National News – Page 416 – Windhoek Observer

21 Jul

Haste makes waste

ObserverNational NewsNamibia, The Mass Housing Project (MHP)

… houses hurriedly produced are done poorly Namibia has a shameful housing backlog. Tens of thousands of people want to buy small homes, but cannot - there are none in the market in their price range. The Mass Housing Project (MHP) that crashed five years ago was supposed to address this. However, houses remain incomplete or not built at all. Some are finished but remain unoccupied. And now, complaints are coming from those who bought low-cost houses that foreshadow an unpleasant backstory. Houses completed in haste due to political pressure may have been built poorly. According to complaints, many of…

21 Jul

Remote jobs can make work visas redundant

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Works and Transport, Namibia

The Minister of Works and Transport has opposed a decision by the board of the Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) about extending contracts of its foreign management staff. There were comments made regarding remote work by the air regulator, which raises eyebrows. The NCAA Chairman of the Board said that one of the South Africans working at the regulator was “advised to work remotely to provide his services. He is currently remunerated accordingly.” This statement tolls the bell of #newnormal. It will soon become ordinary to employ workers who are not in Namibia or are more cheaply employed than locals. The…

17 Jul

Geingob instructs MPs – can they comply?

ObserverNational NewsHage Geingob, MPs, Parliament, Swapo Party

After reading the Swapo Party President’s speech to the class of MPs sitting in the current Parliament, we see a glimmer of something that has been dimmed for so long. In his well-written speech before Swapo MPs this week, Hage Geingob delivered brass tacks, internal political strategizing guidelines. His message was clear and on-point. The president’s insightful words included tactical strategies, marching orders for diligence, demands that MPs read and be informed and orders to stand together as an active party. He challenged opposition tactics and called for an end to the lackadaisical lethargy borne of 30 years of a…

17 Jul

Make it easier for companies to tender

ObserverNational Newscompanies, SOE, tender

Preparing a government tender is a nightmare. Those who do so have PhDs in paperwork. A thriving business sector can lessen the income gap between the rich and poor. And yet, the process to use opportunities to compete for government or SOE contracts is only accessible to a few. Namibian laws that claim to help business grow are laden with overregulation and stifling bureaucracy. The rich, already-advantaged and 'connected' thrive in the existing procurement process. Everyone else drowns. Understanding the 50-page bid documents requires flawless English comprehension, a law degree, accountancy courses, and a crystal ball. There are other hurdles…

16 Jul

Swartbooi – the game changer

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Swapo Party

Bernadus Swartbooi, head of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is loud and emotive. he has a dedicated constituency that is growing and as an MP, he has a legitimate platform. He has tolled the bell for new politics in Namibia; he is a game-changer. Recently, Swartbooi gave his reactions to comments made at a Swapo Party media conference. Doubling down on his critics, he labeled Former Swapo Prime Minister Nahas Angula and former Minister of Justice (and Swapo Secretary-General) Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana embittered opportunists. His words raise the stakes. He said that no Swapo leaders or senior members, either in current…

15 Jul

Noble ideas unfulfilled

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Government, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Mass Housing Program (MHP), President

When we admire someone personally and recognize their achievements, objective political analysis of what they say is a challenge. Such is the case as we ponder the nbc interview by the distinguished Former President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba that aired on Monday. The Former President defended the Founding President. His defense regarding the startling adjectives used by Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi was not unexpected. There have been condemnations from a line of Swapo wings, supporters, and leaders. He gave one more. Pohamba emerged from retirement to defend power, but not the pleas of the poor. This is…

13 Jul

Geingob takes the low road

ObserverNational NewsSophia Shaningwa, SWAPO, Swapo Party

On Sunday, we were expecting a firm, unequivocal refutation of accusations of any and all links to Swapo from the Fishrot scandal. We didn’t get it. Geingob took the low road. He presented defensive bluster and selective phrasing in his qualified denial that Swapo fingers are in the fish pie. The president of Swapo held his media conference on Sunday where he says people “will not see any money [in Swapo accounts] coming from Fishrot.” The notoriously media-hostile and inarticulate Swapo Party Secretary-General, Sophia Shaningwa, spoke up. She invited “anyone” to contact the Swapo office to access party financial records.…

10 Jul

Take the high road and move on

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Founding President Sam Nujoma, Henny Seibeb, Landless People’s Movement (LPM)

The blunt statements of Landless People’s Movement (LPM) members Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb rocked the status quo. Their controversial clap-back to a Swapo MP’s ill-advised use of the Founding President Sam Nujoma’s book in a political context announced that Parliament is no longer controlled by Swapo. All sides of the issue have been active in the mainstream and social media regarding their positions on the matter. It is time to take the high road, deescalate and address the real issues facing the suffering people of Namibia during these tough times. In emotive issues surrounding the distinguished Founding President, voices…

10 Jul

Tourism vs potential health risk

ObserverNational Newshealth risk, State of Emergency, tourism

The state of emergency has ripped the rug from under the global tourism industry, including Namibia. The industry went toe-to-toe with Tyson Fury (the pandemic) and has been knocked out in the first minute of the first round. It might be a mistake for the beleaguered industry to push for tourist arrivals regardless of international mandates to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The nation listened to the pleas from the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector. The nation empathizes with the industry's struggle to stay in business during this unprecedented health emergency. Recent reports about their position don’t sound good.…

03 Jul

Katjavivi must not ‘escort’, he must retire

ObserverNational NewsHonourable Speaker of the Parliament, Peter Katjavivi, president Hage Geingob

A reliable source repeated a conversation he had earlier this year with the Honourable Speaker of the Parliament, Peter Katjavivi. When asked why he would not retire rather than attempt a second term as Speaker at this age, the Speaker said, “I want to escort my friend to his final term.” The ‘friend’ he refers to is President Hage Geingob. The two near octogenarians, indeed share a long history of friendship and comradery. But, the comment made as related, is quite telling. The Speaker’s decision to stay in office may not have been to first serve the people of Namibia,…