Windhoek Observer – Page 11 – Windhoek Observer

27 Jan

Sacky Shanghala: From legal drafter and advisor: a pioneer of the law to legal aid seeker as an accused man without a defence

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Sacky Shanghala, former Minister of Justice and former Attorney General of Namibia, spent years boasting that he was the architect of the country’s laws; no national regulation was issued without his opinion. Today, however, he finds himself accused in the Fishrot scandal, without the resources to secure an adequate defence, facing prosecutors paid with multimillion-dollar packages. “Why am I not legally represented as a former Minister of State? Why does the state have money for prosecutors but not for us?” Shanghala asked at the High Court of Windhoek. The contrast…

27 Jan

Words matter: Minister Sankwasa must lead with measure and restraint

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Public office is not merely a position of authority; it is a platform of influence. Every statement made by a minister carries weight beyond ordinary conversation, shaping public perception, institutional trust, and national cohesion. It is for this reason that the recent controversies surrounding Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa deserve sober reflection, not only by the minister himself, but by all who occupy positions of leadership in Namibia’s democratic order. The Editors Forum of Namibia (EFN) issued a strong condemnation following a personal and xenophobic attack directed at The Namibian journalist Tracy Tafirenyika. The attack reportedly arose after Tafirenyika…

27 Jan

Leaders push for inclusive disaster planning

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Environmental protection and gender inclusion must form the basis of Namibia’s disaster preparedness, government leaders said during the opening of the environmental stewardship and gender mainstreaming for state resilience to shocks and disasters workshop on Monday. The two day workshop is taking place in Windhoek. The workshop brings together government officials, members of parliament, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, academics, development partners and private sector representatives to discuss how Namibia can strengthen its ability to withstand and recover from recurring shocks such as droughts, floods and wildfires. The executive director in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism,…

27 Jan

Trade rebound lifts Namport revenue to N$2.88bn

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namport has reported record revenue and profit, citing a rebound in regional trade and steady growth in cargo volumes. The company said its performance reflects disciplined execution, resilient operations, and a recovery in trade activity, which lifted revenue and strengthened financial results. Operating profit increased by N$245 million, or 45%, to N$793 million from N$548 million in 2024. Namport attributed the increase to sustained cargo and marine service volumes, as well as concession revenue of N$143 million recorded during the year. At the group level, total revenue rose by 12% to N$2.88 billion in 2025 from N$2.56 billion…

27 Jan

Govt issues notice on NAM04 bond interest payment

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia has announced an upcoming interest payment to noteholders of its NAM04 bond. According to an interest payment notification issued on 26 January 2026 and published on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE), the payment of R17.60 million is due on 2 February 2026. The bond carries a coupon rate of 10.51% and is identified by ISIN ZAG000138470. FirstRand Bank Limited is listed as the debt sponsor. NAM04 bond is incorporated in Namibia and registered under number 1929/001225/06. The previous interest payment on the bond was made on 1 August 2025, also at a coupon rate of 10.51%, with…

27 Jan

High-grade lithium found at Andrada’s Lithium Ridge

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining Limited has reported high-grade lithium results from surface sampling at its Lithium Ridge project in Namibia, boosting confidence in the project as exploration drilling continues. The AIM-listed tin producer is developing Lithium Ridge in partnership with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA through its subsidiary SQM Australia (Pty) Ltd. The work forms part of an earn-in agreement under which SQM is funding a stage one drilling programme to earn a 30% stake in the project. Andrada said geological mapping and grab sampling across the licence area returned multiple high-grade lithium results at the surface. Several…

27 Jan

B2Gold to release 2025 results next month

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira B2Gold Corp will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results, together with its 2026 production and cost guidance, after the close of North American markets on 18 February. The Vancouver-based gold producer said its senior executives will host a conference call on 19 February to discuss the results and provide an outlook for the year ahead. B2Gold is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, NYSE American and the Namibia Securities Exchange. B2Gold operates gold mines in several jurisdictions, including Namibia, Mali and the Philippines. In Namibia, the company owns and operates the Otjikoto Mine near Otavi with…

26 Jan

Electrification budget set to rise above N$12m

National News, Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The government plans to increase its electrification budget to speed up access to electricity for peri-urban communities. The allocation is expected to rise from N$12 million to at least N$20 million. This was announced by the minister of industries, mines, and energy, Modestus Amutse, during the groundbreaking ceremony and site handover of peri-urban electrification projects in the Hardap region on Thursday. “Our intention is to increase this allocation to at least N$20 million, and potentially more, as we strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders and funding partners,” Amutse said. Amuste said the real challenge going forward will not only…

26 Jan

Former councillor refuses to repay NSFAF loan

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Former Omuthiya councillor Nghipudilo ya Shiindi has said she will not repay her Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) loan until the government first recovers billions lost to corruption and mismanagement. She criticised the state’s renewed push to collect student loan repayments and condemned recent amendments to NSFAF, calling for a pause on repayments until what she described as equal justice is applied. Ya Shiindi said student loans should not be treated like commercial debt. “Student loans are policy instruments, not commercial products. They are issued for education, not for profit, and are intended to expand national human…

26 Jan

Skybuild’s attempt to stop FNB debt recovery dismissed

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court has dismissed a bid by Skybuild Construction CC and its two members to set aside a default judgment granted to First National Bank of Namibia over unpaid loan and overdraft debts worth millions. FNB obtained default judgment on 12 August 2024 after Skybuild failed to repay a N$9.05 million loan advanced in 2019, as well as an overdraft facility. The court granted judgment for more than N$7.5 million, plus interest, and an additional amount linked to the overdraft. Skybuild’s members, Ralph Rickert Mouton and Rosetta Hendrietta Mouton, were held jointly liable after signing suretyship agreements.…