Windhoek Observer – Page 96 – Windhoek Observer

14 Aug

Electricity and water sector poised for 12.3% rise

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Electricity and water supply is expected to grow by 12.3% in 2025, up from 2.3% in 2024, according to the Bank of Namibia’s August economic outlook. The increase is driven by favourable rainfall, which will boost hydroelectric generation at the Ruacana Power Station and more solar power from projects such as the Otjikoto Biomass Plant and Rosh Pinah’s 70 MW PV facility. The central bank said, “Rising reservoir levels are also expected to contribute to a stronger performance in the water supply component. Growth in this subsector is expected to remain elevated over the medium term, in line…

14 Aug

FNB revises its inflation outlook

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Inflation eased to 3.5% year on year in July, down from 4.6% in July 2024 and slightly below the 3.7% recorded in June 2025. This is the second time this year inflation has reached 3.5%, continuing the disinflationary trend that began in October 2023. The slowdown was driven by last year’s high base and reduced cost pressures across key expenditure categories. FNB Namibia said it has revised its inflation forecast downward. The bank now expects inflation to ease to 3.5% in August and remain below 4% for the rest of the year, ending at 3.7% in December, compared…

14 Aug

SARB expected to cut lending rate in 2026

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti expects the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to cut its repo rate by 25 basis points in the first quarter of 2026. The SARB’s 25 bps cut on 31 July 2025 was in line with FNB’s expectation and does not change its baseline view. Mboti said that if the SARB adopts a more aggressive cutting cycle, especially one that eliminates or inverts the rate differential, the Bank of Namibia would likely respond in a similar manner. “Likewise, a sharp unexpected rise in global inflation-driven factors like tariff hikes or global oil price shocks…

14 Aug

Namibia’s Eurobond Redemption: A Fiscal Win with Real-Life Benefits

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

In a time when news about public finances often comes wrapped in alarm bells and warnings, Namibia has given us a story worth celebrating. The country is on track to fully redeem its US$750 million Eurobond when it matures in October 2025. This is not just a technical achievement in debt management; it’s proof that disciplined planning and consistent follow-through can pay off, and it’s the kind of success that can have real meaning for ordinary Namibians. Nicholas Mukasa, Director of Financial Markets at the Bank of Namibia, confirmed recently that “we are on target to redeem that bond when…

14 Aug

Hon Sankwasa and Swapo need the ideal ideological disposition!

Opinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro FOR what it is worth! Yours Truly Ideologically could not but title this week’s column as such. Urging to join the ongoing debate pertaining to the dichotomy between the Minister of Urban and Rural Development and elected local authority councils. Thinking whether the debate is worth the time and energy that seems to be expended on it. As if there’s ever any unclarity between the functions of these councils and the central government, and thus ministers and/or Cabinet if you wish, let alone the Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD). As far as Yours Truly is concerned,…

14 Aug

Responding to Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro alleging that Swanu-trained cadres never engaged in combat due to the reluctance of Swapo to facilitate their infiltration into the country

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Abstract In his column Yours Truly Ideologically, Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro wrote a moving tribute in honour of the late Comrade Charles Kauraisa, who was at one point SWANU's Chairperson and Foreign Affairs Secretary at its External Council, established in Sweden in 1965. I don't personally know him, but I know my niece Ujama's father, also a Kauraisa, and I am not oblivious to the fact that they are truly grounded in revolutionary and Marxist theory. May his soul rest in peace. Sentimentality apart, what prompted us to write this piece is…

14 Aug

Over 12 000 voters update constituency details

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena During the first week of the 2025 supplementary registration of voters (SRV), 12 270 voters changed their constituency, and 4 181 applied for duplicate voter registration cards, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) said on Wednesday. This comes as ECN's chief executive officer, Peter Shaama, revealed that a total of 19,359 eligible voters registered between 4 and 10 August. The registration covers all 121 constituencies and 59 local authorities and will conclude on 19 August. Shaama expressed concern over the low turnout and urged all eligible voters.Namibians will vote on 26 November in the regional council and local…

14 Aug

Over 4 000 Namibians sue each other for online attacks

Main

Allexer Namundjembo More than 4,000 Namibians have sued each other for defamation of character in cases linked to social media. The inspector general, Joseph Shikongo, revealed the figures during the launch of the Ethical Use of Social Media Campaign on Wednesday at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust). Between April 2022 and April 2025, the police recorded 4 835 defamation cases, many involving public figures and social media influencers. Defamation cases have been on the rise. One of the current cases before court involves the chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), Martin Kambulu Pinehas, who is suing…

14 Aug

Nandi-Ndaitwah vows to guard citizens’ share of oil wealth

Energy, National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia will not tolerate practices in the oil and gas industry that deny citizens their fair share of benefits, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned. She said the government will strictly monitor activities to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and the local content policy. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference on Wednesday in a speech delivered on her behalf by Kornelia Shilunga, head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency. The third edition of the conference draws 1,161 delegates and 73 exhibitors and takes place in Windhoek under the theme “From Exploration to…

14 Aug

MUN wins case against Tsumeb smelter

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) has won a dispute with Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter over its voluntary separation programme (VSP). A recent ruling found the company must comply with section 34 of the Labour Act. The decision followed two days of conciliation talks on 12 and 13 August 2025. Section 34 requires companies to consult employees and unions and give proper notice before asking workers to leave for economic, technological, or operational reasons. The dispute began when MUN accused Sinomine of bypassing fair labour practices by pushing ahead with the VSP without engaging the union. The union…