Covid-19 – Page 11 – Windhoek Observer

14 Jan

Thousands of learners become pregnant during lockdown

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka, Ministry of Education

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Education has revealed that 3,629 school learners became pregnant since March last year when schools were forced to close due to COVID-19 lockdown regulations. Education Minister Anna Nghipondoka argued that this reality was partly the cause for the Ministry’s stance on the re-opening of schools. The figure is over two thousand more school learners than the entire 2019, which recorded 1,542 pregnancies of school going girls. “The number of learners who get pregnant within the time frame of closure and re-opening doubled the normal numbers. I'm just trying to re-emphaize the importance of reopening schools.…

13 Jan

Shoprite vs workers – a mixed bag of concerns

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Nafau, Namibia, Shoprite

There are arguments on all sides of the gap in the labour conflict at Shoprite. The solution will not be easy, and each side will end up feeling aggrieved. But, a resolution must be found. There is a need for clarification of ‘temporary’ worker. A part of the list of complaints by Nafau is that ‘temporary’ workers stay on staff for years as if they are permanent. They do the same jobs as ‘permanent’ employees. And yet, they have no benefits and no job security. There is a loophole being exploited. The call for a boycott and demonstrations should yield…

13 Jan

Shangula to address spike in COVID-19 cases

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, Health Minister, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer On Wednesday 13 January Health Minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula will provide a COVID-19 public briefing on new or extended measures to contain the virus. The briefing comes as the country continues to record rising rates of infection, with 573 new cases recorded on Tuesday, bringing the country cumulative total to 27,255. President Hage Geingob has previously warned that he could reinstitute another State of Emergence if the current measures are not followed and COVID-19 cases continue to rise. According to the Ministry of Health figures, Windhoek (Khomas region) remains the epicentre of the second wave of the pandemic…

18 Dec

Namibia’s economy takes N$1.1 billion knock

ObserverObserver MoneyAlex Shimuafeni, Covid-19, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), NSA Statistician - General and CEO

Staff Writer N$1.1 billion has been wiped out of the Namibian economy, largely attributed to the effects of COVID-19, third quarter figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) show. “In nominal terms, the size of the Namibian economy as measured by GDP at current prices was estimated at N$ 44.7 billion in the quarter under review relative to N$ 45.8 billion posted in the same quarter of 2019. This shows that GDP size shrunk by N$ 1.1 billion,” NSA Statistician - General and CEO, Alex Shimuafeni announced on Thursday. “The third quarter of 2020 (July – September) is characterized by…

17 Dec

Geingob threatens COVID-19 State of Emergency …as breathalyzer reissue is set aside amidst infection concerns

ObserverObserver MoneyCenter of Disease Control (CDC), Covid-19, State of Emergency, Windhoek

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob has threatened to reinstitute another State of Emergency as soon as next week if the public does not adhere to the current measures and COVID-19 cases continue to rise. This comes as Geingob on Wednesday introduced new measures to curb the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases. The president and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) earlier this month confirmed that Namibia is currently facing a second wave of the pandemic. “If you misbehave, I may even next week come back and declare a State of Emergency. That power I have. I am warning you. So,…

09 Dec

MPs call for debt waiver

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, SADC Parliamentary Forum

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK – The 48th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum has adopted a motion exhorting the regional body to support an initiative by Speakers and heads of African national parliaments to call for total cancellation of the continent’s foreign debt. Many African countries are heavily indebted to industrialised countries and financial bodies that include the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Consequently, some countries have been failing to meet the human needs of their citizens. Against this backdrop, the Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa, Honourable Thandi Modise, tabled the motion through South…

09 Dec

COVID vaccine to cost Namibia N$200 million …only 20% of population to access drug

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services Executive Director Ben Nangombe

Andrew Kathindi It has emerged that Namibia must spend around N$200 million on the COVID-19 vaccine that will only be made available to 20 percent of the population. This comes as Ministry of Health and Social Services Executive Director Ben Nangombe revealed that the government, last week, already processed payment for the initial 15 percent of the fee, which came up to N$29 million following Treasury approval. Nangombe told Windhoek Observer that he is unsure when the vaccine is likely to reach Namibia but that it was unlikely to be this year. Given that the vaccine has only been rolled…

08 Dec

Growing relevance of the informal market – how can financial institutions remain relevant?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Market Research Manager at FirstRand Namibia

Frans Uusiku The economic landscape has evolved in recent times and is becoming increasingly characterised by changing consumer tastes and preferences around the consumption of goods and services, combined with heightened level of entrepreneurial spirit, especially amongst women and youth in agriculture. These changing dynamics around value chain development across industries have an implication on the role of the banking sector as an important enabler and catalyst for economic growth. The reality is that the proliferation of informal side-line businesses in the form of hawkers, vendors, etc. has increased now more than ever as households seek alternative income sources due…

08 Dec

Founding President hospitalized with COVID-19

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, HE Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob has announced that founding President Sam Nujoma has been hospitalized with COVID-19. “I hereby wish to inform the Namibian people that HE Dr Sam Shafishuna Nujoma, the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia was admitted to hospital on 6 December 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19,” said Geingob. “The Founding President is receiving treatment in hospital, is in a stable condition and is showing encouraging signs of improvement.” This comes as Nujoma's sister Sofia Asino died of COVID-19 in Windhoek in August this year. Asino was cremated shortly after her death. Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba…

04 Dec

Khomas region tops COVID-19 cases …as the country records 122 new cases

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Khomas

Helena Johannes On Thursday Namibia recorded 122 positive cases of COVID-19, the highest number recorded in recent months, with Khomas region leading with 66 of the total cases. The development comes after the country held its Regional and Local Authorities elections and the region having previously topped as the epicenter of the pandemic prior. Health minister, Kalumbi Shangula said the confirmed cases represent a nine percent positivity ratio, which is three times the ratio reported the previous day. “The increasing number of new Covid-19 cases in the Khomas district is concerning and calls for extra precaution especially during this time…