Windhoek Observer

12830 Posts
‘Animal reflector tender was not awarded in secret’ – NRSC …Tagging livestock estimated to cost Govt N$180m annually

‘Animal reflector tender was not awarded in secret’ – NRSC …Tagging livestock estimated to cost Govt N$180m annually

Renthia Kaimbi The N$5 million tender for reflective livestock gear was first advertised on the e-procurement platform in November 2025, but the availability of companies that could supply immediately led to an emergency procurement process, according to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC). This comes as questions have been raised about the transparency of the tender, which was piloted in the Khomas, Omusati and Oshana regions late last year. Concerns centred on the decision to award the tender on an emergency basis just weeks before the festive season. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula last week…
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Repo rate expected to remain unchanged

Repo rate expected to remain unchanged

Chamwe Kaira  Standard Bank Namibia has said that given the Bank of Namibia’s emphasis on closing the differential with South Africa and the current 25 basis points (bps) gap, its expectation is that the Bank of Namibia will keep rates unchanged until the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) fully closes the differential through further cuts.  “Only then would BoN begin its own easing cycle. In this scenario BON will only deliver two 25bps cuts in tandem with South Africa,” Standard Bank economist Helena Mboti has said.  The Bank of Namibia is expected to make its first monetary policy decision for…
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Cirrus buys stake in Ultimate Safaris

Cirrus buys stake in Ultimate Safaris

Staff Writer Cirrus Unlisted Investments and Ultimate Safaris have completed an equity funding transaction that will see Cirrus acquire a significant minority stake in Ultimate on behalf of individual and institutional Namibian investors. Ultimate is a Namibian luxury lodge and tour operating company. Cirrus said the business has strong potential for further growth and represents a high-impact Namibian company. Ultimate Safaris started small and has built a reputation for its sustainability efforts. The company focuses on luxury ecotourism and operates across Namibia’s natural landscapes and remote areas. It works to limit environmental impact while supporting conservation and local communities. “Namibia…
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IAEA reviews proposed uranium project in Omaheke

IAEA reviews proposed uranium project in Omaheke

Staff Writer The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (SAUMA) attended a closed stakeholder meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 6 February. Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti invited the association to take part. The meeting formed part of an independent technical review by six IAEA representatives into a proposed uranium in situ leaching mining project in the Omaheke region. The review aims to provide expert advice on environmental protection, groundwater resources, public health and regulatory oversight. The IAEA team was invited to review Headspring Investments’ application for an environmental clearance certificate (ECC). The company plans to conduct four years…
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Standard Bank Namibia warns of Deepfake scam

Standard Bank Namibia warns of Deepfake scam

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has issued a public warning about a fraudulent social media video that falsely portrays its chief executive officer, Erwin Tjipuka, promoting an alleged investment scheme. In a statement released on Monday, the bank said the video, which has been circulating on platforms including Facebook, is a deepfake, digitally manipulated content designed to mislead viewers by attributing statements or endorsements to well-known individuals. The bank said neither Tjipuka nor its leadership has participated in, endorsed or advised on any investment opportunity outside the institution’s official product offerings. Standard Bank Namibia said it unequivocally distances itself from…
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Chinese investor backs Etango with US$294m deal

Chinese investor backs Etango with US$294m deal

Chamwe Kaira Bannerman Energy Ltd has signed binding investment and joint venture agreements with China Nuclear Overseas Limited to fund the development of the Etango Uranium Project in the Erongo Region. Under the agreement, CNOL will invest US$294.5 million for a 45% stake in Bannerman Energy (UK) Ltd, the newly formed joint venture company. Bannerman will retain a 55% interest. CNOL will also reimburse Bannerman up to US$27 million for 45% of approved early works expenditure incurred from 1 July 2025 until completion. The joint venture company owns 95% of the Etango Project. The project has an initial planned production…
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Beifang roster changes triggers union leadership crisis

Beifang roster changes triggers union leadership crisis

Justicia Shipena  Beifang Mining Services (BMTS) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) have suspended two branch executive committee members at the Husab Project and withdrawn recognition of them as union representatives. In a joint memorandum dated 13 February seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to all BMTS employees at the Husab Project, the company said Gebhard Shikongo and Elia Katupose have been suspended from work.  The two previously served as BEC members. The matter was communicated to both national and regional union leadership. The memorandum states that Shikongo, described as interim chairman, had been spreading claims about officials…
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Clinics get portable sonar scanners

Clinics get portable sonar scanners

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Health has introduced three handheld sonar probes into the public healthcare system to improve diagnosis in clinics and rural areas. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the move is about changing how healthcare is delivered, not just adding new tools. “The ministry is not merely adding equipment. We are redesigning how care is delivered,” she said. The three devices were funded by the Capricorn Foundation after discussions with the ministry late last year. “Late last year, as we advanced our vision to decentralise healthcare and empower regions, we approached the Capricorn Foundation knowing their track…
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High Court to deliver verdict on Nored strike this week 

High Court to deliver verdict on Nored strike this week 

Justicia Shipena  The High Court will this week deliver judgement in the dispute between the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) over a planned strike. Nored approached the Labour Court last month on an urgent basis to stop the strike. The utility warned that the industrial action could disrupt electricity supply across large parts of northern Namibia. The dispute began after wage negotiations for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years collapsed.  Talks started in June 2025 and reached a deadlock in September 2025 after several meetings. Last Friday, workers issued a notice of strike…
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Why Swapo and Namibia need President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah now

Why Swapo and Namibia need President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah now

Let me address the elephant in the room directly. There is a deafening silence surrounding a matter that is critical to both Swapo and Namibia. Conversations about succession ahead of the 2027 Swapo Congress (C2027) are intensifying, yet they are rarely confronted with the seriousness they deserve. Positioning has begun, camps are quietly consolidating, and speculative debates are increasingly shaping political discourse.  As Charles de Gaulle reminds us, sometimes “politics is too important to be left in the hands of politicians.” In moments of strategic consequence, silence becomes complicity. The country and the party cannot afford petty squabbles disguised as…
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