Blog – Page 73 – Windhoek Observer

07 Oct

AGOA expiry constrains Namibia’s diversification potential

Observer Money

Staff Writer The expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) last month marks a major shift in Africa–US trade relations, with significant implications for export diversification, investment flows, and economic alignment, analyst Amandro Jansen has said. For over 20 years, AGOA provided duty-free access to more than 6 000 product lines, helping African countries develop export capacity in apparel, agro-processing, automotive components, and other manufactured goods. Its expiry removes these trade preferences, subjecting African exports to most-favoured-nation (MFN) tariffs and, in some cases, additional US duties. “This transition has immediate and uneven consequences across the continent. While resource-exporting…

07 Oct

Passengers want journeys that are simple

Observer Money

Passengers are living digital-first lives. They manage their finances, health, and mobility from their phones. But when it’s time to fly, they’re still asked to queue, print, and repeat. This year’s Travelers’ Voice, SITA Passenger IT Insights 2025, reveals a clear disconnect: travellers are ready for easy, smart journeys. And they’re asking the aviation industry to accelerate its transformation. The report channels the voices of more than 7500 real passengers, surveyed at airports in 25 countries around the world, just before takeoff and right after landing. These are authentic, in-the-moment insights from people living the journey. And they’re speaking up:…

07 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Tot siens, Botswana: The end of an era in the second car dealership in Namibia

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

A quiet revolution is unfolding at the Namibian border posts. A policy shift, announced by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, has barred the importation of second-hand vehicles older than 12 years from outside the Common Customs Area (CCA). This change, while perhaps anticipated in policy circles, has hit with the sudden force of a desert storm for many young Namibians whose livelihoods depend on the second-hand motor vehicle trade. For years, the phrase “Dankie, Botswana” marked the informal farewell uttered by hopeful entrepreneurs as they crossed into our neighbour, heading to Durban or other major ports, returning weeks later…

06 Oct

Kabila’s death sentence puts Namibia in tight spot

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia faces a diplomatic test as the death sentence imposed on former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Joseph Kabila draws questions about justice and political stability. International relations analyst Marius Kudumo said the focus will be on how Namibia manages the potential implications of the case diplomatically. He noted that, while a major diplomatic fallout is unlikely, Namibia’s response will reflect its commitment to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) values of rule of law and human rights. The Congolese military tribunal last week sentenced Kabila to death in absentia on charges of war crimes and treason. …

06 Oct

Donatus spent council money on cosmetics and groceries

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay Rural councillor Florian Donatus used the Erongo Regional Council credit card to buy cosmetics and groceries, according to invoices in possession of the Windhoek Observer. Donatus was recently charged with fraud, theft, and money laundering over N$116 000 at the council. A shopping invoice Metro in Walvis Bay shows purchases billed to the council that include two tubs of dairy ice cream, a can of deodorant, bubble bath in different scents, and other groceries such as dishwashing liquid, washing powder, cooking oil, sugar, and luncheon meat. His conduct prompted minister of urban and rural development James…

06 Oct

Health workers accuse govt of abandoning them after US aid cut

National News

Justicia Shipena A group of more than 17 health assistants in Ohangwena say the government has left them in the cold and remained silent after their contracts were terminated following the freezing of United States aid. The assistants were employed under Potentia and funded by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). On Wednesday, they handed a petition to the Ohangwena health directorate, pleading to be re-employed. Speaking on behalf of the group, Selma Heita said they had served the ministry for over a decade and felt abandoned. “It’s really saddening to hear that our contract is…

06 Oct

NNN says she will not tolerate high markups in procurement

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says her administration will not tolerate high markups on essential goods, especially in the health sector. Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was not opposed to removing middlemen from the Health Ministry’s procurement process. Last month, the Ministry of Health stopped using middlemen in the procurement of medicines and clinical supplies, choosing instead to buy directly from international manufacturers and wholesalers. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the decision has already saved the government more than N$221 million in the first phase. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the savings will be reinvested into improving the country’s public health system. “We have cut…

06 Oct

Ballotti calls for national support on teachers’ mental health

National News

Justicia Shipena The deputy minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has called for stronger national support for teachers’ mental health. He said their well-being is essential to the success of the country's education system. Speaking at the launch of the Teachers’ Mental Health Awareness Campaign in Keetmanshoop on Friday, Ballotti said the initiative aims to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of care in schools. The launch took place ahead of World Teachers’ Day, which Namibia celebrated with the rest of the world on Sunday. “When teachers are well, schools shall be…

06 Oct

Tourism ministry spends extra N$800k on Erongo office

National News

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spent N$800 000 more in completing the construction of its Erongo Regional Office in Swakopmund after appointing a new contractor to finish the project. Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel said the project was initially valued at N$19.2 million. She said after the first contractor was terminated in August 2018, when the work was 78% complete, the remaining construction was completed for N$8.3 million. The expansion of the Swakopmund office started in 2015 with the construction of a new office block. The project faced delays due to poor workmanship by the…

06 Oct

Govt plans office complex for former presidents

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The government is considering building a shared office complex for Namibia’s former presidents, prime minister Elijah Ngurare said on Thursday. Ngurare said this is the idea, instead of constructing individual offices for each. Ngurare made the announcement in Parliament while responding to questions from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani about post-presidency arrangements for former president Nangolo Mbumba. He explained that the Former President’s Pension and Other Benefits Act of 2004 governs the benefits extended to former presidents and does not require the construction of separate offices. He said the idea of a shared office complex would…