Windhoek Observer – Page 17 – Windhoek Observer

29 Aug

Grindrod’s bulk cargo handling drops at Walvis Bay

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Logistics company Grindrod Limited handled 16 604 tonnes of bulk cargo at Walvis Bay in the first half of 2025, down from 134 443 tonnes in the same period last year. The company operates a bulk and break-bulk terminal facility at the port. In the second half of 2024, Grindrod handled 109 890 tonnes at Walvis Bay, bringing the total for that year to 244 333 tonnes. In 2023, the company moved 305 336 tonnes at the same terminal. Chief executive officer Xolani Mbambo said in the 2025 interim results that performance rebounded strongly in the second quarter,…

29 Aug

Trade balance records N$856m surplus in June

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$856 million in June, up from a revised surplus of N$341 million in May and compared to a deficit of N$762 million in June last year, statistician general and Namibia Statistics Agency CEO Alex Shimuafeni said. China was Namibia’s top export destination, while South Africa remained the main source of imports. Exports were dominated by mining commodities including uranium, non-monetary gold, diamonds, and copper. Fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five exports. Shimuafeni said re-exports fell by 5% month-on-month and 7.9% year-on-year. The re-export basket mainly comprised copper, nickel…

29 Aug

Langer Heinrich returning to stability

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Langer Heinrich Mine recorded revenue of U$177.7 million in the 2025 financial year, Paladin Energy announced this week. The sales represented 2.7 million pounds of uranium oxide. The company said cost of sales stood at U$191.7 million, reflecting the ramp-up of operations. Commercial production at the mine resumed in March 2024, and operations ramped up steadily through 2025. The mine processed more than 3.6 million tonnes of ore during the year, producing 3 million pounds of uranium oxide. “The average plant recovery rate of 84% reflects the steady progress made during the year as the LHM team…

29 Aug

BoN to host financial inclusion forum

Observer Money

With less than a week to go before the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum (GPF) 2025, the Bank of Namibia said this week that 800 delegates from across the African continent and beyond, will attend the forum to be held in Swakopmund. Naufiku Hamunime, acting deputy director of corporate communications and sustainability said the forum, convening under the theme “Empowering Society, Enabling Growth,” represents one of the most significant financial inclusion gatherings globally and on the continent. She said the forum comes at a pivotal time for Namibia’s financial sector. On 28 July, the Bank of Namibia,…

29 Aug

Whose Heroes /Heroines Day?

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Whose Heroes'/Heroines' Day? This is by no means a rhetorical question but a pertinent one after 35 years of the observation of this day. That is supposed to be not only historic but also sacrosanct, and this year it was just observed, or should one say some observed it, this Tuesday in Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region. Yours Truly Ideologically could not but observe the pre-coverage of the Day in the media a few days leading up to the official observance with keen interest but also trepidation later replaced by consternation. Especially the articles and broadcasts, as…

29 Aug

Youth and class consciousness in the face of Namibia’s upcoming elections

Opinions

Sakaria Johannes According to Karl Marx, class consciousness is the awareness by a social class of its own position, interests, and power in relation to other classes within the structure of a society. As Namibia heads toward the regional and local authority elections this November, the role of young people in shaping the future of this nation cannot be overstated. This moment demands not only youth participation but also youth awakening. It is a time for young Namibians to rise with clarity, purpose, and class consciousness, to seize democratic spaces and steer the country toward a more just and equitable…

29 Aug

NCCI CEO calls for unity in driving economic transformation

Observer Money

In an address to the standing committee on economy and industry, public administration and planning of the National Assembly recently, Titus Nampala, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), said the chamber must be seen not only as a convener but as a catalyst for inclusive economic transformation.” Nampala emphasised that the chamber’s renewed focus will facilitate that its members, from large corporates to MSMEs, are heard, represented and empowered. “The chamber is here to amplify the voice of every Namibian business, big or small and to ensure that our policy environment reflects the realities…

28 Aug

Two members reappointed to procurement panel

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The ministry of finance has appointed 15 members to the Public Procurement Review Panel. The panel will serve from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028 on an ad hoc basis. It is tasked with handling disputes from bidders dissatisfied with procurement decisions. It will also decide on matters such as the suspension, debarment, and disqualification of suppliers. Wilson Shikoto, spokesperson for the ministry of finance on Thursday said the appointments were made to strengthen fairness, transparency, and accountability in the procurement system. “The diverse expertise represented on the panel will ensure that Namibia’s procurement system remains fair,…

28 Aug

‘Fitty’ reportedly suffers food poisoning in prison

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Fishrot accused Tamson “Fitty” Hatuikulipi has been hospitalised in Windhoek since last week following a suspected case of food poisoning. Associates of Hatuikulipi claimed toxicology tests showed he reacted to “excessive substances”, though they did not specify which substances. They said he and his co-accused, former Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) chief executive officer Mike Nghipunya, allegedly bought food from the correctional facility cafeteria shortly before the incident. Reports indicate they have not been allowed to receive food from outside the facility. Hatuikulipi’s lawyer, Mbanga Siyomunji, confirmed that inmates have not been permitted to receive outside food since…

28 Aug

Half a million hole in WFP budget

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The World Food Programme (WFP) Namibia has announced a funding shortfall of USD 0.5 million (N$9.5 million) for the next six months, representing 19% of its requirements. The gap could disrupt critical food assistance programmes across the country. According to the WFP Namibia Country Brief for July 2025, the organisation assisted 96 387 people in July through food vouchers, school feeding initiatives, and soup kitchens. During that month, 58 764 people received food vouchers, 25 585 children were served meals at soup kitchens, and 12 038 schoolchildren benefited from the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (Tier 2). “USD 0.5…