Windhoek Observer – Page 21 – Windhoek Observer

06 Jan

More fuel used, more businesses started in Q3 2025

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Fuel consumption in Namibia increased during the third quarter of 2025, pointing to firmer economic activity, according to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) third-quarter economic indicators. BoN said total fuel consumption rose by 7.2% year-on-year to 320 million litres during the quarter. The increase was driven by higher demand for diesel and petrol, which grew by 4.8% and 13.5%, respectively. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, total fuel consumption increased by 7.3%. Business registrations also recorded strong growth during the quarter. BoN, which treats business registrations as a leading indicator of future economic activity, reported that new registrations rose by…

06 Jan

Curro to delist from JSE after buyout

Observer Money

Staff Writer Curro Holdings Limited, which operates three schools in Namibia, will be delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) after the implementation of a scheme of arrangement that enables its acquisition by the Jannie Mouton Stigting. Curro said all suspensive conditions linked to the scheme have been fulfilled or waived, making the transaction unconditional. Shareholders approved the scheme by the required majority at a general meeting held on 31 October 2025. Under the transaction, shareholders listed on the register on the scheme consideration record date will receive payment made up of a cash portion and a share portion. The…

05 Jan

‘Land board failures behind Ondonga shooting’ – Sankwasa

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa says the fatal shooting of headmen in the Ondonga Traditional Authority happened because of systemic failures in the Communal Land Board. He warns that weaknesses in land dispute resolution structures continue to fuel violence. This comes as a land dispute within the Ondonga Traditional Authority turned deadly on Friday during an attempt to resolve a conflict over communal land. A suspect opened fire, resulting in the death of Onelago village headman Sam Nepando and injuring Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi. Nashandi is also the National Planning Commission (NPC) executive director.…

05 Jan

ED reshuffles cloud questions of poor planning

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Voices in the political space have expressed mixed views on transfers of executive directors across government ministries. While some see the reshuffles as a way to improve performance and curb corruption, others warn they could disrupt service delivery if not carefully planned. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the movement of executive directors can be useful when guided by clear objectives and proper planning. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer last week, Kamwanyah said transfers can help share institutional knowledge, bring in new ideas and reduce over-familiarity with long-standing systems. “Moving executive directors can improve performance, particularly in ministries where…

05 Jan

Namibia calls for UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has called for an urgent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting following reports that the United States attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The Namibian government said the actions constitute a breach of international law and a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. On Sunday, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade said the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all nations must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law. “The respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is essential for the enhancement of global peace and…

05 Jan

NNN urges youth to protect elderly and vulnerable in 2026

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged young people to care for the elderly and stand with the vulnerable, emphasising that the youth continue to be the nation's lifeblood and vitality. In her New Year message on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged young Namibians to be protectors of those who cannot always protect themselves and to look out for one another in 2026. She called on the nation to renew its commitment to guarding society against social ills that threaten progress. She said efforts toward women’s emancipation must address all forms of abuse and discrimination. Nandi-Ndaitwah urged citizens to reject gender-based violence,…

05 Jan

‘War veteran’ term misleading, says Ya Nangoloh

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh says the term “war veteran” has no legal standing. He criticises Namibia’s veteran policy, noting that it hides a gap in national law that leaves many former soldiers without recognition. In a statement issued on Saturday, Ya Nangoloh said the Veterans Act (2 of 2008) only recognises veterans of the liberation struggle and does not make reference to so-called war veterans. “So many former Swapo comrades and especially those who were in exile, call themselves 'war veterans'. But little did they appear to know that there is no such thing as a…

05 Jan

What do we own? Namibia’s unwritten national balance sheet

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s New Year message strikes a hopeful and unifying chord. Her call for unity, compassion, hard work and integrity is timely and necessary as Namibia steps into 2026 facing familiar socio-economic challenges: unemployment, inequality, fiscal pressure and uneven service delivery. The President is right; when Namibians stand together, no challenge is too great. But unity and determination alone are not enough. To truly translate this vision into inclusive growth and national renewal, we must confront a fundamental and largely unanswered question: what do we own as a nation? In households and businesses, progress begins with knowing what is…

05 Jan

Executive directors, technocracy and the developmental state

Opinions

The recent reshuffling of executive directors across several Namibian ministries, as announced by the secretary to the cabinet, has once again brought to the surface a structural ambiguity that has lingered within Namibia’s public administration since independence. While ministerial reshuffles are an accepted and indeed necessary feature of democratic governance, the frequent movement of executive directors raises a more profound institutional question: are executive directors political functionaries, or are they senior technocrats entrusted with the long-term administrative and developmental health of the state? After almost thirty-six years of independence, this question should no longer be unresolved. From both an academic…

05 Jan

Community voices must guide Namibia’s future

Featured, Opinions

Ester Shafashike In a democratic society, decisions that affect the lives of citizens cannot be made in isolation. The principle of community consultancy, seeking public views before implementing any policy or project is not only a moral obligation but also a constitutional and developmental imperative for Namibia. The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia (1990) makes it clear that sovereignty rests with the people. Article 1(1) declares Namibia a democratic state founded upon the will of its citizens, whereas Chapter 3 guarantees freedoms of speech, assembly, and association. These rights are not symbolic, but they are the right tools through…