Blog – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

12 Jan

Lower inflation gives central bank room to cut rates

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Inflation in Namibia eased steadily through 2025, creating room for a more accommodative monetary policy stance in the year ahead, according to an analysis by Simonis Storm. Headline inflation slowed during the second half of the year and closed December at 3.2% year-on-year, down from 3.7% in June. Inflation remained within the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) 3–6% target range throughout the period. Monthly price movements were mostly muted, apart from occasional utility and tariff increases, pointing to a stable inflation environment. Beneath the headline figure, the inflation picture shifted. Price pressures became more concentrated in services, especially housing,…

12 Jan

Deep Yellow makes progress on uranium projects

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow Limited has reported progress across its exploration projects in Namibia and Australia during the December 2025 quarter. In Namibia, Deep Yellow Limited completed a drilling programme at Tumas, west of ML237, targeting a previously unexplored 7 km section. The programme ran from mid-October to mid-November and included 39 holes covering just over 1 800 metres. Drilling confirmed the presence of the channel and identified sedimentary deposits. The company said the area showed limited potential for uranium and plans to shift exploration in 2026 to areas with stronger prospects. The company continues to advance the Tumas uranium…

12 Jan

African airlines lead global air cargo growth

Observer Money

Staff Writer Global air cargo demand rose by 5.5% in November 2025 compared with the same month in 2024, according to data released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometres, increased as shipping activity picked up ahead of the year-end holiday season. Shippers continued to favour air transport for speed and reliability. International air cargo demand grew faster, rising by 6.9% year-on-year. Cargo capacity also expanded during the month. Available cargo tonne kilometres increased by 4.7% compared with November 2024, while international capacity rose by 6.5%. IATA director general Willie Walsh said the air…

12 Jan

Gold and silver enter 2026 on strong footing

Observer Money

The precious metals market enters 2026 with unprecedented strength, underpinned not only by the remarkable price gains of 2025 but also by fundamental structural shifts in demand and ownership. Gold and silver experienced historically rare rallies last year, signalling a new phase for the metals beyond cyclical movements. Gold rose roughly 70% in 2025, climbing from around US$2700 per ounce at the start of the year to over US$4500 by December. Silver outpaced gold with a 128% gain, briefly surpassing US$80 per ounce before consolidating. Momentum carried into 2026, with silver adding an additional 13% in the first week alone,…

10 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | Planning with purpose: May Nghipondoka on faith, vision, and building a life that thrives

Featured

Young Observer sat down with May Nghipondoka a chartered accountant turned purpose-driven planner creator to unpack the journey behind Thrive — a Christian-based life-navigation tool designed to help young people move from inspiration to execution. In the conversation, she reflects on how her background in finance shaped her discipline, how faith guides her ambition, and why intentional planning is key to living a meaningful and grounded life in a fast-paced world. YO: You are a Chartered Accountant by profession. How did your journey in finance and structure shape the way you think about purpose, discipline, and personal growth? MN: My…

10 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | The January question at the school gate

Featured, Latest

January has a way of arriving with promise but also stress. On the one hand you have new exercise books, freshly ironed uniforms, and careful plans made at the end of the previous year. On the other hand, you have uncertainty regarding placement in a decent school for children. For many families, the start of the school year is meant to signal continuity and the reassuring return of routine; however, every January, that reassurance fractures. Across towns and cities, the same quiet uncertainty resurfaces. Parents move from school to school asking about space. Phones stay close, waiting for calls that…

10 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | Surviving Janu-worry

Featured, Latest

There is an almost scientific anomaly that occurs every twelve months. While every other month on the Gregorian calendar certainly consists of 30 or 31 days, January somehow manages to stretch into a grueling, 744-hour marathon of fiscal anxiety.For many young people, January has become a reckoning; similar to the cold shower after the neon-lit fever dream of December. If you find yourself checking your bank balance with the same caution one might use to approach a sleeping lion, you are not alone. This is the Young Observer’s guide to surviving the longest month of the year without losing your mind…

10 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | #Unmuted

Featured, Latest

Dearest gentle readers, would this greeting count as plagiarism on my part? I have determined to be warmer with you this year. Welcome to the year 2026 from the desk of Young Observer’s editorial team. The start of this year has been quite eventful for us as a nation and beyond our borders. Gen Z and Alpha are living through their first capture of a sitting Head of State by the United States in a much more theatrical manner. With learners set to resume and begin classes next week, the Minister of Education is cautioning against bribes in exchange for…

10 Jan

NYC ‘headless’ after interim board chair resigns

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The National Youth Council (NYC) is without leadership after interim board chairperson Kennedy Kariseb resigned, just a week after the contract of its director, Calista Schwartz-Gowases, ended. The Windhoek Observer understands that the council currently has no interim chairperson or director in place. Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp confirmed that she received Kariseb’s resignation letter in December 2025. “I do confirm that, indeed, I did receive the resignation letter from Dr Kennedy and we will always remain indebted and grateful for the time that he worked with us,” Steenkamp said. She confirmed…

10 Jan

Interpack denies claims of unpaid salaries and overtime

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Interpack chief executive officer Jacques Coetzer has denied claims that the company failed to pay employees their full basic salaries and overtime. He said all workers were paid in full and that there were no outstanding payment issues. Coetzer said the company employs more than 440 workers and only received queries from two employees about their specific hours worked. He said the concerns were reported to the Human Resources department and were resolved. “All employees were paid in full without any problems or challenges. The two minor issues that were reported to HR were resolved, and we are…