Opinions – Page 12

02 Oct

Ageism in Namibia: A barrier to youthful leadership?

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Opinions

Johanna Hipangelwa Namibia has witnessed a significant debate surrounding ageism, particularly with the appointment of 22-year-old Fenny Tutjavi to the parliamentary list of the SWAPO party. This event has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning her capacity to serve effectively due to her age. This reaction highlights a broader issue of ageism in Namibian society, where both the young and the elderly face discrimination based on their age. Fenny Tutjavi’s appointment has been met with mixed reactions. While some celebrate the inclusion of young voices in politics, others express doubt about her ability to handle the responsibilities of a parliamentary…

02 Oct

Understanding the generational project: A call to Namibian youth

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Opinions

Sakaria Johanne A generational project refers to the collective efforts and aspirations of a particular generation to address critical issues that impact their society. It encompasses the social, political, and economic challenges that a group faces, and it seeks to create meaningful change over time. In the context of Namibia, the generational project of the past led by figures like Ya Toivo, Sam Nujoma, and Hage Geingob, focused primarily on the struggle for political freedom and liberation from colonial rule. Their efforts laid the groundwork for Namibia’s independence in 1990. However, the notion of a generational project does not end…

01 Oct

Starlink’s debut offers opportunities and drawbacks for local businesses and the economy

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Josef Kefas Sheehama Namibia continues to have historically low levels of development, but it can industrialize, pursue inclusive growth, and draw in investment by utilizing technological advancements. Namibia intends to license Starlink's operations in order to become known as a country that has fully grasped the potential of technical advancement to improve its citizens' lives and stimulate its economy. According to the Starlink website, it is a constellation of satellites that provides high-speed internet access. Through this new service, SpaceX hopes to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet connections to underserved areas of the world, such as rural areas. Furthermore, the…

26 Sep

It is incumbent on youth to bring revolution back on track

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro YOURS Truly Ideologically has not been closely observing the happenings on the local political front just and only lately but has been fond, patriotically so been doing over the years . Going back to the pre-revolution era. Till this day. At a loss how to term and define this era. Is it post-revolution, or are we still on the revolutionary journey and what revolution can we be talking about? With elections due in exactly two months today, this question becomes all not only all the more important and relevant but crucial. Especially in view of the fact that…

19 Sep

ON TU QUOQUE & AD HOMINEM FALLACIES VS RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF MANIFESTOS

info_e12wt4csOpinionsPanduleni Itula, Patriots for Change (IPC)

Paul Shipale A report that appeared on Thursday, 12 September 2024, in the Windhoek Observer online, titled; “Itula takes shots at SWAPO”, said that “the leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula, has launched a scathing attack on the ruling SWAPO party, accusing it of failing to meet its promises and perpetuating a culture of corruption and mismanagement”. “He also took shots at the governing party’s electoral process,” the reporter added. According to the report, Itula made these remarks during his party’s first electoral convention in Windhoek on Thursday and he was heard saying “the moral betrayal…

19 Sep

Where are the workers, do they ever matter to most Namibian political parties?

info_e12wt4csOpinionsNamibian Constitution, National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), SWAPO

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Where are the workers and how do they feature on the Namibian political landscape. Not to mention if ever the political manifestos, for what they would be worth, most for that matter which are still outstanding, would in any way speak to the plight of Namibian workers and issues surrounding their wellbeing? Yours Truly Ideologically is prompted to pose this question with the Swapo Party of Namibia having emerged from its electoral college most recently. But of with its parliamentary list, with hindsight, conspicuous with regard to the absence of the representatives of the workers. Workers in Namibia,…

16 Sep

SWAPO’s youth promises: analysing the gap between commitments and results

info_e12wt4csOpinionsNamibia Statistics Agency, Swapo Party

Sakaria Johannes As Namibia approaches its elections on 27 November, political parties are unveiling their manifestos, each promising a brighter future for the nation. Among them, the SWAPO Party of Namibia, which has held power for 34 years, stands out with its persistent focus on youth empowerment. However, a closer look at their track record reveals a troubling discrepancy between their promises and actual results, raising critical questions about their ability to deliver on key issues affecting the youth. Youth Empowerment: Promises vs. Results High Unemployment Rates SWAPO’s manifestos have consistently championed youth empowerment, with substantial funding directed towards youth…

12 Sep

Farming together: Navigating the resettlement process for cooperative groups

info_e12wt4csOpinionsAgricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act

Jona Musheko The resettlement of cooperative groups under the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act is one the way to ensure equitable access to land. This policy has empowered individuals to unite and form cooperatives, thereby enhancing their prospects of securing farming units. However, a comprehensive understanding of the regulations governing the formation and operation of these cooperatives is essential for ensuring a fair and transparent process. Eligibility and formation of cooperative groups The National Resettlement Program is founded on three (3) types of working allotments: i) Individual Holdings, ii) Group Holdings and iii) Co-Operative Holdings and other Legal Entities. According…

12 Sep

Green hydrogen energy shall not benefit ordinary Namibians ever!

info_e12wt4csOpinionsindustrialisation

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro IT is not a matter of pessimism but the hard and harsh facts and reality that industrialisation as trumpeted by the current political leadership is nothing but a pipedream that shall never be realised, soonest or ever in Namibia. Going by the experience of many African countries who 60 years or so after independence, are nowhere closer to industrialisation. A typical example being oil rich African nations, like Nigeria in West Africa, and closer to home, Namibia’s northern neighbour of Angola, that is not refining its own oil. Because simply it is not in the interest of world…

12 Sep

Swapo ‘POT’ cooked a generational mix list

info_e12wt4csOpinionsElectoral College, Netumbo clique eyes dominance

Paul Shipale Despite conspicuous rumours and glaring headlines in the daily newspapers yelling ‘Netumbo clique eyes dominance’ and talks of ‘underground machinations to ensure that those who supported the party’s vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the 2022 congress dominate the upper half of the party’s parliamentary list’, the Swapo Party leadership has done its homework and listened to the cry of the nation clamouring for help, as some say, “the ‘pot’, which has been cooking and simmering for over 72 hours, burned many of the old guard and delivered a fresh meal of a mixed stew, one Swapo had yearn for…