National News – Page 471

26 Aug

Don’t blame education failures on COVID-19

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCOVID, Education, Namibia

The pandemic has slammed Namibia’s already weak educational system. The victims of this are the students. Many learners have lost time in their climb towards degrees or advancement from one grade to another. But, no one can credibly blame the failures of Namibia’s ability to uplift its learners, on the pandemic. The massive problems and alarmingly bad test results existed long before that. During apartheid, Bantu education systematically, purposefully and deliberately buried minds and creativity. Oppression can never work if people expose lies, embrace new ideas and lose all fear of anyone calling themselves superior. But, after independence, those minds…

25 Aug

With no money, choices are limited

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibian, Namibianise, South African Rand

There is no doubt that auctioning fishing quotas is a step backwards in the government’s stated commitment since independence to Namibianise utilization of natural resources. Selling fishing quotas to the highest bidder regardless of where that bidder comes from, is not the optimal solution, but right now, it might be one of the only solutions left. With no money, choices are limited. Aspirations of complete black empowerment and national self-sufficiency have been overtaken by realities. Money is needed now. One can point to many causes that have led the country to this point. Drought, recession, the falling South African Rand,…

21 Aug

Public financial disclosures a mixed bag

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCalle Schlettwein, Minister of Agriculture, water and land reform

The minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein is to be applauded for his financial disclosures. He followed the rules with integrity and good intentions. However, we question how democracy is strengthened in Namibia by one member making such a detailed disclosure. The rules of financial disclosure by ALL in Parliament are not being followed. And, financial information is being reported salaciously. This is not the reason behind disclosure. Financial disclosure of assets is only useful in deciding if legislation before the Parliament is in conflict with the personal assets of MPs. How the minister financed the renovation…

20 Aug

Namibia can only survive if it is unified

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia, Twaloloka, Walvis Bay

The recent back-and-forth between burned out ‘residents’ of Twaloloka and a landless group claiming to be born in Walvis Bay, shows the ugly spectre of disunity. The latter group is angry. They purport to have been waiting for land without results. They object to the fire victims who are supposedly not originally from Walvis Bay and yet are set to receive plots. Times are tough; the worst breakdown is where groups begin to compare their poverty and stubbornly claim that theirs is worse. Two groups of landless, impoverished people fighting each other solves nothing. It does not address the root…

19 Aug

Directive: Decongest the ghettos right now . . . But how? – The devil is in the details

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCOVID, Erastus Uutoni

A letter from the minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni to mayors and regional governors announced a ‘directive’ to develop urgent decongestion plans. This is a part of the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Local political officials and appointees, likely without technical skills, must now do the job of the ministry. Assuming there are funds available, they must decongest (undefined) the impoverished peri-urban residential areas. This is easier said than done. The fact that land for residences can materialize out of nowhere in haste, points to something disturbing. If the ministry could provide basic land to house…

18 Aug

We have less than two weeks to get it right

info_e12wt4csNational News

The Stage 3 state of emergency rules in play in Windhoek and other areas gives the nation a chance to get it right. Masks, sign-in at stores, hand sanitizing, staying at home, closure of public places (to varying degrees) are all difficult. But, we have 16 days to buckle down and get it right. Let’s do it. Resisting the rules, scoffing at common sense (i.e., going to parties when COVID test results are pending), avoiding quarantine, or moving around without a mask, will prolong the problem. The public must accept that the pandemic is here to stay. Stop resisting the…

14 Aug

Affected communities reject government efforts

info_e12wt4csNational NewsGermans, Namibia, president Hage Geingob

The most emotive and sensitive issues in Namibia are the genocide of 1904-1908 and reparations. This week, President Hage Geingob rejected a monetary offer by Germany as ‘reparations’ for genocide. Colonial Germany specifically targeted and killed tens of thousands of people. They stole everything these people owned. They engaged in a vicious military action that permanently drove thousands out of the country of their birth. Deutsche Welle (DW) announced the proposed amount was 10 million euros. Geingob declared the amount, “insulting.” But inside Namibia this issue runs deep. Communities of people directly affected by the genocide are not a part…

14 Aug

Government must declare independence from Struggle Kids

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChildren of the Liberation Struggle, Covid-19, Namibia

It is time for the government to free itself from the emotional stranglehold exerted by the group calling themselves Children of the Liberation Struggle. The country is being strangled by COVID-19. It is also facing drought recovery challenges and overall economic disaster. There is alarming unemployment levels (and rising), a horrific housing crisis, and the soon-to-arrive IMF. The government must forgive its original poor handling of this crisis years ago, add up what has been done well, declare victory, and move on. This is a country of 2.5 million people. The needs of 300 citizens calling themselves children of the…

13 Aug

We must protect healthcare workers

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, healthcare

The rise in the number of healthcare workers who have become infected with COVID-19 is alarming. These dedicated and brave workers are risking their lives to help people who are in need of assistance. Their safety while on the frontline in the war against the pandemic must be topic #1 in all government decision-making meetings. Budgets to finance their needs must be fully funded. Their safety and care must be prioritized. We, as a nation and a grateful community, are not doing enough to protect healthcare workers. We are not showing that we value them and need them. Healthcare workers…

12 Aug

There is a time to let things go

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOshana Region, Swapo Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa

The Swapo Party decision to demand disciplinary action against Mirjam Shituula and Selma Namboga is a mistake. This was the perfect platform to act on the meeting just held to introspect. The golden opportunity to face the new normal and be an inclusive party has gone down the drain. The thing to do in the case of these two members who acted on their rights to challenge the outcome of the 2017 election, is nothing. We do not support dumping this bad decision on Swapo Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa. It is her job to be the messenger of the decisions…