Windhoek Observer – Windhoek Observer

25 Mar

Tsumeb councillor’s past ties haunt tender award

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi A municipal tender in Tsumeb has drawn scrutiny after it was awarded to a company previously linked to the chairperson of the municipality’s management committee, Sem Nghuulikwa. Sources who spoke to the Windhoek Observer raised concerns over the award to Kweni-Pewa Trading CC, citing Nghuulikwa’s past involvement with the company. A founding statement seen by the Windhoek Observer lists Nghuulikwa as a witness during the company’s registration. In a declaration dated 20 February 2026, Nghuulikwa confirmed his past role. “I confirm that during the year 2023, I assisted Kweni-Pewa Trading CC with business registration services. My name appears…

25 Mar

Starlink rejection sparks jobs concern

National News

Failed three of six regulatory criteria 1 164 vouched for Starlink 1 180 submissions received Allexer Namundjembo The rejection of Starlink’s licence application to operate in Namibia has been described as a setback for job creation. Some critics warn that it may limit opportunities in the digital economy. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the decision could have affected employment prospects. “Imagine how many jobs and opportunities this could have created," he said, noting that Starlink has improved internet access in rural areas in other African countries. “That kind of connectivity can change lives, especially in underserved areas.” He questioned whether…

25 Mar

About 34% of TB cases remain undiagnosed

National News

Patience Makwele Namibia is failing to detect more than a third of tuberculosis (TB) cases. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said an estimated 34% of TB cases remain undiagnosed. “While these numbers represent lives saved, our concern lies with the people we have not reached,” she said during World TB Day commemorations in Gobabis on Tuesday. She said the challenge is more severe in rural areas, especially in the Omaheke region, which has the highest TB notification rate despite its low population density. She said long travel distances to health facilities delay diagnosis and increase the risk of spread. Hence, the…

25 Mar

‘Stripping chiefs of land rights not the solution’ – Kamwanyah

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says removing traditional authorities from land allocation may not solve the problem of illegal fencing in Kavango West. On Tuesday, during an outreach session led by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, residents of Casa Village in the region called for traditional leaders to be stripped of their powers to allocate communal land. Kamwanyah said concerns raised by residents of Casa Village under the Mbunza Traditional Authority are valid, but shifting power alone may not fix the issue. “The line ministry also has…

25 Mar

Amutse calls for inclusive approach to utility regulation

National News

Justicia Shipena The future of Africa’s utility sectors will depend on how regulators use technology to build inclusive systems, according to the minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse. He spoke at the opening of the 22nd Annual Conference and General Assembly of the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) in Swakopmund on Monday. Amutse said new technologies must expand access to services and not increase inequality. He said tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, digital platforms and automation are changing how services are delivered. He said Namibia is investing in renewable energy, including solar, wind…

25 Mar

UN chief warns racism still widespread

National News

Justicia Shipena United Nations secretary general António Guterres has warned that racism remains widespread and continues to drive inequality, violence and division across the world. Guterres said racism is a direct violation of human rights. “Racial discrimination is a violation of human rights and human dignity,” he said at a General Assembly event in New York on Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. He said racism remains deeply rooted and continues to shape economic, social and political inequalities. “It feeds many of the problems we face today, including economic, social and political inequalities,” he…

25 Mar

Lest we forget: Cuito Cuanavale and the debt we owe

Editorial

Every year on 23 March, a date of immense historical weight quietly passes, often without the national reflection it deserves. It marks the anniversary of the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, a defining confrontation not only in the liberation of Southern Africa but also in the eventual independence of Namibia. Thirty-eight years on, the memory risks fading into the background of a nation preoccupied with present challenges and future ambitions. But history, especially one written in blood and sacrifice, demands remembrance. The battle, fought on Angolan soil, was one of the largest military engagements on the African continent since World War…

25 Mar

BoN signs gold purchase agreement with Navachab

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has signed a gold purchase agreement with QKR Namibia Navachab as part of efforts to strengthen its reserves. The agreement allows the central bank to buy gold produced in Namibia under a structured arrangement aligned with international reserve management standards. The move forms part of the bank’s gold acquisition programme aimed at improving the composition of reserve assets, strengthening financial resilience and supporting the country’s ability to respond to external shocks. “As a gold-producing nation, this approach also supports the retention of national resources and aligns with the bank’s mandate to safeguard macroeconomic…

25 Mar

Red tape and costs hinder business growth

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s stable political and legal environment offers a strong base for investment, but operational inefficiencies continue to limit business growth and job creation, according to Simonis Storm Securities. The firm said predictable policies and rules-based governance help reduce risk for investors. However, businesses still face high costs, slow administrative processes and weak support systems that limit expansion. Drawing on the 2024 World Bank Enterprise Survey, Simonis Storm said companies face challenges such as limited access to finance and land, crime, high taxes, corruption, informality, skills shortages, unreliable electricity, transport issues and complex licensing procedures. It said administrative delays…

25 Mar

Holiday travel and empty homes raise risk

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Santam Namibia chief executive officer Franco Feris has urged Namibians to review their insurance cover and secure their homes as the Easter long weekend approaches. He said policyholders should reassess the value of their household contents and take steps to protect their property. “Insurance is there to protect you when the unexpected happens, but policyholders also have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to safeguard their property,” he said. “Taking these simple steps not only reduces the likelihood of loss but can also make the claims process far smoother should you need to claim. Solid preparation gives you…