Windhoek Observer – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

24 Mar

Mariental affordable housing development launched

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Mariental Extension 6 Affordable Housing Development has been launched, marking a new phase in efforts to expand access to serviced housing in the Hardap region. The launch took place in Mariental and was officiated by vice president Lucia Witbooi, alongside regional and local leaders, development partners and community stakeholders. The project will service 311 residential plots, with 87 already completed. These include single residential and general residential erven. The development aims to meet growing demand for affordable housing in the town. Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia (OMIGNAM) is part of the project as a financier through the…

24 Mar

PSG Financial Services expects higher earnings

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira PSG Financial Services expects earnings for the year ended 28 February 2026 to rise by more than 20%, driven by growth in headline, recurring headline and attributable earnings. In a trading statement released on Monday, the South African-listed group said it had reached a reasonable degree of certainty on its results. Headline and recurring headline earnings per share are expected to be between 133.5 cents and 136.5 cents. This reflects an increase of 32% to 35% from 101.1 cents reported a year earlier. Recurring headline earnings, excluding amortisation, are expected to range between 139.7 cents and 142.9 cents…

24 Mar

Westair Group introduces fuel surcharge across its aviation services

Observer Money

Staff Writer Westair Group will introduce a fuel surcharge across its aviation operations from 23 March 2026. The surcharge will apply to services under FlyNamibia, FlyNamibia Safari and Westair Charters. The company said the move comes in response to rising fuel costs and supply pressures linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Westair said fuel remains one of the largest operating costs in aviation and recent increases have placed pressure on the industry. It said the surcharge is aimed at maintaining operations, route networks and service reliability. “We remain committed to connecting Namibia and supporting the country’s tourism and…

24 Mar

Anglo American to delist from Swiss Exchange in June

Observer Money

Staff Writer Anglo American plc will delist its ordinary shares from the SIX Swiss Exchange in June after receiving approval from SIX Exchange Regulation. The company said trading in its 1.18 billion ordinary shares will stop on 25 June 2026, with the delisting taking effect on 26 June 2026. It said the move forms part of a review of its global share listings linked to its proposed merger with Teck Resources. The decision was also influenced by low trading volumes on the Swiss exchange and the cost of maintaining multiple listings. Anglo American said that once the delisting takes effect,…

24 Mar

How Nedbank is making first-time homeownership possible

Observer Money

Staff Writer Owning a home remains out of reach for many Namibians as property prices continue to rise. Entry-level apartments in Windhoek start at about N$525 000, while modest houses can reach close to N$2 million. High deposits and transfer costs have made it harder for young professionals and middle-income earners to enter the market. Nedbank Namibia has launched its “Unlock Your First Home” initiative to address this challenge. The bank has set aside a lending portfolio for first-time homebuyers as part of efforts to improve access to housing. Nedbank Namibia head of lending, Chane Isaaks, said the aim is…

23 Mar

TURNING POINT | Decentralising Independence: A Missed Timing, Not a Missed Opportunity

Featured, Opinions

This year’s decision by the Namibian government to host Independence Day celebrations across all 14 regions marks a notable and commendable shift in national thinking. For 36 years, the symbolic centre of our independence has largely remained fixed in Windhoek, politically convenient, administratively efficient, but economically narrow in its reach. By extending into every region, government has, perhaps unintentionally, offered a practical demonstration of what a decentralised economic model could look like. It is, in principle, an excellent idea. Yet, like many well-intentioned policy shifts in developing economies, its impact has been diluted by one critical flaw: timing. Announcing such…

23 Mar

MPs urge youth to lead economic fight

Main, National News

Patience Makwele Members of parliament have urged Namibia’s youth to take charge of the next phase of development. They warned that without jobs and opportunities, independence risks losing its meaning. The remarks were made during Independence Day celebrations over the weekend in the Zambezi and Kavango West regions by members of parliament, including Charles Mubita, Martin Lukato and speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Mubita, who also serves as deputy minister of defence and veteran affairs, said Namibia must confront the realities many citizens still face. “We cannot claim to be independent on an empty stomach. We now need…

23 Mar

‘Assisting accident victims is not illegal’ — Amoomo

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo says civilians are allowed to assist people injured in road accidents and that doing so is lawful. Amoomo said assisting victims is lawful. He said section 78 of the Road Transportation Act 22 of 1999 requires drivers involved in an accident to render assistance to injured people. “This thing of stating that you can’t assist is a terrible lie that continues to cost us lives. You will stand there waiting for an ambulance for two hours because you fear the law while you could drive to the hospital,” Amoomo said while responding to questions from…

23 Mar

NAC operations unaffected by cyber hack

National News

Justicia Shipena The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) says it is treating a reported cyber threat with urgency after a ransomware group claimed it accessed and stole company data. In a statement shared on social media over the weekend, NAC said it is aware of claims by the INC Ransomware Group that it exfiltrated about 500 GB of data from its systems on 6 March 2026. The group plans to publish it on the dark web. “NAC takes this incident seriously and reiterates its commitment to transparency and will provide further updates as and when credible evidence emerges,” the company said.…

23 Mar

D-day for Shafudah’s appeal bid on payroll system

National News

Staff Writer The Windhoek High Court is set to rule today on finance minister Ericah Shafudah’s appeal over the lawsuit by microlender Entrepo Finance over the government’s payroll deduction system (PDMS). The ruling will be made at 09h00. PDMS allows civil servants to repay loans directly from their salaries. This comes as, on 28 August 2025, the Ministry of Finance issued a directive to end discretionary payroll deductions on the system from 30 November. The ministry at that time said only existing loans would continue, while statutory deductions such as tax and pension contributions would remain. Entrepo challenged the decision…