Blog – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

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…

13 Nov

Bank Windhoek launches wallet to wallet transfers

Observer Money

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has launched its EasyWallet On-Send feature, allowing customers to send money instantly from one EasyWallet to another. The feature, the first of its kind in Namibia, enables users to transfer funds even to people without bank accounts. After a successful soft launch earlier this month, EasyWallet On-Send is now available to the public through Bank Windhoek’s USSD Cellphone Banking menu. It is currently accessible to MTC mobile users and will soon expand to TN Mobile customers. To use the service, customers must complete a quick, one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) verification by entering their ID or…

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…