Windhoek Observer – Page 231 – Windhoek Observer

01 Sep

Veterans’ children demand equal govt benefits

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Association of Dependents of Veterans of Namibia (ADVN) is calling on the government to amend the Veterans Act of 2008 to include children of war veterans, including those born in exile, in state benefits. During a demonstration in Windhoek, ADVN secretary general Petrus Nedongo accused the government of discrimination, calling the group “the forgotten children of the liberation struggle.” “It is now 35 years of independence; we have endured hardships and torments from poverty. We now believe and understand that we have been discriminated against, ignored and forgotten as the dependents of the living and the late…

01 Sep

Zambezi clinics struggle with staffing and infrastructure

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, health and social welfare found serious gaps during its oversight visit to the region. At Kaenda Clinic, the committee learnt that the facility has no cleaners. The community rejected the recruited candidate, preferring to select one of its two volunteers. The clinic now operates without cleaning staff. Although it has a mortuary and an incinerator, both remain unused because there are no trained workers. Nurses at the clinic have housing and said they are satisfied with their living conditions. At Sachona, the situation is worse. The clinic has been operating from…

01 Sep

One in four Namibian children stunted

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Nearly one in four children under the age of five in Namibia is stunted as malnutrition worsened due to drought. The World Food Programme (WFP) Namibia Country Brief for July 2025 reported that 24% of children under five are stunted, 6% suffer from wasting and 13% are underweight. It said 1 101 deaths due to malnutrition were recorded in all 14 regions during the reporting period. The WFP linked the crisis to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall, which disrupted crop and livestock production, increased food prices, and reduced food access. “Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven…

01 Sep

International reserves decrease to N$58.1 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia’s stock of international reserves fell by 2.6% to N$58.1 billion at the end of July. The decline was mainly driven by higher net rand outflows from commercial banks for portfolio investment abroad. “This level of international reserves translates into 3.8 months of import cover, whereas the import cover excluding oil exploration and appraisal activities stood at 4.3 months,” the central bank said. Commercial banks’ overall cash balances declined to an average of N$5.8 billion in July, down from N$6.1 billion in June. The reduction was largely due to corporate tax payments due at the…

01 Sep

Haib Copper study to be released this month

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper Incorporated has released assay results from seven drill holes, covering 2 986 metres, as part of its phase 2, 3 and 4 drill programme at the Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia. The programme forms part of the company’s 2025 exploration and project development strategy. Heye Daun, Koryx Copper’s President and CEO, said the results confirm the company’s drilling strategy. “We continue to be highly encouraged by the results of our ongoing drill programme. Our strategy of drilling close spaced and deeper holes is paying dividends as we are seeing mineralisation extending down dip and along…

01 Sep

Local currency strength helps reduce fuel cost pressure

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The appreciation of the Namibian dollar against the US dollar helped reduce the impact of rising freight costs. From 1 to 25 August, the average exchange rate stood at N$17.70 per US dollar, reflecting a 0.34% appreciation compared to the July average of N$17.76. “This appreciation helped cushion the impact of rising freight costs by slightly lowering the cost of imports in local currency terms, thereby reducing the extent of under-recoveries,” the ministry of industries, mines and energy said. On Friday, the ministry announced that the prices of petrol and both diesel grades will remain unchanged for September. …

01 Sep

Overall index declined by 0.30%

Observer Money

The JSE All Share Index closed at 101,836.00 points for the week of 25 to 29 August, down 0.86% from 102 724.00 points the previous week. Despite the weekly decline, the index has gained 21.10% since December 2024. Namibia’s Overall Index (N098) fell by 0.30% to 1,829.85 points. The Local Index (N099) inched up 0.04% to 754.49 points, marking a 9.14% increase since the end of 2024. Telecommunications (N15) remained unchanged at 282.92 points, while utilities (N65) also stayed flat at 1 107.49 points. Financials (N30) dropped 2.45% to 617.87 points and real estate (N35) declined 2.12% to 2,334.44 points,…

01 Sep

LOCAL AUTHORITIES’ GOVERNANCE & THE SUSPENSION OF KATIMA MULILO TOWN COUNCILLORS

Featured, Opinions

Lazarus Kwedhi In Namibia, state powers are entrusted to administrative bodies and officials, with decisions required to be made in line with the rule of law and every right protected. Within this framework, Hon. Sankwasa, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, exercised his powers under Section 92 of the Local Authorities Act, 1992 (Act No. 23 of 1992, as amended), by dissolving the Katima Mulilo Town Council and placing its powers under his office. This decision followed the minister’s announcement on Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) news that the Katima Mulilo Town Council had engaged in a bartering arrangement for…

01 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia and the AfCFTA

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When the vice president Lucia Witbooi, travels to Algiers in September to represent President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Intra-Africa Trade Fair (IATF2025), she carries more than a delegation badge. She carries Namibia’s opportunity to shape its place in a continental market of 1.4 billion people, underpinned by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The fair, themed “A Gateway to New Opportunities”, is not just a showcase of trade. It is a laboratory for Africa’s economic future. The AfCFTA, established in 2018 and operational since 2021, is the largest free trade agreement since the formation of the World Trade Organisation.…

30 Aug

OBSERVER DAILY | Diplomacy or Trade: Where is the Centre of Gravity?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s diplomatic service has historically been framed around political solidarity, liberation credentials, and the maintenance of good neighbourly relations. These have been important foundations. But the times have changed. The 21st century demands that diplomacy be primarily economic. Today’s ambassadors should not only attend receptions and negotiate communiqués; they should be Namibia’s chief salespeople in foreign capitals. If the Ministry of International Relations and Trade is serious about trade, then returning diplomats should be evaluated not only on how many bilateral agreements were signed, but on whether they facilitated investment, opened markets for Namibian products, or created opportunities for Namibian…