Windhoek Observer – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

20 Mar

Keetmanshoop VTC opens

National News

Justicia Shipena The ||Karas region has become the 12th region in Namibia to have a vocational training centre. On Thursday, vice president Lucia Witbooi inaugurated the centre on Keetmanshoop Vocational Training in Keetmanshoop. She said the facility reflects the government's plan to expand access to technical and vocational education. She stated that the government is strengthening the sector to enhance training quality, broaden access, and align skills with industry requirements. The government aims to increase the number of graduates whose skills match labour market demand from 65% to 70% by 2030. Witbooi said the centre will prepare young people for…

20 Mar

Lukato demands action on fishrot suspects still at large

National News

Allexer Namundjembo National Democratic Party (NDP) leader and member of parliament Martin Lukato has tabled a motion in the National Assembly which calls on the government to track and arrest all suspects linked to the fishrot corruption case. Lukato said some individuals connected to the case are still at large and have not appeared in court. “All suspects should be traced, apprehended and interrogated, and when the suspects are proven guilty for the missing resources of Namibia, they should face the law for justice to be served,” he said. He also called for international cooperation to locate suspects who may…

20 Mar

SNC, Nyambe win top legal awards in Africa

National News

Allexer Namundjembo SNC Incorporated has been named Namibia’s National Law Firm of the Year at the IFLR Africa Legal Awards 2026, while its managing partner, Shakwa Nyambe, was awarded Lawyer of the Year for Namibia. The awards were held in Cape Town on Wednesday. They recognise legal work linked to major deals across Africa. SNC Incorporated was recognised for advising on corporate and energy matters. Judges noted the firm’s role in cross-border transactions in Namibia’s commercial, energy, and oil and gas sectors. The firm has been involved in transactions linked to investment in the country. Its work has also supported…

20 Mar

YOUNG OBSERVER | Freedom beyond prison walls proves difficult

National News

Patience Makwele As Namibia marks 36 years of independence, the meaning of freedom remains uncertain for some, especially those leaving prison and trying to rebuild their lives. For Haufiku Johannes, freedom began the day he walked out of prison after serving three years for robbery and firearm possession. He expected a new start. Instead, he faced rejection. “The biggest thought on my mind when I left was, where do I even start?” Haufiku said. “My family had stopped visiting years ago, and suddenly I was out in the world with nothing but a bag and N$200. No homecoming, no job,…

20 Mar

YOUNG OBSERVER | Gorases focuses on helping others manage money

National News

Patience Makwele Young Namibian Arvashni Gorases’ interest in numbers started when she was a teenager. What began as curiosity grew into a focus on problem-solving and helping others manage money. “I have always loved numbers and figuring out how they work. Over time, that interest became about helping people manage their money and achieve their goals," Gorases said. She entered the banking sector in 2020 as a temporary employee. Her role grew into a full-time career through consistency and performance. She works in a field where women are still building their presence. “Banking has changed. Women are taking leadership roles…

20 Mar

Independence for whom? A nation’s promise on trial

Editorial

In 1852, Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved man who became one of the most powerful voices against slavery in the United States, delivered a searing indictment of American hypocrisy in a speech in Rochester. Addressing an audience on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations, he asked what the Fourth of July meant to an enslaved people excluded from the very freedom being celebrated. His answer was devastating: a day of mourning disguised as jubilation, a hollow ritual that exposed the distance between promise and reality. Thirty-six years after independence, Namibia must confront a similarly uncomfortable question: what does independence mean…

20 Mar

Namibia lifts Momentum’s retail and corporate sales

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Momentum Group’s results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 show that Namibia contributed to growth in its Africa business. The group reported a recovery in its Africa segment. Operating profit moved from a loss of N$27 million in the previous period to N$136 million. Normalised headline earnings increased by 87% to N$352 million. The group said all countries contributed to the improvement. Namibia was named as a key source of growth in retail and corporate new business. The results show increased insurance activity in Namibia. Growth was seen in corporate protection and retail products. For the…

20 Mar

Fuel levy revenue inadequate for road development

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Revenues from the fuel levy are not enough to support road development and maintenance in Namibia. This is according to the Namibia Country Strategy Paper for 2025 to 2030 released by the African Development Bank Group. The report says the transport sector also faces an ageing rail network, skills shortages, and gaps in legal and regulatory frameworks. It outlines plans to expand infrastructure, strengthen skills, and support job creation. The bank said the government is shifting focus from road to rail. This is reflected in funding allocations. Namibia aims to position itself as a transport and logistics hub…

20 Mar

Nasan Energies gets greenlight to acquire 52 fuel stations

Observer Money

Staff Writer Nasan Energies (Pty) Ltd has received approval to acquire 52 Engen and Shell-branded fuel service stations across Namibia from Vivo Energy Namibia. The approval follows a public engagement process led by the Namibia Competition Commission. More than 100 members of the public attended the stakeholder conference, where the proposed acquisition was discussed. The outcome supported the transaction. Managing director Jean-Blaise Ollomo thanked stakeholders, the public, and dealers for their support during the two-year process. In May 2024, Vivo Energy completed the purchase of Engen Limited from Petronas. This included Engen Namibia. After an evaluation of technical and financial…

20 Mar

Chamber flags decline in Fraser mining survey rankings

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has expressed concern over Namibia’s significant deterioration in the 2025 Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, warning that the results highlight the urgent need to safeguard policy certainty and investor confidence in the country’s mining sector. The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says the country has lost ground in the 2025 Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies. The chamber said the results show a decline in investor confidence and highlight the need for policy certainty. “Namibia’s decline in the Investment Attractiveness Index signals that investor perceptions of our mining policy…