Featured – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

07 Apr

Katjavivi concerned by delayed petition responses

ObserverFeatured, National News

Martin Endjala The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi expressed concern over the continued delays in responding to petitions by parliamentarians, labelling the situation as worrisome. Katjavivi highlighted this issue during his budget motivation speech last week in parliament, emphasizing that most petitions submitted to the National Assembly do not receive timely feedback. “We must continue to explore the speedy expedition of petitions, including the transmission of petitions directly to the relevant Standing Committee. Pursuant to the democratic culture of our parliamentary system, members introduced and extensively debated 41 motions on issues of their particular interest,” the Speaker…

07 Apr

N$47 million allocated to encourage youth participation in elections

ObserverFeatured, National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe A total of N$48 million has been earmarked for the Lead Youth Ambassador (LYA) program, which falls under the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), to encourage young people to participate in elections. The LYA program is an awareness campaign aimed at generating interest among young people to engage in the country's electoral process. This announcement was made last week by the speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi while explaining the allocation of over N$422 million for the ECN's annual budget for the 2023/24 financial year. Katjavivi said the LYA will employ around 200 Youth Ambassadors across the…

26 Mar

Namibian Runners Gear Up for Ultimate Race: The Comrades Marathon

ObserverFeatured, SportsNamibian Runners Gear Up for Ultimate Race: The Comrades Marathon

Namibia's running community is abuzz with anticipation as athletes prepare themselves for the grueling challenge of the Comrades Marathon, scheduled for June. Among the seasoned veterans and rising stars gearing up for this ultimate test of endurance are familiar names like Frans Amakali, Bolla Akwenye, Joel Talbot, Risa Drayer Kirsty, Joey Shehama, and Andre Ross.Joining them on the starting line are novices Fernando Mandumbwa and Klasi Heerlen, eager to make their mark in this prestigious event. One standout contender making waves in the running scene is Bolla Akwenye, whose Comrades journey commenced in 2023 as a novice.Despite his newcomer status,…

22 Mar

Futsal AFCON Countdown: Namibia’s Preparations Intensify with Specialist Addition

ObserverFeatured, SportsFutsal AFCON Countdown: Namibia's Preparations Intensify with Specialist Addition

With less than 20 days remaining until the commencement of the Total Energies CAF Futsal AFCON in Morocco on April 11, 2024, Namibia's Futsal Technical Team has received a significant boost with the addition of specialist Gareth Smith. Smith's expertise will focus on enhancing the players' fitness levels in preparation for the upcoming competition. Working alongside Head Coach Donald Modise and Dr. Jeremy Oliver, Smith's inclusion bolsters the technical team's efforts to ensure the squad is in prime condition ahead of the tournament. The team has been diligently training at the Windhoek Show Plaza, their current training ground, in anticipation…

22 Mar

Just saying

ObserverFeatured, Sports

As the Late Jackson Kaujeua once sung, the winds of change is being felt in Namibia's sports landscape. The recent budget increases have sparked a newfound energy that athletes and administrators alike must harness and fuel. Am just saying the performance of Team Namibia at the All African Games serves as a promising indicator that Namibian sports is poised to soar to unprecedented heights. All am just saying is, it's essential to reflect on the contributions of various sports teams, including hockey, cricket, netball, and football, in igniting the spirited atmosphere that currently permeates the nation. Am just saying while…

20 Mar

Realising the Promised Land : Gauging implementation of the Country’s Strategic Vision

ObserverFeaturedRealising the Promised Land : Gauging implementation of the Country’s Strategic Vision

In the inaugural speech of Namibia’s Independence Day celebrations, Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma reiterated and cemented the commitment to delivery of promises made to Namibians, as the new government began to take shape. Freedom fighters waged a 105 year old bitter campaign, which commenced during German colonial occupation and culminated in the liberation movement successfully toppling the apartheid regime. Ahead of this historic speech in which President Nujoma vowed to advance programs to level the playing field for Namibia’s previously disadvantaged, the Swapo party’s 1989 election manifesto highlighted and mapped out the initial programs Nujoma’s newborn government would be…

01 Mar

Economic Resurgence: Namibia’s Budgetary Governance Strategy

ObserverFeatured, OpinionsEconomic Resurgence: Namibia’s Budgetary Governance Strategy

Patience Masua The recent budget announcement by Minister Shiimi marks a pivotal moment in Namibia’s fiscal strategy, particularly with its strategic three-pronged approach aimed at bolstering economic resilience and social welfare when the masses need it most. The significant tax amendments, including the doubling of the income tax threshold for individuals to N$100,000 and the reduction in non-mining company tax rates, signal a concerted effort to provide relief to low-income earners and stimulate domestic demand. This move not only puts more money directly into the pockets of taxpayers but also fosters a more conducive environment for private sector growth and…

23 Feb

The Observer Tribute: Footsteps of a Giant

ObserverFeaturedThe Observer Tribute: Footsteps of a Giant\

Of all the places a nation’s destiny would be fashioned by the hand of God, one would never think to find its future under a tree. But as fate would have it, for Namibia, the story of one of its greatest political leaders and in many ways, her own story of becoming a nation, of defying odds and overcoming them, starts there. In the district of Otavi, at farm Sawes, Namibia became a hero richer on 3rd August 1941. President Hage Gottfried Geingob who was born under a tree at this farm, had himself become one, under whose shade the…

23 Feb

STATE FORMATION IN NAMIBIA: PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

ObserverFeaturedSTATE FORMATION IN NAMIBIA: PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

(A chapter review of the Ph.D Thesis by Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob)By: Stanley Nick Katzao“Leaders are bridges that connect people to the future” We are looking at a scholarly project representing an academic endeavour at providing an intellectual discourse that connects the process of state formation to the democratization imperative.Overall, Dr. Geingob’s study sets out to do four things:It examines significant events in the process of state formation in Namibia;It identifies and dissects the different actors who played a major role in shaping the Namibian state that evolved;It examines how Namibians sought to build a united and peaceful society; andIt…

23 Feb

Geingob cared deeply for the elderly – Nujoma

ObserverFeatured, OpinionsGeingob cared deeply for the elderly - Nujoma

Hertta-Maria Amutenja As Minister Utoni Nujoma paid tribute to former President Hage Geingob, he reflected on the late President’s commitment to addressing socio-economic disparities and his lasting impact on the Namibian Nation. “President Geingob cared deeply about the elderly and working poor,” Nujoma affirmed, setting the tone for a poignant tribute that unveils the compassionate side of the late President. Nuujoma recalled pivotal moments during Geingob’s presidency, such as the compassionate decision to raise the old age grant, demonstrating a commitment to the well-being of the nation’s senior citizens. In addition, Nujoma highlighted the late President’s dedication to improving the…