Blog – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

13 Jan

Ministry denies secret cuts to mackerel quotas

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has denied claims that it secretly reduced fishing quotas. The ministry said the process was transparent and guided by science. In a press release issued yesterday, the ministry said the management of Namibia’s horse mackerel stock follows clear legal procedures and relies on scientific advice. The clarification follows the setting of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2026 horse mackerel season. The ministry confirmed that the Cabinet approved a TAC of 197 000 metric tonnes, a 5% reduction from the 208 000 metric tonnes allowed in 2025. The…

13 Jan

Diplomacy is not a training ground for rookie errors

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Diplomacy is often described as the quiet engine of international relations. It runs on protocol, trust, discretion and mutual respect between sovereign states. When it functions well, citizens rarely notice it. When it falters, however, the consequences can be swift and embarrassing, not only for the officials involved but also for the national image they represent. Recent developments in relations between Namibia and Ghana have raised legitimate concern. Ghana has sought clarification from Namibia over the appointment and public commissioning of former agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata as high commissioner-designate to Accra, despite the fact that formal consent from…

13 Jan

Scotland looks to Namibia in green hydrogen push

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has highlighted Namibia’s green hydrogen sector after hosting a series of hydrogen roundtables in London in partnership with Scottish Development International. The sessions connected Scotland with high-potential markets in Namibia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt and focused on Scotland’s growing role in the global green hydrogen sector while opening new commercial opportunities for Scottish companies. Discussions covered investment, infrastructure, and export opportunities, including Namibia’s emerging hydrogen market, Oman’s desalination and transport plans, Morocco’s hydrogen technology initiatives, and Egypt’s large-scale electrolyser projects. Each roundtable gave participants direct access to decision-makers and insights into auction…

13 Jan

Stock brand fees to increase from February

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB) has announced that stock brand fees will increase from 1 February 2026, in line with government gazette No. 573. In a notice issued to state veterinary offices, LLPB offices, farmers’ unions and associations, and livestock agents, the board said the adjustment follows government notice No. 145 of 2015. As the mandated administrator of stock brands, the LLPB is required to apply the annual increase. Under the revised fees, registering a stock brand will increase from N$180 to N$186. The transfer of a brand will rise from N$66 to N$68,…

13 Jan

Assessment finds Venus offshore project acceptable

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira An environmental and social assessment has found that the proposed Venus Offshore Development Project aligns with Namibia’s key national and energy policies. This includes the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which seeks to balance economic growth with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment says the project’s remaining environmental impacts, after mitigation, are expected to be low to negligible during normal operations. The main exception is greenhouse gas emissions, which were rated as having a medium to high negative impact under European Bank for Reconstruction and Development criteria. These emissions will be managed through an Energy and Carbon Management…

13 Jan

Stimulus issues further cautionary announcement

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Stimulus Investments Limited has issued a further cautionary announcement to shareholders, saying negotiations are still under way and could have a material effect on its share price if successfully concluded. The company said the update follows earlier cautionary announcements released on 14 August 2025, 25 September 2025 and 6 November 2025. Shareholders have been advised to continue exercising caution when trading Stimulus’ preference shares until a further announcement is made. The board issued the notice through its sponsor, Cirrus Securities, a member of the Namibia Securities Exchange. In its audited financial results for the year ended 28 February,…

12 Jan

Grant chaos: beneficiaries by Nampost inefficiencies

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Social grant beneficiaries have expressed disappointment with Namibia Post Limited (Nampost) over the way social grants are being distributed. This has led to many calling for the return of Epupa Investment Technology (EIT). Beneficiaries who spoke to the Windhoek Observer said grant payouts have become slow and difficult since Nampost took over, unlike when Epupa handled the process. Some beneficiaries reported that the situation escalated last week due to ongoing long queues and delays. Emma Amakali, a pension grant beneficiary, said distributions were faster and more organised under Epupa. “It was never this chaotic. Now you go to…

12 Jan

‘School principals alone cannot expel learners’ – ED

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The removal of a learner from a public school or hostel is not a decision a principal or school board can make on their own, says Erastus Haitengela, executive director of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture. Haitengela spoke as the Windhoek Observer received complaints from parents who say they were caught off guard by suspensions and expulsions, leaving them to face the cost of finding new schools and uniforms. He explained that the suspension and expulsion of learners are governed by strict legal procedures that require several levels of oversight and written communication…

12 Jan

Negumbo SS learners told to bring mattresses to school

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Negumbo Senior Secondary School, located about 50 kilometres from Oshakati, has asked 38 students to bring mattresses to school because of severe overcrowding at its hostel. The situation has raised concerns about learner welfare and the learning environment. The school last year appealed to the Omusati regional education directorate to address the overcrowding. In 2025, the hostel accommodated 589 learners, which is 141 more than its approved capacity of 448 beds. Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that the school suggested postponing planned classroom construction to prioritise fixing the hostel shortage. Letters addressed to the Elim Circuit…

12 Jan

AR wants GIPF housing scheme expanded to low-income communities

National News

Justicia Shipena The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has called on the government to use the new Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS) as a starting point for wider housing reform that also includes landless and low-income communities. The call follows the announcement by the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) on Friday that the PBHLS begins today. The scheme allows government employees to use part of their pension savings to buy, build or renovate homes. While welcoming the move, AR said the scheme mainly benefits formally employed public servants and does not address the housing needs of most Namibians living in informal…