Windhoek Observer

12 May

Witbooi courts French investors for jobs

National News

Patience Makwele Vice president Lucia Witbooi has called on French businesses to invest in Namibia. Speaking during a meeting with French businesses and the MEDEF International delegation in Nairobi, Kenya on Monday, Witbooi promoted Namibia as a stable investment destination with opportunities in oil and gas, technology, tourism and creative industries. The engagement forms part of government efforts to attract foreign direct investment as Namibia faces growing pressure to address unemployment, especially among young people. Witbooi said the government is prioritising investment in agriculture, youth empowerment, sports, creative industries, education, healthcare, housing and sanitation to drive economic growth and create…

12 May

High Court overturns prison study restrictions

Main

Allexer Namundjebo The Windhoek High Court has overturned restrictions imposed at the Windhoek Correctional Facility that reduced inmates’ study hours and prevented inmates from different security classifications from studying together. In a judgement delivered on Thursday, High Court acting judge David Mangota ruled in favour of 18 inmates who challenged the decision by correctional authorities to reduce study time from six hours to two hours per day. The court set aside decisions made by Windhoek Correctional Facility deputy commissioner general Oscar Numwa and senior superintendent Elisia Haiduwa. “The decision of the senior superintendent Elisia Haiduwa and the deputy commissioner Oscar…

12 May

Truck drivers decry border congestion

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The chief-in-command of the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu), Petersen Kambinda, has criticised the long delays faced by truck drivers at border posts. He blamed the situation on slow processes within the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). Kambinda said truck drivers are spending long hours in queues because of system inefficiencies at border entry points. “It is extremely disappointing that we have people in authority who disregard other human beings,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. Kambinda said contingency plans should be introduced whenever NamRA systems are down or operating slowly. “Truck drivers are our unsung heroes; they…

12 May

NHP says Fima compliance remains priority

National News

Patience Makwele The Namibia Health Plan (NHP) says it remains committed to complying with the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima) while stabilising operations following challenges linked to its transition to a new managed care service provider. Fima came into operation at the beginning of this month. NHP hosted two virtual engagement sessions on Monday with members and healthcare providers to address concerns surrounding the transition, which started on 1 April 2026. The sessions brought together the board of trustees, members and healthcare practitioners to discuss service delivery challenges and measures being introduced to improve operations. The transition has resulted…

12 May

SADC PF starts drafting governance model law

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The SADC Parliamentary Forum has formally launched the process to develop a new SADC model law on constitutionalism and the rule of law, with regional stakeholders convening in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a consultative meeting aimed at shaping the proposed soft law. A stakeholders' consultative meeting, held from 22 to 23 April 2026, brought together parliamentarians, constitutional experts, jurists, civil society representatives, electoral practitioners and development partners to begin deliberations on the content and priorities of the proposed model law. Opening the meeting, SADC FP secretary general Boemo Sekgoma said the initiative emerged from a growing recognition within…

12 May

Education, imprisonment and the rule of law

Editorial

The ruling by the High Court of Namibia restoring study rights for inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility is about far more than prison timetables. It is, at its core, a test of Namibia’s constitutional maturity: whether rights remain meaningful when applied to those society may be least inclined to defend. Acting judge David Mangota’s decision to set aside restrictions that reduced study hours from six to two per day and prohibited mixed-security study groups sends a clear signal that correctional administration, like all organs of state, operates within constitutional limits. The judgement reaffirms an essential democratic principle: punishment does…

12 May

Koryx Copper files updated Haib resource report

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper S.A. has filed a new technical report for its wholly owned Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia, including an updated mineral resource estimate for the project. The company said the report was filed on SEDAR+ and prepared by independent consultants from The MSA Group and DRA Projects Europe. The updated report replaces the company’s earlier Preliminary Economic Assessment released in October 2025. Koryx Copper plans to publish a new preliminary economic assessment before the end of the second quarter of 2026. The company also plans to complete 50 000 metres of additional drilling at the Haib…

12 May

Walvis Bay handed exports worth N$6.9 billion in March

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Walvis Bay handled exports worth N$6.9 billion in March, maintaining its position as Namibia’s leading export gateway, according to trade statistics released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). Eros Airport followed with exports valued at N$2.7 billion, while the Katima Mulilo border post recorded N$1.8 billion in outbound trade. Walvis Bay also remained the country’s main import entry point, processing imports worth N$6 billion. The Ariamsvlei border post handled imports valued at N$3.3 billion, while the Trans-Kalahari border post processed N$2.4 billion, reflecting the continued role of both coastal and land trade routes. Sea transport accounted for N$7.1…

12 May

Namfisa appoints three senior officials

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has announced several appointments aimed at strengthening its strategy, technology and financial innovation functions. The authority confirmed that Diana Katjiuongua joined Namfisa on 1 April as head of strategy and projects. Katjiuongua brings 19 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with a background in strategy and project management, business development and civil engineering. Before joining Namfisa, she served as manager of business strategy at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa). She also worked as a project manager at Burmeister & Partners Consulting Engineers and Project Managers. She…

12 May

How the airline industry is preparing for supply disruptions

Observer Money

Stuart Fox The recent pressure on the supply of aviation fuel globally due to the war in the Middle East has put a spotlight on something most passengers never think about: the fuel in the aircraft. If the war continues, it won’t be long before we see fuel shortfalls in parts of the world. Flexibility could help the industry to make better use of the fuel we have, and airlines keep schedules intact. Commercial aviation primarily relies on two fuel grades: Jet A-1, the global standard used in most international operations, and Jet A, which is primarily used in North…