Blog – Page 17 – Windhoek Observer

13 Nov

Boko pushes for local power and renewable growth

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira President Duma Boko has emphasised Botswana's commitment to strengthening its energy independence and improving its investment climate. He outlined steps to boost local electricity generation, expand renewable energy, and modernise infrastructure to attract investors. Speaking during the state of the nation address, Boko said Botswana’s current electricity demand stands at 700 megawatts (MW) at peak and 450 MW nominal, with about 65 to 70% supplied locally and the rest imported. To ensure a secure energy supply and build export capacity, the government is scaling up both renewable and thermal power generation. Under its renewable energy drive, Botswana is…

12 Nov

Chief magistrates could pocket over N$1m monthly ….…MJAN accuses Immanuel of blocking pay deal with ‘non-existent’ law

Main

Renthia Kaimbi and Allexer Namundjembo Chief magistrates could earn a total package of about N$1.02 million per year, according to the proposed salary scales for magistrates across the country, detailed in a letter by the Magistrates Commission. This includes an annual salary of N$653 212.49, bonuses of N$54 434.37, a housing allowance of N$153 816, and a car allowance of N$162 201. The deputy chief magistrate could take home a total package of roughly N$969 000 per year. This includes a basic salary of N$625 642.81, bonuses of N$52 136.90, a housing allowance of N$142 104, and a car allowance…

12 Nov

Omaruru Swapo candidate’s ‘I am not corrupt’ speech backfires

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A Swapo party candidate who recently publicly said she was “not a corrupt person” now finds herself entangled in a corruption scandal. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of former Omaruru mayor and current Swapo candidate for the Omaruru Constituency, Hendrina Magano Gebhardt. She was charged for allegedly using her position in 2012 to secure a municipal job for her brother. ACC's interim spokesperson Marina Matundu said Gebhardt violated the Anti-Corruption Act of 2003 by instructing the then chief executive officer of the Omaruru municipality to appoint her brother. “Our investigation established that Ms Gebhardt…

12 Nov

AR pushes education minister to deregister DHPS

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament George Kambala has called on the minister of education Sanet Steenkamp to take action against the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek (DHPS) following recent racial incidents that sparked national outrage. In a notice of question tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Kambala called on the minister to consider deregistering the school. Section 79(1)(a) of the 2020 Basic Education Act empowers the minister to revoke a private school's registration if it engages in racial, ethnic or religious discrimination. “It is unacceptable that an educational institution operating under Namibian law continues to be associated…

12 Nov

Henties Bay residents fume over prepaid water meter plan

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has defended the nationwide rollout of prepaid water meters. He said the move is necessary as local authorities owe NamWater about N$3.5 billion. Sankwasa told the Windhoek Observer that he fully supports local authorities installing prepaid meters as part of efforts to settle the growing water debt. His comments follow rising anger in Henties Bay, where the compulsory installation of 3 500 prepaid meters has triggered protests. “Any local authority that goes to put water meters now has my full support. Because we have to pay the N$3.5 billion debt to…

12 Nov

IPPR report says two laws could transform government openness

National News

Justicia Shipena The overlap between the Access to Information (ATI) Act and the Public Procurement Act (PPA) could improve transparency and accountability in government spending. This is according to the latest edition of the procurement tracker report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). As the government prepares to appoint an information commissioner, which will mark the start of fully implementing the ATI law, the report said the framework could reshape how information is managed in the public sector. This includes procurement systems that have long faced issues of secrecy and non-compliance. Both laws mandate the release of key…

12 Nov

Rethinking leadership as a posture

Featured, Opinions

Esther Shakela Leadership is influence. This is the one definition that scholars across the world, such as John C. Maxwell, amongst others, agree on. To lead is to sway those who are led towards the achievement of a common goal. The use of the word “sway” in this context is deliberate because leadership, though often positively used, can be negatively employed. After all, rebel groups, for example, have leaders too. Despite the fact that influence is not exactly synonymous with loud, the attributes often attached to the accepted brand of effective leadership are charisma and visibility. The louder you are,…

12 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | Tribalism has no place in the hearts of Namibian youth

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

There are moments in a nation’s story that unite us, moments when pride transcends tribe, language, and region. One such moment is upon us. Johanna Swartbooi, Miss Namibia 2024, is halfway across the world representing our beautiful country at the Miss Universe pageant. She carries not only her grace and intelligence but also the hopes and dreams of an entire nation. Yet, instead of celebrating her achievement, some Namibians have chosen to shame and ridicule her. What a disgrace. In the age of supposed enlightenment, where the Namibian youth are expected to be the torchbearers of progress, inclusion, and unity,…

12 Nov

Informal sector now worth N$240.5 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s informal economy contributes about US$13 billion (approximately N$240.5 billion) in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms and remains one of the largest drivers of employment and income in the country. According to the national informal economy, startups and entrepreneurship development policy (NIESEP), the informal economy contributed an estimated 24.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, roughly US$8 billion (N$148 billion) in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. By 2025, this share has grown to 26.5%, equal to about US$13 billion. The informal economy also employs about 58% of the country's workforce, making it a central part of the…

12 Nov

Mining sector ends Q3 on an optimistic note

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s mining sector showed mixed but steady performance in September as global economic conditions remained fragile. This is according to the Chamber of Mines of Namibia’s monthly mining update for September. Despite trade disruptions and higher tariffs, uranium and gold continued to drive growth and sustain export earnings, confirming the sector’s importance to the national economy. “While the global outlook remains uncertain, Namibia’s mining industry continues to show resilience,” said Veston Malango, chief executive officer of the Chamber of Mines. “Strong uranium and gold performance, coupled with investor confidence in our critical-mineral potential, positions Namibia well for long-term…