Windhoek Observer – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

17 Mar

Tromp appointed to lead Nedbank consumer banking

Observer Money

Staff Writer Nedbank Namibia has appointed John James Tromp as head of consumer banking, effective 1 March 2026. The consumer banking portfolio includes private banking, private wealth, retail banking and lending. The bank said Tromp previously served as head of business banking. In that role, he worked with business clients across the country and gained experience in how financial services affect both households and businesses. Nedbank said this experience gives him insight into the link between household financial stability and wider economic activity. The bank said the appointment comes at a time when financial inclusion, responsible lending and access to…

17 Mar

Cybercrime bill heads to parliament

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The drafting of the Cybercrime Bill has been completed and the legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament this month. The bill was prepared after consultations with key stakeholders and will undergo a validation workshop before submission. This information was revealed in the estimates of revenue, income and expenditure released by the Ministry of Finance as part of the 2026/27 national budget. The document also states that the Data Protection Bill has already been approved by the cabinet committee on legislation. The bill has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations for further review.…

17 Mar

SA new bank has 2 500 branches before launching

Observer Money

Pepkor is seeking a banking chief as Africa’s biggest seller of clothing and mobile phones plans to open branches using its store network in South Africa to reach millions of lower-income customers. The senior leader will be responsible for driving the shift to a “fully integrated transactional-banking model” across more than 2 500 outlets in South Africa, the Cape Town-based company said in a job posting dated 11 March. “This is a critical role that demands an entrepreneurial spirit, a deep understanding of retail banking, and the ability to execute large-scale strategic initiatives,” the company said. Pepkor got approval last…

17 Mar

2026-2027 budget review: Balancing economic stability with development investment

Opinions

Josef Kefas Sheehama The 2026–2027 national budget is a critical instrument for shaping Namibia’s economic path. It seeks to address structural weaknesses, stabilise macroeconomic conditions, and support development priorities. In an environment of moderate growth, fiscal constraints, and high unemployment, the budget reflects the challenge of balancing financial discipline with the need for investment in infrastructure, human capital, and industrial capacity. Achieving this balance requires careful policy coordination. Governments must manage public debt and inflation while creating conditions that promote long-term growth. Strategic allocation of resources toward sectors that enhance productivity, combined with institutional reforms and private-sector engagement, can improve…

16 Mar

CoW to demolish Havana house built without building plans

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek has ordered the demolition of a house built in Havana location in Windhoek after it found that construction took place without municipal approval. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya stated that the construction of the structure did not adhere to municipal building regulations, which mandate the submission and approval of building plans. “City officials discovered that a brick structure was being erected on the erf and instructed the individual to stop construction because the area is still under incremental development and no approval had been granted,” Amutenya said in response to questions by the Windhoek Observer…

16 Mar

Venaani calls for irrigation and agro-processing investment

National News

Justicia Shipena Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader and member of parliament McHenry Venaani says Namibia must invest in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains if it wants to promote rural development and economic diversification. He made the remarks in the National Assembly while contributing to the budget debate last week. “If we are serious about rural development and economic diversification, we must invest aggressively in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains,” Venaani said. Venaani said Namibia must move beyond gradual policy changes. “Our economy remains too small, unemployment remains too high, and inequality continues…

16 Mar

Ondangwa serviced land opens opportunities for businesses — VP

National News

Justicia Shipena Vice president Lucia Witbooi says the availability of serviced industrial land in Ondangwa creates opportunities for businesses to expand production and investment. She called on businesses and development partners to support the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, adding that trade exhibitions help stimulate local economies. “Trade and industrial exhibitions are drivers of economic growth and help to accelerate the development of local economies,” she said during a fundraising gala dinner held in Ondangwa over the weekend ahead of the 2026 Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition. The exhibition will take place from 24 April to 2 May 2026.…

16 Mar

Women MPs urged to strengthen oversight and gender equality

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged women parliamentarians to strengthen oversight and work together to advance gender equality in Namibia. Speaking at the opening of a meeting of the Parliamentary Women Caucus in Swakopmund on Saturday, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the gathering allows women leaders to focus on issues affecting women and girls and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making. She said the caucus brings together women across political parties to address common concerns and promote equal participation in governance. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said parliament must ensure that laws and policies adopted by the government lead to real…

16 Mar

TURNING POINT | The Case for Ownership: From Observers to Participants

Featured, Opinions

The recent decision by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to off-load its 10% shareholding in Rössing Uranium Mine presented Namibia with a rare and consequential opportunity. Such moments, when ownership of strategic national assets becomes available, are not merely commercial transactions. They are moments that test a nation’s economic ambition, its confidence in local enterprise, and its commitment to building indigenous participation in key sectors of the economy. Yet, as far as can be determined, few Namibian companies and not even the Namibian government stepped forward to bid for this stake when the opportunity arose through public bidding. When our company decided…

16 Mar

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila: Oversight without results is just observation

Editorial, Featured

When the speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, addressed the parliamentary women’s caucus in Swakopmund this weekend, she articulated a concern that resonates far beyond the walls of Parliament. Her call for stronger oversight mechanisms, ones that produce measurable results rather than simply reports, captures the growing sentiment among many Namibians who follow the work of the legislature with interest, hope, and, at times, frustration. At its core, Parliament performs two critical functions in a democratic society: it creates laws and it holds the executive accountable for implementing them. These responsibilities are not abstract constitutional ideals; they are the…