Blog – Page 32 – Windhoek Observer

29 Oct

NNN tasks Kapofi with stabilising mines and energy ministry

Main

Justicia Shipena The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete. She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals. The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…

29 Oct

Magistrate rules state evidence insufficient to keep Willemse detained

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor supply and logistics manager Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse has become the third accused to be granted bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday set his bail at N$200 000. Windhoek Magistrate Olga Muharukua ruled that Willemse’s continued detention was not in the interest of justice. She said the state failed to present enough evidence showing that he was likely to interfere with investigations or witnesses. “There is no evidence before this court to suggest a serious risk of interference with investigations or with witnesses,” she said. “Further, the court is…

29 Oct

President says she fired Ithete for defying oil moratorium

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on oil deals. On Sunday, she dismissed Ithete from the Cabinet, removing him from his roles as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy. She then assumed control of the ministry until a replacement was appointed. Speaking in a video that surfaced from her closed-door address to ministry staff on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ithete went against her directive on upstream oil activities. “There seem to be things happening in…

29 Oct

Mix Settlement relocation nears completion

National News

Justicia Shipena At least 80% of residents from Mix Settlement have been relocated to pave the way for the construction of essential services. This is part of the area's ongoing formalisation and upgrade project. City of Windhoek councillor Fransina Kahungu reported that 68 out of 84 households have been moved to make way for roads, a sewer network, and residential plots outlined in the area’s layout plan. She revealed this information during a public meeting held on Monday with the residents of the area. She said the City of Windhoek has invested N$1.7 million in installing 25 toilets and N$1.3…

29 Oct

Namibia among Africa’s top five passports

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has ranked among Africa’s top five countries for global mobility in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. It joins Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, and Botswana in offering citizens greater travel access. The latest index places Namibia 62nd globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 81 destinations. The government attributes this progress to strong foreign policy and targeted diplomatic engagement that has improved the country’s global reputation. While Namibia’s access remains below Seychelles with 156 destinations and Mauritius with 151, its steady climb is notable. The improvement reflects growing international confidence in Namibia’s political stability and regional cooperation. The…

29 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The five-year investor visa: A bold step toward a more competitive Namibia

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s recent announcement of a five-year visa for serious investors marks a decisive and forward-thinking step in Namibia’s quest to become a truly competitive investment destination. Speaking at the launch of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum in Windhoek, the President not only underscored her administration’s recognition of the bureaucratic barriers that discourage investment but also signaled a broader philosophical shift, from gatekeeping to gateway. For years, investors have lamented Namibia’s slow, paper-heavy, and often frustrating visa and business registration processes. The President’s call for a simplified, investor-friendly visa regime acknowledges this bottleneck and proposes a solution aligned with…

29 Oct

UK firm takes 5% stake in Andrada

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining Limited has announced that JLE Newco Ltd, a company registered in Lichfield, United Kingdom, has acquired a 5% shareholding in the company. The acquisition follows an internal restructuring within the corporate group of the ultimate beneficial owner. According to a regulatory filing submitted to the UK Financial Conduct Authority, JLE Newco now holds 83.7 million voting rights, representing 5% of Andrada Mining’s total issued share capital. The transaction crossed the reporting threshold on 14 October 2025, and the company was notified on the same day. The filing asserts that no other entity controls JLE Newco, nor…

29 Oct

Curro shareholders to vote on takeover and delisting

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Curro Holdings Limited has announced progress in the planned acquisition of all its issued shares by Jannie Mouton Stigting, which will lead to the company’s delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange once the transaction is finalised. Curro released an update this week, confirming that they have met most of the suspensive conditions outlined in the circular to shareholders. The company has secured all necessary regulatory and third-party approvals, with the exception of clearance from the competition authorities, to whom it made submissions in September. The company confirmed that approvals have been received from its debt funders, including Standard…

29 Oct

FirstRand buys 20% Stake in global Fintech Optasia

Observer Money

Staff Writer FirstRand Limited has acquired a 20.1% stake in Channel VAS Investments Limited, trading as Optasia, one of the world’s largest artificial intelligence-driven fintech platforms serving emerging markets. The deal comes as Optasia prepares for its initial public offering and marks a strategic move by FirstRand to expand its reach in digital financial services and financial inclusion. Optasia operates in 38 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, providing financial access to millions of underbanked and unbanked consumers. Using mobile data and AI, the company enables microloans and digital financial products at scale, allowing consumers to access credit…

29 Oct

Standard Bank to host governance and risk breakfast

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia will host its first Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Breakfast Connect on 31 October under the theme “Building Resilience: One Brick at a Time.” The event will bring together industry leaders, risk professionals, and community stakeholders to discuss institutional resilience while raising funds for the bank’s Buy-a-Brick initiative, which supports low-income families in securing permanent housing. Paulina Iiyambo, senior manager for IT audit at Standard Bank Namibia, said the breakfast reflects the bank’s belief that governance, risk and compliance are strategic enablers of sustainable growth. “To be truly effective, these disciplines must operate in concert,…