Windhoek Observer – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

02 Mar

Standard Bank urges strict discipline in budget rollout

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Standard Bank Namibia says the success of the 2026/27 national budget will depend on disciplined execution, tight spending control and timely structural reforms. In its technical review of the budget tabled on 26 February by finance minister Ericah Shafudah, the bank said the plan sets out a fiscally responsible but ambitious roadmap. It said results will depend less on projections and more on efficient implementation, stronger institutions and reforms that broaden the revenue base and support investment. The bank said the budget seeks to balance fiscal prudence with growth at a time of weak domestic and global conditions.…

02 Mar

Shafudah endorses national e-money payment system

Observer Money

Staff Reporter Instant Payments Namibia has welcomed support from finance minister Ericah Shafudah for the country’s new e-money rapid payment system. During her 2026/27 budget speech in the National Assembly, Shafudah reaffirmed the government's backing for the Instant Payment Solution, Namibia’s first national fast payment platform. The system aims to modernise payments and expand access to financial services. The Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Namibia and payment service providers have worked on the project since its launch in 2024. The programme focuses on improving financial inclusion through regulatory measures and a secure instant payment platform. In her budget address,…

02 Mar

Hinda-Mbuende sidelined over Namcor fuel station sale

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Interim managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, says her removal is linked to her resistance to push to sell public assets. She claims she was removed for standing in the way of a plan to privatise 18 Namcor service stations. According to her, the proposed sale stems from a 2022 decision taken by the Cabinet committee on economic affairs, under former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi. She argues that the committee was misled by incorrect data regarding the performance of the service stations. On Sunday, Namcor announced the end of Hinda-Mbuende’s tenure and…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Opinions

As we look toward Parliament next week, the air in Namibia is thick with anticipation. A new budget, a reformed healthcare system, and a rising tide of entrepreneurship in our regions all point to a single truth. The New Namibia is no longer a distant promise because it is currently under construction by those willing to do the work. We are witnessing a moment where policy and possibility are finally converging, demanding a response from every citizen who has ever hoped for a more equitable society. Leading without a title is a concept we must now put into practice with…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | Fuelling the high performer

Featured, Opinions

Physical health is the primary engine of cognitive performance, yet the link between nutrition and daily productivity is often overlooked in the rush of a demanding professional schedule. To maintain high levels of focus and energy throughout the day, it is essential to view food as more than just a source of satiety because nutrition is the biological foundation that dictates mental clarity, decision-making capacity, and the ability to sustain effort over long periods. Whether managing a complex technical project, studying for advanced professional qualifications, or navigating a fast-paced corporate environment, your output is intrinsically tied to your metabolic input.…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The N$100 billion conversation

Featured, Opinions

This week, the minister of finance stepped up to the podium in Parliament to table the 2026/27 national budget. For many young Namibians, this moment often feels like a distant exercise in accounting—a series of dry numbers and complex fiscal terms that belong to the world of politicians and economists. However, in a year defined by shifting energy landscapes and a total transformation in how we access education and healthcare, this budget is the most important document you will not read. It is the blueprint for your economic survival and the primary tool that will determine whether the "New Namibia"…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | From Ohangwena to the world

Featured, Latest

The ecosystem of opportunity in Namibia is undergoing a radical shift as the traditional focus on the central administrative hub of Windhoek begins to give way to a more decentralised and inclusive model of economic empowerment. At the heart of this transformation is the Ohangwena Regional Governor’s Office, which has recently secured a landmark partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to launch a dedicated entrepreneurship programme for the 2026 cycle. This collaboration is not merely a regional win but a national milestone that demonstrates the power of local government acting as a sophisticated bridge to global philanthropic capital. For the…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The health pill: Reclaiming the standard of care

Opinions

Following a directive from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, senior government officials, including executive directors, the deputy auditor general, the secretary to the National Assembly and the President herself, will begin the transition from private medical suites to the corridors of our state hospitals. This is not merely a policy change or a budget-saving exercise because it is a profound reclamation of the public standard. For the youth of Namibia, this shift represents the end of a two-tier reality where the quality of a citizen’s healthcare was determined by the colour of their medical aid card. To understand the youthful urgency of…

27 Feb

YOUNG OBSERVER | The strength of second acts

Opinions

A child does not mark the end of a young woman's potential, yet for decades, the social narrative in Namibia has often treated young motherhood as a definitive full stop to personal and professional ambition. As we navigate the early months of 2026, it is time to dismantle this outdated stigma and recognise that the resilience required to raise a child while pursuing a future is one of the highest forms of leadership. Following the implementation of the latest national strategies for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent health, and nutrition, we are seeing a shift in how the state and…

27 Feb

A budget that stabilises but does not transform

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When minister Ericah Shafudah tabled the N$104 billion national budget this week, she presented it as a careful balancing act between fiscal discipline and developmental necessity. On paper, it is a responsible document. In substance, however, it raises a more difficult question: is Namibia managing decline cautiously or building growth boldly? The answer, at least for now, leans toward caution. The numbers are instructive. Of the N$104 billion, a staggering N$81.3 billion is directed toward operational expenditure, salaries, administration, recurrent costs and the machinery of government. Only N$6.5 billion is earmarked for development spending. That ratio should concern anyone serious…