Windhoek Observer – Page 235 – Windhoek Observer

13 Mar

QKR sponsors N$15 million for Karibib Health Centre

National News

Niël Terblanché The foundation has been laid for a new state-of-the-art health centre in Karibib, a project made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Social Services and QKR Navachab Gold Mine. The minister of health and social services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, said at the official launch of the project that once completed, the facility will improve healthcare access for the town’s growing population and surrounding areas. “The existing health facility, inaugurated in 2004, has served the needs of Karibib residents well. However, demographic changes and increased demand for healthcare services make it necessary to expand our…

13 Mar

Elderly tourist missing in Sesriem area identified

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police has identified the elderly man from Switzerland that went missing from the Desert Hills Lodge in the Sesriem area as the 83-year-old Alois Ottiger. Ottiger was reported missing on Sunday, 9 March, at about 17:00 after he left his room at the lodge. People from the Sesriem area said that before he went missing, he told workers at the lodge that Sunday was the first anniversary of his wife’s death. According to the description provided by the Namibian police, Ottiger is approximately 1.73m tall and was last seen wearing white clothes. It was also reported…

13 Mar

Namra pushes for trade efficiency at Trans-Kalahari Border

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Namibia officially launched the Time Release Study (TRS) Report for the Trans-Kalahari Border Post on Thursday, which is another step towards improving trade efficiency and border management. The report, a product of collaboration between Namibian government institutions, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, and technical experts, seeks to identify and address bottlenecks in the clearance of goods and border operations. At the launch event in Windhoek, the Namibia Revenue Agency’s (NamRA) commissioner, Sam Shivute described the report as a tool that will help refine customs and trade facilitation measures in line with international best practices. “The TRS…

13 Mar

Is there cause to celebrate 35 years or not?

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Next Friday, Namibia will turn 35 years old. If Namibia were a human being, one would have considered him or her a grown-up and middle-aged and thus expected her/him to be mature enough to either be entrusted with crucial decisions in life or be entrusted with full responsibility for his life. Because a person is already considered mature—although not that mature— by the age of 21 years. This is symbolised by giving them a key, The key symbolises the transition to adulthood, the assumption of new responsibilities, and the unlocking of opportunities and independence. Intriguing enough it seems…

13 Mar

Cracking the Code: A conversation with the Marbeline Sabatha the author of The Modern Man’s Guide

National News

In her new book, The Modern Man’s Guide: Cracking the Code on Women and Relationships, Marbeline Sabatha shares the inspiration behind the book, the common relationship pitfalls men encounter, and why fostering mutual understanding is key to building lasting, fulfilling partnerships. WO: What inspired you to write this book, and what personal experiences or observations influenced its content? MS: My deep-seated desire to see couples thrive in happy, fulfilling relationships initially inspired me to write this book. Over the years, I witnessed the damage and turmoil caused by miscommunication and misunderstandings between partners. It was perplexing to observe how arguments…

13 Mar

Avoid project abandonment

Opinions

Sem Billy I. David In any growing city, successfully implementing development projects is crucial to improving residents' lives. The City of Windhoek, together with the Regional Council Office, are responsible for ensuring that projects meet the requirements of the people and should be completed efficiently and on time. However, there have been mounting concerns regarding delays, mismanagement, and even abandonment of projects in Windhoek, especially in the informal settlement, such as Mix Settlement (Mix Primary School, started 2023 till now not completed), Groot Aub, Havana (road infrastructures, Schools and Hospitals) and Goreangab Dam, which ultimately damage service delivery and public…

13 Mar

Namibia has 75 million carats in reserve

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibia has the richest known marine diamond deposits in the world, with diamond resources estimated at approximately 75 million carats in approximately 1.0 million square kilometres of seabed. Marine diamond deposits represent around 80% of the partnership’s total diamond production and 94% of its diamond resources, based on the Anglo American 2024 Integrated Report. Anglo American owns De Beers. De Beers operates via 50:50 joint operations with the Namibian government, recovering both land-based diamonds Namdeb and offshore mining Debmarine Namibia. Production in Namibia decreased by 4% to 2.2 million carats in 2024 (2023: 2.3 million carats), reflecting intentional action…

13 Mar

Namport monitoring railway projects

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) chairperson, Nangula Hamunyela, has said Namport is following with keen interest the ongoing engagements on the developments of the Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo and Trans Kalahari rail links and is of the hope that these may move to fruition in the medium term. The Trans-Zambezi Railway will extend from Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo. The proposed Trans-Kalahari Railway between Namibia and Botswana will span from Mmamabula in Botswana to Walvis Bay. Namport has said the absence of rail connections to the key markets in Botswana and Zambia remains a major cause for concern, especially…

13 Mar

Standard Bank to pay shareholders 70 cents per share

Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Standard Bank Namibia Holdings Limited has entered 2025 in a forceful position. The group’s 2025 strategic priorities continue to be transforming client experience and driving sustainable growth and value, the group said in financial results for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. “We have refreshed our current strategy and crafted bold ambition for our 2025–2028 horizon with clear ‘must win’ battles for each business unit.” The board recommended a final ordinary dividend of 70 cents per share (2023: 58 cents per ordinary share). Profit for the year increased by 36.8%, up from N$770 million to N$1.053 billion.…

13 Mar

Kasete, Kanime join Standard Bank board

Observer Money

Standard Bank Namibia Holdings Limited has appointed Zebra Karirondua Kasete as independent non-executive director of SBN Holdings Limited and Standard Bank Namibia Limited. Kasete is currently the executive vice president for the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter. He is a senior executive and metallurgist with an international MBA and 35+ years of global mining and metal experience across senior strategic, operational, and corporate roles including managing director, executive vice president and board roles in both Rio Tinto’s subsidiaries and Dundee Precious Metals (DPM). He is experienced in diverse commodities like uranium, borates, talc, diamond, copper and gold and strengths in transforming companies,…