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9 February, Namibia’s Constitution Day: The Constitution was followed, but democracy was bent

9 February, Namibia’s Constitution Day: The Constitution was followed, but democracy was bent

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Every 9 February, Namibia marks Constitution Day with speeches, symbolism, and celebration. Yet a constitution is not honoured by ritual alone. Its true test lies not in anniversary tributes, but in how faithfully it restrains power, protects dignity, and guides governance when political interests are at stake. Constitution Day should therefore be less about comfort and more about conscience. The constitutional amendments of 2014 were a masterstroke executed not against the Constitution, but through it. Their camouflaged protagonists acted lawfully, strategically, and with full awareness of the consequences, including by…
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TVET is not a second choice or for failures; it is a path to success – Let us not discourage a boy child or girl child from pursuing TVET

TVET is not a second choice or for failures; it is a path to success – Let us not discourage a boy child or girl child from pursuing TVET

Daniel Ndayamohamba Every office, hospital, church, road, and public facility you see today has been made possible by hard-working individuals who chose Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Beyond engineers and architecture, it is the general workers, electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, mechanics, IT technicians, and bricklayers who keep our society functioning. TVET practitioners are key contributors to development. Yet, despite their impact, a damaging misconception persists that TVET is a fallback choice for those who did not qualify for university. It is time to challenge this mindset and recognise TVET as a respected and essential pathway to success. A…
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Reclaiming the narrative: Why Africa must own its biological future

Dr Taime Sylvester Africa is one of the richest biorepositories on Earth, holding extraordinary microbial diversity, vast traditional medicinal knowledge, and populations that have, for centuries, contributed biological samples, genomic data, and indigenous expertise to the global health enterprise. Yet when vaccines are developed, drugs reach the market, and patents are filed, Africa is rarely at the table where the rewards are divided. From the negotiating floors of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to the benchtops of laboratories at universities, the same pattern repeats: African biological resources flow outward, and the benefits – whether they be intellectual, economic or strategic…
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Access Bank bid to buy Bidvest Bank collapses

Access Bank bid to buy Bidvest Bank collapses

Chamwe Kaira Bidvest Group Limited has terminated its proposed sale of Bidvest Bank Holdings Limited to Access Bank plc after conditions precedent were not met by the agreed long stop date. Access Bank is seeking a banking licence in Namibia. In a voluntary announcement, Bidvest said the sale and purchase agreement included customary regulatory approval conditions.  While both parties worked to secure the required approvals, these conditions were not fulfilled within the contractual timeframe, leading to the termination of the transaction. Bidvest said the strategic rationale behind the restructuring of its Financial Services division and the decision to dispose of…
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FNB warns CashPlus agents against extra charges

FNB warns CashPlus agents against extra charges

Staff Writer FNB Namibia says it is concerned about reports that some CashPlus agents are charging extra fees or setting conditions before allowing customers to withdraw or deposit cash. The bank said these practices are not allowed. The bank said CashPlus was introduced to promote financial inclusion by bringing basic banking services closer to communities across Namibia, especially in areas with limited access to bank branches.  Through the service, customers can withdraw and deposit cash safely and conveniently within their communities. FNB said the CashPlus model is designed to benefit both customers and agents. Agents receive a commission directly from…
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Standard Bank launches Sustainability Academy

Standard Bank launches Sustainability Academy

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has launched the Sustainability Academy, a free online learning platform aimed at helping Namibian businesses build resilience and adopt climate-smart practices. The bank said the academy is designed to close sustainability knowledge gaps by offering practical guidance that businesses can apply in day-to-day operations.  As environmental, social and governance performance increasingly shapes investment decisions and trade relations, the platform seeks to help companies transition sustainably while remaining competitive. Speaking at the launch, Gerhard Mukuahima, head of agribusiness at Standard Bank Namibia, said sustainability has become an economic requirement rather than a voluntary choice.  He said…
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Africa Bitcoin’s subsidiary raises N$100 million

Africa Bitcoin’s subsidiary raises N$100 million

Chamwe Kaira Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited, which is listed on the Namibian Securities Exchange (NSX), has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Altvest Credit Opportunities Fund Limited (ACOF), has concluded definitive agreements to issue new notes valued at N$100 million. The private placement was executed under ACOF’s N$5 billion domestic medium-term note programme.  The transaction represents a further drawdown under the programme and forms part of the group’s funding and capital management strategy. The company said the new notes will be listed on the Cape Town Stock Exchange on 16 February 2026. Subject to the terms and conditions, the notes…
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Nedbank Group expands bond programme to R75 billion

Nedbank Group expands bond programme to R75 billion

Staff Writer Nedbank Group Limited has expanded its Domestic Medium-Term Note programme to R75 billion, up from R40 billion, following amendments aimed at meeting updated regulatory and disclosure requirements. The bank said the changes are set out in the amended and updated DMTN Programme Memorandum dated February 4, 2026, which replaces the previous memorandum issued on 8 February 2019. Nedbank originally established the R40 billion programme to issue secured or unsecured notes, as well as subordinated or unsubordinated instruments, from time to time. The revised memorandum reflects both the increase in programme size and a broader update of the document.…
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Dutch Roman law in Namibia: A legal heritage that must serve Namibian realities

Dutch Roman law in Namibia: A legal heritage that must serve Namibian realities

Sakaria Johannes Namibia’s legal system, rooted in Roman-Dutch law, remains one of the most enduring legacies of colonialism. While political independence was achieved in 1990, the law that governs land ownership, labour relations, and family definitions largely predates independence and was never designed to address African social realities. This raises an unavoidable question: does Roman-Dutch law still serve Namibia’s developmental and social needs, or does it quietly preserve historical injustice under the guise of legal continuity? Roman-Dutch law offers undeniable strengths. It provides legal certainty, institutional stability, and a judiciary that commands respect both locally and internationally. These features have…
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Beifang denies labour dispute at Husab Mine

Beifang denies labour dispute at Husab Mine

Renthia Kaimbi Beifang Mining Technical Services says there is no labour dispute at the Husab Mine and that operations have returned to normality.  Beifang said employees have returned to work after complying with a revised shift roster and that operations are proceeding normally.  This comes amid reports from employees at the mine who spoke on conditions of anonymity that workers are being suspended due to a new roster put in place.  “Employees have returned to work and operations are proceeding normally. There is no ongoing labour dispute,” the company said. However, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) says the suspensions…
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