National News – Page 439 – Windhoek Observer

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,…

03 Jul

Stop using Nujoma – it exposes him

ObserverNational NewsFounding President Sam Nujoma, Parliament, SWAPO

National icons must not be used to prop up the speeches of politicians who have no skill at oratory and little idea of how to make a strong verbal argument. Doreen Sioka, a Swapo MP, this week used excerpts from the book written by Founding President Sam Nujoma. She was making her party's points in Parliament. By doing this, she exposed the founding leader to rebuttal. She used the great man as her shield. Subsequently, the ‘Nujoma’ shield was hit with incoming spears from an instigated opposition. People will not genuflect and capitulate when they hear the name Nujoma. The…

01 Jul

Parliamentary bout – round two

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, LPM, Parliament, Speaker Peter Katjavivi

…as both sides forget that democracy is not easy Democracy is hard work. This week in Parliament, Speaker Peter Katjavivi, and LPM leaders Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb forgot this. Each resorted to dictatorship, emotion and anger. The Speaker told two elected leaders to get out of the building. The two, Seibeb and Swartbooi, engaged in a goal-less diatribe, hurling personal insults at a citizen. To what end? Did their outburst create a single job? How is the drowning Namibian economy saved by that clash? In the Speaker’s case, there was a dangerous precedent set. Arguably, there was a misuse…

01 Jul

The informal sector is critical to the economy

ObserverNational Newscity counsellors, economy, informal sector, informal vendors, MPs

The regulatory pursuit of informal vendors, traders, and service providers will not formalize the economy but destroy it. The informal sector is as valuable to the Namibian economy as any other commercial sector. Rather than criminalizing the informal economy, why not help it earn more income? For now, the state earns revenues in the informal sector from VAT on sales of raw materials or bulk products. Let them form their own chamber of commerce and dialogue with decision-makers about the services they need and how to pay for them. Please read the February 25, 2011 article, Support ‘meme kapanas’. In…