Windhoek Observer – Page 24 – Windhoek Observer

13 Jan

Six young Namibians held by Myanmar army …police investigations and coordination are underway

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) says it is aware of reports that young Namibians have been trafficked to Myanmar. The confirmation follows a revelation by a member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement leader Job Amupanda that six young Namibians were trafficked out of the country and are currently being held in Myanmar. The Windhoek Observer approached the ministry for comment and MIRT confirmed awareness of the situation. MIRT spokesperson Rosalia Uushona said the ministry has received the report and will respond to the Windhoek Observer with more information today. She did not provide…

13 Jan

Analyst warns against rushing diplomatic appointments

National News

Allexer Namundjembo States must follow diplomatic procedures to avoid misunderstandings, international relations analyst Marius Kudumo told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. This comes amid reports of a disagreement between Ghana and Namibia over the accreditation of a head of mission. Kudumo said diplomacy requires strict adherence to established rules and clear communication between states. “Diplomacy is built on consent and trust. If the receiving state has not formally agreed to an appointment, announcing it publicly can create unnecessary tension,” Kudumo said. Kudumo said the situation underlines the need for governments to be meticulous in interstate relations. He explained that the…

13 Jan

Ballotti promises no learner will be left without a school

National News

Justicia Shipena The deputy minister of education, Dino Ballotti, has assured parents that no learner will be left without a school. On Monday schools across the country opened for the 2026 academic year. The start of the school year was marked with an outcry of school placements by parents. Ballotti gave the assurance on Monday while addressing parents at Otjomuise Primary School, where placement pressures remain a concern. He said the ministry is aware of challenges in areas where schools are far apart and acknowledged that Otjomuise Primary School is the closest option for many families. Ballotti stated that the…

13 Jan

Lack of binding offtake agreements still block GH2 investment

National News

Justicia Shipena Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse says securing binding off-take agreements remains the biggest hurdle to turning Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions into bankable projects. Amutse was speaking at a ministerial roundtable on green industrialisation held on the sidelines of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) Assembly in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. He said large-scale green hydrogen and derivative projects require long-term, binding off-take agreements to secure predictable revenues and justify multi-billion-dollar investments, especially for first-of-a-kind developments. Under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the green hydrogen economy is expected to support up to 30 000 jobs…

13 Jan

Ministry denies secret cuts to mackerel quotas

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has denied claims that it secretly reduced fishing quotas. The ministry said the process was transparent and guided by science. In a press release issued yesterday, the ministry said the management of Namibia’s horse mackerel stock follows clear legal procedures and relies on scientific advice. The clarification follows the setting of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the 2026 horse mackerel season. The ministry confirmed that the Cabinet approved a TAC of 197 000 metric tonnes, a 5% reduction from the 208 000 metric tonnes allowed in 2025. The…

13 Jan

Diplomacy is not a training ground for rookie errors

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Diplomacy is often described as the quiet engine of international relations. It runs on protocol, trust, discretion and mutual respect between sovereign states. When it functions well, citizens rarely notice it. When it falters, however, the consequences can be swift and embarrassing, not only for the officials involved but also for the national image they represent. Recent developments in relations between Namibia and Ghana have raised legitimate concern. Ghana has sought clarification from Namibia over the appointment and public commissioning of former agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata as high commissioner-designate to Accra, despite the fact that formal consent from…

13 Jan

Scotland looks to Namibia in green hydrogen push

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Scottish Africa Business Association (SABA) has highlighted Namibia’s green hydrogen sector after hosting a series of hydrogen roundtables in London in partnership with Scottish Development International. The sessions connected Scotland with high-potential markets in Namibia, Oman, Morocco and Egypt and focused on Scotland’s growing role in the global green hydrogen sector while opening new commercial opportunities for Scottish companies. Discussions covered investment, infrastructure, and export opportunities, including Namibia’s emerging hydrogen market, Oman’s desalination and transport plans, Morocco’s hydrogen technology initiatives, and Egypt’s large-scale electrolyser projects. Each roundtable gave participants direct access to decision-makers and insights into auction…

13 Jan

Stock brand fees to increase from February

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPB) has announced that stock brand fees will increase from 1 February 2026, in line with government gazette No. 573. In a notice issued to state veterinary offices, LLPB offices, farmers’ unions and associations, and livestock agents, the board said the adjustment follows government notice No. 145 of 2015. As the mandated administrator of stock brands, the LLPB is required to apply the annual increase. Under the revised fees, registering a stock brand will increase from N$180 to N$186. The transfer of a brand will rise from N$66 to N$68,…

13 Jan

Assessment finds Venus offshore project acceptable

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira An environmental and social assessment has found that the proposed Venus Offshore Development Project aligns with Namibia’s key national and energy policies. This includes the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which seeks to balance economic growth with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment says the project’s remaining environmental impacts, after mitigation, are expected to be low to negligible during normal operations. The main exception is greenhouse gas emissions, which were rated as having a medium to high negative impact under European Bank for Reconstruction and Development criteria. These emissions will be managed through an Energy and Carbon Management…

13 Jan

Stimulus issues further cautionary announcement

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Stimulus Investments Limited has issued a further cautionary announcement to shareholders, saying negotiations are still under way and could have a material effect on its share price if successfully concluded. The company said the update follows earlier cautionary announcements released on 14 August 2025, 25 September 2025 and 6 November 2025. Shareholders have been advised to continue exercising caution when trading Stimulus’ preference shares until a further announcement is made. The board issued the notice through its sponsor, Cirrus Securities, a member of the Namibia Securities Exchange. In its audited financial results for the year ended 28 February,…