Windhoek Observer – Page 123 – Windhoek Observer

16 Jul

Use of local materials can cut building costs – INQS

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Sourcing construction materials locally or within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region can help reduce building costs in Namibia, says Frederick van Greunen, a board member of the Institute of Namibian Quantity Surveyors (INQS). He was speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday during the INQS business breakfast held in Windhoek. The event brought together over 60 participants, including architects, engineers, banks, lawyers, suppliers, and equity financiers, to discuss the role of quantity surveyors in the building industry. “We need to look in our neighbourhood if we are buying materials—tiles, steel, paint, sheeting. We mustn’t always import…

16 Jul

Hot weather slows Namibian swimmers in Singapore

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The World Aquatics Championships in Singapore has postponed the event yesterday, after extreme heat pushed temperatures to 31 degrees Celsius The organisers said the event will proceed once the water temperature has dropped to acceptable levels under World Aquatics regulations. Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation president Riaan Steyn said the hot weather negatively affected Namibian swimmer Nico Esslinger, who finished 47th in the 10 km open water event with a time of 11 minutes and 57.90 seconds. “The race was postponed until water quality became better. During this morning’s testing there was a significant improvement in water quality and…

16 Jul

Welwitschias lean on home crowd spirit ahead of Africa Cup final

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national rugby team, the Welwitschias, have called on supporters to rally behind them as they prepare to face Zimbabwe in the Rugby Africa Cup final. The final is set for Saturday at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, where the tournament has been taking place for the past two weeks, featuring several African rugby nations. Speaking on Wednesday, vice-captain Danco Burger thanked sponsors and fans for their support so far and urged them to continue backing the team in the final. “I would love to thank our loyal supporters and sponsors for your immense support these couple…

16 Jul

How competition among students is making them lose touch with their roots.

Featured, Opinions

Junias VH Shipwilikineni Today, many students are caught up in a fierce race to outdo each other. Competition has become part of our daily lives, mostly driven by peer pressure. But in the middle of all this, we are losing something very important: our connection to where we come from. As a student myself, I have realised that we are messing up a lot because of this pressure to compete. We forget our culture, our families, and the values that once guided us. Instead, we focus only on being the best, sometimes at any cost. This is making us truly…

16 Jul

Meatco gives Liebenberg the chop

MainLiebenberg, Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Patrick Liebenberg’s short-lived term as acting chief executive officer of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has come to an abrupt end, just weeks before his six-month tenure was set to expire. The Meatco suspended Liebenberg with effect from 14 July, pending an independent investigation. This was detailed in an internal memo issued to staff by Meatco board deputy chairperson Stefanie de Klerk. Liebenberg, who also served as executive for livestock procurement and production, was appointed acting CEO in February after the board opted not to renew the contract of former CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji. “The Meatco board of…

16 Jul

Fuelgate: Malima’s getaway leaves a N$9.5m question mark

National NewsFuelgate

: Justicia Shipena Fugitive Victor Malima’s name surfaced in court on Tuesday during the bail testimony of businessman Peter Elindi, one of the accused in the Namcor corruption case. According to documents presented to court, a N$9.5 million payment made to Eco Trading CC in July 2022 formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity. Malima, listed as the sole owner of the company, reportedly fled the country through the Wenela border post at Katima Mulilo on Friday, just moments before a nationwide alert to stop him was issued. Malima is also the founder and owner of Ecofuels and formerly…

16 Jul

Nored clears N$341m debt to NamPower

Featured, National NewsNored

Allexer Namundjebo The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) says that it has fully settled its debt of N$341 million with NamPower. Nored acting chief executive officer Toivo Shovaleka said this week the debt, which had strained relations between the two entities, was cleared on 9 June 2025. He described the amount as a historic debt that had built up over several years. NamPower had previously suspended electricity supply to Nored due to the unpaid amount. To resolve the crisis, Nored entered into a repayment agreement with NamPower in June 2023, which allowed it to gradually settle the debt. “We are…

16 Jul

Ministry warns of risks to gender policy implementation

National Newsgender policy

Hertta-Maria Amutenja As the country prepares to implement its third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (NGEEP) for 2025 to 2035, the ministry of gender equality and child welfare has flagged several risks that could undermine progress. Speaking at the Women in Politics and Decision Making roundtable held from 15 to 18 July in Swakopmund, executive director Lydia Indombo highlighted several threats to gender equality efforts. These include an unfavourable economic climate, limited budget allocations, staff turnover, a lack of stakeholder cooperation, and the withdrawal of development partners. She also cited the rise in gender-based violence, lack of shelters for…

16 Jul

State pressed to drop charge against Elindi over wrong account

National NewsMalakia Elindi

Justicia Shipena Businessman Peter Elindi’s legal team has threatened to approach the High Court if the state does not withdraw a charge related to alleged proceeds of unlawful activity by today. Peter is one of the accused in the ongoing N$480 million Namcor corruption case. While testifying during his bail application at the Windhoek Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Peter told the court that the charge is based on mistaken identity. The state alleges that on 19 July 2020, near Windhoek, Peter knew or ought to have known that N$1.5 million paid into a Bank Windhoek account from Onyeka Clearing and…

16 Jul

PSC dreams a unified desk for SADC

National NewsSalmaan Jacobs

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Public Service Commission chairperson Salmaan Jacobs has proposed that Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states formalise cooperation in staff exchange and secondment programmes. Jacobs made the proposal during the annual general meeting of the SADC Public Service Commissions (PSCs) Forum, currently underway in Windhoek. He stated that the regional body could support and implement these programmes using collective bargaining standards. He stated that formal agreements between public service commissions were necessary to transform regional commitments into practical actions and protocols for public administration. Jacobs also highlighted the importance of digital platforms for regular engagement. He said digital…