Blog – Page 20 – Windhoek Observer

27 Aug

Unbalanced growth: the misalignment of infrastructure and urban priorities

Opinions

Ester Shafashike In too many corners of our country, the foundations of progress are crumbling. Schools lack proper buildings, and classrooms made of zinc sheets or tents have become the norm. Learners struggle with inadequate materials and science labs that exist only on paper. These conditions not only undermine the quality of education but also rob young minds of the opportunity to thrive. Beyond education, basic services remain out of reach for countless communities. Residents walk long distances to access medical facilities, often navigating deteriorated roads that suffer from poor workmanship. Even when road projects begin, the results are substandard…

27 Aug

Cash remains king in rural areas

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Nedbank Group CEO Jason Quinn says Namibia’s dual economy means digital payments are becoming common in cities, while cash remains dominant in rural areas. He said this is not because people resist change but because available tools have not always met the realities on the ground. “Limited connectivity, the cost of devices, and a lack of locally relevant solutions have been real barriers. We didn’t simply copy and paste a global solution,” Quinn said. According to the Bank of Namibia’s 2024 Annual Report, e-money transactions increased to N$43.7 billion in 2024 from N$37.7 billion in 2023. Transaction volumes…

27 Aug

Real estate pushes Namibian markets up

Observer Money

The markets closed last week (18 August to 22 August) on a positive note, with several sectors posting strong gains. The JSE All Share Index climbed to 102,724 points, up 774 points from last week, marking a 0.76% increase. Since the start of the year, the index has risen an impressive 22.15%, reaching its highest level yet in 2025. On the Namibian Stock Exchange, Namibia’s Overall Index gained 1.29% to settle at 1,835.39 points, while the Local Index inched up slightly by 0.04% to 754.19 points, continuing its steady growth of 9.09% since December 2024. Among the major sectors, real…

27 Aug

MTC launches 5G at Ongwediva Trade Fair

Observer Money

Staff Writer Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) has announced the deployment of 5G services in Namibia. The announcement was made this week at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. With the soft launch, MTC becomes the first operator in the country to introduce the technology. The service is currently available in Ongwediva, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek. The company said more areas will be covered in the coming months as part of an aggressive rollout plan. MTC chief technical and information officer, Monica Nehemia, said the technology will be a key driver of Namibia’s digital economy. “We are proud to make 5G…

27 Aug

Money talks, but who is listening?

Observer Money, Opinions

Sanja van den Berg Money is something we think about every day, whether we’re swiping for groceries, figuring out how to make it to payday, or silently stressing about that one unexpected bill that could throw everything off. It shapes our choices, affects our sleep, and influences our relationships. It’s the loudest conversation in the room, but for many of us, it’s one we try not to have. The truth is that most people are figuring it out as they go along. We copy what our parents did, we try not to spend too much, and sometimes we take loans…

27 Aug

Tough start for Beauties in CAF league

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe FNB Women’s Super League champions, Beauties Football Club, suffer their second defeat at the CAF Women’s Champions League in South Africa on Sunday. South African league winners Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies defeated the Namibian champions 7–0. This came after their opening 3–0 defeat to Zambia’s Zesco Ndola Girls Football Club. Beauties, however, managed a 3–0 victory against Malawi’s Ntopwa Football Club over the past weekend. The Okahandja side is making its debut at the regional tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League finals. The team is banking on a mix of youth and experienced…

27 Aug

OBSERVER DAILY | From scare Namibia to Air Namibia

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When Air Namibia was grounded and liquidated in 2021, the decision was framed as bold fiscal discipline. After all, the airline had swallowed more than N$11 billion in government bailouts over two decades without ever finding sustainable profitability. To many, pulling the plug seemed the only sensible choice. But history has a way of exposing short-term decisions for what they truly are: costly miscalculations. Today, as President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah signals her government’s intention to reintroduce a national carrier, we are compelled to ask ourselves: was closing Air Namibia the right move? The answer is an emphatic no. In fact, the…

26 Aug

DAILY OBSERVER | Prime minister’s kindness: time for a rethink?

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Prime minister’s kindness: time for a rethink? When President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took the oath of office, she pledged inclusivity and fairness as guiding principles for her administration. “No special treatment” was her rallying cry, meant to signal a new era in which the government would lead by example, not by exception. Yet, one long-standing tradition continues to sit awkwardly alongside that promise: the so-called prime minister’s kindness. This is the practice of allowing public servants to leave work early, sometimes at 10h00, sometimes at 14h00, on the eve of public holidays. The reasoning has always been straightforward: give workers a…

25 Aug

Northern economy to benefit from OATF

Observer Money

The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) returns for its 24th edition from 22 to 30 August 2025 under the theme “Innovate – Connect – Prosper”. Observer Money chatted to the organisers. The organisers say the theme reflects the fair’s evolving role as a driver of innovation, partnerships and sustainable economic growth in Namibia. Windhoek Observer (WO): What is the theme for this year’s trade fair and how did you arrive at the theme? Lonia Nghuulikwa (LN): The 24th Edition of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is scheduled to take place from 22nd to 30th August 2025 under the theme "Innovate…

25 Aug

Ongwediva invests over N$53m in infrastructure projects

Observer Money

Staff Writer During the 2024/2025 financial year, the Ongwediva Town Council implemented a capital budget of N$53 million for infrastructure development and service delivery projects. The aim is to improve the quality of life for residents and support the town’s growth. Several projects have been completed. These include the planning and replanning of Extensions 13 and Elyambala at N$217 391, the replanning of Extension 2 Township at N$86 957, fire and rescue equipment worth N$173 913, the multipurpose sports field Phase 4 at N$4.3 million, park fixtures at Extension 14, ICT equipment, office furniture, and the installation of Christmas lights.…