Blog – Page 73 – Windhoek Observer

08 Oct

Westair unveils new air ambulance

National News

Staff Writer Medical Rescue Africa (MRA), a subsidiary of Westair Aviation, has launched its new air ambulance, the Beechcraft King Air 350i. The aircraft is equipped with advanced medical evacuation facilities, marking a major step forward in Namibia’s emergency response capability. The launch event brought together industry stakeholders, partners, and representatives from organisations that have supported the development of Namibia’s medical evacuation infrastructure. “A service like this is never needed until it is needed – and then it must be available, safe, and reliable,” said Westair Aviation CEO Henri van Schalkwyk. “The King Air 350 provides the highest standards of…

08 Oct

Old Mutual expands financial education to local languages

Observer Money

STAFF WRITER Launched in 2018, the Old Mutual Foundation’s Financial Education Face-to-Face Training programme introduced an innovative “animal behaviour” approach to simplify complex financial concepts. Since then, it has grown into one of Namibia’s leading financial literacy initiatives, empowering over 50 000 Namibians, from individuals and school communities to corporate teams, with practical skills to budget, save, reduce debt, and make informed financial decisions. Recognising that true understanding begins with clear communication, the Old Mutual Foundation has taken a bold step towards inclusivity and accessibility by expanding its Financial Education programme, previously delivered primarily in English, into six vernacular languages:…

08 Oct

Policy gap leaves companies vulnerable on social media

Observer Money

Staff Writer With no specific laws regulating social media use in the workplace, many Namibian businesses face growing risks of data breaches and cyberattacks. From sharing client information on WhatsApp to clicking malicious links on Instagram, unregulated activity on these platforms exposes corporate networks to cybercriminals. The 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach report estimates the average global cost of a cybersecurity breach at US$4.9 million, showing the scale of damage cyber incidents can cause. Criminals increasingly use platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and WhatsApp to deploy malware, steal credentials, and access sensitive data. Weak IT oversight and unrestricted social…

08 Oct

Service is a soul, not a script

Observer Money

Ester Kafidi Customer service is often measured by speed, efficiency, and satisfaction scores. But beneath the numbers and KPIs lies something far more human: the quiet power of being seen, heard, and understood. In a world increasingly automated, where chatbots handle questions and algorithms anticipate needs, the real heart of service isn’t just about solving problems. It’s about connection. It’s easy to think of customer service as a department, a function, or a role. But more than that, it’s a mindset: one that should live in every part of an organisation. It’s the receptionist who welcomes someone with genuine warmth,…

08 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | When lunch becomes a luxury: The crisis of public service productivity

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security minister Lucia Iipumbu recently directed that all ministry offices remain operational during lunchtime. On the surface, this may seem like a minor administrative adjustment. But in reality, it exposes a deep and chronic crisis within our civil service, a culture that has normalised inefficiency, eroded public trust, and forgotten that service delivery is not a favour to the public but a duty. A nation held hostage by lunch breaks For years, ordinary Namibians have stood in endless queues outside government buildings, sometimes under the unforgiving sun, sometimes in the rain, waiting for something as…

07 Oct

PM tries to tenderise Mushokabanji’s leadership at Meatco

Main

Justicia Shipena Prime minister Elijah Ngurare says former Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) chief executive officer Mwilima Mushokabanji should be commended for his leadership at Meatco. Ngurare said Mushokabanji led Meatco under difficult circumstances. Ngurare recently told Parliament that it would be an oversimplification to blame Meatco’s financial and structural challenges on one individual. He said the company’s problems stem from long-standing inefficiencies that existed before Mushokabanji’s tenure. “The difficulties encountered by Meatco are rooted in longstanding structural and operational inefficiencies that predate Mr Mushokabanji’s tenure. Notably, it was during his tenure that many of these contractual anomalies and unsustainable…

07 Oct

Ministry plans charcoal production expansion in communal areas

National News

Justicia Shipena Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti says the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is looking into expanding charcoal production into communal areas. He said this will be done while maintaining strict environmental and safety standards. Mufeti explained that the ministry is conducting studies and assessments to develop a framework that will allow communal farmers to join the growing charcoal industry. “We are not yet giving permits there, but we want to. Studies and assessments are being done to see how we can allow communal farmers to be involved in charcoal production,” he said at a recent press conference in…

07 Oct

Officials confident BNC talks will deliver tangible outcomes

National News

Justicia Shipena The senior officials meeting of the second session of the Namibia–Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) began in Windhoek on Monday, with officials expressing optimism that it will strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Namibia's executive director at the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, said the meeting would build on existing ties and deliver outcomes that improve the lives of citizens. “As we begin this session of the Senior Officials meeting, I am convinced that our deliberations will lead to the enhancement of bilateral cooperation between our two countries,” she said. She welcomed the Botswana delegation led…

07 Oct

City records 75% of Windhoek fires in informal areas

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Seventy-five percent of fires recorded in Windhoek last year occurred in informal settlements, the City of Windhoek has revealed. Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja shared the figures during the official opening of International Fire Safety Week 2025 at the City’s Head Quarter Fire Station yesterday. Larandja said that in 2024, the city’s fire brigade responded to more than 2,000 fire-related incidents, of which nearly 200 were dwelling fires. “These fires claimed lives, destroyed homes, and wiped away the belongings of families who already had very little,” she said. The mayor described fires as one of the biggest threats to…

07 Oct

Walvis Bay residents to pay more for garbage collection

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents will now pay N$235.32 per household each month for refuse collection. The new rate follows tariff corrections announced by the municipality for the 2025/2026 financial year. The change, effective from 1 July, was gazetted under government notice No. 729 and signed by the town's mayor, Trevino Forbes. It was published in the government gazette No. 8753 dated 1 October 2025. Under the revised tariff schedule, residents in Tutaleni and Farm 37 will continue to pay subsidised rates of N$80.70, while pensioners will be charged N$71.95. Businesses will pay N$429.16 for standard bin removals per week…