Windhoek Observer

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Why a retirement annuity matters and benefits you

Why a retirement annuity matters and benefits you

Sebastian Clementinus  Securing your financial well-being in retirement begins with taking decisive action, yet many delay this crucial step. Among the available options, a retirement annuity (RA) stands out as a reliable and structured solution. Whether you are just starting your career or are close to retirement age, understanding the value of a retirement annuity can make a significant difference to your future. What is a retirement annuity? A retirement annuity is a long-term investment product that helps you save for retirement in a tax-efficient manner. You can make contributions monthly or as a one-off lump sum, and these funds…
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The ROI of laughter: measuring the business impact of team building

By Diamond Training Institute It’s easy to dismiss laughter as the soundtrack of leisure, not productivity. Yet, in the modern workplace, it may be one of the most reliable indicators of a healthy, high-performing team. When employees laugh together, they do more than share a moment of joy—they build trust, reduce stress, and strengthen social bonds that directly affect business results. The return on investment (ROI) of team building, then, is not just measured in smiles but in measurable shifts in engagement, innovation, and performance. Psychologists and organizational researchers have long noted that laughter triggers positive emotional contagion—a ripple effect…
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Luvindao scrambles for malaria medicine from foreign missions … as only a month’s supply is left 

Luvindao scrambles for malaria medicine from foreign missions … as only a month’s supply is left 

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has appealed for international help to restock critical malaria medicines as the country faces a worsening outbreak and dangerously low drug supplies. A letter obtained by the Windhoek Observer revealed that Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao had reached out to diplomatic missions for assistance after the national medical warehouse was found to have only a one-month supply of essential antimalarial drugs. The Windhoek Observer understands that a formal request was sent to Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Asazuma Shinichi. However, it remains unclear if similar appeals were made to other embassies. “Today, I reach out to you regarding…
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 NaTIS rakes in almost N$87m each month

 NaTIS rakes in almost N$87m each month

Allexer Namundjembo Drivers and vehicle owners help the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) generate nearly N$87 million in monthly revenue, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament on Wednesday. Nekundi said that as of September, the country's vehicle population stood at 419,716, while the number of licensed drivers was 379,023.  “Approximately 140,000 NaTIS transactions are conducted monthly, generating a revenue of about N$87 million,” he said during his ministerial statement. Despite the strong revenue, Nekundi acknowledged that clients still face major challenges such as long queues, long waiting periods, unnecessary travel costs, corruption, and scams.  “Therefore, the ministry and…
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No electricity for unplanned settlements, warns Ithete 

No electricity for unplanned settlements, warns Ithete 

Justicia Shipena  The minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, has urged Karibib residents to live within town planning boundaries to benefit from electrification projects. This comes as 47% of households are currently connected to the national grid, while 12% rely on solar energy. “The government cannot electrify unserviced areas; therefore, the community is encouraged to ensure that they reside according to the town plan,” Ithete said during the inauguration of electrification projects in Usab, Karibib, on Thursday. The inauguration brought electricity to 257 houses in the area.  Of these, 133 households were connected under the first service level…
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Court finds Grootfontein ex-councillor’s jackhammer rental story unconvincing

Court finds Grootfontein ex-councillor’s jackhammer rental story unconvincing

Renthia Kaimbi  Former Grootfontein councillor Etnee Tsanigab has lost a court case against the Grootfontein municipality after the High Court dismissed his company’s N$770 000 claim related to a disputed jackhammer rental deal. Court documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer show that High Court judge Thomas Masuku ruled against Elseldra & Etnee Trading CC, a company owned by Tsanigab.  The firm had sued the municipality for N$771 008, claiming it rented out a heavy-duty jackhammer in November 2020 at a daily rate of N$2 450. The municipality denied the claim, saying no agreement existed.  It argued that such an arrangement…
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Past fraud case a painful lesson for GIPF — Inkumbi

Past fraud case a painful lesson for GIPF — Inkumbi

Justicia Shipena The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi says a past internal fraud case at the fund served as a painful reminder that ethical lapses can undo years of progress and damage institutional credibility. In 2023, GIPF suspended an employee for suspected benefits payment fraud amounting to N$124,000.  A year earlier, the Fund had launched an internal investigation after detecting possible fraudulent activities related to beneficiary payments. Another N$17 million fraud case involving former employees is before the court. Speaking during the Global Ethics Day 2025 commemoration in Windhoek this week, Inkumbi said the case,…
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New NCCI Divundu committee to prioritise informal traders

New NCCI Divundu committee to prioritise informal traders

Allexer Namundjembo The newly elected Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Divundu Branch committee will focus on assisting informal traders to improve their operations. “Divundu has a large number of informal traders and vendors and assisting them to improve their operations will be one of the key priorities on our agenda,” said the new chairperson, Mario Sawahenga. He said the committee would also prioritise unity and collaboration among local entrepreneurs.  “Teamwork and proactive engagement are essential if we want to see tangible results. We must work together and include all partners in advancing the branch’s objectives,” he added. The…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Discovering Namibia’s hidden gems 

YOUNG OBSERVER | Discovering Namibia’s hidden gems 

Gondwana’s Desert Grace  Gondwana has fortunately been running splash sales since the beginning of the year 2025, which has afforded Gondwana card-holding members such as myself to experience some of Namibia’s hidden gems but on a budget. I made the impulsive decision to visit The Desert Grace on a Tuesday afternoon after seeing an advert for the flash sale on Instagram and decided to eat air for the rest of the month and purchase my vouchers.  Due to the fact that my decision was last minute, I could only leave for the desert after work on Friday, which meant that…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Namibian youth join Afro-Arab Dialogue on peace and development

YOUNG OBSERVER | Namibian youth join Afro-Arab Dialogue on peace and development

Namibia participated in the Afro-Arab Youth Congress held in Uganda from 6 to 10 October 2025 under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Prosperity.”  The event marked the launch of a fundraising drive for the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) International Headquarters in Uganda and convened its General Council. Namibia was represented by Leonard Akathingo and Esther Shakela. Akathingo joined a panel discussion on mental health among men, where he shared his journey of turning pain into power and purpose.  Akathingo is the president and founder of the Popya Assistance Foundation, an organisation that focusses on gender-based violence,…
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