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Justicia Shipena Only 19% of Namibians aged 18 to 35 would choose to start their own business if given the opportunity. This makes the country’s youth the least entrepreneurial in Africa.  This is according to the latest Afrobarometer survey covering 38 African nations. The data stands in sharp contrast to Namibia’s youth population, which makes up 2.1 million of the country’s three million people, according to the 2023 Housing and Population Census by the Namibia Statistics Agency.  Despite their numbers, the survey shows that most young Namibians prefer the government as their employer. The survey asked the youth about their…

Allexer Namundjembo The High Court has found the chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Salmaan Jacobs, guilty of corruption in a case that dates back more than a decade. High Court judges Naomi Shivute and Marilize du Plessis delivered the judgement on Friday, ruling that Jacobs contravened section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2003, which prohibits public officials from using their position for personal gain. The case against Jacobs began with investigations in 2007, when he served as chief regional officer of the ||Karas Regional Council.  This followed allegations that he irregularly claimed allowances and approved payments to…

Justicia Shipena The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) says it remains confident in its ability to recover value from its investments despite a tax claim by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) that led to a major impairment. This is despite the fund saying the claim created “significant uncertainty” for its ability to recover full value of its assets. The claim against one of GIPF’s offshore investment vehicles, the Signal Structured Finance Fund, resulted in an impairment of N$815 million in its 2025 financial statements. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi said this formed part of a total impairment provision…

Renthia Kaimbi The chief executive officer of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam), Albert Nicanor, will continue to receive his full salary and benefits while on suspension.  Nascam's board announced Nicanor’s immediate suspension on Wednesday following allegations of workplace misconduct.  The board said the decision was a neutral administrative step intended to ensure an unbiased investigation. The board stated that the allegations relate to workplace misconduct, including bullying and causing psychological harm under Nicanor’s leadership. During his suspension, he is barred from entering company premises or using its systems. To ensure operations continue, the board appointed…

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in the Otjozondjupa region says the government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought and act quickly to address the problems faced by magistrates. AR regional activist Johannes Johannes said the movement supports magistrates nationwide who plan to strike today.  The magistrates demand dignity, fairness and better working conditions. “The government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought. These are men and women who uphold justice daily under impossible conditions. Their grievances are valid and must be addressed urgently,” he said. Johannes said the continuous postponement of cases and poor court…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has supplied fruits to retailers without receiving payment and leased state land for as little as N$1 per month.  The Windhoek Observer uncovered that internal documents and spoken sources point to weak governance and misuse of public assets meant to drive industrial growth. At the centre of the issue is Naute Farm in the south of the country, known for grape and date farming.  Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Nida has been supplying fruits to certain retailers for years without collecting payments.  Estimates place the outstanding debts from one arrangement between…

Renthia Kaimbi A trip undertaken by Henties Bay municipal officials to Lüderitz cost the council N$200 000.  Documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer show that the delegation was made up of eleven officials, including seven councillors, the acting chief executive officer Ignasia Neis, strategic executive for technical services Emely Tjombumbi, council administrator Erenstine Seibes and property officer Erich Gaoseb.  The group travelled to Lüderitz from 28 October to 1 November 2025.  The stated purpose of the trip was to meet with the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy.  Community members discovered the trip after visiting the council offices…

Allexer Namundjembo The Engineering Council of Namibia's (ECN) new board members have not yet started their work, a memo issued by the council’s registrar, Charles Mukwaso, revealed on Wednesday.  The members were appointed in August by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi.  In the memo, Mukwaso said key functions are still being handled by Nekundi.  “The registrar is inundated with queries and enquiries into applications, particularly full registration, among other matters. I have waited long in hope that these pending matters would be expeditiously resolved, but the accumulating queries have led me to issue this,” the memo reads. Mukwaso asserted…

Chamwe Kaira The minister of finance, Ericah Shafudah, says the redemption of Namibia’s US$750 million Eurobond marks a milestone in the country’s economic journey. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that Namibia had successfully redeemed its second eurobond, valued at US$750 million (approximately N$13.9 billion).  The bond represents the largest single debt maturity in the country's history. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic foresight, and prudent debt management,” Shafudah said. Namibia first issued a eurobond in 2011 under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba at an interest rate of…

Justicia Shipena  The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete.  She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals.  The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…