Windhoek Observer – Page 26 – Windhoek Observer

04 Feb

Malaria cases climb to 8 760 in one month

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has recorded 8 760 confirmed malaria cases in the first four weeks of the year. This is a sharp rise from 5 229 cases reported during the same period last year, representing an increase of 68%. She said 604 malaria-related hospital admissions and 11 deaths have been recorded so far. Health and social services minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced this on Monday. She said the Ministry of Health and Social Services has identified 20 health districts that have exceeded the malaria epidemic threshold. These include Andara, Nyangana, Kamagoro, Nkurenkuru, Eenhana, Ongela, Okongo, Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Tsumeb,…

04 Feb

Parliament at a crossroads: choose law-making over theatre

Editorial, Featured

The official opening of the third session of the eighth Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah signals more than the start of a new legislative calendar. It represents a moment of reckoning for Namibia’s Legislature, a chance to reset, to refocus, and to recommit itself to the serious business of governance. The President’s address was firm but measured, and its underlying message was unmistakable: Namibians are watching Parliament closely, and they expect results, not spectacle. Her call for members of Parliament to strengthen their role in advancing inclusive development and participatory democracy was timely. Across the country, citizens are grappling with…

04 Feb

Namibia: Reimagining national identity beyond structural dependencies

Featured

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) “If tomorrow South Africa were to close its commercial borders, how many days would Namibia last?” The question is uncomfortable but necessary. It starkly exposes the structural fragility of an economy that, despite political and institutional stability, remains deeply dependent on external factors to ensure its basic functioning. Namibia is often presented as an African success story in terms of governance. However, this narrative overlooks an essential reality: the national economy remains poorly diversified, vulnerable to external shocks, and excessively anchored in asymmetric relationships inherited from the colonial past. A…

04 Feb

Customer-centric with insurance in the revolutionised digital era

Featured, Opinions

Martin Shaanika The winds of change are not coming; they are here. Across our nation, from the bustling streets of Windhoek to the tranquil vistas of the Zambezi, a digital revolution is reshaping how we live, connect and do business. For the insurance industry, this presents not just a challenge of technology but a profound imperative to re-centre on our core purpose: the customer. At Namforce, as a proudly 100% Namibian-owned company, we see this era not as a disruption to be feared but as an unparalleled opportunity to deepen trust, enhance value, and truly serve the people whose aspirations…

04 Feb

Capricorn Group warns of lower interim profits

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Capricorn Group Limited has warned shareholders that its financial performance for the interim period ended 31 December 2025 will be weaker than the prior year, mainly due to higher credit impairment charges and softer economic conditions in parts of its regional operations. In a trading statement issued in line with Namibia Securities Exchange listing requirements, the group said profit after tax, earnings per share and headline earnings per share are expected to decline by between 10% and 15% compared to the same period in 2024. The group said the expected decline is largely driven by increased credit impairment…

04 Feb

Tsodilo secures N$10.2m to fund mining projects

Observer Money

Staff Writer Tsodilo Resources Limited has raised about N$10.2 million through a non-brokered private placement to support its critical and rare earth metals projects. The company plans to ship its products through Namibia once mining begins. The financing closed on 2 February 2026 and generated gross proceeds of C$742,095, equal to about N$10.2 million. Tsodilo issued 4,947,297 units at a price of C$0.15 per unit, or about N$2.06 per unit. Each unit includes one ordinary share and one share purchase warrant. The warrants allow holders to buy one additional ordinary share over five years at an exercise price of US$0.15…

04 Feb

Proflight completes audit ahead of Windhoek flights launch

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Proflight Zambia has completed the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and is now listed on the IOSA registry, strengthening its safety credentials and readiness for international operations. The airline said it is now an IATA member. Ahead of its launch, the airline has appointed AirlinePros International as its general sales agent in Namibia to support sales development, market outreach and customer service. The Windhoek service is scheduled to start on 3 March 2026 and will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights will depart Lusaka at 08h30, stop briefly in Livingstone,…

04 Feb

Gold prices expected to remain high

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says gold prices are expected to remain supportive, with levels forecast to stay high by historical standards. “This should sustain strong margins at operating mines and encourage further investment in mine-life extensions and new project development, reinforcing gold’s role as a key non-diamond contributor to export earnings and government revenue,” the chamber says in its mining update for November and December 2025. The chamber says copper and tin are emerging as potential upside commodities. Copper demand is supported by global electrification, renewable energy investment and infrastructure expansion. Tin continues to benefit from…

04 Feb

RFA needs N$15.3 billion in funding over five years

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Road Fund Administration (RFA) says it faces a funding shortfall of N$3.6 billion under its Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) for the 2024–2029 period, a gap that rises to N$15.3 billion over five years. The ISBP sets out a plan to gradually increase funding for national and urban road maintenance. RFA says this will be supported by capacity-building efforts within the Roads Authority and municipalities. It also notes that traffic law enforcement should be funded through public allocations to keep it independent of Road User Charges (RUCS) fluctuations. The RFA says the ISBP extends its internal business…

04 Feb

Shoprite sales grow by N$9.2bn in six months

Observer Money

Staff Writer Shoprite Group reported higher sales for the six months ended 28 December 2025, with merchandise sales from continuing operations rising 7.2% to about N$136.8 billion. This compares with restated sales of N$127.6 billion in the same period last year. The increase represents an extra N$9.2 billion in sales during the interim period. The group’s Supermarkets South Africa segment contributed most of the growth. The segment accounted for 84.3% of total group sales and recorded sales growth of 7.1%, adding N$7.7 billion over six months. The group said its pricing approach continued to support affordability. Internal selling price inflation…