Windhoek Observer – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

11 Mar

Fiscal outlook faces pressure despite manageable short-term position

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s fiscal outlook remains manageable in the short term but faces growing pressure from structural weaknesses, according to analysis by FNB Namibia economist Cheryl Emvula. She said the 2026/27 National Budget outlines a fiscal path that still functions for now but shows signs of strain. Revenue performance has weakened. Government collections for the 2025/26 financial year were revised down to N$87.4 billion. This figure is below the original projection of N$89.4 billion and the N$89.1 billion collected in the previous year. Revenue is expected to increase to N$89.8 billion in the 2026/27 financial year. The projected increase relies…

11 Mar

Bank Windhoek honours top estate agents

Observer Money

Staff Writer Bank Windhoek honoured estate agents and property agencies during its Central Estate Agent Awards held in Windhoek on 6 March. The event recognised performance in property finance, transaction volumes and specialist categories across the central region. Bank Windhoek chief financial officer and acting executive officer of specialist finance Zenaune Kamberipa said the property market recorded measured growth during the past year. He said rising house prices and steady rental demand supported the market despite global and domestic economic pressures. However, Kamberipa said affordability constraints, income pressures and unemployment continue to limit wider access to homeownership. Representatives from Dr…

11 Mar

Old Mutual’s lawyers recognised on Legal 500 GC Powerlist

Observer Money

Staff Writer Old Mutual Namibia has announced that three of its senior legal professionals have been recognised on the inaugural Legal 500 General Counsel (GC) Powerlist: Namibia 2026, launched in Windhoek. Charmaine Burger, head of legal and company secretary, Charmaine Gouws, assistant group company secretary, and Marco Vollgraaff, head of compliance at Old Mutual Namibia, were named among Namibia’s leading in‑house legal professionals. The GC Powerlist, published by Legal 500, recognises exceptional general counsel and senior in-house legal professionals who play a critical role in shaping strong governance, managing risk, and supporting sustainable business growth in an increasingly complex regulatory…

10 Mar

Boy beaten at Windhoek school …family preparing police case after assault leaves pupil with painful injuries

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo The family of a seven-year-old learner at Bet-El Primary School in Windhoek plans to open a police case after the child was allegedly assaulted on the school premises last week. The pupil was allegedly attacked by the father of another learner at the school. According to the child’s parent, Magano Iikwambi, the incident occurred on Thursday while the boy was playing with other children at the school. Iikwambi said her child sustained injuries to his private parts and experienced swelling in the genital area after the alleged assault. She said her child was taken to hospital for treatment…

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…