Windhoek Observer

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Debt issuance total N$2.2 billion

Debt issuance total N$2.2 billion

In October, Namibia experienced its highest issuance of government debt securities for any month of the 2024/25 financial year thus far, totalling N$2.2 billion, according to the Bank of Namibia’s updated borrowing plan. However, despite this significant issuance, the country’s total government debt saw a net increase of only N$956 million, largely due to the redemption of the GC24 bond. The month-on month growth in government debt was 0.8% This was lower than the 1.73% increase recorded in September, despite the conduct of three bond auctions and five treasury bill auctions, which is more than typical for a month. By…
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Trustco is ‘coming to America’

Trustco is ‘coming to America’

CHAMWE KAIRA Trustco is in the process of completing the US regulatory requirements to list on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the company announced. Both the JSE and NSX have been notified of the company’s intention to move the primary listing to a direct listing on Nasdaq, in terms of their relevant listing requirements. “The company intends to maintain secondary listings on the JSE and NSX. No action is required from shareholders at this time. Trustco has been publicly trading on the NSX for 18 years, and on the JSE for 15 years,” the company said. In terms of Section 18.26…
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Multichoice trading profit down to N$7 billion

Multichoice trading profit down to N$7 billion

CHAMWE KAIRA MultiChoice has said currency depreciation reduced trading profit by close to N$7 billion over the last 18 months. The company said it delivered various positive operational outcomes through active interventions for the six-month period ended 30 September. The company said meaningful progress made on the Canal+ transaction with the merger control filing submitted to the South African Competition Commission on 30 September, and engagements with other regulatory authorities underway. The group's linear subscriber base declined by 11% or 1.8 million subscribers year to year to 14.9m active subscribers at 30 September. “While this is indicative of the extremely…
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Spotlight on Indigenous people in mining communities

Spotlight on Indigenous people in mining communities

Mining Indaba, the premier platform for deal-making, investment, and corporate networking for African mining for over 30 years – has announced a 2025 agenda that emphasises the voices of indigenous people and communities in the mainstream of the conference. The new focus for next year’s event – Investing In Mining Indaba 2025 – reinforces the Mining Indaba commitment to future-proofing African communities, by foregrounding the experiences of those directly affected by mining. “The meaningful integration and collaboration with mining communities and indigenous people are essential to shaping the future of mining,” said Laura Nicholson, Head of Content & Strategic Partnerships…
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CRAN engages in consumer protection efforts

CRAN engages in consumer protection efforts

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) attended and participated at the inaugural meeting of the Communications Regulators' Association of Southern Africa (CRASA) Consumer Committee, hosted by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). The gathering took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a significant step towards advancing consumer protection initiatives in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The consumer committee meeting was convened to initiate the implementation of the Consumer Committee Operational Plan for 2024/2025. This forum provided a platform for CRASA members to collaborate on addressing critical issues and seizing strategic opportunities related to consumer rights…
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Mozambique conflict takes toll on South Africa

Mozambique conflict takes toll on South Africa

The geopolitical conflict in Mozambique comes at a very delicate time for South Africa, when logistics and the supply chain are under pressure from several other disruptive challenges, says Juanita Maree, chief executive of the Southern Africa Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF). South Africa’s business sector has voiced concern over the Southern Africa Development Community’s (SADC) slow response, calling on member states to move immediately into a leadership position as mediator, to restore law and order and stabilise trade operations, which are critical to the regional economy. These actions, they assert, are critical to the safety of the citizens on…
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HOW TOO MANY POLITICAL PARTIES IN A SMALL VOTING POPULATION MAY LIMIT THE RIGHT TO VOTE

HOW TOO MANY POLITICAL PARTIES IN A SMALL VOTING POPULATION MAY LIMIT THE RIGHT TO VOTE

In what appears to be winds of political change in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the question on everyone’s mind is whether such winds will blow over Namibia and have the same chilling effect. We are justified to ask this question because history has taught us that political waves such as these can indeed sweep across the region, the continent and even the whole world, especially in an election year such as this where a whopping 64 countries will have headed to the polls by the end of this year. Namibia is one of the last countries to…
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Swapo leads in Asia after special voting

Swapo leads in Asia after special voting

Stefanus Nashama , Hertta-Maria Amutenya and Allexer Namundjembo Special voting election results from Asia came on Wednesday afternoon, showing the ruling Swapo party and its presidential candidate leading. Over 8 000 members of uniformed forces, diplomatic missions, and seagoing personnel cast their votes on November 13, ahead of the national election date of November 27. Thirty-eight people voted in Beijing, China, and the result came in as follows: Presidential elections:Nandi-Ndaitwah: 25Itula: 6Amupanda: 4Venaani: 1Swartbooi: 1Shuumbwa: 1 National Assembly:Swapo: 24AR: 7IPC: 4PDM: 1ADM: 1Body of Christ: 1 Ten Namibians voted in Tokyo, Japan. All 10 of them voted for Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah…
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Lack of minimum wage leaves mine workers vulnerable

Lack of minimum wage leaves mine workers vulnerable

Ester Mbathera The absence of a minimum wage for the mining industry leaves room for companies to set wages as they see fit, creating disparities in worker pay and conditions. Currently, minimum wage laws only apply to construction, security, agriculture, and domestic work sectors. Maria Hedimbi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment Creation said it is currently the responsibility of the employers and employees' representatives within a particular industry to come up with a collective agreement that outlines conditions of service, including minimum wages for their respective industries. “In the absence of a minimum wage…
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Political parties rally against crumbling water and sewage infrastructure

Political parties rally against crumbling water and sewage infrastructure

Stefanus Nashama Concerns over the country’s outdated water and sewage infrastructure are gaining momentum as political parties express frustration over the lack of maintenance and modernisation. The Affirmative Repositioning (AR), Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) are among the latest parties calling for immediate action and proposing long-term solutions. On Monday the All People’s Party (APP), the Body of Christ Party (BCP), the Congress of Democrats (CoD), and the National Empowerment Fighting Corruption (NEFC), voiced their concerns. AR spokesperson George Kambala accused the Swapo-led government of failing to implement proper plans to fix and maintain…
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