Namibians – Windhoek Observer

23 Oct

Herero and Nama genocides affected all Namibians – Nandi-Ndaitwah

ObserverObserver MoneyHerero, Nama, Namibians, Nandi-Ndaitwah

Eba Kandovazu The genocide perpetuated against the Ovaherero and Nama people by Germany has a permanent negative impact on all Namibians. Thus, Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, says discussions should not be based on selective morality and harbour an illusion that there are some Namibians who did not suffer the pain of genocide. "It must be underscored that the Germany imperial genocide has made a permanent negative impact on all Namibians as this nation is inseparable, since we are bonded together by our blood. The actions of imperial Germany by uprooting people from their places of birth has created a…

06 Oct

Current Namibian IDs to phase out

ObserverObserver MoneyHome Affairs and Immigration, Namibians

Eba Kandovazu NAMIBIANS will soon be getting new and revamped identity document cards, after Cabinet approved the layout. Home Affairs and Immigration Public Relations Officer, Margret Kalo, says although the launch date hasn’t been confirmed yet, Namibians will not have to pay to get the new IDs. Permanent residents, permit holders and refugees will also be eligible for the new IDs. The first "new look" IDs will be given to President Hage Geingob, Vice President Nangolo Mbumba, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Founding Father Sam Nujoma, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Lukas…

20 Oct

Geingob should not apologize…Henk must not re-write history

ObserverNational NewsNamibians, President Geingob, SWAPO

The comments made on the campaign trail by President Geingob about white voters who should be grateful to Swapo are typical campaign rhetoric. There is nothing there to get hot-and-bothered about. There is more noise about Geingob’s comments than proposals to mitigate the economic disaster on Namibia’s doorstep. Let us hear the opposition party’s viable plans to uplift the economy – that is how to win votes. It is the response by the faded politician Henk Mudge regarding Geingob’s comments that should engender an apology. Henk claims that whites do not have to thank Swapo for the country being peace-loving…

10 Oct

Remove the crutch of foreign consultants

ObserverNational NewsAgribusdev, Namibia Civil Aviation Authority, Namibians

There is nothing inherently wrong with hiring qualified foreign consultants for a specific task. The problem is that the country surrenders to these consultants rather than inculcate the skills. We do not ensure that our own people learn what is being done by consultants so that we need not import the same skills set repeatedly. Until we commit to using foreign skills only as a tool to strengthen the country, rather than a crutch to weaken it, this will be a controversial issue. This issue is not new; many have been complaining about Namibian dependence on foreign skills for decades.…

07 Oct

It’s about competence first, then age

ObserverNational NewsNamibia, Namibians

The days of people in powerful positions who are incompetent, unskilled, unaware, and with no new ideas are numbered. Namibia is in desperate straits. Those chosen to lead in politics and business must be the best and brightest. No other criteria, including age, gender or ethnic background, should take precedence. There is no doubt that we have too many people in top positions in Namibia that have passed their prime. It is sad to see prize fighters or world-class athletes that stay on for too long. We all remember their past powerful performances and are saddened to see them limp…

03 Oct

The Thin Blue Line

ObserverUncategorisedMinister of Justice Yvonne Dausab, Namibians

The Time Traveler: Hugh Ellis I sincerely hope the Minister of Justice is wrong. The State of Emergency set up to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic was lifted last week on the night of September 17th. If Namibian social media is anything to go by, the next few days were filled with partying, drinking, non-mask wearing and lack of enforcement of social distancing and sanitising requirements. On September 19th, Minister of Justice Yvonne Dausab tweeted: ‘I too am very concerned. People have completely thrown caution to the wind. Parties are abound. Funerals are crowded. Music is loud. Masks are in…

12 Sep

Watch your money or lose it

ObserverNational NewsGovernment, money, Namibians

All too often Namibians as individuals, businesses and the government itself have been the victim of con artists and thieves. It is easy to conclude that someone wearing the ‘right’ clothes, with the ‘right’ introduction and with the ‘right’ deferential behaviour can lay a web of dodgy promises. It is a concern that too many people accept promised from business partners without vetting, follow-up, constant monitoring, contracts with penalties, milestone check-ins and random spot checks. The old adage remains the truth: If you don’t watch your money, you will lose it. The latest embarrassing episode of yet another conman cheating…

02 Sep

Unacceptable: animal cages for Namibians

ObserverNational NewsNamibians, Walvis Bay

Reports that Walvis Bay officials intend to use state funds to build cheap houses with no toilets, are concerning. Further statements fail to identify the materials that will be used to make these structures. This situation is alarming. Such a building project must be reconsidered. Our people are not animals in a zoo and government funded houses must not resemble cages. The goal should not be to build something fast, but to efficiently build homes for families. It is de-humanizing for government to build a place for human beings to live which, by design, has no toilet. Claims that the…

04 Aug

Tourism sector initiative could risk lives

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibians, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi Thousands of workers in the tourism sector could be at risk of contracting COVID-19 as new measures announced by government to revive the sector do not require quarantine for incoming tourists. President Hage Geingob announced that the International Tourism revival initiative, which was initially supposed to kick off on 15 July but was delayed over disagreements on measures during the consultation process, has now been approved. According to new measures announced by the President which tourists will not be subjected to a mandatory quarantine, “They will however be required to remain at their first initial destination in the…

21 Jul

Civil Rights Icon, advocate for Namibian Independence, dead at age 80

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia, Namibians, SWAPO

… Representative John Lewis passes on Jackie Wilson Asheeke So many Namibians today have never heard of John Lewis. And yet, he and many other members of the US Congressional Black Caucus in the pre-independence days had heard of Namibia. Representative Lewis and many US legislators made speeches regularly denouncing US political and economic support for white supremacy in Africa. Now, John Lewis’ time is passed and he has gone home to a well-earned rest. In the several times I met him during the height of my group’s anti-apartheid work in Washington, DC back in the day, I found him…