Blog – Page 10 – Windhoek Observer

19 Jan

Public offices still lack sign language services

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Sign language interpretation services in Namibia remain inadequate despite recent progress, the National Association of Deaf Adults (NNAD) has said. Responding to questions on the status of sign language integration last week, NNAD said initiatives such as the Namibian Sign Language App (NAMSLAP) have improved access, especially in schools. It said many deaf Namibians still face barriers when accessing public services. “The landscape of sign language interpretation in Namibia presents both progress and persistent challenges,” the association said, noting that NAMSLAP was rolled out with support from the UN Democracy Fund and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). NNAD…

19 Jan

Admission to university does not guarantee funding – Steenkamp

National News

Staff Writer The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture says admission into a tertiary institution does not automatically guarantee government funding. Education minister Sanet Steenkamp on Friday clarified how the subsidised tertiary funding model will apply for the 2026 academic year. Steenkamp said funding decisions under the subsidised tertiary funding model will continue to follow the existing eligibility rules used by the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), despite the expansion of subsidised education. “Being admitted into a tertiary institution does not automatically guarantee funding, but funding decisions will be guided by the existing, transparent requirements,” Steenkamp…

19 Jan

Gazza eyes job creation through local business ventures

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Kwaito artist Lazarus "Gazza" Shiimi has ended a brief venture related to the international defence sector and is now refocusing on music and local business projects in Namibia. Shiimi said the separation from a UAE-based manufacturer of armoured vehicles and security equipment was amicable and followed limited support from local stakeholders. He said the decision allows him to focus on areas where he can have a direct impact on youth development and economic growth at home. “When an opportunity arises that could potentially build skills and industry for our people, I believe in exploring it fully. The aim…

19 Jan

TURNING POINT | Which Namibia are we? A nation at war with its own imagination

Featured

“The younger cousin declared that one day he will own his own airline with five planes. The older cousin laughed uncontrollably and said, ‘Look at you and where you are. Just an hour ago you were asking for taxi money, and now you’re making embarrassing exclamations about your life.’ Clearly deflated, the younger cousin fell silent. I then asked the elder cousin, still living in his parents’ house in the village, holding a tertiary qualification, but moving from one drinking hole to another, what his plans were. Without hesitation he said, ‘Well, I tell you, cousin, one day when I…

19 Jan

No more hostage politics: Namibia must close the liberation claims era

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The latest declaration by the Former Refugees Repatriation Association of Namibia (FRRAN) that it will escalate its demands to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should concern every Namibian who cares about the country’s future governance. Former refugees, camping at Swapo headquarters since October last year, insist that United Nations funds meant for their resettlement in 1989 were handed to Swapo and never paid to them. The United Nations denies this. Swapo’s records deny this. Yet the protest continues, and a new political audience is now being sought. At the same time, liberation struggle veterans, despite decades of gratuities, pensions, land allocations, business…

19 Jan

Swapo asks exile protesters to leave its HQ

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has asked protesters camping outside the party’s national headquarters in Windhoek to vacate the premises by Tuesday morning. This follows talks involving senior officials from the United Nations (UN) regarding funds for the repatriation process from exile. In a notice to vacate issued on Sunday, which states that all tents and belongings must be removed from the premises by 10h00 on Tuesday. The demonstrators, led by Joseph Amutenya, are Namibians who returned from exile under UN supervision in 1989. They have been camping at the headquarters since 22 October 2025. They demand clarity…

19 Jan

Farmers unhappy over wage rules on fringe benefits

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Labour’s stance on in-kind fringe benefits for farm workers, which must be provided in addition to the new National Minimum Wage (NMW). The association says it will continue discussions with the ministry and has called for proper consultation to avoid further job losses. From this month, the minimum cash wage for farm workers has increased from N$10 to N$14 per hour. However, existing in-kind benefits remain compulsory. These include housing with water and sanitation, as well as one of three food or land options. The options…

19 Jan

Construction recovery remains uneven

Observer Money, Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s construction sector remains on a cautious but uneven path, shaped by improving financial conditions and ongoing structural constraints, according to Simonis Storm’s Namibia Building Statistics for December. Lower inflation and a gradually easing interest-rate environment are providing some relief. However, weak investment pipelines, policy uncertainty and capacity constraints continue to limit a broad-based recovery. Municipal building plan data shows a mixed regional picture. In Windhoek, approved building plans rose by 13% year-on-year in December 2025 to 169 approvals. Month-on-month approvals fell by 4%. On a quarterly basis, Windhoek recorded 543 approved plans in the fourth quarter of…

19 Jan

NSX closes week lower as overall index declines

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) closed the week ending 16 January 2026 on a mixed note, with the Local Index edging slightly lower while overall market activity remained steady. The NSX Local Index closed at 808.31 points on Friday, down slightly from 808.64 points at the end of the previous week. The index moved within a narrow range throughout the week, reflecting limited price movement in locally listed shares. The NSX Overall Index ended Friday at 2,174.39 points, down from 2,184.55 points a week earlier, following softer performances in some dual-listed stocks. Trading activity increased during the week.…

19 Jan

Standard Bank introduces free swipes, ATM withdrawals

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has introduced a new pricing structure aimed at making banking more affordable and accessible, effective 1 January 2026. Under the new model, customers can make point-of-sale (POS) purchases for free and receive three free ATM withdrawals per month. The bank said the changes are intended to lower banking costs and encourage secure, card-based transactions. Nolan Angermund, Personal and Private Banking Product Head at Standard Bank Namibia, said the initiative forms part of the bank’s wider effort to simplify banking and promote financial inclusion. “Free swipes and free withdrawals are just the start of our commitment…