Blog – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

08 Dec

Standard Bank wraps up MSME blue growth programme

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has concluded the blue growth series, a four-month micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) capacity-building pilot that supported 40 Namibian micro, small and medium enterprises across various sectors. The programme ended with a closing event at the bank’s headquarters, highlighting the progress made by participants as they moved from early-stage potential to investment-ready businesses. Launched in August 2025, the programme attracted 695 applicants. It was designed to equip MSMEs with structured training, mentorship, and internationally recognised certifications from institutions such as Harvard Manage Mentor and Bloomberg Finance Lab. Of the 297 MSMEs that qualified, 45%…

07 Dec

The limits of courtesy: What modern diplomacy requires and classical diplomacy provides

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) The analysis of minister Selma Ashipala-Musayi’s response to the United Kingdom’s concerns offers a lens through which to examine how diplomacy itself has evolved and what this evolution means for states navigating an increasingly complex global environment. While the minister’s position reflects honourable and historically significant diplomatic virtues, the global system in which these virtues operate has transformed. This episode illustrates a broader lesson for contemporary foreign policy: classical diplomatic principles remain necessary, but they are no longer sufficient. Diplomacy has shifted from a state-centric model to a networked system…

07 Dec

Afrikaans adaptation of The Office to premiere in January

Uncategorised

Staff Writer Showmax is producing a South African adaptation of the global comedy hit The Office, licensed by BBC Studios. The new series, titled Die Kantoor, is filmed mainly in Afrikaans. kykNET will air a preview of the first episode at 20:00 on Sunday, 18 January, ahead of the Showmax double-episode premiere on Tuesday, 20 January. It has been more than 20 years since the world was introduced to the mockumentary style of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Metacritic lists the original British version as the best-reviewed comedy series of all time. The American version won…

07 Dec

Anirep records N$16 million loss

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (Anirep) has recorded a loss before taxation of N$16.8 million for the interim period, compared to a loss of N$5.8 million last year. The group said the loss was driven by the timing of interest expense recognition after capitalisation stopped on some facilities and by higher funding deployed before full revenue ramp-up. The group’s asset base rose to N$1.2 billion as of 31 August, up from N$1 billion in the same period last year. No interim dividends were declared or paid. Anirep said the commissioning of the Khan Moses Mague //Garoëb PV…

07 Dec

Simonis Storm says monetary easing begins to filter through

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Simonis Storm Securities says the Bank of Namibia’s monetary easing cycle is slowly filtering into the real economy, even as short-term credit growth shows signs of cooling. Simonis Storm economist Almandro Jansen said the October 2025 data points to a more measured phase in the credit cycle. Private sector credit extension eased to 4.7% year-on-year in October from 5.9% in September. Both households and corporates pulled back on borrowing. Jansen linked the slowdown to tighter liquidity conditions after the government’s Eurobond repayment, which temporarily shifted funds away from private-sector lending. “Even with the moderation, PSCE remains above the…

07 Dec

Alexforbes revenue rises despite volatile conditions

Uncategorised

Chamwe Kaira Alexander Forbes Namibia (Alexforbes) reported 2% growth for the six months ended 30 September, driven by higher administration, consulting and advice fee revenue. The company said the increase was partly offset by lower asset-based income following the implementation of direct asset management fees from South Africa. Alexforbes has initiated a process to decommission legacy fund administration platforms and consolidate its administration systems throughout South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The company said the project, launched in mid-2025, is progressing on schedule and is expected to improve client experience, deliver cost efficiencies and support scalability over the medium to long…

07 Dec

DBSA sees profit surge amid tough global climate

Uncategorised

Staff Writer The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) says the global economy remains sluggish, even though the impact of recent global trade tariffs has been smaller than expected. The bank said reciprocal tariffs disrupted trade, raised geopolitical tensions and increased the cost of doing business. Across Africa, economic prospects have improved slightly, but high debt continues to weigh on governments. DBSA warned that debt repayments are diverting funds away from development and social services, putting long-term growth at risk. In South Africa, the bank described the economic environment as fragile. Growth is held back by weak investment, persistent unemployment,…

07 Dec

Standard Bank grows revenue while keeping costs in check

Uncategorised

Staff Writer Standard Bank Group says its performance for the ten months to 31 October 2025 stayed in line with the trends reported in the first half of the year. The bank said its full-year guidance remains unchanged. In a voluntary trading update, the group said the economic environment across its sub-Saharan African markets showed easing inflation and lower interest rates. Nigeria, Angola and Ghana recorded more stability following economic reforms, while Malawi and Mozambique continued to face high levels of sovereign stress. South Africa also experienced lower inflation and interest rates, with the central bank cutting rates by 100…

07 Dec

Supreme Court finds no evidence to overturn Rehoboth Baster kaptein election

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court has this week dismissed an appeal by aspiring Rehoboth Baster traditional leader Rynault van Wyk, who wanted the court to overturn the 2021 election of kaptein Herbert George Britz. Van Wyk lost the election and argued that the process was irregular, unfair and not conducted under the Baster Paternal Laws of 1872. The election took place on 24 April 2021 after the deaths of kaptein John McNab in October 2020 and acting kaptein Barney Buys a month later. Cyril Pienaar was then appointed acting kaptein and formed an election committee to organise the vote. Van…

07 Dec

Investigation clears ex-Walvis Bay Corridor boss of sexual harassment…company confused over employment status of complainant

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) has asked one of its employees to clarify whether she has resigned or is still employed at the organisation. This comes after an independent investigation found no evidence to support allegations she made against senior management. The instruction is contained in a letter dated 24 November 2025 from acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute. The letter is addressed to project officer Verna Tjivera. Shivute said the organisation is still unsure of her [Tjivera's] employment status, even though she is on the payroll. WBCG, he said, commissioned an independent investigation into her case,…