The good, the bad and the ugly
This year, in all its glory, combined with the panic of Covid-19, turned out to be quite a bumpy one. It went from paying the price of cognac for a bottle of Tafel Lager on the black market, to some local ministers auditioning for Bill Cosby's comic series, 'Kids...
Limba Mupetami
Windhoek
The Sterns jewellery thief who left notes had me in stitches. While inside the shop, he wrote several notes to the manager and staff in which he claimed that his crime was victimless and that no violence was used during the theft.
He also encouraged the employees of the shop not to feel guilty or violated, before urging them to clean up the shop after his crimes. Sterns should hire this guy as head of security.
Protesters wanted to organise a farewell 'bring and braai' for Doreen Sioka, saying that she is incapable of leading the fight against gender-based violence, adding that her public pronouncements on the matter have shown her ineptitude.
Former Namibia Defence Force chief Martin Shalli called for cutting the throats of opposition supporters at the ballot box. Shalli suggested at a Swapo campaign in Okahandja that those who resign from Swapo to start their own political parties should be killed. He said they should be killed by having their throats slit and not by being shot. Word of advice: the war has been won. You can rest, sir.
Michael Kayunde
Hikwa pioneer Sunny Boy trended several times this year for music he dropped and various other reasons. From his wedding to long-time girlfriend Nelaolange Iyambo being called off due to cheating escapades, to police crashing his concert for contravening the Covid-19 regulations.
It all started back in May, when tjil reported that his wedding was called off for the reason highlighted above. Following that scandalous news, the King of Summer announced an online concert, which he was going to use to set the record straight.
However, it was at the shooting of the online concert at Funky Lab that he, along with other well-known personalities - Top Cheri, Jossy Joss and nightclub owner Thomas Nakasole - were arrested.
A few months later, the music superstar seemed to have fixed things with his lady, with the couple having shared family photos together on social media. Way to end the year, Sunny.
Kenya Kambowe
After months of searching for the killers of the late Shannon Wasserfall who went missing early this year, the alleged murderers are now in custody. This story sparked a national protest against gender-based violence (GBV). Today we have various stakeholders working together to fight the issue of GBV.
I was so proud to see the clip of fellow journalist Jemima Beukes questioning the head of state on the spot. There was a hole in the wall, sewage and a child lying in a cot next to it. She saw something wrong and asked for the head of state to respond to it. This irked him, but hey – a job is a job!
When the nation went into a state of emergency, one of the concerns was how learners would be taught and, boom, there was Namibia Media Holdings with the education booklets. I observed how parents would buy newspapers just to get the booklets in order for their children to do the activities.
Ellanie Smit
The Covid-19 lockdown measures caused devastation within the global tourism sector and in Namibia, the impact has been devastating, with a wave of travel cancellations.
The country finally reopened its borders on 1 September, welcoming international tourists back into the country through Hosea Kutako International Airport. It was impressive to see how the sector stood strong after coming to a near standstill, while jobs were hanging in the balance and no income was expected for several months.
Despite a gloomy outlook the private sector worked together with government to find solutions to how Namibia could safely open up for tourism, setting an example for other countries.
This was highlighted by the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Zurab Pololikashvili, who said not only is the Namibian tourism sector well organised in terms of Covid protocols, but the country knows how to host guests.
Today several scheduled airlines have resumed flights to the country, and six of Namibia's land borders have also reopened, with travel restrictions to Namibia having been eased recently.
Jesse Kauraisa
Watching and capturing Namibia's potential future star Beatrice Masilingi during the 2020 Athletics Namibia National Championship in November was one of the best highlights of this year. The sprinting sensation effortlessly dominated the 100, 200 and 400m races at the championship.
The 17-year-old showed why she is rated number one in the World Junior Rankings by winning her 400m race in a time of 58:46 seconds. She went on to win the 100m, clocking 11:52 seconds, while she took the 200m by storm and ran a time of 22:81 seconds. She is definitely the next big thing!
Cindy van Wyk
A couple from Cairns, Australia, enjoyed their trip to Erindi Private Game Reserve so much that they named their daughter after the lodge. Erindi Joan Rosam was born on 30 June 2020, and her parents, Daniel and Eleanor, said they hoped to return to Namibia soon with their daughter.
After the reserve shared the Rosams' story on their Facebook page, another family – the Labuschagnes from South Africa – revealed that their daughter, now 21 months, is also named Erindi.
Ogone Tlhage
Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua helped three-year-old Shuuya Ndeutenge, who had a growth protruding through his belly button, secure a 400-square-metre plot in Okahandja's Five Rand settlement.
Namibian Sun reported in June that young Ndeutenge had been unable to sleep because of the painful tumour, leading to swift action by Okahandja businessman Armas Amwaama bring the boy's plight to public attention.
