Blog – Page 634 – Windhoek Observer

03 Jun

Get Deezer – put together your own playlist

ObserverUncategorisedDeezer

…spend time singing to yourself Jackie Wilson Asheeke Even though things are opening up again, the down time on our own should have taught us ways to have fun at home, in our own gardens, with our family members and for less money than we otherwise would have spent. Check out the music service called: “#Deezer”. Since I found it, I have been singing different songs in the shower and to my pets. My 2 dogs and 2 cats told me they love hearing the updated music (they were getting tired of hearing the same old songs). Deezer has nearly…

03 Jun

Schools want absolution

ObserverNational News

As schools partially re-open this week, some are forcing parents to sign indemnity forms that they assume will relieve these educational institutions of any responsibility for protecting learners from exposure to COVID-19. Are these forms a type of ‘washing of the hands’ ala Pontius Pilot or are they an insensitive bureaucratic step that leaves parents even more uncertain? During a time of crisis, reassurance is needed. People are nervous and uncertain, particularly parents of school aged kids. Institutions of stability like the government, churches and schools must step up to their higher place in society. They must lead from the…

03 Jun

Lockdown results in road accident decline

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF), MVA Fund

Staff Writer The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund of Namibia (MVAF) says the government-imposed lock down to curb the spread of COVID-19 had a positive contribution to the drastic decline in road accidents and fatalities on the country’s roads. Fewer cars on the nation’s roads meant fewer accidents. Findings by the MVA Fund show that the number of crashes declined by 71 percent, injuries 72 percent and fatalities 62 percent for the period 27 March to 4 May 2020,compared to the same period last year. The fund which is mandated to design, promote and implement crash and injury prevention measures, notes…

03 Jun

Thousands of learners to show-up for classes

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Education

Andrew Kathindi Ministry of Education expects over 49,000 learners to return to schools around the country on Wednesday when they re-open under the country’s Stage 3 lifting of the State of Emergency. This comes as the ministry has so far spent N$58 million in sanitation and cleaning costs, in preparation for the day the classroom doors open again. The initial group of returning students comprise of grades 11 and 12. They will attend face-to-face classes, with students split into smaller groups, making use of the empty classrooms. This will ensure ample social spacing for each lesson. “If there are 40…

02 Jun

Business leadership during a crisis

ObserverUncategorisedBusiness, Covid-19, leadership

Mbo Mena Luvindao Merriam-Webster defines a crisis as "an unstable or difficult time or state of affairs". It is unplanned or uncontrolled change. During times of crisis, leadership is critical. While the existing economic crisis caused by COVID-19 is unprecedented, small businesses have historically proved themselves to be flexible and resilient. The crisis has led to paradigm shifts in the way we view and conduct our business - don’t bury your head in the sand, but consider new ways of doing things as an entrepreneur. COVID-19 has changed the way we work, and in some industries, it has forced companies…

02 Jun

WHK informal settlements to get electricity

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Electricity Control Board (ECB), NamPower

Staff Writer NamPower and the City of Windhoek have signed a “Project Development and Transfer Agreement on the Electrification of Peri-urban Areas in the Municipality of Windhoek.” The project will be funded by NamPower to the tune of N$15.5 million as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI), aims to electrify 1,000 households in peri-urban areas of Windhoek. “According to this agreement, NamPower is committing to contribute to the improvement of the lives of communities living in peri-urban areas, in and around Windhoek, by providing electricity to one thousand (1,000) households, as part of NamPower’s corporate social investment,” NamPower Managing…

02 Jun

Are we prepared for COVID round two?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia, president Hage Geingob

For the past 2-3 months, the shape of Namibia has been re-moulded, stretched, and remade to fit the government’s efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic. Through it all, the leadership credibility of President Hage Geingob is on the line. But has the foundation to get ahead of this disease actually been laid to battle the spread of the virus? Or are we assuming progress on the basis of hopeful reports and general briefings? During round one of the president’s proclamations have people been cutting corners? Have allocated funds been chopped? Are people scamming on project implementation? If the…

02 Jun

De Beers donates to the Ministry of Education

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, De Beers Group

Staff Writer De Beers Group has donated a consignment of hand sanitizers and facemasks to the Office of the Prime Minister, for onward distribution to the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture. The donation is part of De Beers Group’s N$15 million in-kind donation that it pledged to the Government’s Disaster Relief Fund to fight COVID19. The donation to the Ministry consists of 7,500 facemasks and 5,000 300ml containers of hand sanitizers. The facemasks were made by a community business initiative in Keetmanshoop, while the hand sanitizers were produced by UNAM. “We are delighted to play our part in…

02 Jun

!Gawaxab starts work at BoN

ObserverUncategorisedBoN, Johannes Gawaxab

Staff Writer Johannes !Gawaxab officially started duty on Monday as third Namibian Governor of the Bank of Namibia following his surprise appointment by President Hage Geingob on 21 April 2020. As Governor,!Gawaxab will also serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bank. On assuming duty,!Gawaxab said that he believes the central bank’s mandate is more than delivering on traditional roles such as monetary policy, and financial stability, but it is also about delivering on an economy that provides prosperity to Namibia. “Therefore, I aim to look at how best do we complement the collaborations between the monetary…

02 Jun

Agribusdev boss suspended

ObserverObserver MoneyAgricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev), Namibia Farm Workers Union (NAFWU)

Staff Writer Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) board has placed the company’s Managing Director, Petrus Uugwanga on suspension pending the completion of an investigation into various allegations leveled against the company. “Yes, we have suspended him and this was done today (Monday),” Board Chairperson, Sophie Kasheeta told the Windhoek Observer. The suspension, which will still see Uugwanga retaining his salary and benefits, is aimed at allowing the board to institute a thorough investigation into the government agency. Agribusdev has struggled to meet its role of improving the country’s food security. “We are carrying out an investigation to get the facts…