National News – Page 487

22 Jan

Board fees are not the issue

info_e12wt4csNational NewsMinistry of Public Enterprise, Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa, SME Bank

It is long overdue that boards of directors be held accountable when they do not meet expectations. But penalties cannot be extracted without a regulatory framework and definitions. The Ministry of Public Enterprise must demand that potential board members agree to listed performance requirements. Those requirements must be given in advance and in writing. They should state upfront that board fees are payable only with approved performance ratings each quarter. Until this is done in Namibia, no one can arrive after the fact and declare that (undefined) ‘poor performance’ means that board fees must be returned. This is not a…

15 Jan

COVID-19 vaccines are arriving soon; are we ready?

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCOVAX, Covid-19, Namibia

The rich countries of the world are already receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. Many have inoculated millions of their citizens so far. That won’t happen here; we can’t afford it, and we are not producing the vaccine locally. The ministry of health's announcement indicated that vaccine doses for 20 percent of the population (or about 508,000 people) could start in February. Namibia must handle the entire process with effectiveness, fastidiousness, trained workers, and discipline. We cannot afford to mess this up. We assume that our health officials are conquering the logistics of maintaining the extreme cold required for the doses' storage.…

14 Jan

Smile! You may be on a viral video

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia, video

In the new normal, video clips of anything and everything can go viral. Some of this footage is heartwarming or harmlessly hilarious. At other times, what is captured on camera is disturbing, frightening and whips up anger. But, those of us watching and forwarding such video clips or so-called ‘reports’ must be more responsible. The public must STOP believing everything they read and see automatically. People must check the source, corroborate, verify and question everything they read, hear or see online. If the public does not do this, access to the internet will be lost. Those in power will eventually…

13 Jan

Shoprite vs workers – a mixed bag of concerns

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, Nafau, Namibia, Shoprite

There are arguments on all sides of the gap in the labour conflict at Shoprite. The solution will not be easy, and each side will end up feeling aggrieved. But, a resolution must be found. There is a need for clarification of ‘temporary’ worker. A part of the list of complaints by Nafau is that ‘temporary’ workers stay on staff for years as if they are permanent. They do the same jobs as ‘permanent’ employees. And yet, they have no benefits and no job security. There is a loophole being exploited. The call for a boycott and demonstrations should yield…

18 Dec

Justice Minister must examine antiquated views in Nam laws

info_e12wt4csNational NewsJustice Minister

Two cases reported recently raise an ugly point that has been long said about narrow-minded, sexist, religious-based, laws that allows convictions of rapists to be overturned and women defending themselves against domestic abuse to be convicted of murder. The Justice Minister must move to protect women under the law from Judged with their legal heads in the sand when it comes to domestic violence and rape. The High Court Judge involved in both cases referred to in this editorial, justified his decision to agree with the appeal of a convicted rapist because HE doesn’t feel the rape victims actions are…

17 Dec

Hospitals must be first in the money line

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCOVAX, Government, Katutura Hospital, Ministry of Health, Namibia

When hospitals run out of vital supplies, the government does not have its spending priorities straight. No matter what excuses are offered by the Executive Director of the Ministry of Health about why vital medicines are missing, they are insufficient. The reason medicines and supplies have run out in hospitals is not an error or a mix-up. Saying they are aware and "looking into it" falls short of the credibility mark. Let us stop saying that hospitals ran out of medicine or supplies. Let us speak the truth. Government has not provided funds so that state medical facilities can serve…

16 Dec

Christmas 2020 must be muted

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChristmas

It sounds hard to take the position that Christmas must be played low this year. And yet, that is the message. People should to not go home to the village or travel this year. Stay home. have small outdoor events with family members and close friends. Find creative ways to celebrate Christmas in your home. Play Christmas music and set up your tree. There are online Christmas themed movies and religious services. Start enjoying them. People have less disposable income or are nervous about spending. Why not reduce buying/giving as many gifts this holiday season? That is a good way…

15 Dec

Is justice delayed, justice denied?

info_e12wt4csNational Newsfishrot, Is justice delayed, justice denied?

At what point do those behind bars without being convicted of a crime become victims of the system? The Fishrot accused sit in prison accused of crimes for over a year for some of them. The concerning issue is not the guilt or innocence of those standing trial. The serious concern is about why it takes over a year to collect evidence and present a strong case for the court to decide? It cannot be that people are arrested in Namibia when there is insufficient probable cause. Where is the evidence strongly pointing to the guilt of the accused that…

09 Dec

Bank of Namibia watches our wallets

info_e12wt4csNational NewsBank of Namibia (BoN), Mufhiwa Building Projects

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has come to the rescue. They have classified the activities of Mufhiwa Building Projects as a pyramid scheme. Those involved are conning people out of their hard-earned money and pocketing the proceeds. BoN has cautioned the public to beware and avoid any transactions with Mufhiwa Building Projects or similar entities that may be doing the exact same thing. BoN has ordered promoters of Mufhiwa Building Projects and those who are already caught in its web as ‘members’ to stop doing any kind of business. A nod must be given to BoN for watching our wallets.…

08 Dec

Mistreatment in prisons cannot be Namibia’s legacy

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia

Reports from prisoners about ill-treatment while in jail or guards who ‘beat up’ the inmates are very disturbing. Namibia, a country whose most esteemed heroes suffered torture in prison cannot possibly bathe in the hypocrisy of the mistreatment of its prisoners. Officials responsible for inspecting prisons and those providing services to prisoners must be questioned and the truth uncovered. Mistreatment in prisons cannot be Namibia’s legacy. Our leaders that have passed on and those who are still with us know by personal experience what it means to be locked up, vulnerable to a jailor, and treated as if they were…