Opinions – Page 33 – Windhoek Observer

14 Aug

An analysis of the ruling party of Namibia: 1990 – 2024

OpinionsSWAPO

Mulopo Siseho South West Africa People’s Organization (Swapo) is recognised as a freedom fighter party in Namibia. It has been the ruling party of Namibia since the country’s independence, winning all six democratic elections that have taken place in the country. It is then important to analyse this political party's trend, as it has built itself up to become a formidable pillar in Namibian politics, facing the upcoming presidential elections. Well, an optimistic observation is that it has been regarded by Namibians as a political party that fought hard for the independence of this country and has taken care of…

14 Aug

ICT ACCESSIBILITY FOR AN INCLUSIVE ECONOMY

OpinionsMTC

Erasmus Nekundi As a nation, we acknowledge that we still have a fraction of the population whose full participation in the economy is restricted due to the digital divide. This exclusion continues to be a critical hindrance to equal access to information and ultimately, to the developmental agenda and prosperity of many developing countries. While we constantly keep on adapting and leveraging the new technological infrastructure, a meaningful impact is due when we make information and communication technology accessible to all citizens, hence the country’s incessant effort in investing in broadband technology that will give remote areas quality internet connectivity.…

14 Aug

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN THE MARTIAL LAW AND CIVIL LAW: THE CONCURRENT SYSTEMS DOCTRINE

OpinionsMartial law and the Civil law, Namibian Constitution, Paul Kagame

Paul Shipale President Paul Kagame was recently re-elected as Rwanda's President, and inaugurated on Sunday, 11 August 2024, in a grand ceremony marked by pomp and color at the fully packed Amahoro Stadium held in the capital, Kigali. What triggered my interest and curiosity here was when President Kagame took the Oath of Office and signed the certificate of inauguration, followed by when he was given the instruments of power or the National Symbols which are; a Constitution, a National Flag and National Coat of Arms. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo at an inauguration ceremony attended…

13 Aug

The fabric of separation of powers in Namibia: A case study of Michael Saddam Amushelelo and NamRA

OpinionsMichael Saddam Amushelelo and NamRA

Thomas Nashongo The mandate of the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA), as outlined in the Namibian Constitution Act of 2017 (Act No. 12 of 2017), is to function as a state agent responsible for the collection and assessment of taxes, along with other forms of government revenue. In this capacity, NamRA plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance and efficiency in the nation’s financial system that operates under the supervision and guidance of the ministry of finance. The Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA), plays a pivotal role in upholding government revenue through tax collection, which brings about social and economic development. The…

12 Aug

The Power of Your Vote: Why Every Namibian Should Vote on November 27

OpinionsEvery Namibian Should Vote, Making an Informed Decision, The Consequences of Not Voting

Sakaria Johannes As Namibia approaches the election on November 27, it's crucial to reflect on the importance of voting. Many people, especially young Namibians, often feel disconnected from politics or believe that their vote doesn't matter. However, understanding the significance of voting and its impact on our lives can empower us to act and shape the future of our nation. The Social Contract and Your Role In political science, the concept of social contract is fundamental. It refers to an implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits. By participating in this contract, we agree to…

11 Aug

Recommendations to ECN for effective November 2024 election preparation

Opinions

Sem David Huge props to Namibians who understood the need of maintaining electoral democracy and took the initiative to assert their constitutional right to participate in decision-making and advance democracy. Out of the 3 million eligible Namibians, 1,467,604 registered to vote. This seems like a strong indication that either most Namibians still do not understand their constitutional rights to democracy or that not enough has been done to compel and attract the interests of the majority to register. Consider that it is insignificant compared to the 2.2 million youth in Namibia. It is easy to declare that people are not…

08 Aug

Addressing unemployment: a call for government-driven job creation

OpinionsAddressing Unemployment

Tomas Nashongo The road to prosperity is paved with the labour of its citizens, yet too many are left without a path. The unemployment endemic is a global crisis described as a state where eligible members of the workforce who are willing and able to work cannot find employment. Namibia has a high unemployment rate, which averaged 20.94 percent from 1991 until 2023 and is predicted to be 20.70 percent by the end of 2024. There is a high dependency on the mining and agricultural sectors for employment, which shows limited job diversity and a lack of capital to venture…

08 Aug

Assessing opportunities and drawbacks, building a nuclear power plant to meet Namibia’s electricity needs

OpinionsNuclear Power Plant Reactor

Josef Kefas Sheehama Energy security demands a reduction in reliance on imported fossil fuels as everyone braces for the potential of an impending energy apocalypse. Namibia must prioritize building a nuclear power plant reactor if it wants to surpass its current position and become a leader in energy self-sufficiency. The most cost-effective way for Namibia to boost energy security and resilience while diversifying its sources of electricity generation is through nuclear power. Namibia is the third-largest producer of uranium in the world and Namibia is the largest producer of Uranium from mining in Africa, yet it has no nuclear power…

08 Aug

ON COALITION AND GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY

OpinionsEconomic Freedom Fighters, Government of National Unity, Umkhonto Wesizwe Party

Paul T. Shipale The DA’s Federal chairperson Helen Zille said the ANC is in a Coalition Government with the DA and not in a Government of National Unity (GNU). According to her, “a Government of National Unity brings all the parties together that would include the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) and MK Party (Umkhonto Wesizwe Party), which it did not,” Zille said. In a video clip that has gone viral on social media, Zille explains that both parties entered into a coalition “from the beginning”. “President Cyril Ramaphosa came up with this notion of a Government of National Unity, which…

08 Aug

The real stewards of the country’s natural resources are the people

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro “We will continue to use our best endeavours to ensuring that our minerals and petroleum resources are exploited in the best interest of the country and its people. It is our resolve to be good stewards of our resources.” This is verse of what seems has become the personal anthem of Mines and Minerals Minister, Tom Alweendo, and his assembled choir and a popular rendition at almost at every choir competition of especially explorers and other mineral and mining vultures, whether on home turf or at one or the other forum. All meant so much to test the…