Opinions – Page 7 – Windhoek Observer

03 Oct

Tourists first, Namibians second

Opinions

Uzuva Kandjou The brochures paint a picture of paradise. Sun-drenched dunes cascading into an endless horizon. The haunting, skeletal trees of Deadvlei stand sentinel against a sapphire sky. The roar of a lion in the deep silence of Etosha. This is the Namibia sold to the world, a pristine, untouched wilderness, an escape for those with the means to chase its raw beauty. But for many Namibians, this picture is a cruel mirage. It is a paradise they can see, a beauty that exists on their ancestral lands, but one they can never afford to enter. In the heart of…

03 Oct

From New York to Philadelphia, Namibia steps onto the global stage

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Introduction When President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), she did more than fulfil a diplomatic duty. She signalled that Namibia, under her leadership, is stepping boldly onto the global stage not as a spectator, but as a shaper of international discourse. From New York’s high corridors of power to Philadelphia’s civic halls, the Namibian president carried a clear message: the nation is open for business, serious about reform, and ready to lead with principle. A woman at the helm, a nation…

03 Oct

Viva Assata Shakur! Viva Cuba!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Angela Davis, Donald DeFreeze, Elaine Brown, Eldridge Cleaver, Fay Bellamy Powell, Fred Hampton, George Jackson, Gloria Richardson, Hakim Jamal, Huey P. NewtonJohn Africa, , Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Jr., Maulana Karenga, Malik Zulu Shabazz. What do all these names have in common? One cannot mention the likes of Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr, and Angela Davis without conjuring up a picture of a struggling people in America going back to the civil rights movement of the people of African descent whose forebears were taken as slaves from Africa. Add to them Assata…

03 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Local ownership in mining: Namibia must strike a

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

bold, balanced path The recent warning from the Chamber of Mines about "growing risks" to Namibia’s mining sector due to policy uncertainty, particularly the proposal for 51% mandatory local ownership in new projects, deserves careful attention. The Chamber is right on one key point: investor confidence depends on a stable and predictable regulatory environment. But it is wrong to suggest that government proposals aimed at ensuring greater domestic participation should be viewed as threats rather than opportunities. Namibia is not stepping into the unknown. Local ownership is not a radical or reckless concept; it is a globally recognised policy instrument…

02 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Resettlement farms: From land reform to national embarrassment

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

There are few topics in Namibia as emotionally charged and politically potent as land reform. Rightly so. Land is not only an economic asset but also a deeply symbolic issue rooted in the country’s colonial and apartheid past. The generations of black Namibians were robbed of land, denied ownership, and consigned to the margins of society. When independence came, the cry was loud and clear: “The fight was about the land.” And now, over three decades later, we must ask—what have we done with the land we fought for? The painful truth is this: Namibia’s resettlement programme has failed. Catastrophically.…

01 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | A noble gesture that will save lives: MVA Fund leads the way

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

This week, Namibia witnessed a moment of quiet revolution in the nation’s healthcare system. The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund’s donation of a state-of-the-art Lodox full-body X-ray machine to the Ministry of Health and Social Services marks not only a milestone for Katutura Intermediate Hospital but also a shining example of what can be achieved through public-private collaboration in addressing Namibia’s critical infrastructure challenges. Valued at over N$13 million, this generous gift is far more than a piece of medical equipment; it is a lifeline. Installed at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital’s emergency unit, the Lodox machine is the first of…

30 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | The National Youth Development Fund: A second look, a new hope

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When the Windhoek Observer previously wrote that the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) was “dead on arrival,” we did not make that assertion lightly. Our conclusion stemmed from years of observing well-intended government initiatives being crippled by red tape, poor execution, lack of continuity, and, frankly, the failure to place the youth at the centre of development, not just in policy rhetoric, but in real, tangible action. However, today, we are prepared to re-examine our position. We are willing to say: we may have been too quick to write the fund off. The launch of the NYDF at Gobabis on…

29 Sep

Etosha is burning and we are failing it

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Etosha National Park, the crown jewel of Namibia’s conservation and tourism legacy, is burning. It is not merely grass and trees that are turning to ash; it is our national pride, our environmental responsibility, and the livelihoods of thousands. As flames devour hectares of this irreplaceable ecosystem, what is perhaps more disturbing than the fire itself is the collective silence and stunning lack of urgency from those who ought to be leading the response. Where is the outrage? Where is the accountability? Etosha is not a small, peripheral reserve; it spans over 22 000 km², making it one of the…

26 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | The future of connectivity in Namibia: progress that includes everyone

Featured, Opinions

From mobile payments to digital banking, Namibians are certainly in their connectivity and technology advancement era. Recently, both MTC and Paratus have announced the launch of e-SIM technology, promising a seamless, flexible and convenient experience for mobile users. For those unfamiliar, an eSIM (embedded SIM) allows you to activate a mobile plan without a physical SIM card. It is quite the popular choice, especially for frequent travellers who do not have the luxury of time to buy a physical SIM card while in transit or who simply want to stay connected without constantly swapping SIMs. While Namibia’s network coverage is…

26 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | #Unlimited

Featured, Opinions

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recently advertised a vacancy for an ICT Specialist, specifying that it was open to female candidates only. In a country that proudly celebrates having its first female President, a female vice president, a female speaker of parliament, and a notable level of women’s representation in the cabinet and the National Assembly, all achievements that have earned Namibia international praise, one might have expected applause. Instead, the announcement was met with resistance, scepticism, and even questions about its legality. The legal framework, as critics quickly pointed out, complicates matters. The Labour Act does not…