Blog – Page 14 – News Stand

10 Apr

Tumas project delayed by two years

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Deep Yellow, which is developing the Tumas Project in Erongo Region, has said the construction schedule has increased from 18 to 24 months and production ramp-up has also increased from six months to a more conservative case of 15 months. The company said this schedule estimates wet commissioning will be completed within 24 months after Final Investment Decision (FID) decision, with ore processing and production ramp-up commencing thereafter. Deep Yellow said the first product into drums is anticipated approximately two months after ore processing commences. “The schedule estimated for Tumas is considered to be conservative and will be…

10 Apr

Namibia sports requires a standardised salary scale and strong governance

info_e12wt4csOpinions, Sports

Mathew Haikali Take a moment to think about the coaches, administrators, and volunteers who pour their time and energy into developing athletes and keeping the wheels of Namibian sport turning. Many of them do this with little certainty about their future, unclear pay expectations, and often without contracts that properly recognise their skills and qualifications. One of the biggest challenges in our sports sector—one that rarely gets the attention it deserves—is the lack of a standardised salary scale. Right now, hiring and firing in sports often feels random. There’s no consistency, no clear benchmarks tied to qualifications or experience, and…

10 Apr

Is the era of shacks marketability here?

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro LOOKS like those living in shacks in suburban Namibia, which euphemistically are defined by officialdom as informal settlements, not to mention in the rural areas where since the dawn of colonialism, shacks have been the only form of decent housing and settlement, they are here to stay forever. Telling from the latest push by the administration that has just been ushered in following the inauguration of Meme Netumbo Nandi-Ndeitwah (NNN) as President of the Republic of Namibia on the 35th anniversary of our independence on the 21st of last month. Barely a month after NNN’s announcement of her…

10 Apr

The silent struggle of the Namibian boy child

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Sakaria Johannes I was listening to a powerful and heartfelt speech by Namibia’s First Gentleman, General Lt. Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah. He was speaking about the need to uplift the boy child, a message that struck me deeply. In his voice, I heard the urgency, the concern, and the compassion of someone who sees the invisible struggles that many of our boys endure. lingered in my mind because they capture a growing truth in Namibian society, weare losing our boys, not all at once, but slowly, quietly, and tragically. Namibia, like much of Africa, is transitioning from a traditional African society…

09 Apr

Etunda Green Scheme boosts maize output

info_e12wt4csMain

Niël Terblanché The Etunda Green Scheme in the Omusati region has seen a rise in maize yields this year, with production increasing from an average of 7 tonnes per hectare to as much as 11 tonnes per hectare on some fields irrigated by pivot systems. According to acting farm manager Sackey Shilyomunhu, the outstanding turnaround follows much-needed repairs and replacement of equipment that had previously hampered operations. “The transformation is evident across the 450 hectares now allocated to commercial farming and 220 hectares for small-scale farmers—more than double the area under cultivation compared to last year,” he said. “This year,…

09 Apr

‘Creative industry is not a hobby’ – Tutjavi

info_e12wt4csNational News

Ester Mbathera Young lawmaker, Fenny Tutjavi, has called for the creative industry to be recognised as a vital sector of the economy capable of creating jobs and generating revenue. According to her, the creative industry is not a side hustle but has the potential to create jobs and make money for the country. “It is high time we stop treating the creative industry as a hobby sector. Arts, music, and media are not side hustles. They are industries,” she said. She said this during her maiden speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday. She said these industries can employ thousands,…

09 Apr

Havana, Hakahana residents decry open sewage trenches

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Residents of the Havana and Hakahana residential areas in Windhoek have raised alarm over open sewage trenches along the Hakahana-Havana Road and Peter Nanyemba (Monte Cristo) Road, calling the situation a serious public safety risk. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement said more than five vehicles have fallen into the trenches recently, with criminal activity around the sites also on the rise. AR Khomas regional chairperson Sem David said the unfinished road and sewage works have left the area unsafe for motorists, pedestrians, and children. “Children are seen playing inside the trenches. These…

09 Apr

Tiny heroes made a huge difference

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché A group of young learners from Penombili Private Primary School in Walvis Bay took action for the environment by organising a beach clean-up at Independence Beach. The initiative, spearheaded by the school’s principal, Francina Hidengwa, encouraged pupils to take pride in their surroundings while learning about environmental care. “We want to set a strong example for environmental stewardship within our community,” she said. Hidengwa described the day as both purposeful and enjoyable. “The clean-up effort not only contributed to a cleaner coastline but also served as a fun and educational outdoor activity,” she added. Hidengwa said the learners…

09 Apr

Pretorius Plant Hire workers down tools over wage dispute

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Employees of Pretorius Plant Hire Trust in Windhoek have downed tools in a legal strike led by the Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (NARETU), following a protracted wage dispute and what the union says is a breach of strike rules. NARETU’s commander-in-chief, Petersen Kambind, confirmed on Tuesday that the strike comes after wage talks between the workers and the company collapsed last year and were referred to the Office of the Labour Commissioner. Kambinda said the company has since attempted to use replacement drivers, a move he says violates the strike agreement signed by both parties. “This…

09 Apr

Cable theft costs City of Windhoek N$200 000 over three months

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The City of Windhoek has recorded a rise in cable theft and vandalism targeting municipal streetlights, resulting in losses estimated at N$200 000 between January and March this year. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said on Tuesday that about 130 incidents were reported during the first quarter of 2025. According to her, the most common method used involves suspects forcing open the inspection boxes at the base of streetlight poles to remove electrical cables. “They sell the streetlight steel covers and cables to the unregulated market of scrap metal dealerships,” Amutenya said. She explained that many of the incidents…