Blog – Page 49 – Windhoek Observer

28 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Less threats, more leadership, minister Nekundi

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi took to the podium at the 10th National Road Safety Conference in Swakopmund this week, his message was clear: he has no patience for inaction. He warned that any official or agency failing to translate road safety reports into tangible outcomes risked dismissal. His “less talk, more action” rallying cry, paired with a threat to “fire” those who do not deliver, certainly caught attention. Yet, while the minister’s frustration with bureaucratic lethargy is understandable, the tone of his message risks overshadowing the substance of his intent. Leadership, especially in a public service context,…

28 Oct

TIME FOR INDEPENDENT STATE-OWNED HOLDING ENTERPRISE

Featured, Opinions

JOSEF KEFAS SHEEHAMA It is time for Namibia to establish an Independent State Holding Enterprise rather of passing down duties to the Prime Minister, which could threaten the separation of powers due to a lack of check and balances. As a result, it is critical to set up a separate entity to overhaul the current model of operating State-Owned Enterprises, which is deemed inefficient due to bureaucratic interference that weaken both SOE governance and performance. It is commendable that the government aspires to promote governance and compliance among state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by enhancing or re-engineering the Public enterprises Governance Act…

28 Oct

RMB says Namibia’s growth ‘stuck in neutral’

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia has been ranked 17th in RMB’s 2025/26 Where To Invest In Africa report. The report describes the country’s economy as “stuck in neutral”, citing low investment levels, a persistent current account deficit, and slow productivity growth. RMB said Namibia’s economic path toward prosperity may depend on the development of its recent offshore oil and gas discoveries. The government believes these discoveries could lift growth to 8% within a decade. The report notes that Namibia remains one of the world’s most unequal countries, alongside South Africa. It recorded strong scores for economic stability, investment climate, market accessibility, and…

28 Oct

Old Mutual announces new chief investment officer

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia (OMIGNAM) has appointed Sara Mezui Engo as chief investment officer of unlisted investments, effective immediately. Mezui Engo brings over 16 years of experience in investment management across listed and unlisted markets. She has held roles at RMB Asset Management, now Momentum Investments, EMH Prescient Investment Management, and Liquid Africa, now Enko Capital. Most recently, she worked at the Government Institutions Pension Fund of Namibia (GIPF), where she led the global alternative investments programme, investing in private equity, private credit, property and infrastructure. Her appointment marks a key step for OMIGNAM in strengthening…

28 Oct

BoN warns growth alone won’t deliver jobs

Observer Money

Staff Writer The creation of 500 000 jobs remains one of Namibia’s biggest challenges as the country struggles to turn economic growth into meaningful employment. Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum (NAMPPF) recently held in Windhoek, Bank of Namibia (BoN) governor Johannes !Gawaxab said that while the economy has grown over the years, this growth has not translated into job creation. He was addressing a high-level panel discussion titled “From Vision to Action: Delivering on Namibia’s Jobs Agenda.” “The central question before us is how Namibia will deliver on the audacious but necessary target of creating 500 000 quality…

28 Oct

From the mine to the macro: Why my seat on this UNIDO jury is a testament to Africa’s sustainable future

Featured, Opinions

Zenzi N Awases For as long as I can remember, I have been a builder. As a geologist, I learned to read the story of the earth, written in rock layers and mineral deposits. But I soon realized that the most valuable resources we have are not just the minerals we extract, but the people, the systems and the ideas we build around them. My journey from the field to the policy table, and now to the international jury for UNIDO’s inaugural ONE World Sustainability Awards, has been guided by one unwavering belief: purpose and profitability are not just compatible;…

27 Oct

NNN sacks Ithete from Cabinet

Main

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has taken charge of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy after firing Minister Natangue Ithete with immediate effect. The president's office announced the decision yesterday. The presidency stated that the decision was made in accordance with Article 32(6) of the Constitution. The presidency thanked Ithete for his service and confirmed he will remain a member of parliament. It stated that the move reinforces its commitment to “sound governance, accountability, and the effective implementation of national priorities.” While the official statement did not explain the reasons for the dismissal, the decision has stirred debate in…

27 Oct

NIMT murder convict was sick before death

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) employee and convicted double murderer Ernst Lichtenstrasser has died in custody. Lichtenstrasser (64) was found dead on Sunday morning at the Windhoek Correctional Facility. The deputy commissioner general of Namibia Correctional Service (NCS), Sam Shalulange, told the Windhoek Observer that Lichtenstrasser had been ill before his death. Shalulange said Lichtenstrasser had been receiving medical attention at the facility’s clinic. “Mr Lichtenstrasser was a patient. He was even at the sick bay when he died. The sick bay is the clinic in the facilities. So, he has been a patient,” he…

27 Oct

Outrage over Ithete’s “Only work with Swapo” remarks

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The United Democratic Front's (UDF) Youth League has criticised former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines, and energy, Natangue Ithete, for making comments they believe were divisive and irresponsible during his visit to Khorixas. Ithete allegedly said he only wants to work with members of his own political party and suggested that if another political party were to win, the people of Khorixas would have “brought poverty upon themselves.” In a video clip seen by the Windhoek Observer, Ithete is heard saying there are different candidates from different political parties contesting in this year’s regional and…

27 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Oil Dreams and Hard realities: Namibia must demand good jobs from foreign investment

Editorial, Energy, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s growing oil and gas ambitions have once again come under scrutiny, and rightly so. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has sounded a sober warning that, despite the euphoria surrounding recent discoveries, the promise of thousands of jobs may not materialise as projected. In a country where unemployment hovers around 33%, and where the youth, the majority of the population, bear the brunt, it is not just a question of how much oil lies beneath our seabed, but whether that wealth will translate into decent, sustainable livelihoods for Namibians. The mirage of job creation According to government projections,…