship with her mom better than trying out new recipes together. Fathers and sons should try it too! It is all about opening up, feeling safe, feeling supported and affirmed and having fun. Apart from being in suspense about how your recipe will come out, you will have plenty of time to share what is going on in each other’s…
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NCCI takes aim at Banks
16 May

NCCI takes aim at Banks

ObserverUncategorised,
Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has raised concern over relief measures offered by commercial banks. NCCI Chief Executive Officer Charity Mwiya speaking during a meeting with the Bank of Namibia (BON) Deputy Governor Ebson Uanguta, accused banks not delivering on promises made to assist businesses negatively affected by the effects of COVID-19. “For example banks are swift in offering debt servicing holidays, but that such offers preclude interest reduction. To add salt to injury by adding administrative charges, treating a payment holiday as a new loan or credit facility, in doing so expecting borrowers to…
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16 May

The meal has been eaten; the bill must be paid

ObserverNational News
The real challenge the president faces is not cancelling car purchases or termination of special advisors to regional governors, but how the Eurobonds taken in US dollar currency will be re-paid on time. The US$500 million bond taken out in 2011 is due in October 2021. That means nearly N$9.3 billion will be payable to those holding the bonds in about 17 months. These monies borrowed during the presidency of Hifikepunye Pohamba have long since been spent. The meal has been eaten, now the waiter is hovering near the Namibian table with the portable swipe machine ready, watching us. The…
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Northern learners face e-learning exclusion
16 May

Northern learners face e-learning exclusion

ObserverObserver Money, , , , ,
Andrew Kathindi Over ‭240,000‬ learners in the Oshikoto, Oshana, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena region will not be reached by e-learning as teachers scramble for alternative teaching methods, education ministry officials have noted.‬‬‬ The state of emergency that was put in place last month to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 has decimated the school calendar. It has ended face-to-face learning for learners and teachers until August. Since then, teachers have been mandated to reach students electronically through online and social media platforms like WhatsApp. Last week, education executive director, Sanet Steenkamp said after teachers returned to schools on 6 May, they would…
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