Windhoek Observer

10 Jun

Playing with words will not resolve the Uhuru Dempers questions

Editorial

The controversy surrounding the role of Uhuru Dempers at the National Youth Council (NYC) is no longer simply about one individual. It has evolved into a broader question about transparency, accountability and respect for public procedures within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. At the centre of the matter lies a contradiction that the ministry itself has failed to adequately address. For months, Mr Dempers has reportedly attended meetings with and on behalf of Minister Sanet Steenkamp. Attendance records confirm his presence at numerous NYC engagements. Sources inside the youth sector describe him as having exercised…

10 Jun

Hodago’s N$65 million vessel heads to auction

National News

Patience Makwele A fishing company linked to the Swapo Party’s business interests is facing mounting financial pressure after its flagship freezer trawler, Venus 1, was put up for auction following unpaid debts, wage disputes and a string of legal battles. The auction of the vessel, valued at approximately N$65 million, is scheduled to take place in Walvis Bay on 30 June after the High Court granted an application by Standard Bank Namibia to recover millions of dollars owed by Hodago Fishing. According to an auction notice published on 5 June, prospective bidders will be required to make a refundable upfront…

10 Jun

Mariental Residents Association withdraws councillor citing ‘unlawful’ swearing-in

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Mariental Residents Association (MRA) has withdrawn Daniel Dawid Gariseb as a local authority councillor with immediate effect hours after he was sworn in, citing his expulsion from the association and claiming he was not the rightful candidate on its gazetted list. In a letter dated 8 June 2026 addressed to Mariental municipality chief executive officer Paul Nghiwilepo and seen by the Windhoek Observer, MRA chairman and authorised representative Werner von Watzdorf said Gariseb's swearing-in on Monday morning should be rescinded with immediate effect. Von Watzdorf invoked Section 13(1)(c) of the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992, notifying…

10 Jun

Only 1.69% of oceans protected nationally

National News

Patience Makwele Namibia has protected only 1.69% of its marine territory, despite committing to an international target requiring countries to place at least 30% of their oceans under conservation by 2030, according to agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister, Inge Zaamwani. The disclosure has highlighted a growing challenge for a country that depends heavily on the ocean for jobs, food security and economic growth, while simultaneously seeking to expand its blue economy ambitions. Speaking at the World Ocean Day commemoration in Windhoek earlier this week, Zaamwani said the latest 2026 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Target Tracker shows Namibia…

10 Jun

African Aquaculture Company secures N$40 million local investment

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The African Aquaculture Company (AAC) has welcomed Omankete Investment as the first Namibian private investor in its offshore salmon farming project, in a deal valued at N$40 million. AAC last Wednesday said the investment signals the Namibian private sector’s readiness to contribute to the indigenisation and development of the emerging salmon industry, while also reflecting market confidence in the project. The company said it welcomes the investment as part of its drive to harness value for the aquaculture sector and deepen local ownership, aligning with sustainable job opportunities and revenue growth. “We are happy Namibians and Namibian institutions…

10 Jun

Steenkamp accused of irregular appointment of her ‘special advisor’ …as legal framework exclusively vests appointing authority in President

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture minister, Sanet Steenkamp has been accused of irregularly appointing Uhuru Dempers as her “special advisor on youth matters”, with sources claiming he is being paid by the ministry without following proper recruitment procedures. Sources say Dempers has been attending meetings with and on behalf of Steenkamp since October 2025, while referring to himself as her special advisor. An internal source said while Dempers’ role at the National Youth Council (NYC) is unclear, his involvement is allegedly intrusive rather than constructive. During last month’s representative council meeting in Gobabis, he allegedly lobbied…

10 Jun

Trade deficit reached N$4.4 billion in April

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion in April 2026, as imports continued to exceed exports, according to Statistician-General and Namibia Statistics Agency chief executive officer, Alex Shimuafeni. The country’s total exports for the month amounted to N$9.8 billion, while imports stood at N$14.2 billion. This marks a deterioration from a N$2.1 billion deficit recorded in April 2025, as well as a wider gap compared to the N$2.3 billion deficit registered in the previous month. A breakdown of trade data shows that South Africa remained Namibia’s largest trading partner, serving as both the leading destination for exports…

10 Jun

Letshego staff costs jump to N$147 million

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Limited’s employee benefit expenses rose significantly in 2025 to N$147 million from N$116.2 million in 2024, according to its annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025. The group added that salaries increased to N$79.6 million from N$68 million, while incentive bonuses more than doubled to N$26.6 million from N$10.9 million. Key management personnel costs also increased to N$23.5 million from N$22.1 million. The statements showed that the group recorded strong financial performance during the year ended 31 December 2025, with net interest income rising by nearly 32% as the lender grew earnings…

10 Jun

Andrada confirms high-grade lithium results from drilling programme

Observer Money

Staff Writer Andrada Mining Limited says it has confirmed new high-grade lithium mineralisation from its Lithium Ridge Project in Namibia following the latest batch of drilling results. The company announced results from six additional diamond drill holes, which show consistent lithium mineralisation starting near the surface. Some of the highest results include drill hole LRD027, which returned 9.05 metres at 2.28% lithium oxide (Li₂O) from a depth of 50.82 metres, including a higher-grade section of 3.97 metres at 3.46% Li₂O. Other significant results include LRD023, which recorded 9.64 metres at 1.24% Li₂O, and LRD024, which returned 13.27 metres at 1.42%…

10 Jun

ReconAfrica begins production testing at Kavango West discovery well

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Canadian oil and gas exploration company, ReconAfrica has commenced production testing operations at its Kavango West 1X (KW1X) discovery well in Namibia, marking a significant step in assessing the commercial viability of hydrocarbons in the Damara Fold Belt. The company, together with its partners, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and BW Energy, announced that testing is now underway following the completion of preparatory work at the site. According to ReconAfrica, the programme will test six selected intervals across the Huttenburg and Elandshoek formations, covering a total hydrocarbon-bearing section of approximately 420 metres. The Huttenburg Formation contains…