Opinions – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

26 Sep

It is incumbent on youth to bring revolution back on track

ObserverOpinions

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

ObserverOpinionsPanduleni 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?

ObserverOpinionsNamibian 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

ObserverOpinionsNamibia 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

ObserverOpinionsAgricultural (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!

ObserverOpinionsindustrialisation

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

ObserverOpinionsElectoral 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…

11 Sep

Swapo electoral college outcome cause simmering discontent: An assessment

ObserverOpinionsNamibian Constitution

Haulamba la Nangobe My fellow Namibians, in general, and, in particular, my fellow SWAPO members, supporters, or sympathisers. Following its Electoral College over the weekend, there is now a simmering unhappiness, particularly among returnee SWAPO members who say that the top positions on SWAPO’s list for National Assembly ("NA") are dominated by remainees and youthful members of SWAPO who were never in exile during the liberation struggle for Namibian independence. This discontedness is particularly acute among ex-PLAN combatants and old guard SWAPO leaders, many of whom are now saying that they are extremely under-represented or even excluded on the latest…

10 Sep

Powering Africa’s growth: The untapped potential of SME insurance for economic prosperity

ObserverOpinionsSmall and Medium Enterprises

Sam Kauapirura At the heart of Africa's economic landscape lies a vibrant tapestry of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), each contributing to the continent's dynamic growth and innovation. These businesses, often operating with limited resources, are the lifeblood of our economies, fostering job creation, innovation, and economic stability. However, SMEs are frequently exposed to a myriad of risks that can impede their progress. Here, the solution is clear—SME insurance. SME insurance offers a suite of tailored insurance products designed to safeguard small and medium-sized businesses from financial setbacks caused by unforeseen events. These policies encompass a wide range of perils,…

08 Sep

A possible re-run for Presidency after November elections

ObserverOpinionsrerun of the presidential race

Stefanus Nashama As Namibia approaches the 27 November elections, the question for a rerun of the presidential race is critical. This is possible since more votes might be split amongst political parties and independent candidates- those who stood on their own. The establishment of political parties such as the Independent Patriots for Change, IPC (a threat not only to SWAPO but other opposition political parties) and Affirmative Repositioning, AR, and independent candidates have brought yet another new political concept to the Namibian political system. SWAPO was more on a safer chance of winning elections without the existence of IPC and…