National News – Page 408 – Windhoek Observer

08 Dec

Mistreatment in prisons cannot be Namibia’s legacy

ObserverNational NewsNamibia

Reports from prisoners about ill-treatment while in jail or guards who ‘beat up’ the inmates are very disturbing. Namibia, a country whose most esteemed heroes suffered torture in prison cannot possibly bathe in the hypocrisy of the mistreatment of its prisoners. Officials responsible for inspecting prisons and those providing services to prisoners must be questioned and the truth uncovered. Mistreatment in prisons cannot be Namibia’s legacy. Our leaders that have passed on and those who are still with us know by personal experience what it means to be locked up, vulnerable to a jailor, and treated as if they were…

04 Dec

Veni, vidi, vici – Job Amupanda

ObserverNational NewsAffirmative Repositioning (AR), Job Amupanda

The Latin phrase veni, vidi, vici translates roughly to: "I came; I saw; I conquered." According to the historical writings of Appian, it is a Latin phrase attributed to Julius Caesar. He used this phrase after he had achieved a tough victory in one of his many wars of conquest. The phrase is fitting for Job’s rise to the Mayorship of Windhoek. Over six years ago, Job Amupanda burst on the scene with his colleagues in the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement. They took radical, bawdy steps. They made aggressive demands for things that should have been handled decades before but…

03 Dec

Individuals must never be judge, jury and executioner

ObserverNational Newsexecutioner, former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, judge, jury

The recent comments made by the former president of Botswana, Ian Khama, justifying Botswana's shoot-to-kill policies reflect his callous disregard for the rule of law. The United Nations, so quick to talk about sanctioning nations that habitually violate human rights, is silent on the despotic acts by the Botswanan Defense Force (BDF). The tragic loss of life of the four Namibians is a wake-up call about what has been quietly going on for years. Botswana is a lawless nation and should not be allowed to continue its affairs as if they are not accountable for their actions. No country must…

02 Dec

Talk must now turn to action

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

It is easy to sit on the sidelines and speak loudly about what is wrong. It costs nothing to loudly and rudely challenge those with power and responsibility when you have neither. With the success of the opposing parties and some independent candidates in certain areas, 2021 means the time for populist promises and brazen talking is over. To those enjoyed success at the polls: It is you in the hot seat now. Others will take your former chair from the sidelines and snipe, gripe and complain about you. Let us hope you have a thick skin. Your vociferous talk…

01 Dec

Accept reality and strategize accordingly

ObserverNational NewsHilma Nicanor, Swapo Party

The ruling party did not perform at last week’s polls as it may have expected. Swapo did not ‘lose’. It still maintains a simple majority, though ground was lost. There is no need for panic within the party faithful. The short-sighted comments by party spokesperson Hilma Nicanor that accuses ‘outside’ forces of trying to unseat the ruling party are not in line with the dignity of the mighty Swapo Party. There is a time to fight hard for the hearts and minds of the people and there is a time to accept reality and strategize accordingly based on the outcomes.…

27 Nov

The need for housing cannot wait

ObserverNational 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…

20 Nov

As expected, sign-in books are a waste of time

ObserverNational Newseditorial, ID number

Earlier in the state of emergency over the pandemic, we did an editorial stating that the sign-in mandate before entering shops or businesses as a method to assist in pandemic tracing efforts was a complete waste of time and energy. Namibia has neither the resources nor capacity for metadata processing. Now, recent reports in the Namibian newspaper headlines today force us to declare: “We told you so.” There is no long term, consistent ‘will’ to trace people by using those books. Those collecting the data are bored with the entire exercise. Those forced to sign-in, see it as time-wasting joke.…

19 Nov

Barking at the wrong threat

ObserverNational NewsChinese, Namibia

There is negative shade flying all over about a recent N$530 tender bid won by a Chinese company to construct the road from Tses to Gochas. People are barking at the wrong threat. Rather, we need to sound the alarm because Namibia still does not possess the technical expertise to be substantive practical, logistical and development partner on major infrastructure projects in our own country. That is a real threat to our sovereignty and we are quiet. We have been inviting the world in to build things for us before independence and after. We happily remain ignorant about how to…

18 Nov

Going too far hurts credibility

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

The claims by the vibrant politician Bernadus Swartbooi that Swapo wants to kill him are over-the-top and challenge his credibility. Many in Namibia are depending on new firebrand politicians, including Swartbooi, to challenge sacred cows. People want them to question authority, give voice to the marginalized, and energize younger people. They are expected to force political debate into the 21st century, put the spotlight on those suffering in silence, and fearlessly call out corruption. But, statements from the Trump School of Demagoguery and Lunacy reflect poorly on the politicians who make them. Swartbooi’s ravings with no evidence or proof whatsoever…

14 Nov

Freedom of speech is absolute

ObserverNational NewsBotswana Defence Force (BDF), Hage Geingob, State House Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari

State House Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari got it wrong when he decried legal plans for citizens to demonstrate against the killing of Namibians by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF). The best course of action for government officials regarding citizens expressing their constitutional right to demonstrate and express their opinions (following all regulations), was to say nothing. During an election campaign and any other time, the president should not be exposed in such a way. The statements articulated on this issue make Hage Geingob look as if he wants people to be silent just because he says so. The statements came…