State of Emergency – Windhoek Observer

29 Jan

Should the court decide employee work orders?

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Shoprite, State of Emergency

The Shoprite strike is a sign of a healthy democracy. Workers have the right to organize and insist on their priorities. When a legal dispute is declared there are laws in play that must be respected by all sides. The concern is the initial ruling of Judge Shafima Ueitele. He interdicted Shoprite from redeploying existing employees to do the work of an employee who was out on strike. Such a sweeping decision is rightfully under appeal. Its ramifications for all businesses in Namibia are severe. Firing workers legally on strike and then hiring outside ‘scab’ labour is illegal. The unclear…

17 Dec

Geingob threatens COVID-19 State of Emergency …as breathalyzer reissue is set aside amidst infection concerns

ObserverObserver MoneyCenter of Disease Control (CDC), Covid-19, State of Emergency, Windhoek

Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob has threatened to reinstitute another State of Emergency as soon as next week if the public does not adhere to the current measures and COVID-19 cases continue to rise. This comes as Geingob on Wednesday introduced new measures to curb the alarming rise of COVID-19 cases. The president and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) earlier this month confirmed that Namibia is currently facing a second wave of the pandemic. “If you misbehave, I may even next week come back and declare a State of Emergency. That power I have. I am warning you. So,…

23 Sep

Policing during and beyond the state of emergency

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Erongo, Khomas, Policing, State of Emergency

Tuhafeni Helao Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent devastating effect around the globe, the President declared the ‘state of emergency’ on 17 March 2020 and introduced 4 phased stages to mitigate the pandemic. On 27 March 2020, a lockdown was ordered for Khomas and Erongo regions. However, the state of emergency regulations were applied across all regions in the country. The declaration was in line with Article 26 (1) of the Namibian Constitution that provides for declaration of a state of emergency ‘in a time of national disaster or during a state of national defence or…

18 Sep

The new normal is now

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, president Hage Geingob, State of Emergency

We support President Hage Geingob’s difficult decision not to extend the State of Emergency. While other restrictions and protective measures are still in place, the damaged Namibian economy is open. Recovery will not be automatic; it may take years for Namibia to show significant economic growth. The country was in a devastating recession even before the pandemic struck. Nevertheless, moving towards a light at the end of the tunnel, even without a COVID-19 vaccine available, is critical to the nation’s survival. To a certain degree, Namibia allowed the over-the-top pandemic reactions of the Western world to infect us in many…

18 Sep

State of emergency comes to an end

ObserverObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, State of Emergency

Andrew Kathindi The six-month state of emergency which was put in place in March, and lapses at midnight on Thursday 17 September, will not be extended, President Hage Geingob has announced. This comes as it emerged that Geingob did not have the legal power to make an extension without making overtures to the opposition as the move will require parliamentary approval. The President, however, said his government had assessed and weighed both the positive and negative impacts of the regulations and considered the additional capacity created during the six-month period, which led to the decision. “This is a defining moment…

14 Aug

COUCH CAT: Send for take-out, please

ObserverUncategorisedCOVID, State of Emergency

Jackie Wilson Asheeke With the setback in our advancement towards a full end of the State of Emergency, restaurants and cafes are getting kicked in the butt again. We can’t go to our usual places and meet friends, socialize (from a distance), or get a hot meal or cappuccino anymore. We can only get take away. To keep the declining restaurants alive for a bit longer, those who can, must get take-aways as often as possible. If you are like me and working remote and suffering on half salary indefinitely, money is super tight (even though you are actually putting…

10 Jul

Tourism vs potential health risk

ObserverNational Newshealth risk, State of Emergency, tourism

The state of emergency has ripped the rug from under the global tourism industry, including Namibia. The industry went toe-to-toe with Tyson Fury (the pandemic) and has been knocked out in the first minute of the first round. It might be a mistake for the beleaguered industry to push for tourist arrivals regardless of international mandates to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The nation listened to the pleas from the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector. The nation empathizes with the industry's struggle to stay in business during this unprecedented health emergency. Recent reports about their position don’t sound good.…

10 Jun

Take it seriously and let’s finish

ObserverNational NewsErongo, Namibia, State of Emergency, Walvis Bay

The expansion of the Stage One regulations for the current State of Emergency to the Erongo region is a nightmare. But, it has been bought on by the people of that area not taking the government’s declaration on June 1st for Walvis Bay seriously. If you were warned that a huge pride of lions is in the area, why hold an outside braai and then cry foul when they come running towards the smell of your meat? Let the rest of us in Namibia get tough with ourselves, our friends, family members and those in our communities regarding this pandemic.…

29 May

A budget of hopes and wishes

ObserverNational Newsfinance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, State of Emergency

At the end of the day, a budget is only words on paper. One cannot spend a budget. Government has once again laid out what it wishes to spend in a fiscal year vs what it hopes will be income in that same year. In saying this, we do not in any way denigrate the hard work of Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi’s team. That man should be nominated for the war medal given to soldiers who take wounds in service of their country. He stood calmly before the august house and laid out the largest deficit budget a free Namibia…

19 May

Artists on lockdown: Jyz Yorke

ObserverUncategorisedJyz Yorke, State of Emergency

Thandi Kawerama The State of Emergency has brought drastic changes to various industries in our country, and the music industry is no exception. Concerts, festivals and other forms of promotion have been cancelled in light of the global pandemic. Entertainers are facing challenges during the lockdown to get the exposure they need to reach their audiences. Local artist Jyz Yorke recently chatted with us, over the phone of course, about what he’s been up to during the State of Emergency, his future plans, and how he realized that creating your own community as an artist will keep you afloat even…