Opinions – Page 16 – Windhoek Observer

20 Nov

Reforming Namibia’s Divorce Laws for Modern Realities

ObserverOpinionsPatience Masua & Anupriya Dhonchak, Reforming Namibia’s Divorce Laws for Modern Realities

Patience Masua& Anupriya Dhonchak In an era where the complex web of relationships weaves its own narrative, Namibia’s divorce laws are at a critical juncture, demanding an evolution that reflects the intricate realities of human bonds and the evolving dynamics of contemporary society. The existing divorce legislation in Namibia relies on assigning fault, necessitating one spouse to demonstrate the wrongdoing of the other. Currently, the four grounds for divorce consist of adultery, habitual criminality, mental disability, or malicious desertion for prolonged periods. This oversimplifies the reality that relationships can unravel due to a combination of factors involving both spouses. ‘Irretrievable…

17 Nov

So-called new resettlement policy inherently fraught as capitalist invention

ObserverOpinionsSo-called new resettlement policy inherently fraught as capitalist invention

The 1991 First National Land Conference was definitely a lost opportunity in terms of putting the country’s land reform on a different pedestal albeit for a starter. One may have an understanding for this and leave with such a lost opportunity. Because it could have been and was expecting at best wonders for the country, only a year old then, to have taken any revolutionary decisions at the said conference in terms of land. Because then the historical-politico-socio and economic if not cultural significance of land, if only to some of the indigenous populace who during colonial penetration were dispossessed…

17 Nov

A Call for Action: Upholding the Commitment to 15% Domestic Funding for Health in Africa

ObserverOpinionsA Call for Action: Upholding the Commitment to 15% Domestic Funding for Health in Africa

Patience Masua& Emma Theofelus In 2001, in the historic city of Abuja, Nigeria, African Heads of State and Government gathered at a Special Summit to address the exceptional challenges posed by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases. This gathering led to the Abuja Declaration, a unified vow to directly confront these challenges and gather resources for effective interventions. Now, more than two decades later, it is crucial to reexamine and reinforce this commitment, particularly the pledge to allocate a minimum of 15% of annual national budgets towards the enhancement and improvement of the health sector. The Abuja Declaration represented a…

15 Nov

Revitalizing Namibia’s Tourism and Hospitality Industries: A Path to Economic Recovery

ObserverNational News, OpinionsRevitalizing Namibia’s Tourism and Hospitality Industries: A Path to Economic Recovery

Josef Kefas Sheehama The global tourism industry, contributing approximately 10% to the global GDP, holds immense significance. In Namibia, tourism and hospitality contribute N$7.7 billion, equivalent to 3.7% of nominal GDP, with an indirect contribution of N$24.8 billion or 12.0%. Despite its importance, the industry faced severe setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating strategic interventions for recovery. The Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism aims to rejuvenate the tourism sector by emphasizing domestic tourism and marketing Namibia as a safe holiday destination. Acknowledging the Namibian Tourism Board’s role, the Ministry’s active involvement is deemed critical in navigating the…

14 Nov

Who is to benefit from Green Hydrogen?

ObserverOpinionsWho is to benefit from Green Hydrogen?

OW much do ordinary Namibians really stand to benefit immediately and directly from Green Hydrogen? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but think loudly and wonder in view of the ongoing seeming fanfare bordering on craziness if not misplaced expectation surrounding Green Hydrogen. Especially in terms of the ordinary user, especially those who currently do not have access to any means of energy, starting from the so-called informal settlements in most of Namibia’s urban centres, which at a rapid rate have been gaining room as sprawling towns or cities. As well as our rural areas, predominantly the communal ones, where and which…

10 Nov

Who is to benefit from Green Hydrogen?

ObserverOpinions

HOW much do ordinary Namibians really stand to benefit immediately and directly from Green Hydrogen? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but think loudly and wonder in view of the ongoing seeming fanfare bordering on craziness if not misplaced expectation surrounding Green Hydrogen. Especially in terms of the ordinary user, especially those who currently do not have access to any means of energy, starting from the so-called informal settlements in most of Namibia’s urban centres, which at a rapid rate have been gaining room as sprawling towns or cities. As well as our rural areas, predominantly the communal ones, where and which…

05 Nov

Is Industrialisation possible without an Agricultural revolution?

ObserverOpinionsIs Industrialisation possible without an Agricultural revolution?

“Africa has not initiated an agricultural revolution that is able to sustain a positive growth of agricultural and food production per capita and per rural household. Yet it is the condition to industrialisation, urbanisation and social development. In Africa, the production and the productivity per rural household have remained stagnant if not declined in some regions. Under such conditions, rural emigration is not a result of a relative over-population created by agricultural growth but it is a desperate escape of populations trying to evade rural hunger. This type of emigration results in monstrous urbanisation, without hope for industry to take…

05 Nov

Mid-Term Budget Review: Never too late to reform

ObserverOpinionsMid-Term Budget Review: Never too late to reform

Josef Kefas Sheehama Namibian Finance Minister, Mr Iipumbu Shiimi, delivered his 2023/2024 Mid-Term Budget speech on 31 October 2023, taking note of the achievements, challenges, and performances of State-Owned Enterprise (SOE). The Mid-Term Budget Review plays a critical role in the entire budgetary process because it sets the tone for the fiscal framework for the next main budget. The budget is the most important economic instrument of government, as it reflects the country’s socioeconomic policy priorities by translating priorities and political commitments into expenditures. This would include projections for inflation, productivity growth, unemployment, and balance of trade. The economic outlook…

24 Oct

Investments in reality practically serve the interests of capitalists themselves

ObserverOpinions

ARTICLE 100 of the Namibian Constitution talks about the “Sovereign Ownership of Natural Resources,” meaning of course the country, Namibia’s, natural resources with the sovereigns being none other than the people. But towards what end? One cannot but be prompted to ask. But before pondering this question it is apt to clarify what is meant by the country’s natural resources. Once again the constitution is pertinent as it is categorical. “Land, water and natural resources below and above the surface of the land and in the continental shelf and within the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Namibia.”…

13 Oct

Investments for continued impoverishment, self-enrichment or for betterment, upliftment?

ObserverOpinionsInvestments for continued impoverishment, self-enrichmentor for betterment, upliftment?

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro SHOULD the country really be appreciative of the government’s efforts to attract investments, which have seen many delegations crisscrossing the globe presumably in mobilsising investors. This is a pertinent question in view of the numbers of trips which has been undertaken by government’s officials, including the President, to woo investors. As well as the investment conferences the government and country have hosted and continue to these days. Whether such investment rides and conferences have been having the desired results remain to be seen. But here the question Yours Truly Ideologically wishes to muse about by himself, and…