Blog – Page 28 – Windhoek Observer

13 Nov

Ben 10 allegedly defrauds 82-year-old pensioner

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Post Limited (Nampost) will release a report on the case of 82-year-old pensioner Petrina Shikela from Katutura in Windhoek, who lost thousands of dollars after a “Ben 10” was listed as her husband and beneficiary. “Ben 10” is a slang term used to describe a young man in a romantic relationship with an older woman. According to Windhoek social justice activist Shaun Gariseb, the young man allegedly withdrew money from her account without her permission. Gariseb told the Windhoek Observer that a meeting with Nampost management and the chief executive officer will take place on Thursday…

13 Nov

OBSERVER DAILY | The presidency must speak clearly or risk losing the nation’s confidence

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

In a move that sent shockwaves through parliament and beyond, the newly appointed interim minister of Mines, Hon. Frans Kapofi, announced that the government intends to urgently amend the Petroleum Act of 1991. The proposed changes, we are told, would grant significantly greater powers to the President in matters of petroleum licensing and oversight, an area already fraught with political tension and public scrutiny. On the surface, the intention might be practical: to streamline decision-making, enhance accountability at the top, and ensure strategic control over Namibia’s increasingly vital oil and gas sector. But the reaction in Parliament and among the…

13 Nov

OBSERVER COASTAL | Koevoet claims stir Walvis Bay election race

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The race for seats on the Walvis Bay Local Authority has taken a personal turn, with Sharon Roodt, a candidate for the Joint Walvis Bay Residents Association (JWBRA), facing questions over her military background. Roodt has denied allegations linking her to the Koevoet counterinsurgency unit, describing the claims as a political witch-hunt aimed at discrediting her. She confirmed that she served in the South African Defence Force (SADF) and later applied to join the Namibian Defence Force but said she was never part of Koevoet. Koevoet was a paramilitary police unit that operated during South Africa’s illegal occupation…

13 Nov

OBSERVER COASTAL | Teen team from Walvis Bay dominates Erongo football league

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Desert Foxes Football Club, a team of teenagers from Walvis Bay, are gearing up for the FNB Women Super League playoffs. They earned their spot after finishing an unbeaten run to win the 2024/2025 NamPort Erongo Women Football League title. Founded and funded by coach Baron Brown, the team finished their season without a single loss, winning 16 of their 18 matches and drawing two. They scored 95 goals, collected 50 points, and ended with a goal difference of +94. Their defence, led by goalkeeper Albertina Mbuka Amoonga, was key to their dominance. Amoonga conceded only one…

13 Nov

OBSERVER COASTAL | Namport celebrates port users

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) celebrated its partners and clients on Saturday during the Annual Port Users and Stakeholders Dinner in Walvis Bay under the theme “Collaborate to Elevate”. The event recognised top-performing companies and small businesses for their contributions to port operations and growth. In the revenue-based category, awards went to Woker Freight Services (Pty) Ltd, Logistics Support Services (Pty) Ltd, Sturrock Grindrod Maritime (Pty) Ltd, Trade Ocean Shipping (Pty) Ltd, and Mediterranean Shipping Co. Namibia. For volume-based performance, Walvis Bay Salt Refiners (Pty) Ltd, Puma Energy Namibia (Pty) Ltd, Woker Freight Services (Pty) Ltd, Walvis Bay…

13 Nov

THE TIDE LINE | Time to bring the fishermen’s saga to an end

Featured, Opinions

For months now, the plight of the fishermen from Namibia’s Erongo region has remained a painful reminder of the unfinished business in our fisheries sector. This week, when a group of these men once again journeyed from the coast to Windhoek to hand over a petition to the Minister of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Land Reform, it was not merely another act of protest; it was a cry of fatigue, frustration, and hope. These are people who once powered the fishing industry of Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, and Henties Bay, an industry that is both the pride and lifeblood of coastal…

13 Nov

Parliamentary committee calls for fast-tracking of finance bill

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Ministry of Finance must work with Parliament to fast-track the Public Finance Management Bill to ensure that the country's public debt remains sustainable, the chairperson of the Parliamentary standing committee on economy and industry, public administration and planning has said. Shiimi called for close monitoring of Namibia’s reclassification by the World Bank to a lower-middle-income status. He urged the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade to finalise and table the International Trade Management Bill and the Investment Promotion Bill while strengthening collaboration with the private sector to boost job creation. These recommendations are contained in a report tabled…

13 Nov

Informal sector needs safety nets

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The deputy governor of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Ebson Uanguta, has described the informal economy as a reflection of the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Namibians. Speaking at the launch of the diagnostic report on informality in Namibia in Windhoek this week, Uanguta said the sector operates without enough safety nets or protections. He warned that the report should not become a document that gathers dust but should drive real change. “For the majority of Namibians, the informal sector is the economy,” he said. “We can no longer afford to plan in the dark. This report offers…

13 Nov

Consultants back ECC approval for Twin Hills project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Osino Gold Exploration and Mining (Pty) Ltd has updated its final environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping report for the proposed abstraction of groundwater from the Kranzberg Aquifer in Usakos, Erongo region. The project aims to secure a reliable water source for the Twin Hills Gold Mine, located about 25 kilometres northeast of Karibib, without affecting the surrounding environment or local communities. Twin Hills is Namibia’s third and newest gold mine, with a lifespan of 13 years and over 2 million ounces in reserves. The mine represents a total investment of US$475 million and is expected to produce 162…

13 Nov

Standard Bank and NIFA open market doors for entrepreneurs

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia, in partnership with the Namibia Investment and Finance Academy (NIFA), will host the Market Access & Trade Opportunity Evening today in Windhoek. The event aims to equip Namibian entrepreneurs and MSMEs with practical knowledge and connections to expand their trade networks, improve competitiveness, and access new markets across borders. It forms part of the Standard Bank Blue Growth Series, an initiative focused on driving SME growth, financial inclusion, and sustainable entrepreneurship in Namibia. The session is open to the public and not limited to Standard Bank clients. It targets both formal and informal businesses involved…