Bernadus Swartbooi – Windhoek Observer

06 Mar

Botswana far ahead of Namibia in deal negotiations -Venaani

ObserverFeaturedBernadus Swartbooi, Botswana far ahead of Namibia in deal negotiations -Venaani, McHenry Venaani

Martin Endjala Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) President McHenry Venaani, says Namibia is underserving itself as a country in terms of sharing resources with outside investors, leaving many Namibians deprived and left out from benefiting from their country’s resources. “Africa is not poor, but Africans are poor and we need to do better when we negotiate our minerals with foreign investors. We cannot be bowing down to their demands, and our negotiation models need to be seriously looked at to benefit us more. Our neighbour, Botswana, is far ahead of us in that regard”, Venaani said in response to the Ministry…

25 Aug

LPM shoots down changes to Electoral Act

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Chief Executive Officer of ECN, Landless People’s Movement, Theo Mujoro

Staff Writer The Landless People’s Movement has described the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act of Namibia as going against the democratic values the country has embraced. The leader of LPM has taken particular clauses relating to the Chief Executive Officer of ECN, whose tenure, according to him is not specified, unlike the term of the current chief electoral officer whose term is five years, as well as the endorsement of the appointment of the CEO. During the recent retreat of LPM in Swakopmund during the by-election there, Bernadus Swartbooi expressed concerns surrounding some of the proposed amendment bill. The…

23 Aug

LPM cleaning up local councils: Swartbooi

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Landless People’s Movement leader, LPM cleaning up local councils: Swartbooi

Martin Endjala Landless People’s Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi says that since they took over some local authorities from Swapo, the party has been cleaning up years of alleged mismanagement by the ruling party. He said this in reaction to President Hage Geingob’s statement that opposition parties appear not to be able to lead local authorities they are in charge of. Swartbooi said that Swapo has been in charge of the authorities for 32 years where he accused the party of malpractices of nepotism, poor administrative operations and misappropriation of funds. He said that the fact that LPM is recalling its…

21 Apr

Judges appointed on merit – Tjombe ….courts remarkably independent

ObserverUncategorisedBernadus Swartbooi, Judges appointed on merit – Tjombe ….courts remarkably independent, Norman Tjombe, Sisa Namandje

Staff Writer Parliamentarians have been called upon to ensure that the statements they make in the legislature about other branches of the State are true and thoroughly researched, unless they want to make a mockery of the ‘’parliament and its most important duty of making laws …. And keeping accountable the government of the day’’. Legal practitioner and well known human rights lawyer, Norman Tjombe made this scathing remark in a statement following Landless People’s Movement’s leader Bernadus Swartbooi attack on the judiciary in the National Assembly saying only lawyers from law firms with political connections to the ruling party…

14 Mar

LPM an all-season party – Swartbooi

ObserverUncategorisedBernadus Swartbooi, LPM an all-season party - Swartbooi

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader says the party is in a healthy state and is moving in the right direction in building a better society. The party which almost made a clean sweep in the last local and regional council elections in the Hardap and Karas regions lately seems to have been rocked by what appears to be an infighting and has recalled nine of its councillors and replaced them with new ones. But, Bernadus Swartbooi maintains that the party ‘’wants to demonstrate trust in our young people’s leadership right now. So that they grow and become…

12 Nov

Ethnocentric approach to funding local authorities – Swartbooi

ObserverObserver MoneyBernadus Swartbooi, Landless People’s Movement (LPM)

Tujoromajo Kasuto LANDLESS People's Movement (LPM) leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, says there is an ethnocentric approach by central government in funding local authorities, which results in an imbalance because of politics and ethnocentric governance. He notes that in many local authorities, if not a vast majority, there is a consistent pattern that’s resultant of insufficient funding in their human resource, financial capacity and most importantly, their local authority capacity, that affects their mandate to transform lives, save livelihoods and to create jobs. He alleges this is a result of an agenda by the ruling party to cut budgets in areas where…

09 Sep

Swartbooi, Seibeb feels penalty unclear

ObserverObserver MoneyBernadus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, Landless People’s Movement (LPM), Peter Katjavivi

Eba Kandovazu THE Landless People's Movement (LPM) is claiming that the penalty recommendations by the National Assembly privileges and immunities committee have not properly been communicated, nor are they clear. LPM’s Spokesperson, Eneas Emvula, says the party's next course of action will only be determined once the penalty against Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb are clear. The penalties recommended by the committee are; a reprimand, a fine not exceeding the value of a month's salary or twice the value of the unethically-derived benefit or a reduction of salary or allowances for a period not exceeding 15 days. The committee yesterday…

05 Dec

And so it begins

ObserverUncategorisedAmupanda, andless Peoples Movement (LPM), Bernadus Swartbooi, Swartbooi Land Grabbing Program.

Grab your political popcorn and prepare to watch the show. The Landless Peoples Movement (LPM) Leader Bernadus Swartbooi, ever the lightning rod for populist politics, now says that people who decide that they are too poor to buy land should take up residence on unoccupied state land. The Council led by Amupanda whose rise to fame began with just such an action must show his mettle. He must be definitive and speak from strength. He should step back, smile and put Swartbooi in charge of the entire effort. Let the people know about the Swartbooi Land Grabbing Program. Let the…

02 Dec

Talk must now turn to action

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

It is easy to sit on the sidelines and speak loudly about what is wrong. It costs nothing to loudly and rudely challenge those with power and responsibility when you have neither. With the success of the opposing parties and some independent candidates in certain areas, 2021 means the time for populist promises and brazen talking is over. To those enjoyed success at the polls: It is you in the hot seat now. Others will take your former chair from the sidelines and snipe, gripe and complain about you. Let us hope you have a thick skin. Your vociferous talk…

18 Nov

Going too far hurts credibility

ObserverNational NewsBernadus Swartbooi, SWAPO

The claims by the vibrant politician Bernadus Swartbooi that Swapo wants to kill him are over-the-top and challenge his credibility. Many in Namibia are depending on new firebrand politicians, including Swartbooi, to challenge sacred cows. People want them to question authority, give voice to the marginalized, and energize younger people. They are expected to force political debate into the 21st century, put the spotlight on those suffering in silence, and fearlessly call out corruption. But, statements from the Trump School of Demagoguery and Lunacy reflect poorly on the politicians who make them. Swartbooi’s ravings with no evidence or proof whatsoever…