Page 1291 – Windhoek Observer

16 Jul

Reflections on Singapore: Lessons for Namibia

Observer MoneyNamibia, Singapore

Metusalem Nakale (DSocSci) Singapore’s economic transformation is the envy of many countries around the world. From 1967 to 1989, the real gross domestic product of Singapore increased six-fold, growing at 8.8 % a year. But how did Singapore do it? And what lessons can Namibia draw from Singapore’s experiences? Upon independence, in 1965, Singapore adopted a developmental state model of economic development. In this type of economic model, the state plays a significant role in directing economic activities. This model is contrasted with the free-market. The latter regards state intervention as detrimental to economic development. Supporters of the free-market ideology…

16 Jul

Swartbooi – the game changer

National NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Swapo Party

Bernadus Swartbooi, head of the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) is loud and emotive. he has a dedicated constituency that is growing and as an MP, he has a legitimate platform. He has tolled the bell for new politics in Namibia; he is a game-changer. Recently, Swartbooi gave his reactions to comments made at a Swapo Party media conference. Doubling down on his critics, he labeled Former Swapo Prime Minister Nahas Angula and former Minister of Justice (and Swapo Secretary-General) Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana embittered opportunists. His words raise the stakes. He said that no Swapo leaders or senior members, either in current…

16 Jul

Germany grants N$250m to MEFT

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Forestry and Tourism, German Federal Government, Ministry of Environment, Namibian government

…to mitigate pandemic effects on environment and conservation Staff Writer The German Federal Government has availed approximately N$250 million to support the Namibian Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conservation and tourism sector. This comes as the conservation and tourism sector has been significantly affected by the loss of income from tourism, caused by worldwide lockdown measures and international travel restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Countrywide employment and vital conservation activities are in jeopardy, risking the survival of local communities, wildlife and protected areas. The funds…

15 Jul

Finance ministry integrates systems

UncategorisedMinistry of Finance, Ministry of Finance Chief Public Relations Officer, Tonateni Shidhudhu

Staff Writer The Ministry of Finance has announced the integration of its tax and customs payment systems. “Ministry of Finance wishes to inform taxpayers that the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and the Automated Systems for Customs Data (Asycuda) are now linked,” Ministry of Finance Chief Public Relations Officer, Tonateni Shidhudhu said. He said, “the integration of the two systems will now make it possible for information in respect of an import declaration made in Asycuda for deferred payment of Value Added Tax on imports (VIA) to be send to ITAS and automatically processed to the VIA account of the…

15 Jul

Noble ideas unfulfilled

National NewsBernadus Swartbooi, Government, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Mass Housing Program (MHP), President

When we admire someone personally and recognize their achievements, objective political analysis of what they say is a challenge. Such is the case as we ponder the nbc interview by the distinguished Former President of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba that aired on Monday. The Former President defended the Founding President. His defense regarding the startling adjectives used by Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi was not unexpected. There have been condemnations from a line of Swapo wings, supporters, and leaders. He gave one more. Pohamba emerged from retirement to defend power, but not the pleas of the poor. This is…

15 Jul

Namdeb commences COVID-19 testing

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Namdeb

Staff Writer Given the risk of the spread of COVID-19, Namdeb has now introduced its own COVID-19 testing capacity in Oranjemund. The company said the development is part of a comprehensive response plan to safeguard the health and safety of its employees and to support the local community. “As a responsible corporate citizen, and a long-term partner of the Namibian government, Namdeb is committed to support the efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Namdeb has also been instrumental in availing and setting up isolation units in Oranjemund and Lüderitz, as well as procuring essential medical equipment such as…

15 Jul

Second COVID-19 death recorded

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health and Social Services

Staff Writer Namibia has recorded a second COVID-19 related death. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula announced on Tuesday that a 44-year old man who passed away on 11 July at home in Walvis Bay had tested positive for COVID-19 posthumously. This comes less than a week after Namibia recorded record its first death on Wednesday 8 July. “He was a known diabetic. He visited the hospital on the 7th of July 2020 at the state hospital where his blood sugar was found to be high and got stabilized. On the 10th of July 2020, he visited the…

13 Jul

Geingob takes the low road

National NewsSophia Shaningwa, SWAPO, Swapo Party

On Sunday, we were expecting a firm, unequivocal refutation of accusations of any and all links to Swapo from the Fishrot scandal. We didn’t get it. Geingob took the low road. He presented defensive bluster and selective phrasing in his qualified denial that Swapo fingers are in the fish pie. The president of Swapo held his media conference on Sunday where he says people “will not see any money [in Swapo accounts] coming from Fishrot.” The notoriously media-hostile and inarticulate Swapo Party Secretary-General, Sophia Shaningwa, spoke up. She invited “anyone” to contact the Swapo office to access party financial records.…

10 Jul

Couch Kitten: Mediocre isn’t always bad

UncategorisedTikTok, Twitter, YouTube

Thandizo Kawerama I’ve recently gotten back into learning how to do makeup. Having not done a full face since 2015 means my skills are a little rusty, and all the looks I manage to muster up are off trend and honestly a little bit ashy. No matter the amount of YouTube tutorials, TikTok hacks and Twitter threads I go through, I’ve realised that my skills are just mediocre. I however still enjoy playing around with makeup palettes despite my mediocracy, and I think there should be a space for underachieving at activities if their sole purpose is to bring you…

10 Jul

Roll the dice with Black Dice

UncategorisedBlack Dice, BlackDice Salaam, Jackie Wilson Asheeke

Jackie Wilson Asheeke Black Dice is no longer a trio but one musical voice. Just before the state of emergency and pandemic lockdown in March 2020, he dropped his first album in eight years, called Uushimba in February, 2020. The unfortunate release timing eclipsed this foot tapping musical presentation. Check out his CD and support this talented artist. Buy the music, don’t copy it from someone. While some already have the CD and it is not a new release, it deserves a fresh review because it perhaps did not get the coverage it should have at the outset. I hope…