Windhoek Observer – Page 1208

12 Jun

Face to face classes continue amidst Covid-19 skyrocketing cases

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU)

Tujoromajo Kasuto Education, Arts and Culture Ministry plans to go ahead with face-to-face learning despite alarming rise in COVID-19 cases. Namibia reported 1,432 new COVID-19 cases on Friday evening, the highest number of new cases ever recorded in 24 hours, a day after the country reported 1,045 cases. The Executive Director of the Ministry, Sanet Steenkamp, says the ministry was taking the situation case by case. “At this moment the ministry is only looking at case by case, if the case arises for example the school in Aroab where the Ministry of Health advises the school must close and other…

11 Jun

Secret ballot not on genocide … if Parliament has to vote on agreement?

Observer MoneyGerman, Kazenambo Kazenambo, Namibia, Namibian Parliament, Professor Peter Katjavivi, Speaker

Andrew Kathindi Parliament may have to vote on the genocide agreement the government of Namibia and it the German counterpart are due to sign before it is eventually debated in the Namibian Parliament and thereafter ratified. If there should be no consensus after the debate and a vote is necessary. Meaning the august house would then have to decide whether to go for a secret ballot or not to allow for conscience voting, if members of the same political party may be divided on the issue. Former Swapo Party of Namibia Parliamentarian and former deputy minister, Kazenambo Kazenambo, explaining the…

11 Jun

Kavango West the poorest Namibian region

Observer MoneyKavango West, Namibia, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)

Andrew Kathindi Kavango West has been found to be the poorest region in Namibia according to a multidimensional poverty index report conducted by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), with 79.6 percent. After Kavango West, the incidence of multidimensional poverty is followed by Kavango East (70.0 percent), and Kunene (64.1 percent). The two Kavango regions have generally been reported as among the poorest regions in the country over the years. The national multidimensional poverty stands at 43.3 percent. According to the NSA, the region with the highest poverty intensity levels is Kunene region, reported at 59.2 percent, “which indicates that on…

10 Jun

Ovaherero and Nama leaders plan ahead …as appeal to US Supreme court is declined

Observer MoneyParamount Chief of the Ovaherero, US Supreme Court, Vekuii Rukoro

Andrew Kathindi Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero, Vekuii Rukoro, has revealed that they will now seek recourse at the United Nations and the African Union for justice in the matter regarding the genocide that was committed by Germany between 1904 and 1908. On Monday 7 June, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a petition by the Nama and Ovaherero leaders, which sought to restart a lawsuit for damages against Germany for the genocide. “In light of the latest diplomatic and legal developments, we shall now escalate our campaign at the diplomatic front by ensuring that the United Nations, the…

09 Jun

High Court Skips Case Over German Imperial Africa Atrocities

Observer MoneyNama, Ovaherero, U.S. Supreme Court, Vekuii Rukoro

Lauren Berg The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a petition to revive a lawsuit seeking damages from Germany for atrocities and property seizures committed by its colonial authorities against Indigenous groups from southwestern Africa more than a century ago. The high court’s denial comes after the Second Circuit in September tossed the suit after finding that a proposed class seeking to represent members and descendants of the Ovaherero and Nama Indigenous peoples could not overcome Germany’s sovereign immunity because they hadn’t proved that money used by the country to purchase property in New York could be traced…

09 Jun

Education ministry buys touch screen devices at N$8 million

Observer MoneyEducation, N$8 million

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has said that COVID-19 precipitated its purchase of 97 touch screen devices valued at N$ 8 773 407 (N$ 78 650 per screen, excluding VAT. “Given that we operate in a corona virus era which is characterized by remote teaching and learning, the interactive touch screens offer us versatility,” Education ministry Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp, told Windhoek Observer. According to the device’s specifications, they are able to allow for remote teaching where teachers are able to connect their learners through their smart gadgets and teach remotely in real time. “The screens…

09 Jun

Health Ministry says no to ivermectin approval … as doctors submit petition

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), South Africa, Zimbabwe

Andrew Kathindi The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) says it has no intentions to approve ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment. A petition by over 30 doctors was sent to the MOHSS and Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), asking that the drug should receive an emergency approval for COVID-19 treatment in the country. Health Executive Director (ED), Ben Nangombe, and the council's registrar of medicine, Johannes Gaeseb, both confirmed receiving the petition. “The ministry issued a document, a public notice on the second of February about the views on ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 in Namibia. A that point…

08 Jun

Reconciliation, Reconstruction Agreement a fait accompli?

Observer MoneyNational Assembly, Omurari Wondjivisiro Ombaranga, Usutuaije Maamberua

Staff Writer The Reconciliation and Reconstruction Agreement between the Namibian government and its German counterpart, is now headed for Parliament this week. It seems a fait accompli that the agreement will sail through the National Assembly given the Swapo majority in this house. Following Vice President, Nangolo Mbumba’s national address last Friday, the agreement is now bound for the National Assembly this week which resumes its session tomorrow. Albeit Mbumba this is after passing and stopping at the Office of the General Assembly. This is worrying some members of the affected communities, notably among them former Member of Parliament, Usutuaije…

08 Jun

Witness delay parliament disciplinary hearing

Observer MoneyBernardus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, Landless People’s Movement (LPM)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Andrew Kathindi Outstanding witness statements have delayed the on-going matter between Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leaders Bernardus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb and Parliament. This comes after the two members of Parliament had not submitted themselves to a disciplinary process at Parliament after raising concerns with how the process was being conducted. “The Committee of Privileges sat today. However, the Committee could not do much in relation to the disciplinary process as there are still a few outstanding witnesses’ statements from MPs who some attended the just-ended Pan African Parliament session,” Parliament’s spokesperson, David Nahogandja, said. This comes…

08 Jun

Family to sue for death after COVID-19 vaccine

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Rhino Park Medical Centre

Andrew Kathindi The family of Usiel Uapiona Kajovi, a 62-year-old man who died hours after being vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine plan to file a lawsuit after they suspect negligence led to his death. Kajovi was inoculated against COVID-19 at Rhino Park Medical Centre on 17 May, the day he died. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) stated that an investigation into what transpired was launched. “We are looking for a lawsuit. The nurses didn’t check his vitals. That is something that should have not been allowed to happen to him,” Kajovi’s step-son, Uendjii Tjituka told Windhoek Observer.…