Opinions – Page 6 – Windhoek Observer

24 Oct

People pulling and shouldering on and only need a little push!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Do people need to be developed, or can they evolve towards development and eventually self-sustenance? Yours Truly Ideologically cannot but pose this question, musing at the same time about the loose, indifferent and nonchalant, if altogether disconnected, use of the word 'development'. Surrounding the gimmick of developing the people. While and whereas indeed the people can develop themselves through evolving towards a self-defined level of evolution dictated by their own circumstances, conditions and environments. This is to invoke a paradigm shift in the supposed development trajectory. Prompted more by the so-called development to which people have been subjected…

24 Oct

Africa’s governance crisis: The coups contagion as mirror

Opinions

Interrogating military interventions through Ibrahim Traoré’s Pan-Africanist and governance lens PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Introduction: The return of the barracks With the recent coup d’état in Madagascar on October 14, 2025, when the military seized power after weeks of protests largely driven by Gen Z, and the alleged failed coup plot in Nigeria, where a number of military commanders ranging from major to brigadier general were arrested after failing to topple President Bola Tinubu, Africa has between 2020 and 2025 witnessed a resurgence of military coups from Mali and Guinea to Burkina Faso, Niger…

23 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The Dark Side of Likes: When Teachers Turn Learners into Social Media Content

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The warning by PDM member of parliament Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo could not have come at a more crucial time. Her call for greater scrutiny of how some teachers are using learners to create social media content must serve as a national wake-up call. Namibia is fast catching up with the global trend where schools, classrooms, and even children’s private moments are turned into digital entertainment, often without consent, without understanding the consequences, and without any protection for the minors involved. What was once a space for learning and mentorship, the classroom, is now becoming a stage for online fame. Teachers who…

23 Oct

THE TIDE LINE | Mpox in Namibia: A wake-up call, not a cause for panic

Featured, Opinions

Namibia has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, and while that headline alone may alarm some, this moment should be seen as an opportunity for vigilance, not fear. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has moved swiftly to isolate the patient, begin contact tracing, and activate the national emergency response system. That decisive action deserves commendation. In times like these, calm professionalism matters just as much as medical expertise. Understanding mpox: What we are dealing with Mpox is not new to Africa or to the global health landscape. It’s a zoonotic viral disease,…

22 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Carnage on our roads: Enough is enough: We must all act

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia is once again mourning. Eight lives, fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners, dreamers, lost in an instant at Oniimbwele village. The images and reports from the scene are gut-wrenching. A nation stands in grief, united by sorrow but also by frustration, because deep down, we know that much of this tragedy was preventable. Every holiday, every long weekend, every festive season, the pattern repeats itself: twisted metal, flashing sirens, tears by the roadside, and the haunting wail of families shattered forever. Then come the statements, the condolences, the promises, and we move on. Until the next one. This cycle of mourning…

21 Oct

Job search mistakes you should stop making as a fresh graduate

Featured, Opinions

Stepping into the world of work after graduation is both exciting and overwhelming. The thrill of completing your studies and preparing to make your mark in the professional world often meets the reality of fierce competition, rejection emails, and long waiting periods. Many fresh graduates fall into common traps that delay their success or prevent them from securing the opportunities they deserve. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial because your early career decisions can either propel you forward or keep you stuck in uncertainty. One of the most frequent mistakes fresh graduates make is applying for every job they come across…

21 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Mpox in Namibia: A wake-up call, not a cause for panic

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, and while that headline alone may alarm some, this moment should be seen as an opportunity for vigilance, not fear. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has moved swiftly to isolate the patient, begin contact tracing, and activate the national emergency response system. That decisive action deserves commendation. In times like these, calm professionalism matters just as much as medical expertise. Understanding Mpox: What we are dealing with Mpox is not new to Africa or to the global health landscape. It’s a zoonotic viral disease,…

20 Oct

DAILY OBSERVER | Confused and contradictory: Government’s mixed signals on jobs must stop

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Namibian government must understand this once and for all: jobs are not political slogans to be thrown around at convenience, they are a matter of national survival. Every mixed message, every contradictory pronouncement, and every vague promise chips away at public confidence and deepens the despair of thousands of unemployed Namibians. When the Office of the Prime Minister announced recently that all unadvertised government positions would be frozen, many citizens reluctantly accepted it as part of much-needed fiscal discipline. The assumption was simple: government is tightening its belt to control the ballooning public wage bill, prioritising efficiency and redirecting…

20 Oct

Why a retirement annuity matters and benefits you

National News, Observer Money, Opinions

Sebastian Clementinus Securing your financial well-being in retirement begins with taking decisive action, yet many delay this crucial step. Among the available options, a retirement annuity (RA) stands out as a reliable and structured solution. Whether you are just starting your career or are close to retirement age, understanding the value of a retirement annuity can make a significant difference to your future. What is a retirement annuity? A retirement annuity is a long-term investment product that helps you save for retirement in a tax-efficient manner. You can make contributions monthly or as a one-off lump sum, and these funds…

20 Oct

The ROI of laughter: measuring the business impact of team building

Opinions

By Diamond Training Institute It’s easy to dismiss laughter as the soundtrack of leisure, not productivity. Yet, in the modern workplace, it may be one of the most reliable indicators of a healthy, high-performing team. When employees laugh together, they do more than share a moment of joy—they build trust, reduce stress, and strengthen social bonds that directly affect business results. The return on investment (ROI) of team building, then, is not just measured in smiles but in measurable shifts in engagement, innovation, and performance. Psychologists and organizational researchers have long noted that laughter triggers positive emotional contagion—a ripple effect…