Blog – Page 959 – News Stand

29 Apr

Prepare for the re-opening of Namibia now

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, Fisheries Ministry, Namibia

The time to reset minds, attitudes businesses to a post-COVID-19 reality is now. Fisheries Ministry executive director Moses Maurihungirire allowed Erongo Marine Enterprises to go to sea despite the ban. Allowing one freezer vessel to go out while others remain on lockdown is not the way to re-open the economy. It is a poor start, but a start nonetheless. We can do better. Now that one vessel is out, the sea should be open for the other vessels as quickly as practicable. The last thing needed now is even more hostility on the docks due to the accurate perceptions about…

28 Apr

Maersk Sheerness docks at Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) on Friday received the largest vessel to ever dock in Namibian waters, the 335.41 meters long, 43.16 meters bean and a 7500 TEU capacity Maersk Sheerness. Namport’s Executive for Commercial Immanuel !Hanabeb said, “ the arrival of this vessel is of great significance, not only to the Ports Authority but to the entire country, as this is not only consistent with our values and drive to becoming Africa's Number 1 Port Authority but also places Namibia in a more competitive position as it now can accommodate bigger vessels.” He said the shipping industry has over…

28 Apr

Meatco donates corned beef

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Meatco

Staff Writer Meatco has donated 25 000 tins of corned beef to be distributed amongst Namibians that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Meatco CEO, Mushokabanji Mwilima the distribution of the corned beef will be left in the hands of the Regional Council who will oversee the distribution of the parcels to those who need them most. “Meatco will remain pragmatic during this time of need, I don’t want to go in too much detail for now. I just want to reiterate our willingness to assist however little; we are assisting our fellow Namibians/human beings with…

28 Apr

The climate of inconsistency

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Government

The state of emergency remains and the lockdown is not supposed to end until midnight May 4th. But, it is getting harder to tell that this is a time of world and national medical crisis from the increase in public movement on the streets. As usual in Namibia, the climate of inconsistency strikes again. With an infectious disease at stake, one wonders if people believe that stupidity is a contamination suit against germs. Everyone is passionate and burning with enthusiasm when programs begin, but as time passes, urgency is the first casualty. This is not only a Namibian 'thing'. It…

27 Apr

N$600m lost in the arts sector

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN)

Andrew Kathindi The chairman of the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), Patrick Sam says around N$600 million in potential revenue has been lost in the Namibian arts and entertainment sector due to the COVID-19. He attributes this to a number of shows, events, arts sector based public gatherings that have been cancelled or postponed as well as advertising firms’ projects called off due to the lockdown. “We currently have 143 individual members and 22 organizations registered. There are no statistics available to gather the data of the wide-reaching impact of the pandemic because the sector has not been prioritized…

27 Apr

Observatory: Let’s not forget about mental well being

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19

Thandizo Kawerama The lockdown caused by COVID-19 is obviously going to have a lot of economic implications over a very long term. As stated by the minister of finance, our economy is estimated to be losing N$285 million per day. A stimulus package has been prepared and I think it’s great to see steps being taken toward providing a financial cushion. I do however believe we also need to put urgency on preparing for the social problems that will most certainly increase in light of our new reality. People don’t always react positively to change. In the face of a…

27 Apr

The alleged discrimination against Africans in China

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedChina, Chinese Government

Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange Some of us highly appreciate how the Chinese Government helped us during our protracted liberation struggle. The Chinese government trained our people in the military in China and in Tanzania and also supplied us with weapons during those difficult years. We shall always be thankful for that. Now that we are independent, we have to remain together as good friends. I was however disturbed by the surprising revelation in the local newspapers that Chinese authorities had subjected an African student who are studying in China to racial discrimination. It is alleged that the authorities in Guangzhou apparently…

27 Apr

The Time Traveler: One

info_e12wt4csUncategorised

Hugh Ellis ‘One’ is a 2006 song by Irish rock band U2 and African-American soloist Mary J. Blige. You can’t un-hear it. With earworm electric guitar riffs, Mary J’s unique voice, and sarcastic lyrics like, ‘Did you come here to play Jesus/ to the lepers in your head,’ it’s not a tune to forget. You won’t see much of me on the dance floor, but play ‘One’ and I’m there, air guitar and all. The song, an ode to frustration in relationships, has a chorus that goes like this: ‘We're one, but we're not the same We get to carry…

27 Apr

The Ministry of Labour has overstepped

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedMinistry of Labour, Namibia

…stop hurling threats and help find solutions instead Jackie Wilson Asheeke The Ministry of Labour has overstepped the line. In the middle of the worse crisis ever, they are throwing shade rather than finding options. There is no law of this land that forces a private company or individual to employ someone. There are laws about conditions of employment, minimum wages, and procedures to follow for termination. There is a labour court to challenge wrongful dismissal. There are civil courts to sue employers who do not pay wages earned or for unsafe working conditions. This is how it should be.…

27 Apr

Hats off for a top media rating for Namibia

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia

There is a time to crow about good things. During the bad financial and economic news about the COVID-19 financial backlash, we want to cheer about this country’s number one rating in Africa for media freedom from Reporters without Borders (Rsf). As we move on from COVID into a new reality of how the world now works, we can look to the Rsf assessment and feel proud. In their brief assessment note on their website (https://rsf.org/en/namibia) this country is given kudos mainly for the legal judgement against the national security agencies that wanted to silence a news report about their…