Blog

City warns against disruptions at public meetings

City warns against disruptions at public meetings

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The City of Windhoek has warned against disruptions at its 2025/2026 public meetings, saying the gatherings are meant for dialogue on service delivery and development, not political lobbying. The first meeting was held on 3 September at the Rocky Crest Multi-Purpose Centre for the Windhoek West Constituency.  According to the municipality, most residents engaged constructively, but “a few individuals deliberately attempted to disrupt the proceedings.” “These meetings are convened to provide a platform for open engagement between the council and the community on developmental and service delivery matters, not as an avenue for lobbying or political campaigning,” the…
Read More
Swedish envoy visits SADC Parliamentary Forum

Swedish envoy visits SADC Parliamentary Forum

Moses Magadza  The newly appointed minister counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria, Kristian Olsson Selerud, has hailed parliaments in the SADC region as the “beating hearts of democracy”.  He spoke on Tuesday during his first official visit to the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Windhoek, Namibia. “If our parliaments don’t function, neither the executive nor the judiciary can do their work. Parliamentarians are there to represent and serve the people, and their role is indispensable,” Selerud told SADC PF staff at the Forum’s Secretariat and project…
Read More

OBSERVER DAILY | GIPF-backed home loans: Hope or hidden risk?

For many Namibians, home ownership remains more of a dream than a reality. The numbers are sobering: a housing backlog of 300,000 units, more than 200,000 shacks in Windhoek alone, and an average three-bedroom house in the capital costing around N$1.2 million. Against this backdrop, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has launched its Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS), which will take effect next January. The scheme allows civil servants and other GIPF members to use up to one-third of their pension savings as collateral for a home loan. On paper, it promises cheaper financing, easier access, and the dignity…
Read More
Santam Namibia adds N$675m more to group earnings

Santam Namibia adds N$675m more to group earnings

Chamwe Kaira Santam Namibia contributed N$675 million to the revenue of Santam Limited in South Africa for the financial year ended 30 June 2025, up from N$600 million in 2024. The group reported conventional insurance net earned premium growth of 16% to N$17.9 billion, with a net underwriting margin of 11.3% compared to 6.5% in June 2024.  The alternative risk transfer (ART) business recorded a profit before tax of N$417 million, up from N$326 million a year earlier. Santam said it delivered a strong first-half performance, exceeding long-term targets across key financial indicators.  An interim dividend of 590 cents per…
Read More
DBSA commits N$2.1b in loans to Namibia

DBSA commits N$2.1b in loans to Namibia

Chamwe Kaira The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has committed just over N$2.1 billion in development loans to the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) for the year ended 31 March. The funding forms part of DBSA’s ‘Rest of Africa’ portfolio, which recorded N$6.5 billion in loan commitments across several countries, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Tanzania and Senegal.  Namibia’s allocation highlights DBSA’s support for regional integration and infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). DBSA funding targets key sectors such as water, energy, transport, ICT and social infrastructure.  In July 2024, TransNamib confirmed it had met all conditions to…
Read More
Barloworld takeover awaits NaCC approval

Barloworld takeover awaits NaCC approval

Chamwe Kaira The takeover of Barloworld, which owns Barloworld Namibia, by Newco is awaiting competition approvals in Namibia, COMESA and Angola.  In Namibia, mergers are approved by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC). “The filings in these jurisdictions have been submitted to the relevant authorities and the parties are working towards obtaining these approvals as soon as possible,” Barloworld announced. Barloworld and Newco announced the proposed deal on 28 February.  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…
Read More
Chamber of Mines supports value addition

Chamber of Mines supports value addition

Chamwe Kaira  The Chamber of Mines of Namibia has clarified that it supports the government’s plan to add value to minerals in the country. CEO Veston Malango clarified in an interview with Observer Money that the Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports local value addition to all minerals produced in Namibia to grow the economy and create jobs.  He said Chamber had already in June 2023 welcomed the cabinet decision on the understanding that cabinet was referring to the ban on the export of mineral ores, meaning ores of all the minerals mentioned in the cabinet decision. Malango said the…
Read More
New court rules could leave homes in auction limbo

New court rules could leave homes in auction limbo

Ian Coffee, an admitted attorney in South Africa who has worked in various legal roles in Namibia, says the new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may create confusion. Coffee has also been involved in legal immigration work for IBN Immigration Solutions.  He previously practised as a real estate agent and passed the Namibia Estate Agency board exam. In an interview with Observer Money, Coffee clarified that the recent regulations could potentially complicate the process of selling primary homes during execution. “The new High Court rules on the selling of primary homes in execution may…
Read More
Paladin secures uranium sales amid demand surge

Paladin secures uranium sales amid demand surge

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy, whose only producing mine is the Langer Heinrich Mine, has secured 13 uranium sales agreements with international customers. The contracts cover 24.1 million pounds of uranium oxide through 2030. The agreements, disclosed as of 30 June 2025, include fixed-price, market-related and base-escalated pricing mechanisms, mostly denominated in US dollars. Pricing references published spot and term uranium prices and may include floor and ceiling limits. Paladin said global demand is supported by existing reactors, new construction and life extensions in the United States and other countries.  “Commitments made at COP28 and COP29 to triple nuclear capacity by…
Read More
Andrada Mining lifts revenue despite cost pressures

Andrada Mining lifts revenue despite cost pressures

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining Limited reported a 32% increase in revenue to £23.8 million (N$563 million) for the year ended 28 February, supported by stronger tin prices, higher contained tin production, and initial sales of tantalum. The average realised tin price rose 21% to US$31 081 per tonne, helping offset rising costs. Chief financial officer Hiten Ooka said the cost of sales rose 28%, largely due to a 22% increase in production costs driven by higher maintenance expenses from unplanned plant outages. Finance expenses climbed to £6.3 million, adding pressure on net earnings. The royalty charge increased sharply from £0.1…
Read More