Blog – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mondesa Clinic reopens after year-long fire closure

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Mondesa Clinic in Swakopmund reopened its doors on Monday. The clinic had been closed for a year after a fire caused extensive damage to the facility. The Ministry of Health and Social Services confirmed the reopening, saying renovation work has been completed and all health services have been restored. The Erongo Regional Council’s directorate of health and social services cleared the clinic for use following repairs. Erongo health director Anna Jonas thanked the Mondesa community for its patience during the closure and apologised for the inconvenience caused. “We are pleased to announce that the renovations have been completed…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Shore Runners Club grows coastal running community

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Shore Runners Club was formed in March 2025 and is growing into a recognised running community along the coast. It brings together runners of different ages and abilities around health, fitness and a shared identity. The club is the fourth formal running group in the coastal towns, following Walvis Bay Road Runners, Swakopmund Striders and BRG Running Club. Its formation followed a simple observation that many runners were active but lacked structure. “Before the club’s formation, many runners were active on the streets but lacked a shared structure and identity,” said co-founder and chairman Sydney Nuwuseb. “Shore…

05 Feb

OBSERVER COASTAL | Report sees N$40bn FPSO industry for Namibia

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia could position itself as Africa’s leading hub for the engineering and servicing of floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO), with China identified as a key strategic partner to drive the plan, according to a new industry report. The 2025 report by the Namibian Association for Offshore Oil and Gas Service Providers, authored by its founder Knowledge Ipinge, sets out a strategy that could create an FPSO-linked industrial sector valued at between N$25 billion and N$40 billion a year by 2035. The report estimates that the sector could generate more than 10 000 direct and indirect jobs.…

05 Feb

Petroleum Amendment Bill: dead on arrival?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Petroleum Amendment Bill is back before the National Assembly, retabled on Wednesday by the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse. On paper, it is presented as a technical adjustment to Namibia’s petroleum governance framework. In substance, however, it represents a profound shift of power, one that would allow the President of the Republic to grant and revoke oil and gas rights. From the very onset, it is clear that this bill will be vehemently opposed. Not because Namibians are anti-development, nor because they are hostile to investment in oil and gas, but because the bill raises serious…

05 Feb

Beyond ritual: Reconnecting Namibia’s state with its people

Featured, Opinions

A public reflection on Namibia’s governance week PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Every system of governance that is born without clarity about the role of each actor creates a silent war within the state. That war makes no noise, but it paralyses the country. As Namibia formally opens the three arms of the state, namely the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary, for the 2026 working year, the moment calls for more than constitutional observance. It calls for reflection. Not only by leaders, but by citizens as well. A fundamental question must be asked: how…

05 Feb

Andrada unlocks N$160m for Brandberg West project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining Limited has cleared the main conditions required to unlock the first US dollar investment under its earn-in agreement with BWCAM Limited for the development of the Brandberg West project in Namibia. The company said the conditions were met following its announcement on 21 January 2026, triggering the first stage of the staged earn-in partnership. BWCAM is an affiliate of ACAM LP. As a result, Andrada expects to receive about N$160 million, equivalent to around US$10 million, in the coming days to fund the initial development of Brandberg West. Once the funds are received, BWCAM will hold…

05 Feb

Australian trading halt hits firm behind Opuwo Cobalt Project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Celsius Resources Limited was required this week to request a halt in the trading of its securities on the Australian Securities Exchange after discovering errors in certain cleansing notices issued by the company. The company said the notices incorrectly stated that it was compliant with Chapter 2M of Australia’s Corporations Act 2001. The non-compliance relates to an administrative oversight linked to the resignation of a previous auditor in 2011, when the company was still known as View Resources Limited. Celsius Resources holds a 95% interest in the Opuwo Cobalt Project in northern Namibia. The project is described by…

05 Feb

South Africa joins Afreximbank with US$8bn economic plan

Observer Money

Staff Writer South Africa has formally acceded to the Establishment Agreement of the African Export-Import Bank, marking its official entry into the Bank’s membership. The move follows the South African Parliament’s approval of the accession in 2025 and confirms a strategic partnership between the country and Afreximbank. South Africa becomes the 54th state to join the bank, strengthening cooperation aimed at expanding trade and investment across the continent. To activate the partnership, Afreximbank will roll out major financial support in South Africa. This includes a new US$8 billion country programme aimed at supporting economic growth. The programme focuses on industrial…

05 Feb

Namcor and partners host offshore oil and gas masterclass

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namcor, in partnership with SBM Offshore and the Namibia Youth Energy Forum, hosted an FPSO masterclass at the Namcor Auditorium on Tuesday. The session was facilitated by Thomas Lorin, FPSO Framing Manager at SBM Offshore. It focused on Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units, a key part of offshore oil and gas development. The masterclass covered FPSO design, construction and operations and offered practical insight for industry professionals and young Namibians interested in the energy sector. More than 110 people attended the event, including Namcor staff and members of the youth community. SBM Offshore country manager Matthieu Jeannin…

05 Feb

Orion consortium eyes stake in Glencore’s DRC assets

Observer Money

Staff Writer Glencore plc has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the US-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium for the possible sale of a 40% stake in its Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) mining assets. The agreement covers Mutanda Mining and Kamoto Copper Company, both located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The proposed transaction is expected to value the two assets at a combined enterprise value of about US$9 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Orion CMC would acquire a minority strategic stake, while Glencore would retain operational control. Mutanda Mining and Kamoto Copper Company would continue…