Blog – Page 39 – Windhoek Observer

09 Mar

Dialogue must move Namibia from courtesy to concrete action

Editorial, Featured

In a political age increasingly defined by polarisation, spectacle and hardened ideological lines, the decision by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to engage the leadership of opposition parties is a gesture that deserves recognition and encouragement. Democracy does not thrive merely through elections; it flourishes through constant conversation between those who govern and those who challenge power. Since assuming office in March 2025, Nandi-Ndaitwah has initiated consultations with leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly, including the official opposition, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), led by Panduleni Itula. She has also met representatives from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)…

09 Mar

Oryx interim results lifted by Platz am Meer income

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Platz am Meer in Swakopmund made its first earnings contribution to Oryx Properties in the group’s interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2025. Oryx acquired the shopping centre on 30 June 2025. The company said the results were supported by disciplined capital management and the first-time contribution from Platz am Meer. The group increased its interim distribution by 11.4% to 58.50 cents per linked unit. Net rental income grew by 16.8%. The interest cover ratio remained at 2.2 times. Over the 12 months to 31 December 2025, Oryx recorded a total annualised return of 13.1%.…

09 Mar

Nictus expects higher first-half earnings

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Nictus Holdings Limited has advised shareholders that it expects higher earnings for the six months ended 31 December 2025. In a trading statement issued in line with the Namibian Securities Exchange listing requirements, the company said earnings per share (EPS) are expected to range between 62.65 cents and 74.39 cents for the period. This represents an increase of between 6.77% and 26.77% compared with the 58.68 cents reported for the six months ended 31 December 2024. Nictus said headline earnings per share (HEPS) are expected to be between 62.18 cents and 73.76 cents. This reflects an increase of…

09 Mar

Deep Yellow advances Tumas uranium project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow Limited says it continues to monitor developments in the global uranium market as it advances its flagship Tumas uranium project in Namibia. The company said supply and demand imbalances and growing interest in nuclear energy remain key factors influencing the timing of a final investment decision for the project. During the six months ended 31 December 2025, Deep Yellow focused on its strategy to position itself as a diversified uranium producer. Work during the period included progress on the Tumas Project in Namibia, metallurgical test work and feasibility studies at the Mulga Rock Project in Western…

09 Mar

Hollard Namibia launches gap cover for medical shortfalls

Observer Money

Staff Writer Hollard Namibia has launched Hollard Gap Cover as private healthcare costs continue to rise faster than inflation and salary growth. Medical aid often covers basic healthcare costs but does not always settle the full cost of services. “When this happens, members may face shortfalls between what their medical aid pays and what healthcare providers charge, leaving families to cover the difference out of pocket,” the company said. The company said these shortfalls can become more common as healthcare costs increase and medical aid funds try to balance affordability and the sustainability of benefits. Hollard Gap Cover is designed…

09 Mar

NHP prioritises prevention to manage rising health risks

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia Health Plan (NHP), the largest medical aid fund in Namibia with about 80 000 members, says it will place a stronger focus on preventative healthcare to protect member health before illnesses become severe and costly to treat. The fund said it is seeing more cancer cases, including among younger people, as well as rising mental health conditions linked to stress. This approach forms part of NHP’s strategy to move beyond the traditional role of paying medical claims and to support members through early detection, wellness education, health risk management and timely intervention. NHP’s preventative healthcare programme includes…

09 Mar

JSE earnings exceed R1 billion in 2025

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The JSE Limited has reported record financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, with net profit after tax exceeding R1 billion for the first time. Net profit after tax rose 16.7% to R1.07 billion from R918 million in 2024. Headline earnings per share increased 17.7% to 1,328.9 cents from 1,128.6 cents the previous year. Earnings before interest, tax and depreciation increased by 15.5% to R1.38 billion. Return on equity improved to 22.0% from 20.2% in 2024. The exchange generated net cash from operations of R1.23 billion, up 12.3% from the previous year. The board increased the…

09 Mar

Geopolitical tensions expose economic vulnerabilities

Observer Money

It would be difficult to overstate the degree to which the global trading environment has deteriorated in early 2026. What began as a series of distinct geopolitical tensions – the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict, deepening US-China rivalry, and the steady ratcheting up of protectionist trade measures – has now converged into a single, compounding set of risks. The US-led military strikes on Iran in late February and Tehran’s subsequent declaration of war have added a volatile and unpredictable dimension to an already fragile global order. For a small, open, commodity-exporting economy like Namibia, these developments are not abstract. They transmit directly…

09 Mar

FirstRand says weaker dollar will support economies

Observer Money

Staff Writer FirstRand Limited says high commodity prices, a weaker US dollar and policy easing by the US Federal Reserve will support the macroeconomic environment in many of the countries where the group operates. The bank said this outlook remains in place despite geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty in major global economies. In Namibia, the FirstRand Namibia Group owns FNB Namibia and RMB Namibia. FirstRand said the macroeconomic environment in South Africa is improving during the second half of the financial year. Progress on structural reforms continues, including measures that allow more private sector investment and the creation of more…

06 Mar

Riruako calls for land quota for dispossessed communities

National News

Justicia Shipena The chief of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), Hoze Riruako, has proposed that the government consider a quota system to allow communities that lost land during colonial rule to access land again. Riruako made the proposal during a courtesy meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Thursday. He said the proposal aims to address the long-standing issue of ancestral land without creating fear among other Namibians. “What we wanted to see reflected, especially in the national development plan, is a quota system that will allow those who have been completely disenfranchised of their land to get…