National News – Page 442 – Windhoek Observer

02 Jun

Are we prepared for COVID round two?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia, president Hage Geingob

For the past 2-3 months, the shape of Namibia has been re-moulded, stretched, and remade to fit the government’s efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic. Through it all, the leadership credibility of President Hage Geingob is on the line. But has the foundation to get ahead of this disease actually been laid to battle the spread of the virus? Or are we assuming progress on the basis of hopeful reports and general briefings? During round one of the president’s proclamations have people been cutting corners? Have allocated funds been chopped? Are people scamming on project implementation? If the…

31 May

Praise the Lord and pass the masks

ObserverNational NewsChurch

We are aware of the continuing debate about restricting churches during the pandemic. This is not an easy debate, but it is a necessary one. People need hope, faith and courage in these difficult times. Will their churches rise to the challenge to serve? The government has not only the right, but the obligation to protect the people in national health emergencies like this one. At the same time, the constitution declares that church and state must be separate. High Courts in different countries are being asked to apply their minds and decide if government has the right to block…

29 May

A budget of hopes and wishes

ObserverNational Newsfinance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, State of Emergency

At the end of the day, a budget is only words on paper. One cannot spend a budget. Government has once again laid out what it wishes to spend in a fiscal year vs what it hopes will be income in that same year. In saying this, we do not in any way denigrate the hard work of Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi’s team. That man should be nominated for the war medal given to soldiers who take wounds in service of their country. He stood calmly before the august house and laid out the largest deficit budget a free Namibia…

28 May

Jealousy clouds the point

ObserverNational NewsNamibians

We have regularly commented on the current flawed process of Members of Parliament (MPs) disclosing a part of their assets to the public. The point of this disclosure is to identify conflicts of interest in matters before the legislature. A public listing of assets of lawmakers is irrelevant if not used specifically and only for that purpose. The point is to stop decision-makers, like the accused Esau or Shanghala, from voting on laws with outcomes that pad their pockets. We must keep our eyes on the prize and stop getting lost in how many cars or houses are owned by…

27 May

It is not your N$750

ObserverNational NewsEmergency Income Grant (EIG), Eurobond

When the emergency income grant (EIG) of N$750 was announced, we applauded the idea. At the same time, we raised concerns about how the program would be packaged and rolled-out to the public. The current wave of public gripes about the grant seems to reflect that indeed, there is major misunderstanding about what the EIG was meant to be. Expectations were raised that cannot be met. Promises of ‘free money for all’ to momentarily deflate rising fear and anger amongst low-income citizens, could backfire. When loftily-announced pledges (like fishing jobs for all who were retrenched due to Fishrot) fall flat,…

26 May

Is the cure worse than the disease?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia

We remain committed to following government rules regarding the multi-stage lockdown. However, we feel obliged to ask the question for debate: Are our cures/prevention remedies for the pandemic worse than the disease itself? The latest articles and commentary seem to agree that this virus will never ‘go away’. It will be in our world always until there is a vaccine or cure. Shall we stay in a state of emergency forever? With rich countries ready to pay for the vaccine or cure, big pharma (global drug companies) is moving like Usain Bolt with research and testing. A treatment/cure/vaccine will now…

21 May

City of Windhoek or Huawei City?

ObserverNational News5G, City of Windhoek, CoW, Huawei

The decision about 5G technology in Windhoek in order to allow the city council to create what will be effectively, another an SOE is alarming. A quasi-SOE jointly owned by the City of Windhoek (CoW) and Huawei will supposedly run a fast, state-of-the-art internet ‘system’ conceived, financed, installed and operated by the Chinese. This is supposed to be a good thing for Windhoek. We disagree. First off, Huawei has been blocked from installing its high-tech internet infrastructure in the United States because there are concerns of Chinese control and access to national concerns. Also, THEY will have the on/off switch…

20 May

Labour issue in court case signals doom

ObserverNational Newscourt, labour

In general, we tend to support the lawsuit by several companies challenging the government. The cherry-picking of existing national labour laws, will destroy their businesses. Other laws that could overlap this situation are being side-stepped. The precedent is frightening. Others will credibly argue that the prevention of mass terminations and precipitously firing thousands of workers during a state of emergency is not a political agenda, but a national security consideration. At worst, it is a humanitarian imperative. The courts will have their hands full sorting the matter. Many are watching this ruling. This decision could break the Namibian economy, either…

19 May

If you need help, ask for it

ObserverNational NewsAfrican Union, Eurobond, United Nations

Namibia faces a serious problem of re-paying the Eurobonds that will come due in October 2021. The time for outside professional, experienced professionals to address the problem has come. This cannot be done on the cheap. We are loathed to make this admission. We have always criticized government ministries about their dependence on foreign consultants. Since independence, Namibia has spent hundreds of millions in hard currency for consultants. Ministries have paid consultants to do their jobs for them over 30 years. Consultants contracted for a month to help write one document, were given every assignment under the sun. Consultants paid…

16 May

The meal has been eaten; the bill must be paid

ObserverNational News

The real challenge the president faces is not cancelling car purchases or termination of special advisors to regional governors, but how the Eurobonds taken in US dollar currency will be re-paid on time. The US$500 million bond taken out in 2011 is due in October 2021. That means nearly N$9.3 billion will be payable to those holding the bonds in about 17 months. These monies borrowed during the presidency of Hifikepunye Pohamba have long since been spent. The meal has been eaten, now the waiter is hovering near the Namibian table with the portable swipe machine ready, watching us. The…