Blog – Page 8 – Windhoek Observer

13 Mar

DStv getting a new streaming service

Observer Money

Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada says the company will bring its over-the-top (OTT) platform, the Canal+ app, to South Africa to replace the “bleeding” Showmax. MultiChoice announced its intention to shut down Showmax on 5 March 2026 and said it would ensure no disruptions for Showmax subscribers during the transition phase. “As you know, this was a severely loss-making activity on which we saw no recovery, no matter what was done,” the CEO said. Saada explained that Canal+ quickly came to an agreement with Comcast to shut down Showmax as soon as possible but said he couldn’t share details on the…

13 Mar

De Beers sale gets cheaper, though not easier

Observer Money

Anglo American has massively downgraded the value of De Beers on its balance sheet, suggesting a bargain might be in the offing for its many bidders. Which might make the sale easier and quicker, right? Of course, this is not an obvious conclusion, given that after nearly two years, the sale of the once-formidable diamond business is still dragging along, while the assault of lab-grown gems on the market has intensified. Take the fact that a third cut to De Beers’ value last year – from US$4.1bn to a miserable US$2.3bn – was largely to blame for parent Anglo American’s…

13 Mar

Apparent haste by parly committee on uranium exploration in Omaheke suspect

Opinions

Kae Matundu Tjiparuro The report and/or the derivatives of the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources cannot but be highly suspect. Regarding the exploration of uranium in the region of Omahake, specifically in the Stampriet area by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of the Russian energy company. A matter the local media has lately been zeroing in on. But at variance. One headlining its story on the exploration of uranium is hanging in the balance. While the subsequent informed and reported on the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Natural Resources’ love and/or favourable inclination towards the exploration. Gunning for…

12 Mar

Hot water, cold reality

Editorial, Featured

This week we witnessed what should have been a routine maintenance matter elevated into a moment of political theatre: the restoration of hot water at one of the country’s major public hospitals. The ministers responsible deserve acknowledgement for taking decisive action. But while we congratulate them for addressing a deeply embarrassing situation, the circumstances surrounding this “achievement” raise troubling questions about the priorities of governance in our country. Let us begin with the obvious. The absence of reliable hot water in a major national hospital is not merely an inconvenience. It is a failure of basic governance. Hospitals are places…

12 Mar

Kalangula proposes rail overhaul to save TransNamib …outsourcing rail maintenance threatens TransNamib’s future

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena Bringing railway maintenance back to TransNamib Holdings Limited could help save the struggling state-owned enterprise, according to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula. Kalangula made the remarks while contributing to the budget debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday. He said TransNamib is facing operational and financial challenges, including an ageing fleet, limited operational capacity and rising debt. “Bringing railway maintenance back to TransNamib could potentially save the enterprise by consolidating resources, ensuring direct oversight, and aligning maintenance schedules with long-term goals,” he said. Kalangula said TransNamib operates depots in more than 18 towns…

12 Mar

Central Hospital geysers switched back on

National News

Justicia Shipena The government has spent N$6.48 million to restore the industrial electrical geyser water heating system at Windhoek Central Hospital. Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi announced the completion of the project during a handover ceremony at the hospital on Wednesday. The project was completed over seven months by Namibia Engineering Cooperation (NEC) and Pumps (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian-owned company. Nekundi said the upgrade restores reliable hot water across the hospital and improves conditions for patients and healthcare workers. “I am proud to provide that this project was undertaken and sincerely delivered at a cost of N$6.48 million…

12 Mar

Omaheke water tank scandal exposes governance gaps

National News

Patience Makwele The arrest of three officials in the Omaheke region over the alleged diversion of community water tanks has raised concerns about accountability in public service and the protection of resources meant for vulnerable communities. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) this week arrested three officials from the directorate of rural water supply within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform following an investigation into alleged corrupt practices involving community water tanks. The suspects, Katjimune Lion, Tjaondo Festus and Mbingana Morbe Albert, are accused of submitting fraudulent requisitions to the Omaheke Regional Government Stores to obtain two 10 000-litre…

12 Mar

Electricians accuse Cenored of unfair tender allocation

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Accredited electricians with the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored) area say they are often overlooked when electrical tenders are allocated in their towns. The electricians told the Windhoek Observer that despite being registered and accredited to carry out electrical services, contractors from other towns are sometimes brought in to do work in areas where qualified local electricians are available. “Someone can be brought in from a different town to come do the wiring in Tsumeb. It is very bad considering that we also have qualified and professional electricians in Tsumeb or any other town that can do…

12 Mar

Ministry seeks lasting solution after Hardap school taps ran dry

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Hardap regional education director Lawin Paulus says he is awaiting a report outlining a long-term solution to the water problem at Pioneer Secondary School in Schlip after taps at the school ran dry. Paulus told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that a team from the Ministry of Agriculture was sent to the school to address the situation. “I am happy to inform you that the team reconnected the water, and learners are now able to access it. The team was at the school last Friday,” Paulus said. He said he is waiting for a detailed report on the…

12 Mar

Fishing companies asked to finalise contracts before quota release

National News

Justicia Shipena Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi says the fishing quota for the government employment redress programme will only be released once companies submit signed employee contracts. Zaamwani-Kamwi said the government expects to receive the signed contracts by next week. Zaamwani-Kamwi said on Wednesday that the government has been engaging both employers and employees in the fishing sector to ensure they understand their roles before new agreements are signed. Zaamwani-Kamwi said the discussions took place over two days during consultations with companies and workers involved in the programme. “If we reach an agreement and the…