Windhoek Observer – Page 75 – Windhoek Observer

22 Jan

Women and wealth – beyond the slogans

Observer Money

Veruscka Gertze We talk a lot about empowering women with money, yet real progress happens when we move past slogans and into structure. The financial system was not designed with women’s life patterns in mind. Career breaks for caregiving, pay gaps that compound over time, longer life expectancy and higher odds of outliving a partner all shape the journey. If we ignore these realities, the advice sounds hollow. The answer is practical and personal. Start with income resilience. Build a small emergency fund that sits between you and the unexpected. It gives you choices when life shifts. Next, automate contributions…

22 Jan

Koryx Copper closes funding round for Haib project

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper Inc. has closed a C$46 million (about N$543 million) bought-deal private placement, issuing 18.77 million common shares at C$2.45 per share. The offering was led by Stifel Canada with a syndicate that included Beacon Securities, Haywood Securities, Research Capital, Red Cloud Securities, Canaccord Genuity and BMO Capital Markets. The company said the offering was oversubscribed due to strong demand from international investors. Koryx also completed a concurrent Namibian non-brokered private placement of 2 million shares at the same price, raising C$5 million (about N$60 million). The Namibian placement targeted institutional and retail investors and is aimed…

22 Jan

ReconAfrica raises N$431 million for Namibia, Gabon projects

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. has raised C$36.8 million (about N$431 million) through a public share offering to fund its oil and gas activities in Namibia and Gabon. The offering was led by Research Capital Corporation, with participation from Canaccord Genuity Corp and Haywood Securities ReconAfrica sold 38.7 million units at C$0.95 each. Each unit consists of one common share and half a warrant, giving holders the option to purchase additional shares at a later date. The company said the funds will support operations across its portfolio. In Namibia, the proceeds will be used to test and install production…

21 Jan

Hishoono burial draws scrutiny over veterans’ honours

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The burial arrangements of late liberation struggle veteran Kanana Matias Hishoono have sparked debate over how Namibia treats its war veterans, particularly after death. Whether those who played a key role in the country's independence receive the dignity they deserve has been a subject of debate. Hishoono, who died earlier this month, was a respected freedom fighter and a founding member of the Ovambo People’s Organisation, the precursor to Swapo. He later served in senior advisory roles within the ruling party and was known for issuing and signing membership cards for prominent figures, including the late president Hage…

21 Jan

Funding shortage limits expansion of Windhoek bus services

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek says the lack of dedicated national funding remains the main barrier to expanding and improving municipal bus services. The municipality raised concerns over transport shortages and damaged bus stop shelters. Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, city spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said public transport is an essential social service but operates without support from the national social budget. “While public transport is widely recognised as an essential social service, it is currently still not supported by any dedicated funding allocation from the national social budget as should be the case,” Amutenya said. …

21 Jan

Fishrot accused’s ACC investigation challenge stalls

National News

Justicia Shipena A High Court review case in which the fishrot accused are challenging the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) investigations remains delayed. This comes as the court is still waiting for a review record needed for the matter to move forward. The delay has prevented respondents from filing their answering affidavits and has stalled further progress in the case. The issue came before deputy judge president Hannelie Prinsloo during a status hearing on Tuesday, following a joint status report dated 16 December 2025. In the report, the accused and several state institutions and private entities told the court that only some…

21 Jan

Water treatment installed at 17 boreholes nationwide

National News

Justicia Shipena Seventeen borehole sites across Namibia have been equipped with water softening and treatment systems, improving access to safe drinking water for rural communities. This is through a programme that rolled out the systems in several regions affected by high groundwater salinity by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform. EIF on Tuesday announced that it has completed the four-year programme. The programme began in January 2023 to address long-standing water quality problems in Namibia’s arid and semi-arid areas. It grew from an EIF-led innovation and pilot…

21 Jan

Education starts with a safe place to sleep

Featured, Opinions

Valontino James Every year, thousands of young Namibians walk onto university campuses with the same mix of hope and nerves. They’re ready to study, ready to grow, and ready to build a future for themselves. But for many, the very first hurdle they face isn’t in a classroom. It’s finding a place to stay. At the University of Namibia’s main campus alone, 2 389 students applied for only 1 150 beds for 2026. That means more than half of the students who need accommodation simply won’t have it on campus. The pressure is coming from all sides. Of the applicants,…

21 Jan

DBN reports 42% increase in operating profit

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) recorded a 42% increase in operating profit to N$88.3 million, according to its 2024/25 integrated annual report. The bank said the performance reflects disciplined cost management, improved recoveries, and the resilience of its teams during a challenging economic environment. “While pressures related to asset quality and a contracting loan book persist, the Bank has taken decisive steps to stabilise risk and position itself for renewed growth,” the bank said. During the year, DBN began implementing the first year of its 2024–2029 integrated strategic business plan. It secured N$607 million through the KfW…

21 Jan

NSX closes week lower as overall index declines

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) closed the week ending 16 January 2026 on a mixed note, with the Local Index edging slightly lower while overall market activity remained steady. The NSX Local Index closed at 808.31 points on Friday, down slightly from 808.64 points at the end of the previous week. The index moved within a narrow range throughout the week, reflecting limited price movement in locally listed shares. The NSX Overall Index ended Friday at 2,174.39 points, down from 2,184.55 points a week earlier, following softer performances in some dual-listed stocks. Trading activity increased during the week.…