Windhoek Observer – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

10 Mar

Rehoboth council warns institutions over unpaid bills

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Rehoboth mayor Jacky Khariseb has called on government ministries, agencies and other institutions in the town to settle their outstanding municipal accounts. Khariseb said non-payment by several institutions has worsened the council’s financial situation and forced it to accumulate debt with bulk service providers. “It resulted in us accumulating debts with our bulk suppliers and created more pressure on the individual residential accounts of our residents. It is about time that all of us take responsibility and accountability for our accounts,” he said. Khariseb instructed the town council’s administrator to issue letters of demand to institutions with unpaid…

10 Mar

Majority of Namibians addicted to porn

National News

Patience Makwele Health professionals and government officials have raised concern about the growing exposure to pornography in Namibia. They say easy access to explicit content is affecting adults and children and is shaping sexual behaviour, mental health and relationships. Medical specialists say pornography addiction among Namibian men and women is becoming a public health concern. They warn that children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to explicit material online. Earlier this year, behavioural health specialist Dr Gerrit Keyter said pornography is influencing how young people understand relationships. “Pornography is no longer just a private matter. It is shaping how our children…

10 Mar

Money, goods worth N$2.79 billion stolen

National News

Chamwe Kaira Commercial crimes resulted in losses of about N$2.79 billion during the 2024/2025 financial year, according to the Namibian Police. Police recorded 897 commercial crime cases during the period. Authorities arrested 229 suspects in connection with these cases. Of those arrested, 80 were convicted. The police said money and goods worth N$2.79 billion were stolen in these crimes. Only N$6.84 million was recovered. One vehicle and one house linked to the cases were also seized. Overall crime levels remained high during the period. Data from the Namibian Police Force shows that 110 945 criminal cases were reported during the…

10 Mar

Africa’s first millimetre telescope to be built in Namibia

National News

Staff Writer Namibia will host Africa’s first millimetre-wavelength radio telescope after a contract was signed to begin construction of the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT), which will form part of the global Event Horizon Telescope network. The telescope will be built near the H.E.S.S. observatory close to the Gamsberg table mountain. The location offers high altitude, a dry climate and low radio interference, making it suitable for astronomical observations. The University of Namibia (Unam) welcomed the development and said the project places Namibia and the African continent in global astrophysics research. Once completed, the telescope will join the Event Horizon Telescope…

10 Mar

Kasuto calls for ‘fiduciary courage’ from investors

National News

Patience Makwele Institutional investors have been urged to direct more capital toward projects that support Namibia’s long-term economic development. The call was made during the recently concluded 5th Annual Namibia Institutional Investors Forum (NIIF) 2026. The forum brought together pension funds, asset managers, development finance institutions and policymakers to discuss how institutional savings can support economic growth. Speaking at the forum, Monasa Advisory and Associates managing director Jason Kasuto said Namibia faces an important moment as new economic opportunities emerge. Kasuto said Namibia’s economic outlook over the next decade is expected to improve, supported by developments in mining and the…

10 Mar

Municipal debt crisis demands urgent reform

Editorial

The growing debt crisis between Namibia’s local authorities and NamWater is no longer merely an administrative problem. It has become a systemic governance failure that threatens essential public services, undermines financial accountability and ultimately burdens the taxpayer. The situation unfolding in Rehoboth is a case in point. The Rehoboth Town Council reportedly owes NamWater between N$100 million and N$150 million. The magnitude of this debt has placed the town at risk of having its bulk water supply suspended, forcing authorities to urge residents to use water sparingly while negotiations continue. At the same time, Mayor Jacky Khariseb has warned institutions…

10 Mar

Rising oil prices may push up inflation in Namibia

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira A rise in global oil prices caused by geopolitical tensions may increase pressure on fuel prices and inflation in Namibia in the coming months. An analysis by Simonis Storm Research said the increase in oil prices could also affect interest rate expectations in the region. Namibia imports all of its oil. This means changes in global crude prices quickly affect the domestic economy. Over the past ten days, the price of Brent crude oil has increased by more than US$30 per barrel. Analysts say this increase will likely feed into local fuel prices. The report said higher oil…

10 Mar

Namibia among top destinations for South African maize

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia remains one of the main destinations for South African maize exports, although overall export activity from South Africa has slowed as the marketing year moves toward its end in April 2026. Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo said South Africa exported 39,584 tonnes of maize in the past week. About 14% of these shipments were sent to Namibia. Zimbabwe received the largest share of the exports at 52%. Botswana followed with 15%, while the remaining shipments went to other markets in the Southern African region. Despite these shipments, export volumes remain lower than expected for the season. South Africa’s…

10 Mar

Namibia participates in SADC energy discussions

Observer Money

Staff Writer A Namibian delegation joined regional leaders, energy experts and investors at the SADC Sustainable Energy Week 2026 held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The event was organised by the Southern African Development Community and brought together more than 800 participants. These included ministers, regulators, development finance institutions, private sector representatives and civil society organisations. The conference was held under the theme “Driving Regional Economic Growth through Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency". Namibia’s delegation was led by Moses Pakote, executive director of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. The delegation included officials and experts from government, the finance sector,…

10 Mar

FNB Namibia wins foreign exchange banking award

Observer Money

Staff Writer FNB Namibia has been named the Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Namibia in Global Finance magazine’s 26th Annual World’s Best Foreign Exchange Banks awards. The recognition forms part of the Gordon Platt Foreign Exchange Awards 2026, which honours banks for their performance in foreign exchange markets. Global Finance’s annual awards programme covers 87 countries, territories and districts, seven global regions and several global categories. The programme recognises institutions that perform well in foreign exchange services. Ian Erlank, head of global markets at RMB Namibia, said the award reflects the group’s work in foreign exchange services. “This award reflects…