Blog – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

02 Dec

Namibia’s agriculture, mining sectors face sharp divergence

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s primary industries are set for a mixed year in 2025, with deep losses in agriculture contrasting with a strong rebound in uranium mining, according to the Bank of Namibia’s December 2025 Economic Outlook Update. The Bank of Namibia projects a 4.2% contraction in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector in 2025, a widening from the 2.7% decline in 2024. The drop is driven mainly by a steep fall in livestock farming, which is expected to shrink by 22.5% as farmers work with reduced herds and limited feed after the 2024 drought. Despite the expectation of an improvement…

02 Dec

O&L confident in turnaround for Kraatz and Hangana units

Observer Money

Staff Writer The O&L Group says it remains confident in the recovery of businesses facing challenges, including Kraatz, Hangana Seafood and Hangana Abalone. The group says its strength lies in resilience and a clear long-term vision. “While each of our businesses looks different, our vision remains the same, and that is what it’s all about: a celebration of the authentic, caring and passionate businesses, leaders and teams behind the success of O&L,” chief experience officer Franziska Rüeck said. “Let us continue to build on this momentum as we step confidently into the next phase of our Vision 2029.” Founded in…

02 Dec

Namdeb partners with government to protect wildlife

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namdeb has strengthened its partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) by funding the establishment of a patrol camp in the Hardap National Park. The company donated N$280 000 for the camp, which will serve as the base for the wildlife protection service team recently deployed to the park. At the handover, Namdeb’s environmental manager, Nandeshasho Nickanor, said the company’s purpose of mining for good extends beyond diamonds. “By partnering with MEFT to establish this patrol camp, we are strengthening Namibia’s frontline defences against poaching and contributing to a shared national vision of safeguarding our…

01 Dec

A slap in the face to Trump: The EU-AU summit declaration hits US interests

Africa / World, Featured

In the final declaration of the 7th EU–AU Summit, adopted on November 25, 2025, in Luanda under the chairmanship of Angolan President João Lourenço, there is a passage about “volatility of tariffs and uncertainty in trade policy” that in Washington will almost certainly be perceived as a direct and undisguised criticism of the United States. The tariffs are quite unambiguously contrasted here with the “stability and predictable rules” that Europe supposedly offers to African countries. “We emphasise that growing uncertainty in trade policy and tariff volatility in global trade pose a challenge to the world economy. In this context, trade…

01 Dec

Nearly 10 000 votes rejected in regional and local elections

Main

Allexer Namundjembo A total of 9 458 ballots were rejected in the 2025 regional and local authority elections. Of these, 5 946 were rejected in the regional council election and 3 512 in the local authority election. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) completed the release of verified results for all 120 constituencies in the regional council elections over the weekend. Out of 1.49 million registered voters, only 609 013 cast their ballots. For the 59 local authority elections, 752 043 voters were registered and 272 942 voted. The ECN said it will review the high number of rejected ballots…

01 Dec

Court stops govt from shutting down deduction system

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The High Court has directed finance minister Ericah Shafudah not to interfere with the loading of new deductions onto the government’s payroll deductions management system (PDMS). The order, issued by High Court deputy judge president Hannelie Prinsloo on Friday, blocks the ministry’s plan to stop all new deductions on the system. Prinsloo granted permission for the PDMS to continue its operations until the hearing of the review application on 6 March 2026. The decision does not prevent the government from taking over the system later. The finance ministry plans to discontinue the use of deduction codes that allow…

01 Dec

Opposition falls one seat short of taking over Windhoek council

National News

Justicia Shipena The opposition parties needed just one more seat to regain control of the Windhoek Municipal Council. Instead, Swapo’s majority has closed the door on any chance of an opposition-led coalition for the next term. Swapo secured eight seats in the 2025 local authority elections, giving the party a clear majority and the power to steer the council without relying on other parties. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) won three seats, while Affirmative Repositioning (AR), Landless People's Movement (LPM), Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and United Democratic Front (UDF) each secured one seat. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the numbers…

01 Dec

Misfortune and tragedy follow Sankwasa’s team… as minister mourns his driver and bodyguard

National News

Renthia Kaimbi A series of painful events has struck the office of urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, ending in a fatal accident that claimed the lives of his designated driver and bodyguard. The chain of events began last month when Sankwasa’s official vehicle was broken into and his mobile phones were stolen. The incident raised concerns about security around Sankwasa. Soon after, grief hit his personal assistant, whose son died by suicide. The child was buried last weekend. The most severe tragedy occurred on Friday evening. After dropping Sankwasa at his residence, his driver, 50-year-old Lukas Nangolo, and…

01 Dec

Kelp Blue boss to step down

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Kelp Blue Namibia’s managing director, Fabian Shaanika, will leave the company at the end of this month. His departure comes as the company continues its legal battle to register its seaweed-based fertiliser for sale in Namibia, a process that has been delayed since 2021. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) refused to register the product, citing missing documents such as a certificate of analysis from an accredited lab and a safety data sheet. Kelp Blue has challenged this decision in court, arguing that the ministry’s refusal is “unlawful, irrational and a breach of the…

01 Dec

Namibia says colonialism must be classified as international crime

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has called for the crimes of colonialism in Africa to be formally recognised under international law. The government says justice and reparations are long overdue. The appeal was delivered by international relations and trade minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the International Conference on the Crimes of Colonialism in Africa on Sunday. The conference is taking place in Algiers, Algeria, under the theme Towards Redressing Historical Injustices Through the Criminalisation of Colonialism. Ashipala-Musavyi said the meeting carries symbolic significance because Algeria has long been a pillar of anti-colonial solidarity. She said Namibia’s own history of resistance to colonial rule…