Blog – Page 15 – Windhoek Observer

05 Sep

Japan donates ambulances as shortages persist

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Japanese government has donated three fully equipped truck ambulances to Namibia’s ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) to strengthen emergency medical response. The handover took place in Windhoek on Thursday. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the donation comes at a critical time when many regions continue to face ambulance shortages. “An ambulance is more than just a vehicle; it represents hope, urgency, and the ability to save lives when every second matters,” Luvindao said. She described the donation as “a gift of health, dignity, and renewed strength for our emergency medical system.” The ministry confirmed…

05 Sep

Hamutumwa scammed by fake student plea

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ohangwena regional governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has revealed that she was recently defrauded through an eWallet scam. Speaking during a community engagement at Endola on Thursday, Hamutumwa said she was contacted by someone claiming to be a student stranded in Namibia after attending their father’s funeral. The individual said they were studying at Cavendish University in Zambia and needed money to return. “The person texted me saying they came to Namibia for the father’s funeral, and the family was not willing to assist with funds for going back,” Hamutumwa said. “At first, I ignored the messages, but the…

05 Sep

Education ministry confirms site for Ndama East school

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of education has confirmed that land has been allocated for the construction of a new school for learners of Ndama East Primary School in Rundu. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the education executive director, Erastus Haitengela, said consultations were held with the community before the Ndama South site was legally allocated by the Rundu Town Council. The site measures 75 000 square metres. “In contrast, the currently occupied ground is not legally registered. The two sites are 900 metres apart, which falls within the accepted planning standards for school establishment,” Haitengela said. The announcement…

05 Sep

City warns against disruptions at public meetings

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has warned against disruptions at its 2025/2026 public meetings, saying the gatherings are meant for dialogue on service delivery and development, not political lobbying. The first meeting was held on 3 September at the Rocky Crest Multi-Purpose Centre for the Windhoek West Constituency. According to the municipality, most residents engaged constructively, but “a few individuals deliberately attempted to disrupt the proceedings.” “These meetings are convened to provide a platform for open engagement between the council and the community on developmental and service delivery matters, not as an avenue for lobbying or political campaigning,” the…

05 Sep

Swedish envoy visits SADC Parliamentary Forum

National News

Moses Magadza The newly appointed minister counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria, Kristian Olsson Selerud, has hailed parliaments in the SADC region as the “beating hearts of democracy”. He spoke on Tuesday during his first official visit to the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Windhoek, Namibia. “If our parliaments don’t function, neither the executive nor the judiciary can do their work. Parliamentarians are there to represent and serve the people, and their role is indispensable,” Selerud told SADC PF staff at the Forum’s Secretariat and project…

05 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | GIPF-backed home loans: Hope or hidden risk?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

For many Namibians, home ownership remains more of a dream than a reality. The numbers are sobering: a housing backlog of 300,000 units, more than 200,000 shacks in Windhoek alone, and an average three-bedroom house in the capital costing around N$1.2 million. Against this backdrop, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has launched its Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS), which will take effect next January. The scheme allows civil servants and other GIPF members to use up to one-third of their pension savings as collateral for a home loan. On paper, it promises cheaper financing, easier access, and the dignity…

05 Sep

Santam Namibia adds N$675m more to group earnings

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Santam Namibia contributed N$675 million to the revenue of Santam Limited in South Africa for the financial year ended 30 June 2025, up from N$600 million in 2024. The group reported conventional insurance net earned premium growth of 16% to N$17.9 billion, with a net underwriting margin of 11.3% compared to 6.5% in June 2024. The alternative risk transfer (ART) business recorded a profit before tax of N$417 million, up from N$326 million a year earlier. Santam said it delivered a strong first-half performance, exceeding long-term targets across key financial indicators. An interim dividend of 590 cents per…

05 Sep

DBSA commits N$2.1b in loans to Namibia

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has committed just over N$2.1 billion in development loans to the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) for the year ended 31 March. The funding forms part of DBSA’s ‘Rest of Africa’ portfolio, which recorded N$6.5 billion in loan commitments across several countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania and Senegal. Namibia’s allocation highlights DBSA’s support for regional integration and infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). DBSA funding targets key sectors such as water, energy, transport, ICT and social infrastructure. In July 2024, TransNamib confirmed it had met all conditions to…

05 Sep

Barloworld takeover awaits NaCC approval

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The takeover of Barloworld, which owns Barloworld Namibia, by Newco is awaiting competition approvals in Namibia, COMESA and Angola. In Namibia, mergers are approved by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC). “The filings in these jurisdictions have been submitted to the relevant authorities and the parties are working towards obtaining these approvals as soon as possible,” Barloworld announced. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February. On 26 August, the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority informed the two companies that it had unconditionally approved the implementation of the Newco offer. “The parties therefore confirm that the standby…

05 Sep

Chamber of Mines supports value addition

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has clarified that it supports the government’s plan to add value to minerals in the country. CEO Veston Malango clarified in an interview with Observer Money that the Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports local value addition to all minerals produced in Namibia to grow the economy and create jobs. He said Chamber had already in June 2023 welcomed the cabinet decision on the understanding that cabinet was referring to the ban on the export of mineral ores, meaning ores of all the minerals mentioned in the cabinet decision. Malango said the…