After a successful operation at the Katutura State Hospital a week ago, the governor's office came to the aid of Ndeutenge's family by providing a plot that the Okahandja municipality had identified.
Governor Uerikua said the donation would give dignity to his family who share a shack among 10 persons.
Elizabeth Joseph
It took me by surprise how adamant the young people were to get Doreen Sioka out of office so much so that they even planned a farewell braai for her. As if to say, if you don't want to go, we will take you out ourselves.
The support, the emotion and the anger shown by Namibian youth all over the country during the 16 Days of Activism against SB was to me the most astonishing thing. The fact that it was so radical changed my view on so many things. It was amazing! #DillishDribblesAde
But guys, can we talk about how much drama has been attached to this relationship? This to me was the pinnacle seeing that this man still doesn't want to let go of Namibian women. I was highly entertained by it!
Ester Kamati
It's all fun and games until the Bank of Namibia tells you that you have been running a pyramid scheme the whole time when you were about to get your N$1 600 after joining with N$200. The quick rise and fall of an effort that my people followed to empower themselves showed how dedicated my people are to chasing the paper but at the end of the day, BoN proved why they are the big dog.
I have never seen my Namibian people follow press briefings so much. They bought data to tune in when the head of state had to update the nation on the new Covid-19 regulations and made sure not to follow second-hand information which might be misleading.
It was a proud moment for me to see fellow Namibians realising the value of information, even though they were mainly focused on whether or not they were 'hibited' to buy booze. Not to forget that this time, everybody became a jogger just so that they could leave their houses and not have to make up an excuse when Nampol asks them where they are going. Not to forget, the president had three singles out after this.
When I first saw the #ShutItAllDown hashtag, I didn't think it would be as revolutionary as it was. This is a movement we never knew we needed. It was beautiful to see the youth take the lead and be at the forefront of issues that affected them and were close to their heart. This generation sparked pride in me for being part of the group that refuses to be silenced even by teargas and incarceration. This was a moment in history were the youth stared policymakers right in the eye and dared them to make a move and make the country sexual and gender-based violence intolerant.
Toivo Ndjebela
While the rest of the country endured an alcohol sales ban, with errant citizens having their beers emptied out in public, Swapo's former National Council member Jason Ndakunda brazenly finished his drink after being involved in a crash, while calling those filming him “cowards”. How he got hold of beer, in a country battling with thirst at the time due to the ban, is anyone's guess. But it's the audacity to call people cowards that really had me rolling on the floor in laughter. He apologised after he restored his sobriety, but this was not enough to have him re-elected in last month's regional council election.
Windhoek
The Sterns jewellery thief who left notes had me in stitches. While inside the shop, he wrote several notes to the manager and staff in which he claimed that his crime was victimless and that no violence was used during the theft.
He also encouraged the employees of the shop not to feel guilty or violated, before urging them to clean up the shop after his crimes. Sterns should hire this guy as head of security.
Protesters wanted to organise a farewell 'bring and braai' for Doreen Sioka, saying that she is incapable of leading the fight against gender-based violence, adding that her public pronouncements on the matter have shown her ineptitude.
Former Namibia Defence Force chief Martin Shalli called for cutting the throats of opposition supporters at the ballot box. Shalli suggested at a Swapo campaign in Okahandja that those who resign from Swapo to start their own political parties should be killed. He said they should be killed by having their throats slit and not by being shot. Word of advice: the war has been won. You can rest, sir.
Michael Kayunde
Hikwa pioneer Sunny Boy trended several times this year for music he dropped and various other reasons. From his wedding to long-time girlfriend Nelaolange Iyambo being called off due to cheating escapades, to police crashing his concert for contravening the Covid-19 regulations.
It all started back in May, when tjil reported that his wedding was called off for the reason highlighted above. Following that scandalous news, the King of Summer announced an online concert, which he was going to use to set the record straight.
However, it was at the shooting of the online concert at Funky Lab that he, along with other well-known personalities - Top Cheri, Jossy Joss and nightclub owner Thomas Nakasole - were arrested.
A few months later, the music superstar seemed to have fixed things with his lady, with the couple having shared family photos together on social media. Way to end the year, Sunny.
Kenya Kambowe
After months of searching for the killers of the late Shannon Wasserfall who went missing early this year, the alleged murderers are now in custody. This story sparked a national protest against gender-based violence (GBV). Today we have various stakeholders working together to fight the issue of GBV.
I was so proud to see the clip of fellow journalist Jemima Beukes questioning the head of state on the spot. There was a hole in the wall, sewage and a child lying in a cot next to it. She saw something wrong and asked for the head of state to respond to it. This irked him, but hey – a job is a job!
When the nation went into a state of emergency, one of the concerns was how learners would be taught and, boom, there was Namibia Media Holdings with the education booklets. I observed how parents would buy newspapers just to get the booklets in order for their children to do the activities.
