Featured – Page 7 – News Stand

14 Nov

HOW TOO MANY POLITICAL PARTIES IN A SMALL VOTING POPULATION MAY LIMIT THE RIGHT TO VOTE

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In what appears to be winds of political change in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the question on everyone’s mind is whether such winds will blow over Namibia and have the same chilling effect. We are justified to ask this question because history has taught us that political waves such as these can indeed sweep across the region, the continent and even the whole world, especially in an election year such as this where a whopping 64 countries will have headed to the polls by the end of this year. Namibia is one of the last countries to…

13 Nov

NamRA issues N$75 million in tax refunds

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Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) announced on Wednesday that it successfully distributed more than N$75 million in tax refunds to over 50 000 taxpayers. According to Tonateni Shidhudhu, NamRA’s spokesperson, the mass payout, completed in two phases on 23 October and 1 November 2024, provided refunds ranging from N$100 to N$3 000 across various tax categories. He added that the refund initiative forms part of NamRA's ongoing efforts to clear the longstanding backlog of refunds and improve service delivery to Namibian taxpayers. Shidhudhu said the effort is aligned with Section 94 of the Income Tax Act of 1981…

11 Nov

Trumped Again

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Jackie Wilson Asheeke One early slave-holding US president, Thomas Jefferson, once said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” That statement is more evident now in the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and Republican control of both houses of Congress. Republicans continue their control of the Supreme Court as well, making a mockery of the symbol of blind justice. The much-praised American tricameral system of checks and balances does not exist, at least for now. Kamala won only 226 electoral votes (you need 270 to win), and Trump won 295. Remember, there is…

11 Nov

A moment of choice: Standing on the right side of history

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Setson Tangeni Haidula As Namibians prepare to head to the polls on 27th November 2024, we are called to reflect on our past and its lessons. Our history is filled with resilience, bravery, and the unwavering determination of those who fought for freedom. During the liberation struggle, our people were divided into three groups: those who resisted oppression, those who collaborated with the colonial regime, and those who remained silent. The choices they made have not only shaped Namibia’s past but also influence the very democracy we live in today. Now, on election day, we face a new kind of…

07 Nov

N$1.5 million winner-takes-all MTC Maris Cup launched

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Sports

Windhoek General Administrators (WGA), a subsidiary of MTC, has launched the MTC Maris Cup, the country’s largest pre-season football tournament with a prize pool of N$1.5 million for the winning team. This is the biggest prize in Namibian football history. The tournament, beginning on 25 January 2025 will feature 16 Debmarine Premier League teams in a knockout format based on last season’s standings. The event also promotes MTC’s new mobile money service, "MTC Maris," and includes additional prizes: a N$30 000 preparation fee for each team, N$20 000 for both the top goal scorer and Player of the Tournament, and…

07 Nov

Talking sport with Dimitri Bittler

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Breathing New Life into Ramatex The former Ramatex textile factory, once a symbol of Namibia's industrial ambitions, now stands as an abandoned shell, a reminder of opportunities lost. However, this massive facility holds the potential for a new chapter in its history – one that could benefit the entire nation. Transforming Ramatex into a state-of-the-art indoor sports arena could open the doors to hosting international competitions and revitalizing the country’s sporting landscape. The Ramatex facility, located in the heart of Windhoek, offers a vast space that could be repurposed into a world-class indoor sports complex. With its high ceilings, ample…

07 Nov

The rise of BRICS and Namibia’s geopolitical strategy as the Naval HQ, logistical hub and gateway for SADC landlocked countries

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Paul T Shipale Bo Mbindwane, a South African-based socio-political researcher, with a focus on geopolitical risk management and national security, wrote an article titled; “Namibia and South Africa – Partners in History, Allies in the Future,” which appeared in the Windhoek Observer on 28 October 2024. In that article, Mbindwane says it is time to re-elevate Namibia’s role, strengthen its partnerships, and leverage a unique geographical bond to safeguard its future as that of neighbouring South Africa with whom it has a shared legacy and a shared destiny. Both nations’ fates and futures are geographically intertwined: sharing a land border…

03 Nov

Leading the charge in Women’s Football

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Katima Mulilo-born Candy Namataa Kulatau has carved an impressive path in Namibian sports, rising from a young football enthusiast to a leading figure in women's football and refereeing. Speaking about her journey, Kulatau shared insights into her career and the challenges she has faced. "I handle regional affairs as a regional convenor for athletics, NSSU, and as the Regional Chairperson for the Zambezi Women’s Football League," she explained. Despite her many responsibilities, refereeing has been her true passion. "Of all the responsibilities, I had chosen to referee as my favourite path." Her love for sports started early. “As I was…

29 Oct

New divorce law criminalises publication of case details

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Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia's newly introduced Dissolution of Marriages Act, 2024 (Act No. 10 of 2024) now makes it a crime to publish details of divorce cases, with only a few exceptions. Gazetted on 24 October, the Act allows publication only for legal research, law reports, or when the court specifically grants permission. It is unclear whether the media is also restricted from reporting on these cases. The law is aimed at reducing the trauma associated with divorce, particularly for the individuals involved and their children. It encourages a "do-it-yourself" method for divorce proceedings, promoting privacy and easing the emotional burden…

29 Oct

Absent MPs stalls mid-year budget review again

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Allexer Namundjembo The much-anticipated midterm budget review has been delayed once more as National Assembly Speaker, Professor Peter Katjavivi had to adjourn Tuesday’s parliamentary session due to a lack of quorum. This is the second consecutive adjournment after Deputy Speaker Loide Kasingo postponed Monday's sitting for the same reason. Only 47 members were present, along with three non-voting members of parliament, for the session, falling short of the quorum required to proceed. Political analyst Graham Hopwood explained that coordination between party whips and the Speaker's office is essential to ensuring the smooth functioning of the National Assembly. “Members of parliament…