Blog – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

19 Jan

Swapo asks exile protesters to leave its HQ

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa has asked protesters camping outside the party’s national headquarters in Windhoek to vacate the premises by Tuesday morning. This follows talks involving senior officials from the United Nations (UN) regarding funds for the repatriation process from exile. In a notice to vacate issued on Sunday, which states that all tents and belongings must be removed from the premises by 10h00 on Tuesday. The demonstrators, led by Joseph Amutenya, are Namibians who returned from exile under UN supervision in 1989. They have been camping at the headquarters since 22 October 2025. They demand clarity…

19 Jan

Farmers unhappy over wage rules on fringe benefits

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Agricultural Employers’ Association (AEA) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Labour’s stance on in-kind fringe benefits for farm workers, which must be provided in addition to the new National Minimum Wage (NMW). The association says it will continue discussions with the ministry and has called for proper consultation to avoid further job losses. From this month, the minimum cash wage for farm workers has increased from N$10 to N$14 per hour. However, existing in-kind benefits remain compulsory. These include housing with water and sanitation, as well as one of three food or land options. The options…

19 Jan

Construction recovery remains uneven

Observer Money, Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s construction sector remains on a cautious but uneven path, shaped by improving financial conditions and ongoing structural constraints, according to Simonis Storm’s Namibia Building Statistics for December. Lower inflation and a gradually easing interest-rate environment are providing some relief. However, weak investment pipelines, policy uncertainty and capacity constraints continue to limit a broad-based recovery. Municipal building plan data shows a mixed regional picture. In Windhoek, approved building plans rose by 13% year-on-year in December 2025 to 169 approvals. Month-on-month approvals fell by 4%. On a quarterly basis, Windhoek recorded 543 approved plans in the fourth quarter of…

19 Jan

NSX closes week lower as overall index declines

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) closed the week ending 16 January 2026 on a mixed note, with the Local Index edging slightly lower while overall market activity remained steady. The NSX Local Index closed at 808.31 points on Friday, down slightly from 808.64 points at the end of the previous week. The index moved within a narrow range throughout the week, reflecting limited price movement in locally listed shares. The NSX Overall Index ended Friday at 2,174.39 points, down from 2,184.55 points a week earlier, following softer performances in some dual-listed stocks. Trading activity increased during the week.…

19 Jan

Standard Bank introduces free swipes, ATM withdrawals

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has introduced a new pricing structure aimed at making banking more affordable and accessible, effective 1 January 2026. Under the new model, customers can make point-of-sale (POS) purchases for free and receive three free ATM withdrawals per month. The bank said the changes are intended to lower banking costs and encourage secure, card-based transactions. Nolan Angermund, Personal and Private Banking Product Head at Standard Bank Namibia, said the initiative forms part of the bank’s wider effort to simplify banking and promote financial inclusion. “Free swipes and free withdrawals are just the start of our commitment…

19 Jan

FNB Namibia awarded top employer award

Observer Money

Staff Writer FNB Namibia has been named a Top Employer in Namibia and Africa for 2026 by the Top Employers Institute, marking the second consecutive year the bank has received the recognition. FNB said the certification reflects its focus on building a high-performing organisation through data-driven people strategies, independent assessment and practices that support business performance, employee engagement and growth. Commenting on the award, Isdor Angula, chief human capital officer at FirstRand Namibia, said the recognition “reflects our commitment to our people, which is unwavering. It demonstrates the consistency and intentionality of how the organisation invests in its people.” “It…

18 Jan

What are we doing wrong with education?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

A.Shipena Secondary School has given Namibia a moment to celebrate. Emerging as the only public school in the Khomas region to place in the national top ten in the 2025 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) examinations, ranking seventh nationally, is no small achievement. Principal Moses Haufiku’s pride is justified. His words reflect not just institutional success but community spirit. “A community which works together can excel in so many other aspects,” he said, adding that A.Shipena brings a distinct “Katutura flavour” to excellence. In a country desperate for positive education stories, A.Shipena is a beacon. But while we…

18 Jan

Letshego, Nedbank offer lowest banking fees

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Letshego Bank Namibia and Nedbank Namibia charge the lowest fees on basic bank accounts, according to the Bank of Namibia’s Banking (BoN) Fees and Charges Comparison report for December 2025. The report highlights fees and services offered to Basic Bank Account (BBA) holders by local banks. It shows that Letshego Bank Namibia and Nedbank Namibia charge N$4.70 when BBA clients transfer money through the cellphone banking (USSD) channel. First National Bank Namibia offers free point-of-sale purchases for all clients, including BBA holders. Bank BIC, Bank Windhoek and Standard Bank Namibia allow free internal and external debit order payments…

18 Jan

Paladin Energy bullish on December quarterly results

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy Limited will release its quarterly results for the period ended 31 December 2025 next week Wednesday. The results will be published on the Australian Securities Exchange and made available on the SEDAR+ platform. Paladin is listed on the ASX, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the OTCQX, and is registered as an external company in Namibia. The company will host a quarterly results conference call after the release. At its annual general meeting in November, Paladin said the global uranium market outlook remains strong, supported by rising demand for nuclear energy linked to energy security concerns and…

18 Jan

Tsodilo verifies rare earth and critical minerals at Botswana project

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Tsodilo Resources Limited has verified the presence of significant rare earth elements and critical minerals at its 100%-owned Gcwihaba Metals Project in northwest Botswana. The company said mineralisation was confirmed at the C26 and C27 targets following diamond core drilling. These targets were first identified as geophysical anomalies through ground magnetic and gravity surveys. C26 and C27 are high-grade geological exploration targets, known as skarn anomalies, identified during drilling. They contain cobalt along with rare earth elements, copper, nickel and vanadium. Tsodilo said drilling intersected skarn-hosted rare earth mineralisation at depths of between 20 and 50 metres below…