Ellanie Smit
The Covid-19 lockdown measures caused devastation within the global tourism sector and in Namibia, the impact has been devastating, with a wave of travel cancellations.
The country finally reopened its borders on 1 September, welcoming international tourists back into the country through Hosea Kutako International Airport. It was impressive to see how the sector stood strong after coming to a near standstill, while jobs were hanging in the balance and no income was expected for several months.
Despite a gloomy outlook the private sector worked together with government to find solutions to how Namibia could safely open up for tourism, setting an example for other countries.
This was highlighted by the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Zurab Pololikashvili, who said not only is the Namibian tourism sector well organised in terms of Covid protocols, but the country knows how to host guests.
Today several scheduled airlines have resumed flights to the country, and six of Namibia's land borders have also reopened, with travel restrictions to Namibia having been eased recently.
Jesse Kauraisa
Watching and capturing Namibia's potential future star Beatrice Masilingi during the 2020 Athletics Namibia National Championship in November was one of the best highlights of this year. The sprinting sensation effortlessly dominated the 100, 200 and 400m races at the championship.
The 17-year-old showed why she is rated number one in the World Junior Rankings by winning her 400m race in a time of 58:46 seconds. She went on to win the 100m, clocking 11:52 seconds, while she took the 200m by storm and ran a time of 22:81 seconds. She is definitely the next big thing!
Cindy van Wyk
A couple from Cairns, Australia, enjoyed their trip to Erindi Private Game Reserve so much that they named their daughter after the lodge. Erindi Joan Rosam was born on 30 June 2020, and her parents, Daniel and Eleanor, said they hoped to return to Namibia soon with their daughter.
After the reserve shared the Rosams' story on their Facebook page, another family – the Labuschagnes from South Africa – revealed that their daughter, now 21 months, is also named Erindi.
Ogone Tlhage
Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua helped three-year-old Shuuya Ndeutenge, who had a growth protruding through his belly button, secure a 400-square-metre plot in Okahandja's Five Rand settlement.
Namibian Sun reported in June that young Ndeutenge had been unable to sleep because of the painful tumour, leading to swift action by Okahandja businessman Armas Amwaama bring the boy's plight to public attention.
After a successful operation at the Katutura State Hospital a week ago, the governor's office came to the aid of Ndeutenge's family by providing a plot that the Okahandja municipality had identified.
Governor Uerikua said the donation would give dignity to his family who share a shack among 10 persons.
Elizabeth Joseph
It took me by surprise how adamant the young people were to get Doreen Sioka out of office so much so that they even planned a farewell braai for her. As if to say, if you don't want to go, we will take you out ourselves.
The support, the emotion and the anger shown by Namibian youth all over the country during the 16 Days of Activism against SB was to me the most astonishing thing. The fact that it was so radical changed my view on so many things. It was amazing! #DillishDribblesAde
But guys, can we talk about how much drama has been attached to this relationship? This to me was the pinnacle seeing that this man still doesn't want to let go of Namibian women. I was highly entertained by it!
Ester Kamati
It's all fun and games until the Bank of Namibia tells you that you have been running a pyramid scheme the whole time when you were about to get your N$1 600 after joining with N$200. The quick rise and fall of an effort that my people followed to empower themselves showed how dedicated my people are to chasing the paper but at the end of the day, BoN proved why they are the big dog.
I have never seen my Namibian people follow press briefings so much. They bought data to tune in when the head of state had to update the nation on the new Covid-19 regulations and made sure not to follow second-hand information which might be misleading.
It was a proud moment for me to see fellow Namibians realising the value of information, even though they were mainly focused on whether or not they were 'hibited' to buy booze. Not to forget that this time, everybody became a jogger just so that they could leave their houses and not have to make up an excuse when Nampol asks them where they are going. Not to forget, the president had three singles out after this.
When I first saw the #ShutItAllDown hashtag, I didn't think it would be as revolutionary as it was. This is a movement we never knew we needed. It was beautiful to see the youth take the lead and be at the forefront of issues that affected them and were close to their heart. This generation sparked pride in me for being part of the group that refuses to be silenced even by teargas and incarceration. This was a moment in history were the youth stared policymakers right in the eye and dared them to make a move and make the country sexual and gender-based violence intolerant.
Toivo Ndjebela
While the rest of the country endured an alcohol sales ban, with errant citizens having their beers emptied out in public, Swapo's former National Council member Jason Ndakunda brazenly finished his drink after being involved in a crash, while calling those filming him “cowards”. How he got hold of beer, in a country battling with thirst at the time due to the ban, is anyone's guess. But it's the audacity to call people cowards that really had me rolling on the floor in laughter. He apologised after he restored his sobriety, but this was not enough to have him re-elected in last month's regional council election.
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