Windhoek Observer

12010 Posts

Young voters shy away from the polls

Allexer Namundjembo Youth participation in the regional and local authority elections remained low, with many young voters not visible in the queues at the polls on Wednesday.  This is despite more than 643 000 youth registered to vote, making up about 42% of the 1.49 million voters on the final voters register released by the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). The regional and local authority elections took place on 26 November 2025.  Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Youth leader Duminga Ndala says the low youth turnout in yesterday’s Regional and Local Authority elections signals a serious disconnect between young people and…
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The Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit: Africa’s achievement and Africa’s test

The Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit: Africa’s achievement and Africa’s test

 PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first ever held on African soil, was widely celebrated as a milestone for African agency. For two days, Johannesburg stood at the center of global governance under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”  It was a moment when Africa did not simply participate in the global conversation but also directed it. The continent placed issues such as climate justice, multilateral reform, debt restructuring, and sustainable development at the forefront of the global agenda. But as history often reminds us, progress reveals both power and fragility.…
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Namibia shines in Zeda’s sub-Saharan Africa performance

Namibia shines in Zeda’s sub-Saharan Africa performance

Chamwe Kaira Zeda Limited says Namibia, Zambia and Ghana recorded stronger economic performances during the financial year, giving its Sub-Saharan operations a more supportive environment. This comes as the automotive services company posted improved earnings and higher operating profit for the year ended 30 September 2025. Zeda holds the licence to the Avis brand in South Africa and 10 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It operates the Avis and Budget brands under a long-term agreement with Avis Budget Group. The company manages more than 20 000 vehicles across several rental categories and offers a range of value-added products. The group…
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Report reveals mismatch between workforce and labour market

Report reveals mismatch between workforce and labour market

Chamwe Kaira A new report on the state of skills supply and demand in Namibia in 2025 has found a persistent mismatch between the skills held by the workforce and those required by the labour market.  The gap, driven by weaknesses in the education system and fast-changing global trends, continues to limit economic growth, diversification, productivity and competitiveness. The report was compiled by the Namibia Investment Promotion & Development Board (NIPDB) and its partners.  It assesses the alignment between skill supply and labour market demand, identifies gaps, evaluates education and training outcomes, supports job creation efforts, and highlights priority areas…
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Oryx Properties approves all AGM resolutions

Oryx Properties approves all AGM resolutions

Staff Writer  Oryx Properties Limited says all ordinary resolutions tabled at its annual general meeting (AGM) on 24 November were approved by a majority of linked unitholders, with 89.41% of total unitholders casting votes. Unitholders unanimously adopted the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, approved the remuneration of non-executive directors for the 2026 financial year and endorsed the company’s Remuneration Policy through a non-binding advisory vote. Each resolution received 100% support. The resolution to reappoint the independent external auditors received 67.03% approval, while authorising directors to determine the auditors’ remuneration was supported by 100% of voters.…
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Standard Bank signs financial solutions agreement with City of Windhoek

Standard Bank signs financial solutions agreement with City of Windhoek

Staff Writer  Standard Bank Namibia has signed a strategic financial services agreement with the City of Windhoek, strengthening its partnership with the municipality and expanding access to financial support for employees. The agreement gives City of Windhoek staff exclusive access to tailored financial products and services aimed at improving long-term financial wellbeing.  These include Financial Fitness Academy sessions to boost financial literacy, home loan solutions at preferential terms, vehicle and asset finance at competitive rates, and personal loan concessions with faster processing. The initiative draws on the bank’s Employee Value Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking and the Windhoek Branch teams.…
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Financial wellness: A strategic advantage for employers

Financial wellness: A strategic advantage for employers

Patricia Olivier  In today’s fast-changing business landscape, forward-looking employers are recognising that employee financial wellness goes far beyond personal finance: it’s a cornerstone of sustainable business success.  A workforce that feels financially secure is more productive, more engaged, and more likely to stay committed to the organisation that supports them. When it comes to being ready for life after work, many Namibians continue to encounter major obstacles.  According to the Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor, 45% of working Namibians who are not part of a pension or provident fund through their employer are relying on banked savings to prepare for…
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Financial sector champions fraud-resilient digital economy

Financial sector champions fraud-resilient digital economy

Staff Writer Namibia’s financial industry is strengthening efforts to turn rising digital fraud into an opportunity for innovation and trust-building.  At the Fraud and Cybersecurity Awareness Summit, leaders from banking, government and technology sectors renewed their commitment to creating a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem that supports economic growth. Digital adoption is rising, with internet penetration at 64.4% and mobile connections reaching 87% of the population. Digital transactions have grown 20 to 30% year-on-year, contributing to a digital economy that now makes up 2.5% of GDP. The national target is 4 to 5% by 2030. “Cybersecurity is sovereignty. As Namibia…
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Itula pushes back against President on law-making

Itula pushes back against President on law-making

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula says no law will pass in parliament as long as his party serves as the official opposition.  He said the opposition's role is to scrutinise every bill brought before the National Assembly.  “There is a need to scrutinise because our constitutional article 41 says that ministers shall be accountable to parliament. We are not going to have tissue paper bills brought in and passed tomorrow,” he said during IPC's event in Walvis Bay on Saturday, His remarks come after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah criticised parliament for leaving some bills unfinished.  During…
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Swartbooi asks US to halt Namibia’s elections

Swartbooi asks US to halt Namibia’s elections

Renthia Kaimbi The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says the Namibian government is using a “Tanzania-style” strategy to weaken strong opponents ahead of the elections and create an appearance of democracy. In a letter dated 17 November 2025, penned by its leader Bernadus Swartbooi and addressed to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the LPM claims that more than 1 634 soldiers have been deployed to its stronghold regions.  According to Swartbooi, troops have taken control of a local authority building and conducted live exercises with the intention of intimidating voters. The letter, seen by the Windhoek Observer, also alleges…
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