Windhoek Observer – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

16 Feb

Chinese investor backs Etango with US$294m deal

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Bannerman Energy Ltd has signed binding investment and joint venture agreements with China Nuclear Overseas Limited to fund the development of the Etango Uranium Project in the Erongo Region. Under the agreement, CNOL will invest US$294.5 million for a 45% stake in Bannerman Energy (UK) Ltd, the newly formed joint venture company. Bannerman will retain a 55% interest. CNOL will also reimburse Bannerman up to US$27 million for 45% of approved early works expenditure incurred from 1 July 2025 until completion. The joint venture company owns 95% of the Etango Project. The project has an initial planned production…

16 Feb

Beifang roster changes triggers union leadership crisis

National News

Justicia Shipena Beifang Mining Services (BMTS) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) have suspended two branch executive committee members at the Husab Project and withdrawn recognition of them as union representatives. In a joint memorandum dated 13 February seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to all BMTS employees at the Husab Project, the company said Gebhard Shikongo and Elia Katupose have been suspended from work. The two previously served as BEC members. The matter was communicated to both national and regional union leadership. The memorandum states that Shikongo, described as interim chairman, had been spreading claims about officials…

16 Feb

Clinics get portable sonar scanners

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Health has introduced three handheld sonar probes into the public healthcare system to improve diagnosis in clinics and rural areas. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the move is about changing how healthcare is delivered, not just adding new tools. “The ministry is not merely adding equipment. We are redesigning how care is delivered,” she said. The three devices were funded by the Capricorn Foundation after discussions with the ministry late last year. “Late last year, as we advanced our vision to decentralise healthcare and empower regions, we approached the Capricorn Foundation knowing their track…

16 Feb

High Court to deliver verdict on Nored strike this week

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court will this week deliver judgement in the dispute between the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) over a planned strike. Nored approached the Labour Court last month on an urgent basis to stop the strike. The utility warned that the industrial action could disrupt electricity supply across large parts of northern Namibia. The dispute began after wage negotiations for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years collapsed. Talks started in June 2025 and reached a deadlock in September 2025 after several meetings. Last Friday, workers issued a notice of strike…

16 Feb

Why Swapo and Namibia need President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah now

Featured, Opinions

Let me address the elephant in the room directly. There is a deafening silence surrounding a matter that is critical to both Swapo and Namibia. Conversations about succession ahead of the 2027 Swapo Congress (C2027) are intensifying, yet they are rarely confronted with the seriousness they deserve. Positioning has begun, camps are quietly consolidating, and speculative debates are increasingly shaping political discourse. As Charles de Gaulle reminds us, sometimes “politics is too important to be left in the hands of politicians.” In moments of strategic consequence, silence becomes complicity. The country and the party cannot afford petty squabbles disguised as…

16 Feb

A necessary line in the sand: protecting public housing and restoring accountability

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has taken a decision that many before him have avoided. In stating unequivocally that government employees evicted from state-owned houses will not receive special treatment or automatic relocation, he has drawn a firm line between entitlement and accountability. It is a decision grounded not in hostility, but in principle. At a time when public infrastructure is under strain and housing demand continues to rise, the minister’s stance reflects a necessary commitment to restoring integrity in the management of state assets. The numbers alone underscore the gravity of the matter. Government immovable assets are…

16 Feb

Holistic employee benefits: Building financial security beyond a salary

Featured, Observer Money

Jolene Mans In today’s competitive workplace, employees expect more than just a pay cheque. They seek security, peace of mind and benefits that support their well-being throughout every stage of life. A truly holistic employee benefits package delivers on these expectations by combining retirement savings, risk protection and wellness initiatives into one comprehensive offering. This approach not only enhances employee satisfaction but also strengthens organisational resilience and talent retention. Retirement savings: A foundation for financial independence Retirement funds remain one of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth and ensuring financial independence after your working years. Beyond simply saving…

16 Feb

One Economy Foundation takes 5% stake in Etango deal

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The One Economy Foundation holds a 5% loan-carried interest in the Etango Uranium Project, giving the Namibian empowerment entity a stake in one of the country’s largest proposed mining developments. The interest was disclosed in Bannerman Energy Ltd’s Etango Strategic Financing Presentation, released as part of its strategic financing agreement with CNNC Group. The project is held by Bannerman Mining Resources (Namibia) (Pty) Ltd. This entity is 95% owned by Bannerman Energy (UK) Ltd and 5% by the One Economy Foundation on a loan-carried basis. Bannerman Energy (UK) Ltd is owned 55% by Bannerman Energy (Netherlands) BV and…

16 Feb

Ramaphosa orders Eskom transmission split

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed that a fully independent transmission system operator be created as part of the restructuring of South Africa’s electricity sector. Eskom Holdings SOC Limited informed noteholders on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) that the government will proceed with plans to establish a separate, state-owned transmission entity. The new entity will own and control transmission assets and operate the electricity market. Ramaphosa made the announcement during his state of the nation address on 12 February 2026. He said the move was part of reforms to modernise the energy sector and reduce electricity costs. He said…

16 Feb

Investors trade N$62m in active week

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s key stock indices recorded gains in the week ended 13 February, according to data from the Namibia Securities Exchange (JSE). The JSE All Share Index closed at 120 584 points, up 533 points or 0.44% from 120 051 points the previous week. The overall Namibian market index rose 51.43 points, or 2.28%, to 2 305.90. The local index increased by 2.01 points, or 0.25%, to 814.41. Sector performance was mixed. Basic materials recorded the strongest weekly gain, rising 4.10% to 809.97 points. Financials increased 1.22% to 751.67, while real estate rose 1.17% to 2,728.50. Consumer staples gained…