Observer – Page 622 – Windhoek Observer

25 Jun

Namport records increases in cargo shipments

ObserverUncategorisedLüderitz, Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) announced that it has handled one million tons of cargo carried along its four trade corridors from 01 April 2019 until 31 March 2020. Immanuel !Hanabeb, Executive: Commercial at Namport said the Port of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz had contributed equally to the success by recording 5,561,999 tons of cargo handled during this last financial year 2019/2020. “The largest portion of growth is reflected by the 100 percent increased activity along the Trans-Oranje Corridor as 204,301 tonnes of manganese ore was exported via the Port of Lüderitz. The benefit of the Trans-Oranje corridor…

25 Jun

SSC pays N$22m under stimulus

ObserverObserver MoneySocial Security Commission (SSC)

…as 4,000 applications are rejected Staff Writer The Social Security Commission (SSC) says it has paid over N$22 million to 6,000 employees whose jobs and incomes were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic under its stimulus package. This comes as the commissions received 16,000 applicants of which 4,000 have been rejected and 6,000 are currently undergoing verification. Quizzed on the high number of rejections, SSC’s Senior Manager: Communications & Marketing, Unomengi Kauapirura said, “the applications were rejected for various reasons including that the employee’s salary may not have been impacted on and thus the employees is still receiving their full salary…

25 Jun

NCCI welcomes easing of restrictions

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), NCCI, NCCI President Sven Thieme, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says the easing of lock down measures as the country moves to stage 4 as announced by President Hage Geingob on Monday will allow the local economy and businesses to begin to recover. “It is with great relief that we can welcome the start of our society’s reopening, in the wake of this unprecedented economic lockdown. As we take our first steps along the road to economic recovery, we should be immensely grateful for the efforts by Government and particularly of all those who continue to work so hard to…

25 Jun

Abortion debate enters Parliament

ObserverObserver MoneyAbortion, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, Parliament

Andrew Kathindi As the debate on the issue of abortion continues to gain momentum, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Esther Muinjangue, has said while she is personally not for abortion, she intends to raise the matter for discussion and debate in the house tomorrow (Thursday). “For me, I have my own personal values that may not be my professional values. I would not go for abortion, but we are also in an era where human rights are being highlighted. Because this is also a woman’s body, let the women have a voice and take a decision as to…

24 Jun

Win first – then run the tourism victory lap

ObserverNational NewsCOVID, Namibia

Headlines blaring: ‘Tourists to return’ or ‘Namibia to open borders’ need to be examined carefully. The small print ‘terms and conditions’ for stages 4 and 5 of the re-opening, make those headlines too broad. Let us not raise expectations that cannot be met. It is important to not run a victory lap before the race is run. The hospitality, travel and tourism industry is failing and it is hurting tens of thousands of Namibians. No tourists = no tourism revenue = sector collapse. We know the industry is in pain. We do not envy policymakers who are juggling sharp knives…

24 Jun

Book Review: White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

ObserverUncategorisedBook Review, Robin DiAngelo, White Fragility

Jackie Wilson Asheeke White Fragility should be mandatory reading for all white people. Yep, I said it. Most white people do not recognize their micro-aggressions against people of colour. They would never call someone an offensive racist name. They are truly appalled at the vicious murder of George Floyd. But, they don't 'get it' that their buy-in to white privilege is part of the reason why that happened. To those who want to understand more - I challenge you to read this book and think about it. [Let me know- jackie@observer.com.na] This book was written by a white woman who…

24 Jun

Govt, NTTU clash over taxi fares

ObserverObserver MoneyJohn Mutorwa, Minister of Works and Transport, Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU)

Andrew Kathindi Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) has rejected government’s dismissal of its call to have the 15 percent taxi fare hike made permanent. Taxi fares were increased to the current N$14 from N$12 as part of government efforts to cushion the taxi sector during the state of emergency as they are no longer allowed to carry their full load. In agreeing to the increase, Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, informed the NTTU that government was not going to indulge in discussions over the increment becoming permanent because the 15 percent increment had been approved as a…

24 Jun

Floodgate for job loses opens

ObserverObserver MoneyHigh Court, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer The Tuesday High Court ruling in favour of employers, which declared parts of two proclamations issued by President Hage Geingob relating to the suspension of the Labour Act and also parts of the Covid-19 state of emergency regulations as unconstitutional, could spell trouble for workers. According to the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), the development will not auger well for workers who had found some form of job and remuneration protection under the government regulations. “The concern is that their aim is to pay workers less, cut salaries and take away leaves days but we won’t tolerate…

22 Jun

German Embassy contributes to Covid-19 fight

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, German Embassy, Gobabis, Okahandja, Witvlei

Staff Writer As part of its projects to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the German Embassy will support families in need in the areas of Gobabis, Witvlei and Okahandja and a total of approximately N$ 99,600 (EUR 5,000.00) from the Embassy’s micro project fund will be made available as an immediate measure to purchase food packages. The packages include staple foods and will be distributed to the community members by the German Evangelical Lutheran Association of Okahandja-Gobabis (ELCIN - GELC) in cooperation with the Okahandja Community Forum. The Okahandja Community Forum is a civil organization in Okahandja that…

22 Jun

Uutoni summons council over Kanime

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek (CoW), City Police Chief Abraham Kanime, Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni

Staff Writer The entire City of Windhoek (CoW) council was on Monday summoned to an urgent meeting with Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni to discuss developments at the local authority. Among issues discussed was the contentious reappointment of City Police Chief Abraham Kanime. In his letter requesting the urgent meeting, the minister said, “This communique serves to inform your good office that I would like to have an urgent meeting with the entire Council of the City of Windhoek to consult on the developments at the City of Windhoek. I request that you provide me as soon as…