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OBSERVER COASTAL | Mondesa youth get support to obtain driver’s licences

OBSERVER COASTAL | Mondesa youth get support to obtain driver’s licences

Renthia Kaimbi Nash Serenity Foundation has partnered with a local driving school to help tackle youth unemployment by offering 20 regular soup kitchen attendees a fully funded opportunity to obtain their learner’s licences. The Mondesa Youth Licence Empowerment Programme will launch its first intake next weekend. The foundation is also calling on the community to support the initiative. Founder Patrick Nashandi said the idea followed research showing major challenges faced by young people trying to obtain licences. “A survey showed that 90% of youth fail their learner’s licence more than four times, and most never reach the driver’s licence stage.…
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The value of the village

The value of the village

John Mendelsohn I hope that 2026 will see a good deal of reasoned debate and discussion in parliament. Indeed, an abundance of sensible ideas and sound facts are needed if new legislation is to resolve the multiple messes in which so much Namibian land now finds itself. Some of the questions and uncertainties about the purpose and value of land emerged in an interesting opinion by Lazarus Jacobs in the Windhoek Observer on 15 December 2025. The article – entitled The village has died. Long live the village – described some of the changes and agonies that now surround rural…
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Nekundi dismisses talk of rift with PM Ngurare

Nekundi dismisses talk of rift with PM Ngurare

Renthia Kaimbi Transport and works minister Veikko Nekundi has dismissed social media claims alleging that he is betraying prime minister Elijah Ngurare and positioning himself to take over his job.  He described the claims as an attempt to create division within Swapo ahead of its 2027 congress. The claims circulate on social media under headlines that suggest rivalry and betrayal between the two leaders.  The posts refer to their time in the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), where Nekundi served as deputy secretary under Ngurare. More recently, speculation has surfaced that Nekundi is plotting to replace Ngurare as prime minister…
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Trustco issues new warning on possible delisting

Trustco issues new warning on possible delisting

Staff Writer Trustco Group Holdings Limited has issued a further cautionary announcement on the possible delisting of its securities. In a statement released this week, the company referred shareholders to earlier notices published on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) News Service, including its most recent update dated 26 November 2025, which outlined the potential delisting of Trustco. The board said it is considering whether a delisting of the company’s securities would be appropriate.  As part of this process, the board has taken note of the Simplified Listings Requirements, which are expected to come into effect on 16 February 2026. Trustco…
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‘Critical minerals put Africa at centre of clean energy push

‘Critical minerals put Africa at centre of clean energy push

Staff Writer Africa is playing a crucial role in providing the necessary minerals for the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.  The African Energy Chamber, in its State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, says Africa’s large reserves of cobalt, lithium, copper and platinum group metals place the continent at the core of global supply chains for renewable energy and electric vehicles. The move toward clean energy is driving sharp growth in demand for these minerals. Solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems require far more mineral inputs than traditional energy systems.  Forecasts show global…
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JSE all share index rises over two days

JSE all share index rises over two days

Chamwe Kaira The JSE All Share Index closed higher on Monday, gaining 2,038 points, or 1.73%, to end at 120,148.00 points from 118,110.00 the previous trading day.  The index is up 3.73% since December 2025 and reached its highest level for 2026 during the session. The year’s low stands at 116,092.00 points. The Overall Index closed slightly lower on Monday, slipping by 3.95 points, or 0.18%, to 2 180.60 points. Despite the decline, the index remains up 1.83% since December 2025 and carries an actual dividend yield of 3.66%. Its 2026 high is 2 184.55, while the low is 2…
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Namibia to host Canada–Africa business conference next month 

Namibia to host Canada–Africa business conference next month 

Staff Writer Namibia will host the fifth Canada-Africa Business Conference on 5 February in Windhoek.  The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business convenes the event, positioning Namibia at the forefront of trade and investment engagement between Canada and Africa. The conference will bring together senior executives, investors, policymakers, and institutional partners from Namibia, Canada, and across Africa.  Discussions will focus on mining, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable economic development. Namibia’s stable regulatory environment and long-term policy approach have helped attract growing international interest and partnerships.  The programme includes senior-level panels, sector discussions, and private roundtables aimed at boosting investment, supporting responsible project development,…
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Bank Windhoek offers lowest ATM e-money cash-out fee

Bank Windhoek offers lowest ATM e-money cash-out fee

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia’s comparison of e-money-related fees shows that all banks charge a fee when an account holder sends money to an e-money wallet using online banking, mobile banking applications, or USSD payment channels. The central bank said recipients are entitled to one free cash withdrawal per month from an e-money wallet, either at an ATM or through a merchant or agent.  After the free withdrawal, banks may apply fees. Bank Windhoek charges the lowest ATM cash-out fee at N$10.50.  First National Bank (FNB) charges N$14 per withdrawal. Standard Bank Namibia does not charge any ATM cash-out…
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Nampost to deploy mobile teams to ease grant queues

Nampost to deploy mobile teams to ease grant queues

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Post Limited (Nampost) will deploy additional mobile payment teams at selected post offices to ease congestion during the January social grant payment period. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Nampost and the Ministry of Finance said the move follows long queues at several post offices.  The congestion was linked to beneficiaries accessing payments outside the approved in-branch payment schedule.  The statement said more than 37 000 social grant recipients were paid on the first day of the cycle, compared to an expected 28 000, placing pressure on in-branch services and leading to overcrowding at several…
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Six young Namibians held by Myanmar army …police investigations and coordination are underway

Six young Namibians held by Myanmar army …police investigations and coordination are underway

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) says it is aware of reports that young Namibians have been trafficked to Myanmar.  The confirmation follows a revelation by a member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement leader Job Amupanda that six young Namibians were trafficked out of the country and are currently being held in Myanmar.  The Windhoek Observer approached the ministry for comment and MIRT confirmed awareness of the situation.  MIRT spokesperson Rosalia Uushona said the ministry has received the report and will respond to the Windhoek Observer with more information today. She did not provide…
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