Windhoek Observer – Page 9 – Windhoek Observer

11 Nov

RCC to cut costs through lease-to-own strategy

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Roads Contractor Company (RCC) has entered into an agreement that allows it to receive and use brand-new equipment, including graders, tippers, dozers, drum rollers, excavators and loaders. RCC chief executive officer Dasius Nelumbu said the new machinery will help the company execute construction projects effectively and deliver on its mandate. “For the past ten years, RCC was awarded construction projects which, due to lack of capacity in terms of equipment, were in most cases executed with a partner who had the required capacity. However, this arrangement could not yield the desired results because most of the projects’…

11 Nov

Paratus grows footprint to 15 countries

Observer Money

Staff Writer Telecommunications network services provider Paratus Group has launched “Paratus 500” following its expansion into seven new African markets this year. The new markets include Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. With the expansion, Paratus is now licensed to operate in 15 African countries. This makes the Group one of the first pan-African telecom companies to cover over 500 million people south of the equator, representing more than one-third of Africa’s population and GDP. Paratus 500 connects all 15 licensed operations through a single, contiguous telecom network. The infrastructure includes terrestrial fibre routes, subsea cable landings, and…

11 Nov

FNB Namibia appoints Minnaar as operations head

Observer Money

Staff Writer FNB Namibia has appointed Carpio Minnaar as head of operations. With more than 15 years of experience in business optimisation, operations leadership, and regulatory compliance, Minnaar brings expertise from the banking, ICT and telecommunications sectors. He has held senior and executive roles at Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), Nedbank Namibia, and MTN Business Solutions. Known for aligning operations with business goals, Minnaar’s leadership will strengthen FNB Namibia Retail’s operational efficiency and service delivery. As head of operations, he will provide strategic and tactical direction while overseeing the management of the retail segment’s operations. His focus areas include improving efficiency,…

10 Nov

PSC boss found guilty of pocketing public funds …Jacobs’ fate to be decided in Keetmanshoop this month

Main

Allexer Namundjembo The High Court has found the chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Salmaan Jacobs, guilty of corruption in a case that dates back more than a decade. High Court judges Naomi Shivute and Marilize du Plessis delivered the judgement on Friday, ruling that Jacobs contravened section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2003, which prohibits public officials from using their position for personal gain. The case against Jacobs began with investigations in 2007, when he served as chief regional officer of the ||Karas Regional Council. This followed allegations that he irregularly claimed allowances and approved payments to…

10 Nov

Immanuel declares magistrates’ strike unlawful

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has declared the ongoing strike by magistrates illegal. He ordered them to return to work immediately. In a letter dated 9 November 2025 to Magistrates’ Commission chairperson Boas Uusiku, Immanuel acknowledged the magistrates’ frustration over delayed housing and vehicle allowances but stated that there was no legal basis for the nationwide strike. Immanuel instructed the commission to provide a legal justification for the industrial action, warning that the strike would be considered unlawful without valid grounds. "As minister of justice and labour relations, I could not find a legal basis…

10 Nov

Namibia seeks N$270 billion to meet climate targets by 2030

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia will require about US$15 billion, or roughly N$270 billion, to achieve its climate mitigation and adaptation goals by 2030. She noted that most of this funding will rely on international support. Speaking at the COP30 Heads of State Summit in Belém, Brazil, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the country's adaptation efforts in agriculture, water, health, biodiversity and infrastructure will require about US$6 billion (around N$108 billion), with 90% expected to come from external sources. She said mitigation measures are estimated to cost about US$9 billion (roughly N$162 billion), with 10% expected to be financed locally. “In…

10 Nov

IPC candidate’s resignation throws Ogongo Constituency into uncontested territory

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The resignation of Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) candidate Ndalikutya Arkeleus Shonena has left the Ogongo Constituency in the Omusati region without a contested race. This might clear the way for Swapo's Daniel Iilende to secure the council seat unopposed. In his resignation letter dated Friday, Shonena wrote, “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down and discontinue my membership with the IPC in order to pursue new personal and political directions.” Shortly after resigning from the IPC, Shonena joined the Swapo Party. His withdrawal, though politically surprising, is allowed under Namibia’s electoral law. Corporate governance expert…

10 Nov

Justice Ministry asks lawyers to help to resolve labour cases

National News

Justicia Shipena The executive director in the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Audrin Mathe, has called on the legal fraternity to help clear over 475 pending labour arbitration cases. He said the backlog represents delayed justice for both workers and employers. He was speaking at the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) Gala Dinner held in Windhoek on Friday. “We are currently facing a backlog of over 475 unresolved labour arbitration cases. This is not just a number; it represents over four hundred and seventy-five instances of delayed justice for workers and employers alike. Justice itself is crying out for…

10 Nov

Diamond factory to help Namibia compete in global market

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the new Ankit Gems Namibia Diamond Cutting and Polishing Factory will strengthen the country’s manufacturing base. She added that it will also promote resource diversification and create jobs for young people. Her remarks were delivered on her behalf by the acting minister of industries, mines and energy, Frans Kapofi, during the factory’s inauguration in Windhoek on Friday. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the project aligns with the country's priority of adding value to natural resources. “This plant will not only strengthen our manufacturing base but will also be instrumental for the diversification of our natural resources and…

10 Nov

Onamatanga residents finally taste clean water

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The people of Onamatanga in the Omusati region no longer have to drink salty water after the official commissioning of the Onamatanga Water Supply Scheme on Friday. The N$15 million project by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform was officially launched by minister Inge Zaamwani. She said the new system would bring lasting relief to residents who have struggled for years with unreliable and saline water sources. “For too long, the people of Onamatanga had access only to salty water,” Zaamwani said. She added that the project provides a long-term and sustainable solution…