Windhoek Observer – Page 117 – Windhoek Observer

22 May

AUSC Region 5 Youth Games’ LOC rallies city support

Sports

Justicia Shipena The General Manager of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games, Jacqueline Gertze, says the City of Windhoek will play a key role in the success of the event. Gertze said the city’s support with transport, emergency services, safety, waste management, and environmental health is vital to delivering a world-class Games. She made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Mayor of Windhoek, Ndeshihafela Larandja, on Thursday. The LOC updated the mayor on preparations for the 11th edition of the Region 5 Youth Games, which will take place…

22 May

FIMA remains troublesome for the financial industry

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The status of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA) remains uncertain, with no clear indication it will come into effect this year. Namibia Asset Management (NAM) said the Act, in its current form, raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the financial industry and business. “We look forward to continuing to engage the Minister of Finance around how the Act can be implemented in a way that aligns with national interests and targets while also adhering to global best practice,” NAM said. NAM emphasised that the regulations must fit the local context to avoid unintended negative impacts…

22 May

Transformative regionalism and people-centered diplomacy: A reflection on Namibia’s diplomatic initiatives in Southern Africa

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) INTRODUCTION Regional stability in Southern Africa has emerged as a multifaceted concern engaging stakeholders across political, economic, and social spectrums. While conventional security paradigms often dominate discourse on regional stability, progressive African leadership has increasingly reoriented focus toward people-centered development, peacebuilding, and regional integration. This paradigm shift is exemplified by the diplomatic initiatives of Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, whose recent engagements with neighboring Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Tanzania represent more than ceremonial diplomacy—they constitute a deliberate strategy of transformative regionalism and underscore how diplomacy functions simultaneously as negotiation and as…

22 May

Diplomacy in the Crossfire: Lessons for Namibia from the Trump-Ramaphosa Oval Office Showdown

Opinions

Johanna Hipangelwa An Oval Office confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reveals powerful lessons in global diplomacy and offers timely insights for Namibia’s foreign policy strategy. On May 21, 2025, global diplomacy took centre stage in Washington D.C. when U.S. President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a controversial video alleging a so-called “white genocide” in South Africa. What was expected to be a routine bilateral discussion devolved into a dramatic and highly publicised standoff exposing both the volatility of today’s international relations and the importance of measured leadership. As the…

22 May

SONAs, SORAs are businesses usual

Opinions

Kae Matundu INCREASINGLY Yours Truly Ideologically is starting to doubt and question the meaning and essence of the yearly State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) and same as well as that of State of the Region Addresses (SORAs) as has become the political tradition since independence. Especially doubting if the said addresses are true reflections of the real socio-economic conditions of the people on the ground, rather than just a public relations exercise by the powers that be. To make the country believe that the administration is and has been doing something to better the lives of the country and…

22 May

Namdeb plans to upscale wind plant to 150MW

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namdeb plans to upscale its planned 34 MW wind plant to 100-150 MW. Corporate affairs manager Grace Luvindao said the intent of the recent MoU signed with NamPower is to upscale the project to a significantly larger wind energy facility that is connected to the NamPower electrical grid. “Initial indications are that the facility can be upscaled to between 100-150MW, however this will be confirmed as the study progresses. The capital cost and the funding for the project will be determined once the study phase of the project is nearing completion.” Luvindao said at present, Namdeb does not…

22 May

Procurement board tackles TransNamib tender cancellation

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Central Procurement Board of Namibia says it is dealing with the government’s decision to cancel TransNamib’s plan to buy 23 new locomotives for N$1.7 billion. Johanna Kambala, Manager of Stakeholder Relations at the board, said the matter is sensitive and the board will respond to questions at an appropriate time. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi confirmed that the locomotive tender had been cancelled due to concerns over sourcing from a single supplier. He said TransNamib now needs to come up with new timelines for the locomotive purchase. Earlier this year, TransNamib announced plans to buy…

22 May

Construction sector projected to expand by 8.5%

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia’s construction sector is projected to grow by 8.5% in 2025, making it the fastest-growing sector despite accounting for just 1.4% of GDP in 2024. This growth is driven by monetary easing, increased public infrastructure investment, and renewed private sector confidence. Simonis Storm Securities said total output is expected to reach about N$4.3 billion. Growth will focus on residential developments, commercial real estate, and government capital projects. Since late 2024, the Bank of Namibia has cut interest rates by 100 basis points, easing financing conditions. Another rate cut is expected in the second half of 2025. Lower rates…

22 May

FNB lowers 2025 inflation forecast to 3.9%

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti said FNB now expects inflation to ease to 3% year-on-year in May. The annual average inflation for 2025 is forecast at 3.9%, slightly below the earlier projection of 4.2%. “Our updated forecast reflects lower-than-expected pressure from housing and utilities, while other assumptions remain broadly unchanged. Although housing and rent prices are expected to remain elevated, the utilities outlook has improved. We had anticipated an electricity tariff increase of over 8%, assuming limited fiscal capacity to subsidise national tariffs for a second consecutive year,” Mboti said. NamPower’s announcement of a more moderate 3.8% increase,…

22 May

Consumers are preferring fuel-efficient cars

Energy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibian car buyers are shifting their focus from luxury and performance to affordability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. Simonis Storm Securities says this trend is creating space for new brands, especially Chinese manufacturers, to enter the market as some established European brands lose ground. “This evolution presents new opportunities for local dealerships, financiers, and service providers to adapt their offerings in line with shifting consumer expectations, focusing more on cost-conscious packages, servicing support, and competitive financing models tailored to the growing mid-tier vehicle segment,” Simonis Storm Securities said. Vehicle sales data for April 2025 show a strong preference for…