Newsmakers 2009: Namibian views

THE November presidential and National Assembly elections, coupled with the intense campaign which saw several standoffs between Swapo and the Rally of Democracy and Progress, emerged as the top news items of 2009 in a snap survey conducted by The Namibian.

Most respondents cited the election campaign and subsequent skirmishes between supporters of the two parties as their top news item while others coupled it with the elections and the long wait for the announcement of the final results.’The never-ending struggle and lack of transparency with the counting of the ballot papers during the November 2009 elections was a huge embarrassment for the nation and spoilt the credibility of our vote,’ said women’s rights activist Elizabeth /Khaxas.New South African President Jacob Zuma was head and shoulders above the rest as the top newsmaker on the African continent while US President Barack Obama continued to make headlines internationally.Norman Tjombe (human rights lawyer):1) Namibian news item of the year: Government and the City of Windhoek’s wrong spending priorities, by forgetting the poor and marginalised of our society in their budgets. The City of Windhoek budgeting over N$6 million for staff parties, entertainment allowances and uniforms, and only N$40 000 for the Old Age Home. Government for buying N$10 million Mercedes Benzes and not wanting to advance a paltry N$100 for the Basic Income Grant.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Bishop Kameeta, for standing up for the poor. 3) Top African news story of the year: Once again Zimbabwe, for all the bad reasons!4) African newsmaker of the year: Once again Robert Mugabe, for all the wrong reasons!5) Top world news story of the year: The US Presidential campaign of Barack Obama and his subsequent landslide victory!6) World newsmaker: Barack Obama … For his leadership on matters such global warming, ending nuclear proliferation, bringing to an end poorly regulated financial markets, and making more friends than enemies for the USA. For showing what presidents must do (and not do).Henning Melber (political analyst):1) Namibian news item of the year: The Nuctec-Teko scam and its impact on Namibian-Chinese relations – with the Chinese bursary saga for the offspring of the Namibian top elite and a plethora of similar self-enrichment schemes (like the NWR wheeling and dealing) as runners-up.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Lieutenant General Martin Shalli, followed by Elijah Ngurare (unfortunately both not as role models, though for different reasons).3) Top African news story of the year: The ICC indictment of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.4) African newsmaker of the year: Jacob Zuma (sorry: once again ‘no woman, no cry’…).5) Top world news story of the year: Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama and death of Michael Jackson (not suggesting that there would not have been more important matters than these two!).6) World newsmaker: Barack Obama and Michael Jackson.Elijah Ngurare (Swapo youth leader):1) Namibian news item of the year: The 2009 elections in which the Swapo Party retained its two-thirds majority.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: President Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Swapo Party and President-elect of the Republic of Namibia.3) Top African news story of the year: The victory of ANC’s Presidential Candidate Comrade Jacob Zuma, who is currently President of the ANC and of the Republic of South Africa.4) African newsmaker of the year: President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Zanu-PF, Comrade RG Mugabe, who once again shamed the neo-imperialist agenda of ‘regime change’ in Zimbabwe.5) Top world news story of the year: The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America, making him the first African American president of that country.6) World newsmaker: President Barack Hussein Obama, for good and bad reasons.Phil ya Nangoloh (human rights activist):1) Namibian news item of the year: Rally for Democracy and Progress/Swapo Party rivalries.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: President Sam Nujoma.3) Top African news story of the year: DRC refugee crisis/Somali conflict.4) African newsmaker of the year: Jacob Zuma, SA President, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan.5) Top world news story of the year: H1N1 (swine flu).6) World newsmaker: US President Barack ObamaLibolly Haufiku (RDP administrator):1) Namibian news item of the year: Chinese scholarships for top Government officials/ Teko Trading scandal.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses becoming WBA World Lightweight Champion.3) Top African news story of the year: Power sharing between Zanu-PF and MDC in Zimbabwe.4) African newsmaker of the year: Statement by former President Sam Nujoma on hammering all Europeans with hammers on their heads.5) Top world news story of the year: Climate change. 6) World newsmaker: Obama receiving Nobel Peace Prize.Natji Tjirera (political activist):1) Namibian news item of the year: The elections of 2009 were the biggest news item of the year.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Though controversial and sometimes arrogant, the Swapo Party Youth League … as they appeared to dictate the pace of the political debate of the year.3) Top African news story of the year: The coming into existence of the unity government in Zimbabwe, albeit for all the wrong reasons.4) African newsmaker of the year: Jacob Zuma’s controversial revival to become one of the most powerful men in Africa.5) Top world news story of the year: The swearing in and taking of office of the first African American to be the President of the US.6) World newsmaker : US President Barrack Obama. Elizabeth /Khaxas:1) Namibian news item of the year: The never-ending struggle and lack of transparency with the counting of the ballot papers during the November 2009 elections was a huge embarrassment for the nation and spoilt the credibility of our vote.2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Phil ya Nangoloh of the NSHR was the star of the NGOs this year because of his exceptional dedication to democracy and human rights in an environment which does not always appreciate people of his calibre.3) Top African news story of the year: This year the piracy in Somalia continued unabated. On the one hand it reads like a legend – a story of adventure many African men may identify with, but it is also a story of brutality, a story of violence that we denounce at all costs.4) African newsmaker of the year: While the election of President Zuma may be a good thing in general for the people of South Africa, his election set back the emancipation of African women by decades because he is a polygamist.5) Top world news story of the year: The death of Michael Jackson was extremely saddening for all of us. The world lost one of its most gifted singers.6) World newsmaker: President Obama. However, he disappoints the peace-loving world citizens because he was not able to stop war in Iraq and Afghanistan as we all hoped he would.Abisai Shejavali (community activist)1) Namibian news event of the year: There were several. The election and the way it was handled with the ECN taking a whole week to announce the results, instead of posting them at polling stations as per the Electoral Act, was a big disappointment to the Namibian people. Also, the run-up to the elections, with the intolerance and hate speech that was expressed, that stripped away the freedom of the RDP and other opposition parties to freely campaign and thereby bring their views to the Namibian people. Another big event would be the suspension of Lieutenant General Martin Shalli, without Government providing a clear picture on this action that was most definitely in the public interest. Also, the cases of corruption brought to the fore in the media, including the Teko Trading saga and the issue of Chinese scholarships going to children of high-ranking Government officials. 2) Namibian newsmaker of the year: Certainly Swapo and RDP during this turbulent election year, with the levels of tolerance being made clear on each side. Also the NSHR, which seems to have tried to take up various issues, and its attempts in defending human rights. 3) African news event of the year: The news and issues around the presidency of Madagascar, in which Andry Rajoelina declared himself president in March, sparking violence in the country and resulting in over 100 deaths in the process. The devastating rights abuses and violence against opposition supporters in Guinea, with the killings of hundreds in September, along with the assassination attempt on President Moussa Camara early this month linked to the September massacres. In both cases, it was the general public that ended up the biggest losers, with democracy being seriously undermined.4) African newsmaker of the year: Perhaps President Thabo Mbeki, and his work in dealing with the Zimbabwe issue.5) World news event of the year: The swearing in of President Barack Obama as the first African American of the United States. His inaugural speech was very great, and the way in which he has inspired … especially young people is noteworthy. I just hope that he will be able to bring positive change to Iraq and Afghanistan. 6) World newsmaker: President Barack Obama.