Observer

6389 Posts
Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss
06 May

Tourism sector forecasts N$20 billion loss

ObserverObserver Money, , ,
. . . as government continues to delay N$400m subsidy Andrew Kathindi Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta has said that the tourism sector could lose at least N$20 billion in anticipated revenues and fixed assets by the end of 2020 due to the global lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Namibia has received no inbound tourists since international borders of all countries were virtually closed to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Minister has told the Windhoek Observer that he believes that it is most likely that the tourism sector in Namibia will pick up only after…
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Conservation sustainability gets N$16 million boost
06 May

Conservation sustainability gets N$16 million boost

ObserverObserver Money
Andrew Kathindi A total of N$16 million has been raised for the Conservation Relief, Recovery and Resilient Facility which aims to address the long-term impacts associated with COVID-19 on the sustainability of the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Program in Namibia. Of this amount, the Namibia Association for CBNRM Support Organisations (NACSO), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) will receive N$7.5 million. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) pledged an amount of N$1.5 million, while Nedbank Namibia has pledged an amount of N$1 million to the project. This amount is about a quarter of the conservancy income from tourism operations…
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NACADA: THE COMBATANT COMMANDER
06 May

NACADA: THE COMBATANT COMMANDER

ObserverUncategorised,
General Martin Shalli In the midst of corona virus pandemic with its economic rampage, lockdown, fear, death, internet conspiracy theories and infodemic, Namibia commemorates 42nd anniversary of the Cassinga massacre and the battle of Chetequera. In remembrance of all those who died, shed blood and survived on this day, we pay tribute to all of them. May their souls continue to rest in eternal peace! And may their blood continue to water our freedom! We salute them and in the hope that their revolutionary spirit help to continue to serve as a glue of unity, patriotism, solidarity, peace, and justice.…
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06 May

Masks: the cart before the horse

ObserverNational News
The national phased plan to reopen Namibia is not Namibian. We have cut-and-pasted regulations suited to other people’s COVID-19 situations. However, prevention of the pandemic is not always a one-size-fits-all proposition. The Phase 2 demand that masks be worn by everyone while in public has given rise to this concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) website clearly states that there is no need for ALL citizens to wear masks. On the contrary, they cite that ONLY those working with patients in hospitals, those who are ill or living with those who are, the immune-compromised, and essential health care and safety…
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04 May

The Time Traveler: Criminalizing fake news is not the way

ObserverUncategorised,
Hugh Ellis It seems that Government may criminalize the spreading of fake news on the Coronavirus pandemic, during the current state of emergency. In terms of regulations published in the Government Gazette, it is now (at least technically) a criminal offense to publish a statement, including on social media, that is intended to deceive people about the Covid-19 status of someone or about measures intended to combat, prevent and suppress the disease. Offenders may be fined N$2000 or face six months imprisonment. Readers of this column will know I despise fake news, and have little time for those who spread…
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04 May

Disagreement is NOT a personal attack

ObserverUncategorised,
Jackie Wilson Asheeke I have much respect for the intelligence and openness of Presidential Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari. But, in reading his last missive in defense of the president, I am disappointed. He included a section where he seems to say that the massive loss of public support for Geingob in the last elections was due to biased media reporting. I strongly disagree with that conclusion and hold up a hand of caution. It is one thing to defend your boss to keep him sweet. It is quite another thing to assign blame to the media because he dropped significantly…
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04 May

Observatory: We need to protect trans people

ObserverUncategorised,
Thandizo Kawerama A disgusting video of a member of the Gobabis trans community being assaulted has recently surfaced online. The conversation surrounding the incident highlights how we as a society refuse to protect the rights of members of the LGBTQ+ community, and continue to gas light them on the discrimination they face in our society. Contrary to popular belief, trans people are human beings. They live a human experience just like the people outside of their community. If someone outside of the community has a problem with a trans person they should look to resolve their differences instead of attacking…
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04 May

Read the fine print before cheering

ObserverNational News,
The statement that the devil is in the details is spot on. As people slog through the criteria, rules, and exceptions attached to the announced COVID-19 financial support plans, all that glitters is not gold. Before giving more applause to the headline-grabbing announcements of N$8.1 billion for this or N$400 million for that or N$700 million for these, people must step back, take a deep breath. Read the fine print. Fact: Namibia was broke before COVID-19 hit and the coffers were dry. This remains the case. The money that is being bandied about is coming from sleight of hand by…
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Informal sector sidelined
04 May

Informal sector sidelined

ObserverObserver Money, ,
Andrew Kathindi Informal sector traders have accused government and the City of Windhoek of sidelining them when it came to polices regarding their operations during and post-lockdown. According to Namibia Informal Sector Organisation’s Secretary General, Veripi Kandenge, the 7,000-member strong organization was never consulted by government and the city council regarding its members’ concerns and operating conditions. “We have not been consulted about the way forward regarding the opening of markets despite certain informal markets set to reopen by Monday,” he said, “We call on policy-makers to include the informal sector representatives when developing policies concerning them. Our sector provides…
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Founding father donates to COVID-19
04 May

Founding father donates to COVID-19

ObserverObserver Money,
Staff Writer Founding President Sam Nujoma handed over a donation of basic necessities and food parcels valued at a total of N$40,500 to the Office of the Prime Minister to be used in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. “Indeed, following the declared state of emergency by the Head of State and the subsequent lockdown of the whole country on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the gradual ease on the lockdown, we are aware that our government has established a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism. The government has asked all stakeholders such as private health sector, the business community…
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