Windhoek Observer – Page 60 – Windhoek Observer

15 Sep

Opposition accuses Swapo of threatening voters …as NNN says service delivery will be delayed without Swapo majority

Main

Justicia Shipena Opposition parties have accused Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of threatening voters after she said service delivery will be delayed if Swapo does not win a majority in the upcoming regional and local authority elections. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the comments at the opening of Swapo’s central committee meeting on Saturday, urging voters to give the party a decisive mandate. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leaders and spokesperson, Immanuel Nashinge, called the remarks undemocratic and misleading. “That’s just a political statement. It doesn’t make sense at all. Local authorities depend on the minister of urban and rural development, who is a…

15 Sep

City, Rani Group still negotiating Ramatex rent price

National News

Justicia Shipena The City of Windhoek and Rani Group International are still negotiating the rental prices for Grow More Investments to lease parts of the Ramatex Complex in Otjomuise. On Friday, the city council announced that it had approved the lease of portions seven and eight of Farm 466 to Grow More Investments, a subsidiary of Rani Group, for logistics and manufacturing operations over 25 years. The two plots measure 41 258 m² and 42 306 m² and house the Tai-Wah Warehouses. While the initial proposal set a monthly rental of N$100 000 per portion, amounting to N$200 000 in…

15 Sep

Venaani accuses Nekundi of orchestrating PDM resignations

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has accused works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi of influencing recent resignations within his party. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Sunday, Venaani claimed that some young PDM members were leaving after receiving job promises allegedly linked to Nekundi. “The resignations are triggered by the ruling party’s shenanigans. Nekundi has been offering jobs to some of our youth league members who were in the Central Committee. They were invited to weddings in the north with Nekundi. For the last five months we have been noticing the mishaps of these young people,”…

15 Sep

China set to scrap tariffs on Namibian goods

National News

Justicia Shipena Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping says China will soon work with Namibia to implement zero-tariff treatment for African countries soon. In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will remove tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. He made the announcement at a China–Africa cooperation meeting. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for the past 15 years. In 2023, African exports to China were valued at about US$170 billion, roughly N$3.15 trillion. The announcement comes as the continent faces increased tariffs on products entering the United States. “We will work with…

15 Sep

Gun-cleaning video could damage Amupanda’s image – analyst

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda’s recent video of him cleaning a gun could harm his political image and weaken support for the AR. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the video, posted on Amupanda’s Facebook page showing him holding a firearm and asking how guns are cleaned, risks being used by opponents to paint him as reckless and unfit for leadership. “Given the recent drama in Parliament, this video could be seen as adding fuel to the fire and may alienate some supporters,” Kamwanyah told the Windhoek Observer. He said the timing of the video compounds its impact. …

15 Sep

Over 2 million voters register for regional and local authority elections

National News

Justicia Shipena Over 2.2 million Namibians are set to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections scheduled for 26 November 2025, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has revealed. The supplementary voter registration, conducted between 4 and 19 August was aimed at ensuring all eligible Namibian citizens with the opportunity to register to vote and participate in local governance. According to ECN, the provisional register for regional councils shows 1.67 million eligible voters, with 1.5 million confirmed. This represents a 90% national registration rate. For local authorities, 949 890 voters were eligible, and 745 429 were confirmed, giving…

15 Sep

EIF’s green industrial project proposal among global finalists

National News

Justicia Shipena The Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia’s (EIF) proposal to establish a Green Industrial Zone is close to securing final approval. The project is being considered for €25 million (approximately N$625 million) in funding under the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF). The proposal, submitted in July 2025, has advanced to the final stage after being shortlisted among the top 20 from more than 500 global submissions. EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the proposal underwent a virtual assessment in August, with a final board decision expected in October. If approved, the funding will drive low-carbon industrialisation, create green jobs, and strengthen…

15 Sep

Barloworld takeover gets NaCC blessing

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has unconditionally approved the takeover of Barloworld Limited’s operations in Namibia by Newco. “The parties therefore confirm that the standby offer condition relating to the receipt of approval from the Namibian Competition Commission has been fulfilled,” the company said. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February. Since then, the parties have been securing approvals from regulators across the region. On 26 August, the Botswana Competition and Consumer Authority informed the two companies that it had unconditionally approved the implementation of the Newco offer. “The parties therefore confirm that the standby…

15 Sep

Oryx Properties profit drops to N$90m

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties Limited profit for the year ended 30 June dropped to N$90 million compared to N$416 million last year. The company said reported profit, earnings per share, and headline earnings were hit mainly by the derecognition of deferred tax assets. This followed legislative changes that limit the carry-forward period for assessed losses to five years. “Although further amendments may be required on an annual basis, they are not expected to be material relative to the adjustments made in the current year. Had these legislative changes not occurred, the Group’s profit for the year, earnings per share, and…

15 Sep

FirstRand Namibia records N$1.9 billion profit

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia reported a net profit after tax of N$1.9 billion for the year ended 30 June 2025, up 12.2% from N$1.7 billion in 2024. The group said the results were driven by customer growth, higher transaction volumes, and effective cost containment despite rising impairments. Return on equity improved to 28.6% from 27.8%. Net asset value per share rose to 2,676 cents from 2,329 cents. A dividend of 476.34 cents per share was declared, representing a 34.7% year-on-year increase. “We are pleased with our progress on the key drivers of shareholder value creation. Our performance reflects disciplined financial…