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A harvest of opportunity: Turning rainfall gains into lasting food security

Namibia’s agronomy sector has delivered a rare and welcome piece of good news: a projected maize harvest of 111 447 tonnes. After seasons often defined by uncertainty, this year’s strong rainfall has translated into tangible productivity, offering both relief and a glimpse of what is possible when climatic conditions align with preparedness. While minor pest and weed challenges have been reported, they are not expected to significantly dent yields, a testament to improved farm management practices and resilience within the sector. This moment deserves recognition, not only as a seasonal success but also as a strategic opportunity. Namibia must resist…
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Mobile launch to weigh on Paratus’ earnings 

Mobile launch to weigh on Paratus’ earnings 

Chamwe Kaira  Telecommunications company Paratus Namibia Holdings Limited says its earnings are expected to fall sharply as it absorbs the cost of its new mobile network. In a trading statement, the company said headline earnings per share and basic earnings per share are expected to decline by more than 30% for the six months ended 31 December 2025. The company linked the decline to costs from the rollout of its mobile business, which launched on 2 September 2025. Paratus said operating expenses increased due to the new network.  Finance costs also rose as the company took on additional borrowing to…
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SADC airlines warn of looming jet fuel

SADC airlines warn of looming jet fuel

Chamwe Kaira  The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has raised concern over jet fuel availability in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region beyond May 2026. The association warned that a lack of clear contingency plans could disrupt airline schedules, increase fares and affect regional economies. AASA said airlines need at least six weeks’ visibility on fuel supply to plan operations and meet obligations to passengers and cargo customers. AASA chief executive Aaron Munetsi called on fuel suppliers, depot operators, airports and SADC governments to share fuel allocation and distribution plans. He said concerns are linked to disruptions in…
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Maize harvest expected to reach 100 000 tonnes

Maize harvest expected to reach 100 000 tonnes

Chamwe Kaira  Agronomy producers expect a harvest of about 111 447 tonnes. Producers shared this outlook during a meeting of the Agronomy Producers’ Association, where they said crop conditions are strong following good rainfall across most regions. About 23 390 hectares of maize were planted under dryland and irrigation. If conditions hold, output could exceed last season’s harvest. Producers said rainfall was timely across most maize-growing areas and supported crop growth.  Some eastern regions received less rain, but overall conditions remain favourable. They reported minor challenges such as weeds and limited pests. These are not expected to affect yields. Groundnut…
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Namibia, Angola sign Cable connectivity deal

Namibia, Angola sign Cable connectivity deal

Staff Writer Telecom Namibia Limited and Angola Telecom have signed an agreement that allows Angola Telecom to access international bandwidth through the Equiano subsea cable landing in Swakopmund. The agreement was formalised through a memorandum of understanding and a commercial terms agreement signed in Swakopmund. The signing was attended by Namibia's minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus, Angola's minister of telecommunications, information technology and social communication Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira, the mayor of Swakopmund and executives from both companies. Theofelus said the agreement strengthens regional connectivity. “This agreement reflects our shared belief that connectivity is no longer…
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Bank Windhoek celebrates northern real estate excellence

Bank Windhoek celebrates northern real estate excellence

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to property ownership in Northern Namibia, citing promising growth in property finance through estate agents and calling for coordinated action to increase the supply of serviced land, accelerate infrastructure rollout, and improve affordability for first-time buyers. Speaking at the Bank Windhoek Northern Estate Agents’ Awards hosted in Oshakati, Leon Koch, the bank's executive officer of business banking and acting executive officer of retail banking services, said Northern Namibia remained the country’s most active property market in 2025.  He cautioned that shortages of especially serviced land are constraining delivery, urging…
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Trustco still battling Helios, NamRA in court

Trustco still battling Helios, NamRA in court

Staff Writer Trustco Group Holdings Limited says its legal disputes with Helios Oryx Limited and the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) remain unresolved. In an update to shareholders, the company said both matters, first disclosed in its 2023 financial statements, are still before the courts or under review. Trustco said the Helios case is ongoing and subject to further legal processes. A British court earlier ordered Trustco to pay about N$371 million to Helios. The judgement was later allowed to be enforced in Namibia. Trustco has appealed the ruling. The company stated that legal channels are still handling related proceedings and…
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MTC launches LTE network sites at Rössing Uranium 

MTC launches LTE network sites at Rössing Uranium 

Staff Writer MTC Namibia has launched four LTE network sites at Rössing Uranium Limited to improve connectivity at the mine. The sites were installed at the request of Rössing to address areas with weak or no network coverage. The project introduces four LTE sites across the mine to provide mobile voice and high-speed data services in key operational areas. The network is designed to support communication in an environment where reliable connectivity is needed for safety and daily operations. MTC managing director Licky Erastus said the project improves how teams work on site. “This project is about improving how people…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Stigma shadows youth uptake of HIV prevention pill

YOUNG OBSERVER | Stigma shadows youth uptake of HIV prevention pill

Patience Makwele  PrEP is a daily pill taken by HIV-negative people to prevent infection. When used consistently, it can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99%. HIV remains a concern among young people, especially young women.  Data from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS shows that women aged 15 to 24 in sub-Saharan Africa are more than twice as likely to contract HIV as men of the same age. Some young people say stigma makes it difficult to access the medication. Fatima Amukweya (29) said she started using PrEP after losing family members and a friend…
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YOUNG OBSERVER | Breaking the silence on mental health

YOUNG OBSERVER | Breaking the silence on mental health

Patience Makwele  More young Namibians are speaking openly about mental health in homes, on campuses and online, challenging long-standing silence and stigma. At the centre of this shift is Windhoek-based mental health practitioner DieMut Amushila, founder of NeuroBloom Psychology, whose work is drawing interest from young people seeking safe spaces to talk. “Healing is possible not just for individuals but for the society at large,” she said. Amushila has more than a decade of experience in neuropsychology and neuroscience.  She said her work goes beyond clinical care and focuses on changing how mental health is understood, especially among young people.…
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