Blog – Windhoek Observer

04 Feb

Opposition wary as President pushes oil law changes

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the National Assembly to urgently consider proposed amendments to laws governing the country’s natural resources. Nandi-Ndaitwah said legislation related to natural resources must be treated with urgency, especially proposals that seek to ensure that the country’s wealth benefits many Namibians and not only a few. “The wealth generated in this country should benefit many of our people, not just a few,” she told parliamentarians as she officially opened the third session of the eighth Parliament yesterday. She said Parliament must ensure that Namibia’s natural resources are used responsibly and sustainably. She stressed…

04 Feb

Technology seen as answer to cancer care gaps

National News

Justicia Shipena Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) chief executive officer Rolf Hansen says technology and innovative service models must be used to close gaps in cancer care where human capacity is limited. Hansen made the remarks as Namibia joins the rest of the world today to mark World Cancer Day under the theme “United by Unique”. He said access to early screening and diagnosis remains difficult, especially in remote and rural areas, where patients often travel long distances to Windhoek for specialist care. He said technology can help reduce these barriers and shorten delays in treatment. “We acknowledge that receiving…

04 Feb

Walu Fishing has no legal right to quota – MAFWLR

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) says Walu Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd has no legal right to any fishing quota. On Monday, the ministry issued a statement responding to claims made in a social media video. It clarified that the company does not hold fishing rights under the Marine Resources Act and is therefore not legally entitled to receive any fishing quota. The ministry explained that Walu Fishing only participated in the Government Employment Redress Programme during the 2024 and 2025 fishing seasons under a special arrangement aimed at protecting jobs in the horse…

04 Feb

Windhoek residents urged to waterproof documents

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek has urged residents to prepare emergency kits and keep important documents in waterproof containers. The municipality also advised residents to know how to safely switch off electricity and gas supplies if evacuation becomes necessary. This follows a storm over the weekend in which the city said it recorded damages in the Khomasdal area. The municipality reported two weather-related incidents after a storm hit the capital on Saturday evening, 31 January 2026. The storm occurred between 21h00 and 22h00 and the incidents were recorded by the Emergency Operations Centre. On Sunday morning, the Emergency Operations…

04 Feb

Malaria cases climb to 8 760 in one month

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has recorded 8 760 confirmed malaria cases in the first four weeks of the year. This is a sharp rise from 5 229 cases reported during the same period last year, representing an increase of 68%. She said 604 malaria-related hospital admissions and 11 deaths have been recorded so far. Health and social services minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced this on Monday. She said the Ministry of Health and Social Services has identified 20 health districts that have exceeded the malaria epidemic threshold. These include Andara, Nyangana, Kamagoro, Nkurenkuru, Eenhana, Ongela, Okongo, Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Tsumeb,…

04 Feb

Parliament at a crossroads: choose law-making over theatre

Editorial, Featured

The official opening of the third session of the eighth Parliament by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah signals more than the start of a new legislative calendar. It represents a moment of reckoning for Namibia’s Legislature, a chance to reset, to refocus, and to recommit itself to the serious business of governance. The President’s address was firm but measured, and its underlying message was unmistakable: Namibians are watching Parliament closely, and they expect results, not spectacle. Her call for members of Parliament to strengthen their role in advancing inclusive development and participatory democracy was timely. Across the country, citizens are grappling with…

04 Feb

Namibia: Reimagining national identity beyond structural dependencies

Featured

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) “If tomorrow South Africa were to close its commercial borders, how many days would Namibia last?” The question is uncomfortable but necessary. It starkly exposes the structural fragility of an economy that, despite political and institutional stability, remains deeply dependent on external factors to ensure its basic functioning. Namibia is often presented as an African success story in terms of governance. However, this narrative overlooks an essential reality: the national economy remains poorly diversified, vulnerable to external shocks, and excessively anchored in asymmetric relationships inherited from the colonial past. A…

04 Feb

Customer-centric with insurance in the revolutionised digital era

Featured, Opinions

Martin Shaanika The winds of change are not coming; they are here. Across our nation, from the bustling streets of Windhoek to the tranquil vistas of the Zambezi, a digital revolution is reshaping how we live, connect and do business. For the insurance industry, this presents not just a challenge of technology but a profound imperative to re-centre on our core purpose: the customer. At Namforce, as a proudly 100% Namibian-owned company, we see this era not as a disruption to be feared but as an unparalleled opportunity to deepen trust, enhance value, and truly serve the people whose aspirations…

04 Feb

Capricorn Group warns of lower interim profits

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Capricorn Group Limited has warned shareholders that its financial performance for the interim period ended 31 December 2025 will be weaker than the prior year, mainly due to higher credit impairment charges and softer economic conditions in parts of its regional operations. In a trading statement issued in line with Namibia Securities Exchange listing requirements, the group said profit after tax, earnings per share and headline earnings per share are expected to decline by between 10% and 15% compared to the same period in 2024. The group said the expected decline is largely driven by increased credit impairment…

04 Feb

Tsodilo secures N$10.2m to fund mining projects

Observer Money

Staff Writer Tsodilo Resources Limited has raised about N$10.2 million through a non-brokered private placement to support its critical and rare earth metals projects. The company plans to ship its products through Namibia once mining begins. The financing closed on 2 February 2026 and generated gross proceeds of C$742,095, equal to about N$10.2 million. Tsodilo issued 4,947,297 units at a price of C$0.15 per unit, or about N$2.06 per unit. Each unit includes one ordinary share and one share purchase warrant. The warrants allow holders to buy one additional ordinary share over five years at an exercise price of US$0.15…