Windhoek Observer – Page 11 – Windhoek Observer

11 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | NamWater, Swakop Uranium sign agreement for Erongo desalination plant

National News

Renthia Kaimbi NamWater and Swakop Uranium have signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish the Erongo Sunam Desalination Project Joint Venture. The agreement was concluded on Tuesday following negotiations aimed at strengthening the country's long-term water security. The public-private partnership will develop a major seawater desalination plant in the Erongo region. The partners said the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement is a major step toward strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors to deliver essential water infrastructure. The initiative responds to growing pressure on freshwater resources in the arid region. Erongo hosts major mining operations, growing industries and…

11 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | Road safety activities begin as Erongo expects holiday traffic

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Police Force (Nampol) in the Erongo region has launched the 2025/2026 festive season roadblock at the Swakopmund checkpoint. The operation runs from 9 December 2025 to 16 January 2026 under the theme “Do the Right Thing and Save Lives.” The launch outlined the policing strategies for the busy holiday period. Erongo police regional commander, commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona, said the roadblocks mark the start of intensified efforts to protect all roads as the region prepares for heavy travel. “This launch marks the beginning of intensive efforts to safeguard all roads as the region prepares to receive thousands…

11 Dec

BoN to finalise gold purchase agreements with local producers

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is preparing to sign agreements with local gold producers as it moves to implement its gold accumulation strategy. BoN outgoing governor Johannes !Gawaxab revealed progress at his farewell dinner. !Gawaxab said the central bank is now ready to proceed with the long-delayed plan and admitted that he did not provide enough leadership when the strategy was introduced in 2023. “We needed to diversify our reserves. The price of gold at that time was US$1 800 per ounce. We were so risk-averse. Now the price is US$4 400 per ounce, and by year-end it…

11 Dec

Export approvals hold up Savanna Beef slaughter rights

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Savanna Beef Processors Limited has moved the issuance of slaughter rights to mid-February 2026 as it continues its controlled operational ramp-up and waits for key export audit outcomes. The company began slaughtering 10 to 15 cattle per day on 1 October as part of a measured start-up aimed at generating processing data and training staff on the slaughter floor and deboning lines. Savanna Beef took ownership of its abattoir on 27 October after receiving the taking-over certificate from the construction contractor, confirming the facility met all contractual requirements. From 12 to 15 November 2025, the company hosted the…

11 Dec

MTC blames device settings for data loss concerns

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) says the long-running complaints about data disappearing are mostly linked to how customers use their mobile devices and apps, not to incorrect billing by the company. MTC managing director Licky Erastus told Observer Money that customers have raised these concerns for years, but MTC’s investigations indicate that most cases relate to customer education. He said the company has tools that track usage and billing. “We can demonstrate where the usage happened. We need to do customer education,” he said. Erastus added that in all cases where MTC provided feedback, customers were satisfied. MTC's chief…

11 Dec

Chamber of Mines begins search for new CEO

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has begun the search for a new chief executive officer following the retirement of long-serving CEO Veston Malango on 30 November. Malango will remain with the organisation for at least a year to allow for a smooth handover. He is also expected to continue serving the mining industry, possibly through roles on boards or regulatory bodies. The chamber has advertised the CEO position on a five-year renewable contract and appointed Visions Consulting to manage the recruitment process in line with its governance policies. The mining industry contributed 13.3% to GDP in 2024,…

11 Dec

TotalEnergies takes over Mopane discovery oil in deal with Galp

Observer Money

Staff Writer TotalEnergies has expanded its presence in Namibia’s oil sector after reaching a major agreement with Galp Energia to take over operatorship of petroleum exploration license 83 (PEL 83), the block that hosts the Mopane discovery. The transaction gives TotalEnergies a 40% operated stake in the licence, strengthening its role in Namibia’s fast-growing deepwater basin. Under the deal announced this week, Galp will acquire a 10% interest in PEL 56, which includes the Venus discovery, and a 9.39% stake in PEL 91. The agreement positions TotalEnergies as operator of both Venus and Mopane, the country’s two biggest oil discoveries,…

11 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | Namport wellness day unites Lüderitz community

National News, Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) held its family wellness day in Lüderitz last Thursday, bringing together residents, partners, and staff for a day focused on health and strengthening community ties. The event drew strong support from sponsor partners. Namport thanked its title sponsors and partners, including Manica, Logistics Support Services, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company, NAMMED, the BUCHT community and several service providers for helping bring the event to life. The day offered activities for all ages and encouraged wellness and family bonding. After its board meeting at the Lüderitz Waterfront conference facilities, the…

11 Dec

Canal+ finalises MultiChoice takeover as MCG prepares to delist

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira MultiChoice Group’s time as a publicly listed company is ending after Groupe Canal+ completed a takeover process that has been unfolding throughout the year. In October 2025, Canal+ announced through the Stock Exchange News Service that it would use its legal right under section 124(1) of South Africa’s Companies Act to compulsorily acquire all remaining MultiChoice shares it did not own. The squeeze-out marked the final step in a takeover closely watched by investors and regulators across Africa. The October notice set out the timetable for the process, stating that once the acquisition was completed, MultiChoice’s ordinary shares…

11 Dec

HKIA and Walvis Bay airports re-certified

Observer Money

Staff Writer Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis Bay International Airport have been recertified after meeting national and global aviation safety standards. The Namibia Airports Company confirmed that both airports achieved an effective implementation score of 83% following a detailed assessment by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCCA). The aerodrome certificates were issued on 5 December 2025 and remain valid until 6 December 2027. The certification confirms full compliance with NAMCAR's parts 139 and 140 and the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. NAC chief executive officer Bisey /Uirab said the achievement reflects a strong commitment to aviation…