Opinions – Page 7 – Windhoek Observer

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…

08 Sep

The ignorance of young people towards politics: A call for active participation

ObserverOpinions

Sakaria Johannes In Namibia, young people make up most of the population. With their numbers, energy, and potential, they have the power to shape the future of the nation. Yet, a large portion of the youth remains disconnected from politics, viewing it as irrelevant or distant. This disengagement poses a serious threat not only to their future but also to Namibia's democratic system and its development. What is Politics? Aristotle, often referred to as the "Father of Political Science,” defined politics as the process by which people determine how to live together in a community and achieve the common good.…

05 Sep

MANIFESTOS AND THE BOILING ‘POT’ WITH LONG KNIVES OUT

ObserverOpinions

Paul Shipale The opinion piece by Sibuku Malumbano in New Era Newspaper, 2nd September 2024, argued for political parties to offer the public accurate information about their party’s policies, a clear vision and political objectives to allow voters to make informed decisions instead of political sloganeering as a tool for campaigning. Teboho Bojabotsheha, from Vaal University of Technology in South Africa, says that Babbie and Mouton (2004:495) point out that discourse analysis is a complex process that is better suited to those who are interested in theorising about life. In the context of this article, I am interested in theorising…

05 Sep

The Significance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for Africa

ObserverOpinionsFourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

Tomas Nashongo Africa, with its vast and diverse population, continues to grapple with challenges such as poverty, which many can trace back to historical factors like colonialism and current issues related to governance and stability. However, in recent years, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has emerged as a transformative force, offering the continent a unique chance to confront these challenges and stimulate economic growth. The 4IR is defined by the integration of advanced technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI). This blend of technologies holds the promise of transforming entire industries in Africa. For instance, robotics could help address labor shortages,…

05 Sep

UN cybercrime treaty enables threatening state intrusion

ObserverOpinionsUN convention on cybercrime

Flawed treaty will provide cover for installing a highly problematic law in Namibia Frederico Links Alarm has reverberated around the world following the adoption of the draft UN convention on cybercrime in early August 2024 by the Ad Hoc Committee of the UN General Assembly specifically created to draft such a treaty. What is fueling the alarm within the global human rights community is the fact that the draft convention, which is set to be adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) over coming months, has been adopted without addressing critical flaws in the treaty text that threatens to further…

05 Sep

Choosing best perfectionist of capitalism, and the continuous exploitation of workers

ObserverOpinionsNational Assembly and Presidential Elections

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro In anticipation of the forthcoming National Assembly and Presidential Elections this November, there has been a cry about the lack of manifestos by most of the political parties, and/or the late production thereof. Yours Truly Ideologically instead has been thinking this has been much ado about nothing. Because election after election political parties have been coming forth with manifestos. Most of which, for all intents and purposes, have remained unfulfilled for those that has never had the opportunity to implement them because of failing to grab the reigns of governance. For those which has been in governance all…