National News – Page 412 – Windhoek Observer

30 Sep

Hold candidates accountable; demand the details!

ObserverNational Newscandidates

As the campaign season gears up for local and regional elections, it is time for the voting public to hold parties accountable and demand the details. People need to ask a simple question after every generalized comment made by political parties. “How do you plan to do that?” This question will separate the wheat from the chaff. Politicians must have a plan or strategy that makes sense. They must be recorded and held accountable when/if they do not deliver. It is easy to stand on a stage and say anything that pleases the crowd. Politicians often change their promises and…

29 Sep

A tax policeman is not the solution

ObserverNational NewsCommissioner for the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute

Sam Shivute is the new Commissioner for the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). The agency has no empowering legislation and is not yet operational. Hiring a tax enforcer at a time of extreme financial distress in the Namibian economy is ill-advised. Namibia is in serious financial trouble. Business and government must work hand-in-hand to save the economy. The government must not use a tax policeman to bash businesses on the head and then demand private sector participation in economic recovery. And yet, Shivute when stating his commitment to building a credible and trusted tax collections institution said that the tax and…

26 Sep

Namibia is correct to demand UN SC changes …but no one votes themselves out of power

ObserverNational NewsUN General Assembly, United Nations

It is long past time for the slow-moving, United Nations to stop talking about reforms to the Security Council and start doing it. Since 1993, the UN General Assembly has hotly debated Council reform but has not been able to reach an agreement. President Hage Geingob’s demand for reform is spot on. Sadly, his voice has very little power in the United Nations (UN) - as is the case for all General Assembly members. The UN will remain a body controlled under post-WWII decision-making structures from 75 years ago. It is unresponsive to 21st-century global power realities. The problem is…

25 Sep

It is time to say goodbye to Kurt

ObserverNational NewsKurt von Francois, Namibia, Windhoek

The offensive and non-representative statue of Kurt von Francois in Windhoek must fall. For some time, people in cities all over the world have been on fire about their statues and memorials. All through recorded history, statues of people who no longer resonate with those in power were removed, smashed or desecrated. Change and upheaval usually mean that things are no longer seen in the same light. People who are living in an era, have the right to decide what monuments and statues should continue standing. The people living during the time when these statues were erected had the right…

24 Sep

Unaffordable, decongested tool sheds

ObserverNational NewsGovernment

The government has launched an ill-advised decongestion plan. This plan is supposed to curb COVID-19 infections by moving some people out of the overpopulated tin shack suburbs. Human beings are supposed to be shoved into these quickly built, un-serviced structures that are little more than large tool sheds. Now, we learn that there is no money to continue building them – the ‘emergency’ decongestion plan is without funds. The minister of rural and urban housing has sent a letter to local authorities. He is asking them to find money to take up the decongestion project on top of finding land…

23 Sep

Diplomatic missions abroad need a financial rethink

ObserverNational NewsAmbassadors, Namibian diplomats

The time has come again for Namibian diplomats serving abroad with expired terms to shift. Before appointing new Ambassadors, we urge the appointing authority to consider whether maintaining each embassy makes financial sense. Given the poor state of the Namibian economy, it is time to look at diplomatic appointments differently. We need a major financial rethink. Namibia must look at which embassies deliver a direct financial return in terms of trade deals. Which embassies process the most tourists? Which embassies serve a sufficient number of Namibian students, workers or business interests? Which embassies generate development assistance for Namibia? All others,…

22 Sep

Support needed for women who lay abuse charges

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka

The Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare Doreen Sioka recently made a speech urging women who lay charges of domestic abuse not to withdraw them. This is an admirable speech, but where are the tangible, effective programs to help these women once they step up and demand justice? Women are predominantly the victims of domestic violence. Most back away from their initial charges of abuse for a variety of reasons. Ignorance leads to charge withdrawals. We must eradicate the ‘belief’ in the community (and the disinterested, misogynistic police officers taking these reports) that women ‘deserve’ or are the cause…

18 Sep

The new normal is now

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, State of Emergency

We support President Hage Geingob’s difficult decision not to extend the State of Emergency. While other restrictions and protective measures are still in place, the damaged Namibian economy is open. Recovery will not be automatic; it may take years for Namibia to show significant economic growth. The country was in a devastating recession even before the pandemic struck. Nevertheless, moving towards a light at the end of the tunnel, even without a COVID-19 vaccine available, is critical to the nation’s survival. To a certain degree, Namibia allowed the over-the-top pandemic reactions of the Western world to infect us in many…

18 Sep

Avoid suspicion, be transparent and face the music

ObserverNational NewsNamibian, Transfrontier Conservation Area

The stories capturing headlines about an ‘oil exploration deal’ involving Recon Africa, a Canadian gas and oil company, are disturbing. The area targeted for drilling is one of the most environmentally sensitive conservation and wildlife areas in the country. More must be revealed about this story; there are many unanswered questions. Decision-makers seem to be caught up yet again in their unattainable obsession for secrecy. When will they learn to face the public with their plans and tackle issues directly? Namibia is reeling from COVID-19 and financial hardship. Fishrot and other corruption scandals have made the public distrust politicians and…

17 Sep

“If I don’t win, it was rigged”

ObserverNational Newsdemocracy, Namibian

The above words are perhaps the greatest modern-day threat to democracy. We all must be vigilant when anyone running for office says an election is rigged unless they win. We don’t have a perfect country, but it is the only one we have. Those claiming to be loyal, proud Namibians are obliged to make sure this country operates according to the constitution. Those proved to have broken the law or calling for the law to be broken, must be held accountable. In the USA, presidential candidate Donald Trump is stoking (and perhaps hoping for) a violent insurrection after national elections…