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Oryx Properties approves all AGM resolutions

Oryx Properties approves all AGM resolutions

Staff Writer  Oryx Properties Limited says all ordinary resolutions tabled at its annual general meeting (AGM) on 24 November were approved by a majority of linked unitholders, with 89.41% of total unitholders casting votes. Unitholders unanimously adopted the annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, approved the remuneration of non-executive directors for the 2026 financial year and endorsed the company’s Remuneration Policy through a non-binding advisory vote. Each resolution received 100% support. The resolution to reappoint the independent external auditors received 67.03% approval, while authorising directors to determine the auditors’ remuneration was supported by 100% of voters.…
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Standard Bank signs financial solutions agreement with City of Windhoek

Standard Bank signs financial solutions agreement with City of Windhoek

Staff Writer  Standard Bank Namibia has signed a strategic financial services agreement with the City of Windhoek, strengthening its partnership with the municipality and expanding access to financial support for employees. The agreement gives City of Windhoek staff exclusive access to tailored financial products and services aimed at improving long-term financial wellbeing.  These include Financial Fitness Academy sessions to boost financial literacy, home loan solutions at preferential terms, vehicle and asset finance at competitive rates, and personal loan concessions with faster processing. The initiative draws on the bank’s Employee Value Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking and the Windhoek Branch teams.…
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Financial wellness: A strategic advantage for employers

Financial wellness: A strategic advantage for employers

Patricia Olivier  In today’s fast-changing business landscape, forward-looking employers are recognising that employee financial wellness goes far beyond personal finance: it’s a cornerstone of sustainable business success.  A workforce that feels financially secure is more productive, more engaged, and more likely to stay committed to the organisation that supports them. When it comes to being ready for life after work, many Namibians continue to encounter major obstacles.  According to the Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor, 45% of working Namibians who are not part of a pension or provident fund through their employer are relying on banked savings to prepare for…
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Financial sector champions fraud-resilient digital economy

Financial sector champions fraud-resilient digital economy

Staff Writer Namibia’s financial industry is strengthening efforts to turn rising digital fraud into an opportunity for innovation and trust-building.  At the Fraud and Cybersecurity Awareness Summit, leaders from banking, government and technology sectors renewed their commitment to creating a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem that supports economic growth. Digital adoption is rising, with internet penetration at 64.4% and mobile connections reaching 87% of the population. Digital transactions have grown 20 to 30% year-on-year, contributing to a digital economy that now makes up 2.5% of GDP. The national target is 4 to 5% by 2030. “Cybersecurity is sovereignty. As Namibia…
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Itula pushes back against President on law-making

Itula pushes back against President on law-making

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula says no law will pass in parliament as long as his party serves as the official opposition.  He said the opposition's role is to scrutinise every bill brought before the National Assembly.  “There is a need to scrutinise because our constitutional article 41 says that ministers shall be accountable to parliament. We are not going to have tissue paper bills brought in and passed tomorrow,” he said during IPC's event in Walvis Bay on Saturday, His remarks come after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah criticised parliament for leaving some bills unfinished.  During…
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Swartbooi asks US to halt Namibia’s elections

Swartbooi asks US to halt Namibia’s elections

Renthia Kaimbi The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) says the Namibian government is using a “Tanzania-style” strategy to weaken strong opponents ahead of the elections and create an appearance of democracy. In a letter dated 17 November 2025, penned by its leader Bernadus Swartbooi and addressed to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the LPM claims that more than 1 634 soldiers have been deployed to its stronghold regions.  According to Swartbooi, troops have taken control of a local authority building and conducted live exercises with the intention of intimidating voters. The letter, seen by the Windhoek Observer, also alleges…
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Youth fund grows to 108 projects 

Youth fund grows to 108 projects 

Justicia Shipena The government has approved the second phase of youth-led projects under the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), allocating N$37.7 million to 66 initiatives across all regions.  The Ministry of Finance says the funding will create 404 jobs in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, horticulture, waste management, agroprocessing, green transportation and value-added services. The approved projects cover all regions and include poultry production, livestock rearing, crop farming, biomass processing, aquaponics, innovative technology services, recycling operations, and renewable energy installations.  Finance Ministry spokesperson Wilson Shikoto said the loan amounts range between N$88,000 and N$1 million, assessed through the Agricultural…
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New housing project rolled out for Aussenkehr farmworkers

New housing project rolled out for Aussenkehr farmworkers

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Grape Company (NGC) has announced plans to expand its operations as it launched its new housing project during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s visit to the Aussenkehr farm on Monday. During the visit, NGC said it intends to scale up its operations as part of its broader strategy to strengthen agriculture as a key economic sector.  The expansion plan will include more housing units, improved on-farm facilities and increased training for young people. Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened the NGC housing project, a development aimed at improving living conditions for farmworkers and supporting economic growth in the ǁKaras region.  NGC…
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Congo fever kills one in Windhoek 

Congo fever kills one in Windhoek 

Justicia Shipena A patient has died in Windhoek after contracting crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever, commonly known as congo fever.  The patient was admitted to a Windhoek health facility on 18 November with suspected congo fever and died the next day.  Laboratory tests later confirmed the infection, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said on Sunday.  This led to the Health Ministry declaring an outbreak in the Khomas region. “We wish to assure the public that we are taking all necessary steps to contain the spread of the virus and urge the community not to panic,” Luvindao said. She said the ministry has…
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Silence is complicity

The Windhoek Observer has watched Namibian elections for decades. We have seen the rise and fall of political giants, the birth of new movements, and the ever-shifting theatre of campaign rhetoric. But every so often, something happens that forces us to pause, not because it is surprising, but precisely because it is not. It is depressingly familiar. It is predictable. And it is dangerous. This week, reports emerged from Keetmanshoop that Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi and independent candidate Vernon Coleman became entangled in a confrontation that escalated into physical violence. What began, as these things often do, with…
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