Opinions – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

09 Apr

‘Let’s Develop’ is not a slogan: It is the catalyst for Namibia’s development

ObserverOpinionsDavid Nuyoma, Martin Inkumbi, ‘Let’s Develop’ is not a slogan: It is the catalyst for Namibia’s development

John Steytler Just over six months ago, I embarked on a challenging journey as the new CEO of the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN). A position I was honoured to have been selected for. My predecessors Mr. David Nuyoma, DBN’s founding CEO, and former CEO Mr. Martin Inkumbi, certainly left some big shoes to fill. They created the foundation upon which our team at DBN is building. Consistently and continuously focused on and rolling out DBN’s mission; the Development Bank of Namibia strives to be recognized for its significant impact on sustainable socio-economic development and transformation in Namibia. It also…

08 Apr

The Role of Civil Societies and Urban Development

ObserverOpinions

Urban development in Namibia stands at a critical juncture, with the nation striving to balance economic progress with social equity and environmental sustainability. At the heart of this dynamic lies the indispensable role of civil societies, whose influence and actions, exemplified by organizations like the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, the Namibia Housing Action Group, and the GIZ Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Development Program, play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of urban growth and governance. The Urban Landscape Namibia's urban landscape is marked by a mix of challenges and opportunities. Rapid urbanization, driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural…

05 Apr

When cometh the hour, man for genocide and reparations?

ObserverOpinionsWhen cometh the hour

"Cometh the hour, cometh the man" is an old English proverb meaning when a situation demands it, the right person will appear or step forward to deal with it. It suggests that in times of need, the appropriate person will rise to the occasion to address the challenges at hand. Historically there’s no iota of doubt that the descendants of the Ovaherero, Ovambanderu, and Nama have their hour and man cometh. That is why today we have the proud history of the resistance movement against German Imperialism and Colonialism, which laid the strong and solid foundation for the latter day…

05 Apr

Just Saying

ObserverOpinions, Sports

Matts Haikali In the ever-evolving landscape of Namibian sports, a refreshing breeze of positivity is blowing, heralding a promising era of growth and professionalism. Am just saying that the recent interest shown by policymakers in the area of sports is not just commendable but deserves a resounding applause from all quarters. Am saying for years, voices advocating for the professionalization of sports have echoed across the nation. Now, it appears that these calls are finally being heeded, with signals emanating from the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and National Services indicating a concerted effort towards elevating sports to a professional pedestal.…

28 Mar

Just Saying

ObserverOpinions, SportsJust Saying

In the ever-evolving landscape of Namibian sports, a refreshing breeze of positivity is blowing, heralding a promising era of growth and professionalism. Am just saying that the recent interest shown by policymakers in the area of sports is not just commendable but deserves a resounding applause from all quarters. Am saying for years, voices advocating for the professionalization of sports have echoed across the nation. Now, it appears that these calls are finally being heeded, with signals emanating from the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and National Services indicating a concerted effort towards elevating sports to a professional pedestal. Am saying…

21 Mar

Verdict is clear, Steinmeier must rethink returning

ObserverOpinionsSteinmeier must rethink returning, Verdict is clear

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro It was apparent as it emerged, seen and heard during a panel discussion recently, that there have and still are divergent views among and within the fraternity of the descendants of the survivors of the genocide of the Nama, Ovaherero and Ovambanderu, and even German-speaking Namibians, how the demand for restorative justice must eventually unfold and resolved. Mbakumua Hengari, Chairperson of the Technical Committee of the Chiefs' Assembly (CA) of the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu traditional leaders; University of Namibia (Unam) lecturer and human rights lawyer, Dr John B. Nakuta; Harald Hecht, Chairperson of the Forum of German-speaking Namibians;…

15 Mar

Tinkering with capitalism shall never Address the masses’ fundamental needs

ObserverOpinions

Equality, Liberty, Peace, Prosperity, Security, Justice, Stability, Reconciliation, Food, Shelter, Clothing, Employment, Democracy, Rule of Law, Separation of Powers, Deregulation, Community Development, Land Reform, Sustainable Growth, Early Child Development , One Namibia, One Nation, Unity In Diversity, Free Education. Many Namibians surely must have heard the above barrage of phrases, in fact nothing more than political jargons and empty promises which has been contained year after year in the political manifestos of many political parties and formations in Namibia since with the first ever free general elections in Namibia in 1989. With all of them year after year resurfacing, having…

15 Mar

Small Stock Farming: The Imperatives

ObserverOpinions

Nichlas Mbingeneeko The previous article focused on caring for lambs or goat kids as they are growing. This article focuses on animal health and the most common small stock diseases. In a nutshell, animal health relates to the absence of disease or the normal functioning of an organism and normal behavior of an animal. Animal health is a subset of animal welfare. Animal health also relates, inter alia, to the interplay between animal welfare and environmental protection. Animal health is thus a key component of animal welfare. It is imperative for the farmer to attend to animal health strategically so…

11 Mar

Thirst Trap: Namibia’s Battle for Water Resilience

ObserverOpinionsThirst Trap: Namibia's Battle for Water Resilience

A few weeks ago, Namibia's Minister of Information Communications Technology, Hon. Emma Theofelus, announced that if no inflow of water is received in the dams, the existing water sources will only be sufficient to secure a regular water supply to central areas of Namibia until July 2025. This revelation underscores the pressing need for immediate action to address the country's water crisis. With water scarcity looming large, Namibia faces an uphill battle to ensure the well-being of its citizens and the sustainability of its environment. The Urgency of Long-Term Solutions The approval of funding for long-term water supply solutions from…

09 Mar

Small Stock Farming: The Imperatives

ObserverObserver Money, OpinionsSmall Stock Farming: The Imperatives

Nichlas Mbingeneeko The previous article focused on caring for lambs or goat kids. This article continues to focus on caring for lambs or goat kids as they are growing. As the lambs and goat kids grow, the milk produced by the mothers often becomes insufficient, particularly in the case of multiple births. Moreover, the grazing may be deficient in minerals and trace minerals. In that instances, the farmer needs to provide for supplementation for the lambs and goat kids as well as the lactating ewes. Supplementation, in the context of animal husbandry, relates to the provision of nutritional substances generally…