Blog – Page 49 – Windhoek Observer

04 Feb

RFA needs N$15.3 billion in funding over five years

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Road Fund Administration (RFA) says it faces a funding shortfall of N$3.6 billion under its Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) for the 2024–2029 period, a gap that rises to N$15.3 billion over five years. The ISBP sets out a plan to gradually increase funding for national and urban road maintenance. RFA says this will be supported by capacity-building efforts within the Roads Authority and municipalities. It also notes that traffic law enforcement should be funded through public allocations to keep it independent of Road User Charges (RUCS) fluctuations. The RFA says the ISBP extends its internal business…

04 Feb

Shoprite sales grow by N$9.2bn in six months

Observer Money

Staff Writer Shoprite Group reported higher sales for the six months ended 28 December 2025, with merchandise sales from continuing operations rising 7.2% to about N$136.8 billion. This compares with restated sales of N$127.6 billion in the same period last year. The increase represents an extra N$9.2 billion in sales during the interim period. The group’s Supermarkets South Africa segment contributed most of the growth. The segment accounted for 84.3% of total group sales and recorded sales growth of 7.1%, adding N$7.7 billion over six months. The group said its pricing approach continued to support affordability. Internal selling price inflation…

04 Feb

Widow of slain guard to sue Namdia for N$4m …‘My husband was killed protecting diamonds’

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The widow of slain Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) security officer, Shirley Eiseb, says she plans to sue Namdia for more than N$4 million over her husband’s death. The move escalates a legal dispute linked to the killing of Francis Eiseb, a senior protection officer at Namdia, who was shot dead during a diamond heist at the company’s premises in January 2025 in Windhoek. In a letter of demand dated 18 December 2025 and addressed to Namdia’s acting chief executive officer, Lelly Usiku, Florian Beukes of Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys accused the company of negligence. The firm acts for Shirley…

04 Feb

MTC Maris signs deal with Kazang to grow national reach

Observer Money

Staff Writer MTC Maris has signed an agreement with Kazang to expand access to mobile money services across Namibia, with a focus on underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Kazang brings a national network of more than 5 500 agents. This network gives Maris wider reach in urban centres, informal settlements and remote rural areas. MTC Maris executive director Kayembe Ilunga said the partnership supports Maris’ goal of full financial inclusion. “Through this partnership, we will drive and accelerate our core mandate of ensuring that every Namibian, regardless of location or economic status, can access essential financial services through a trusted local…

03 Feb

ACC investigates Walvis Bay over N$3.4m pothole tender

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened an investigation into the Walvis Bay municipality over alleged irregularities linked to a N$3.4 million pothole repair tender. The probe also covers the recruitment process of a senior manager. ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu confirmed the investigation to the Windhoek Observer. “We confirm that a case has been registered with us, but the investigations are still at an early stage,” she said. The investigation centers the allegations around the municipality's chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda. According to documents and sources, the ACC is examining a tender awarded for pothole repairs across the…

03 Feb

NNN opens Cabinet with warning on limited time

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 2026 Cabinet year with a call for decisive action, saying the current global climate demands a clear break from routine governance. Speaking to ministers and senior officials yesterday, she emphasised that reverting to the status quo was not a viable option. She urged Cabinet to adopt a “business unusual” mindset to respond to the country’s most urgent needs. She said the administration has limited time to deliver on its mandate, with only four years left to advance Namibia’s Vision 2030. “Time is therefore not on our side. Every day, every hour, and every…

03 Feb

Vision without specifics risks losing public confidence

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address at the official opening of Cabinet for the 2026 calendar year was, by all accounts, polished, optimistic, and rhetorically disciplined. It emphasised commitment, unity, and the high expectations Namibians have for their leaders. It recognised achievements, highlighted ongoing initiatives, and called for renewed focus as the administration advances toward Vision 2030. Yet, for all its lofty language and moral gravitas, the speech reveals a recurring challenge in Namibian political communication: ambition that is often unaccompanied by concrete operational clarity. In short, while the words inspire, they leave many questions unanswered. The President began appropriately, welcoming cabinet…

03 Feb

Manual payroll system raises cost and control issues

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Senior accounting and financial adviser Mefflint de Waal said removing the digital aspect of the payroll deduction management system (PDMS) and replacing it with a manual helpdesk could cause problems with salary payments. He said the change may slow down payroll services and reduce proper financial checks for public servants. De Waal said the move from an automated digital platform to a manual system marks a step back in public sector service delivery. “For more than two decades, Namibia operated a fully automated PDMS that linked government payroll directly with banks and insurers in real time. That system…

03 Feb

National Council urged to strengthen law review

National News

Allexer Namundjembo National Council chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha has urged members of the seventh National Council to embrace continuous learning. He said capacity building is central to effective lawmaking and oversight. Muha made the call on Monday in Windhoek when he opened the first orientation seminar for members of the council. “Capacity building is not a one-time event but a continuous process of learning, adaptation, and professional development,” he said. He said regular training is needed, especially given the high turnover of members, to ensure that lawmakers can review bills properly and carry out oversight with care and integrity. Muha…

03 Feb

MTC and Rössing Foundation donate wheelchairs to disability council

National News

Staff Writer MTC Care and the Rössing Foundation on Friday donated assistive devices to the National Disability Council of Namibia (NDCN). MTC Care handed over ten wheelchairs valued at N$80 000. The beneficiaries come from different regions, widening the reach of the initiative. MTC Care is an employee-driven initiative where staff members contribute monthly to social causes. The donation forms part of the NDCN Community Assistive Device Drive, a national programme that collects and distributes assistive devices and protective equipment to persons with disabilities across Namibia. Lawreance Kaimu, chairperson of the NDCN research and development committee, praised MTC and the…