Blog – Page 14 – Windhoek Observer

25 Nov

Govt slips further into overdraft in October

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The government’s overdraft widened in October as the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) balance sheet contracted sharply. This follows the redemption of the US$750 million (approximately about N$13 billion) eurobond last month and the government’s decision to borrow more from domestic markets. The central bank’s statement of assets and liabilities for 31 October 2025 shows the government’s overdraft moved deeper into negative territory, widening to -N$1.438 billion from -N$4.8 billion at the end of September. This marks a significant month-to-month change in the government’s liability to the Bank of Namibia. During the same period, BoN's total assets dropped to…

25 Nov

‘Swartbooi called me a c*nt, so I spat on him’ — Coleman

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Former Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member and independent candidate in Keetmanshoop Vernon Coleman says the confrontation with LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi began after Swartbooi insulted him. Coleman told the Windhoek Observer that Swartbooi called him a ‘c*nt’, which led him to confront him [Swartbooi]. He said he spat on Swartbooi and reacted because Swartbooi had repeatedly referred to him as a drug dealer at campaign rallies. The incident took place in Keetmanshoop yesterday. Two years ago, LPM terminated Coleman’s membership with immediate effect, hours after he led a protest against LPM Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency councillor Joseph Isaack. The…

25 Nov

Mining giant BHP drops latest bid to buy rival Anglo American

Observer Money

BHP has walked away from another attempt to take over rival miner Anglo American after it was again rebuffed, failing in a last-minute effort to disrupt the planned merger with Canadian mining business Teck Resources. The Australian mining company reportedly became interested in making another offer for FTSE 100-listed Anglo last week, more than a year after abandoning a £39bn attempt to buy the business. The latest failed overture comes as Anglo and Teck shareholders prepare to vote on their $53bn (£39bn) merger on 9 December. BHP confirmed on Monday it had held preliminary discussions with Anglo but that it…

25 Nov

SA introduces new infrastructure and development finance bond

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The national treasury of South Africa has introduced a new infrastructure and development finance bond. The announcement follows the statement made by finance minister Enoch Godongwana during the 2025 medium term budget policy Statement. The bond is designed to raise funds to finance or refinance projects under the government’s budget facility for infrastructure. Absa Bank Limited and Tysys Capital Group will act as co-arrangers for the transaction. The issuance will take place under the domestic multi-term note programme. Two senior unsecured instruments will be offered: RI2036, with a 10.3-year tenor and maturity date of 31 March 2036, and…

25 Nov

Standard Bank launches online vehicle finance calculator

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has launched a new online vehicle and asset finance calculator, giving customers an easy way to explore financing options from home. The tool lets users enter details such as vehicle price, deposit and loan term to see estimated monthly repayments instantly. The bank says it aims to bring more transparency and convenience to the car-buying process. Cicelia Hagen-Cloete, head of vehicle and asset finance at Standard Bank Namibia, said the tool is designed to support customers during the busy summer period. “Summer is all about freedom, and that includes financial freedom. Our new calculator empowers…

24 Nov

IPC’s 10% salary contribution rule pushes Benson to Swapo

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay Urban Constituency councillor Deriou Benson raised concerns about the Independent Patriots for Change's (IPC) requirement that office bearers contribute 10% of their salary to the party before leaving the party to join Swapo. His move took place yesterday during a Swapo door-to-door campaign in Narraville, Walvis Bay. Benson’s move comes only days before Wednesday’s local and regional elections. It happened one day after the IPC held a campaign event in Walvis Bay with party president Panduleni Itula on Saturday. Sources say his exit is a major setback for the IPC in Walvis Bay. They claim he…

24 Nov

Magistrates start strike today over delayed benefits

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia (MJA) has issued a formal strike notice. It says members will withhold their labour from today over the government’s prolonged and unexplained failure to implement improved benefits. The notice was sent to finance minister Ericah Shafudah, justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel, the Magistrates Commission and the office of the judiciary. It signals a complete breakdown in trust and communication following a court confrontation on 14 November. The dispute centres on the government’s failure to announce a corrected schedule for housing and vehicle allowances. The Magistrates Commission recommended the…

24 Nov

Special vote results locked until Wednesday

National News

Justicia Shipena No results from today’s special voting for the local and regional authority elections will be counted or released. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said all ballots cast today will remain sealed until voting closes on the main election day, 26 November. “In accordance with the procedures governing special voting, no counting of votes will take place immediately after the close of the poll on 24 November 2025,” Shaama said on Saturday. He added that special votes are sealed in authorisation envelopes and will only be opened and counted together with…

24 Nov

FIC boss warns against leaving illicit finance fight to NamRA alone

National News

Justicia Shipena Illicit financial flows (IFFs) cannot be left to the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) alone, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) director Bryan Eiseb has warned. He said treating IFFs as a narrow tax issue would be “a myopic approach” in today’s “business unusual” environment. He stressed that IFFs are a national development threat that requires coordinated action from all key institutions. Eiseb made the remarks on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of Namibia’s first cohort under the EU-funded SecFin Africa project. The one-year programme trained officials from the Bank of Namibia (BoN), NamRA and the FIC to address tax losses…

24 Nov

Welwitchia University celebrates 1 500 graduates

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Welwitchia University capped 1 500 graduates during its eighth graduation ceremony on Friday at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek. Welwitchia University chancellor and co-founder Scholastika Iipinge said the ceremony reflected the university’s growth and its role in developing Namibia’s workforce. “It is with immense pride and profound joy that we celebrate the achievements of 1 500 graduates. Your training has equipped you to drive purposeful and sustainable transformation in your fields and communities,” she said. The 2025 cohort included students from the faculty of health sciences and the faculty of law, commerce and education, as well as the…