Windhoek Observer – Page 33 – Windhoek Observer

08 Oct

Economist questions need for NIPDB

National News

Chamwe Kaira The government must decide whether promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) is necessary to reverse the long-term decline in private sector investment, economist Robin Sherbourne has said. Sherbourne said the government should first focus on “improving the product” rather than selling something that “does not withstand scrutiny.” He said this involves eliminating policy uncertainty and addressing issues that are crucial to investors. “These uncertainties include having an internationally competitive tax regime, clear property rights, and protection from arbitrary government nationalisation or the forced incorporation of local partners,” he said. He added that investors also need clear dispute resolution mechanisms,…

08 Oct

LPM accuses govt of shielding Germany in genocide case

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has accused the government of siding with Germany at the expense of justice for victims of the 1904–1908 Herero and Nama genocide. The accusation comes as LPM, together with the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), continues its legal challenge against the 2021 joint declaration between Namibia and Germany. On Monday, LPM described the government’s recent legal actions as a “betrayal” of genocide victims, saying it has chosen to protect Germany instead of pursuing accountability. The party criticised the decision to hire advocate Raymond Heathcote to argue that…

08 Oct

Damara youth group oppose renaming of Dâures monument

National News

Justicia Shipena The Damara King’s Council Youth Group has written to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and ICT Minister Emma Theofelus opposing any move to rename the Dâures/Brandberg Omukuruvaro National Monument Area. In a letter dated 7 October 2025, the group said renaming the site would erase Damara cultural memory and amount to a symbolic act of dispossession. “There must be absolute clarity; the name Dâures cannot and will not be replaced, diluted, or shared,” the statement read. This follows Namibia’s recent approval of the nomination of the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area for inscription on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and…

08 Oct

Ithete promises turnaround at struggling Nida

National News

Justicia Shipena The minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, says his ministry will no longer tolerate non-performance at the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida). Speaking in Parliament on Thursday in response to questions from opposition leader McHenry Venaani, Ithete said both the government and the public have been disappointed by the agency's failure to deliver on its industrialisation mandate. Earlier this year, Nida, a commercial state-owned enterprise, released its first financial report in six years, covering the financial years 2018/2019 to 2023/2024. The report showed a loss of N$102 million. It also revealed that Nida was owed N$89…

08 Oct

Willemse’s fate to be decided at month end

National News

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive Cornelius “Cedric” Willemse will know on October 28 whether he will be released on bail. Magistrate Olga Muharukua will deliver the judgement. Willemse (52) is facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft under false pretences, money laundering, and tax evasion in the alleged Namcor corruption scandal involving Enercon Namibia, Erongo Petroleum, and other entities. He was arrested on 8 July and has remained in custody since. Through his lawyer, Willemse told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court that the state’s fears that he will flee or interfere with investigations are unfounded. He argued…

08 Oct

Investors hold steady as Namibian bond market stalls

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Trading on the Namibian Stock Exchange’s (NSX) fixed income market was quiet on Monday, with only one deal recorded, according to NSX data. The government bond market remained largely unchanged, with yields stable across maturities. Economic indicators pointed to steady conditions as the country enters the final quarter of 2025. The only transaction involved the GC32 government bond, with N$10 million in nominal value traded at a yield of 9.31%. The bond, which matures in April 2032, closed unchanged at a price of 98.27. Other benchmark government bonds, ranging from the short-term GC25 to the long-term GC50, reported…

08 Oct

Westair unveils new air ambulance

National News

Staff Writer Medical Rescue Africa (MRA), a subsidiary of Westair Aviation, has launched its new air ambulance, the Beechcraft King Air 350i. The aircraft is equipped with advanced medical evacuation facilities, marking a major step forward in Namibia’s emergency response capability. The launch event brought together industry stakeholders, partners, and representatives from organisations that have supported the development of Namibia’s medical evacuation infrastructure. “A service like this is never needed until it is needed – and then it must be available, safe, and reliable,” said Westair Aviation CEO Henri van Schalkwyk. “The King Air 350 provides the highest standards of…

08 Oct

Old Mutual expands financial education to local languages

Observer Money

STAFF WRITER Launched in 2018, the Old Mutual Foundation’s Financial Education Face-to-Face Training programme introduced an innovative “animal behaviour” approach to simplify complex financial concepts. Since then, it has grown into one of Namibia’s leading financial literacy initiatives, empowering over 50 000 Namibians, from individuals and school communities to corporate teams, with practical skills to budget, save, reduce debt, and make informed financial decisions. Recognising that true understanding begins with clear communication, the Old Mutual Foundation has taken a bold step towards inclusivity and accessibility by expanding its Financial Education programme, previously delivered primarily in English, into six vernacular languages:…

08 Oct

Policy gap leaves companies vulnerable on social media

Observer Money

Staff Writer With no specific laws regulating social media use in the workplace, many Namibian businesses face growing risks of data breaches and cyberattacks. From sharing client information on WhatsApp to clicking malicious links on Instagram, unregulated activity on these platforms exposes corporate networks to cybercriminals. The 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach report estimates the average global cost of a cybersecurity breach at US$4.9 million, showing the scale of damage cyber incidents can cause. Criminals increasingly use platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and WhatsApp to deploy malware, steal credentials, and access sensitive data. Weak IT oversight and unrestricted social…

08 Oct

Service is a soul, not a script

Observer Money

Ester Kafidi Customer service is often measured by speed, efficiency, and satisfaction scores. But beneath the numbers and KPIs lies something far more human: the quiet power of being seen, heard, and understood. In a world increasingly automated, where chatbots handle questions and algorithms anticipate needs, the real heart of service isn’t just about solving problems. It’s about connection. It’s easy to think of customer service as a department, a function, or a role. But more than that, it’s a mindset: one that should live in every part of an organisation. It’s the receptionist who welcomes someone with genuine warmth,…