Blog – Page 30 – Windhoek Observer

27 Feb

Petroleum Amendment Bill: much ado about nothing!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro It is not its intrinsicality that has attracted Yours Truly Ideologically’s attention to the ongoing debate in the National Assembly over the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill. But the attendant hullabaloo in the august house, especially against the position and disposition of some would-be honourable members from respective sides of the house’s aisle as it would be. Positions and dispositions that, on the face of it, seemed diametrically opposed to one another. But unfortunately on close observation, they seem not so much fundamentally and ideologically. Depending on any member’s blind political loyalty instead of conscious ideology and/or…

27 Feb

Response to the editorial: “Defending the defenders of the Law”

Opinions

Paul T. Shipale (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Protecting Justice Without Redesigning Power: A Reflection on Judicial Security, Executive Incentives, and Constitutional Balance the tragic death of Prosecutor Justine Shiweda is a national wound. She was a regional control prosecutor at the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court, a senior prosecutorial position indicating that she likely managed a significant caseload while supervising other prosecutors. She indeed stood at the front line of criminal accountability. No magistrate. No prosecutor. No judicial officer should face mortal danger for fulfilling a constitutional duty. In this regard, both the president and the chief justice said…

26 Feb

Beifang must not put profits before people

Editorial, Featured

At the heart of the latest labour unrest at Beifang Mining Technology Services (BMTS) at the Husab project is a question far larger than shift rosters or bonus formulas. It is a question about corporate citizenship, respect for Namibian labour law, and whether profitability can ever justify practices that workers experience as punitive and unfair. BMTS, a contractor operating at the Husab Mine, has in recent weeks found itself once again at odds with its workforce and the Mineworkers' Union (MUN). While earlier tensions centred on a revised shift roster that led to the dismissal of approximately 11 workers, the…

26 Feb

What will be inside Erica’s purse?

Main, National News

Chamwe Kaira All eyes will be on revenue projections when finance minister Erica Shafudah tables the 2026/27 national budget in Parliament today, as economists warn that limited income growth could force tough spending decisions. Capricorn Group chief economist Floris Bergh said the key issue will be how much revenue the government expects to collect in the 2027 financial year. He noted that the October 2025 estimate projected almost no growth, with revenue at N$90.5 billion. “If that is still the case, expenditure will have to be curtailed decisively; otherwise, the deficit will balloon to a confidence-eroding level that will be…

26 Feb

Psemas transition sparks capacity questions

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A member of parliament has raised concerns about the readiness of the public health system ahead of the planned transition of senior public servants to public facilities from 1 April 2026. Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) gave a notice of questions directed at the government, asking whether hospitals can absorb the expected influx of senior officials currently covered under the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas). The reform follows a directive by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah requiring senior government officials to use public healthcare facilities. Mbinge-Tjeundo said public hospitals already face overcrowding, staff shortages and…

26 Feb

Beifang workers oppose sick leave bonus cuts

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Workers at Beifang Mining Technology Services at the Husab Project are challenging a bonus policy that links sick leave to incentive payments. The dispute follows the company’s introduction of a new shift roster on 3 February. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations has confirmed the roster's lawfulness and compliance with Namibia's Labour Act, according to management. The change triggered unrest among workers. Soon after the new roster took effect, the company recorded a rise in sick leave. An internal memorandum shows that between 3 and 22 February, employees recorded 322 sick leave days. Management described the figure…

26 Feb

Fisheries agency chief warns on AI sovereignty

National News

Renthia Kaimbi As Namibia continues to battle illegal fishing in its Exclusive Economic Zone, chief executive officer of the Fisheries Observer Agency, Stanley Ndara, says the country must adopt artificial intelligence to strengthen monitoring, but he warns against losing control over critical systems. Ndara said AI can play a key role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. He stressed that technology alone is not enough without strong governance. “However, there is a caveat to this, and it relates to AI governance and trust,” Ndara warned in an interview with the Windhoek Observer. Namibia currently uses monitoring, control, and surveillance…

26 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | The Rössing marathon marks 35 years in Swakopmund

National News

Renthia Kaimbi On 7 March, runners will gather in Swakopmund for the Rössing National Marathon. This year’s race marks 35 consecutive years of partnership between Rössing Uranium and the Swakop Striders Running Club. Organisers expect about 4,500 runners to take part. The partnership began in 1991. A group of Rössing employees who shared a love for running formed the Swakop Striders Running Club. They approached the mine with a proposal to host a marathon. That decision laid the foundation for what has become one of the longest-running sporting collaborations in Namibia. Swakop Striders Secretary Frank Slabbert has been involved in…

26 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | NCS leaders meet in Swakopmund for retreat

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Senior managers of the Namibian Correctional Service met in Swakopmund this week for a biannual management retreat aimed at strengthening leadership and improving service delivery. The retreat took place at the Swakopmund Mile 4 Hotel. It started on Monday, 23 February 2026 and ended on Wednesday. NSC commissioner general Raphael Tuhafeni Hamunyela led the gathering. He described it as a space for reflection and strategic focus. He said the goal was to create time for reflection, renewal, and refocusing so that leaders could provide quality service to the Namibian people. Hamunyela stressed the importance of leadership development and…

26 Feb

Major tax hikes unlikely in budget

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Major tax rate increases are unlikely in the 2026/27 budget, as broad hikes could weaken economic recovery in a low-growth environment. Standard Bank Namibia head of tax Adeline Beukes said the government is unlikely to raise tax rates sharply when finance minister Ericah Shafudah tables the budget in Parliament today. “In recent years, we have seen tax relief measures aimed at supporting consumers, including adjustments to personal income tax brackets announced by former finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, as well as pension-related tax amendments that are still to be promulgated. Corporate tax has also been gradually reduced from 32%…