Blog – Page 2 – Windhoek Observer

04 Feb

Proflight completes audit ahead of Windhoek flights launch

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Proflight Zambia has completed the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and is now listed on the IOSA registry, strengthening its safety credentials and readiness for international operations. The airline said it is now an IATA member. Ahead of its launch, the airline has appointed AirlinePros International as its general sales agent in Namibia to support sales development, market outreach and customer service. The Windhoek service is scheduled to start on 3 March 2026 and will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights will depart Lusaka at 08h30, stop briefly in Livingstone,…

04 Feb

Gold prices expected to remain high

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says gold prices are expected to remain supportive, with levels forecast to stay high by historical standards. “This should sustain strong margins at operating mines and encourage further investment in mine-life extensions and new project development, reinforcing gold’s role as a key non-diamond contributor to export earnings and government revenue,” the chamber says in its mining update for November and December 2025. The chamber says copper and tin are emerging as potential upside commodities. Copper demand is supported by global electrification, renewable energy investment and infrastructure expansion. Tin continues to benefit from…

04 Feb

RFA needs N$15.3 billion in funding over five years

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Road Fund Administration (RFA) says it faces a funding shortfall of N$3.6 billion under its Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) for the 2024–2029 period, a gap that rises to N$15.3 billion over five years. The ISBP sets out a plan to gradually increase funding for national and urban road maintenance. RFA says this will be supported by capacity-building efforts within the Roads Authority and municipalities. It also notes that traffic law enforcement should be funded through public allocations to keep it independent of Road User Charges (RUCS) fluctuations. The RFA says the ISBP extends its internal business…

04 Feb

Shoprite sales grow by N$9.2bn in six months

Observer Money

Staff Writer Shoprite Group reported higher sales for the six months ended 28 December 2025, with merchandise sales from continuing operations rising 7.2% to about N$136.8 billion. This compares with restated sales of N$127.6 billion in the same period last year. The increase represents an extra N$9.2 billion in sales during the interim period. The group’s Supermarkets South Africa segment contributed most of the growth. The segment accounted for 84.3% of total group sales and recorded sales growth of 7.1%, adding N$7.7 billion over six months. The group said its pricing approach continued to support affordability. Internal selling price inflation…

04 Feb

Widow of slain guard to sue Namdia for N$4m …‘My husband was killed protecting diamonds’

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The widow of slain Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) security officer, Shirley Eiseb, says she plans to sue Namdia for more than N$4 million over her husband’s death. The move escalates a legal dispute linked to the killing of Francis Eiseb, a senior protection officer at Namdia, who was shot dead during a diamond heist at the company’s premises in January 2025 in Windhoek. In a letter of demand dated 18 December 2025 and addressed to Namdia’s acting chief executive officer, Lelly Usiku, Florian Beukes of Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys accused the company of negligence. The firm acts for Shirley…

04 Feb

MTC Maris signs deal with Kazang to grow national reach

Observer Money

Staff Writer MTC Maris has signed an agreement with Kazang to expand access to mobile money services across Namibia, with a focus on underserved and hard-to-reach communities. Kazang brings a national network of more than 5 500 agents. This network gives Maris wider reach in urban centres, informal settlements and remote rural areas. MTC Maris executive director Kayembe Ilunga said the partnership supports Maris’ goal of full financial inclusion. “Through this partnership, we will drive and accelerate our core mandate of ensuring that every Namibian, regardless of location or economic status, can access essential financial services through a trusted local…

03 Feb

ACC investigates Walvis Bay over N$3.4m pothole tender

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened an investigation into the Walvis Bay municipality over alleged irregularities linked to a N$3.4 million pothole repair tender. The probe also covers the recruitment process of a senior manager. ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu confirmed the investigation to the Windhoek Observer. “We confirm that a case has been registered with us, but the investigations are still at an early stage,” she said. The investigation centers the allegations around the municipality's chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda. According to documents and sources, the ACC is examining a tender awarded for pothole repairs across the…

03 Feb

NNN opens Cabinet with warning on limited time

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 2026 Cabinet year with a call for decisive action, saying the current global climate demands a clear break from routine governance. Speaking to ministers and senior officials yesterday, she emphasised that reverting to the status quo was not a viable option. She urged Cabinet to adopt a “business unusual” mindset to respond to the country’s most urgent needs. She said the administration has limited time to deliver on its mandate, with only four years left to advance Namibia’s Vision 2030. “Time is therefore not on our side. Every day, every hour, and every…

03 Feb

Vision without specifics risks losing public confidence

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s address at the official opening of Cabinet for the 2026 calendar year was, by all accounts, polished, optimistic, and rhetorically disciplined. It emphasised commitment, unity, and the high expectations Namibians have for their leaders. It recognised achievements, highlighted ongoing initiatives, and called for renewed focus as the administration advances toward Vision 2030. Yet, for all its lofty language and moral gravitas, the speech reveals a recurring challenge in Namibian political communication: ambition that is often unaccompanied by concrete operational clarity. In short, while the words inspire, they leave many questions unanswered. The President began appropriately, welcoming cabinet…

03 Feb

Manual payroll system raises cost and control issues

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Senior accounting and financial adviser Mefflint de Waal said removing the digital aspect of the payroll deduction management system (PDMS) and replacing it with a manual helpdesk could cause problems with salary payments. He said the change may slow down payroll services and reduce proper financial checks for public servants. De Waal said the move from an automated digital platform to a manual system marks a step back in public sector service delivery. “For more than two decades, Namibia operated a fully automated PDMS that linked government payroll directly with banks and insurers in real time. That system…