Blog – Page 21 – Windhoek Observer

16 Jan

Youth spotlight: Nestor Nathingo

Featured, Latest

Nestor Nathingo belongs to a new generation of Namibian developers who are less interested in hype and more concerned with usefulness. Trained in software development and driven by a problem-solving instinct, his work sits at the intersection of technology, access, and everyday African realities. Rather than building for abstraction, Nathingo builds for context — creating digital solutions that respond to local needs, system gaps, and practical inefficiencies. His approach reflects a quiet but growing movement among young technologists who see code not as an end in itself but as a civic tool. In a country where digital infrastructure is uneven…

16 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | When the world comes to bat: Cricket, youth opportunity and national development

Uncategorised

Windhoek has gone cricket-mad. For the next few weeks the Namibia Cricket Ground and the adjacent high-performance oval are hosting 16 matches as part of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup (co-hosted with Zimbabwe), a global showcase of rising talent running from 15 January to early February 2026. These fixtures bring international teams, visiting supporters and media to our capital, and they arrive at a moment when sport-as-development is no longer a nice-to-have but a national priority. That matters for three reasons. First, hosting international fixtures demonstrates that Namibia’s venues and administrators can run big events, a credibility boost…

16 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | WW3 or nah?

National News

Just as young people were getting into the rhythm of adulthood, budgeting for brunch, arguing about whether soft life is a mindset or a scam, planning trips they may or may not afford, here come the headlines. War here. Tensions there. Missiles in one direction, sanctions in another. Suddenly the group chats have shifted from jokes about unemployment to anxious memes about conscription, nuclear bunkers, and whether learning a new language quickly might be “strategic”. It is a uniquely unfair moment to be young. After surviving a global pandemic, economic instability, and a job market that requires ten years’ experience…

16 Jan

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Featured, Opinions

This week is dedicated to our fighters. Yes, our fighters. They are the young Namibians who have crossed the finish line of basic education and now stand at a fragile threshold, with some preparing to enter institutions of higher learning, while others are stepping, often prematurely, into the labour force. They are also the parents and guardians who have lived in suspended breath since the festive season, waiting for examination results that would either affirm years of sacrifice or demand yet another round of emotional, financial and psychological endurance. For some families, Tuesday delivered relief. For others, it confirmed that…

16 Jan

Namdia’s silence is not neutral; it is harmful

Featured, Opinions

The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) diamond heist of N$315 million was not an ordinary crime. It was the most daring and audacious financial theft in recent Namibian history. It struck at the heart of national pride, shook confidence in public institutions, and traumatised a nation that rightfully regards its diamonds as part of its collective inheritance. Now, as investigations continue and an employee has been arrested in connection with the heist, Namdia has chosen to retreat behind a wall of secrecy, refusing to disclose even the arrested person’s identity, gender, or position in the company. The justification given is that…

16 Jan

Namdia’s silence is not neutral; it is harmful

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) diamond heist of N$315 million was not an ordinary crime. It was the most daring and audacious financial theft in recent Namibian history. It struck at the heart of national pride, shook confidence in public institutions, and traumatised a nation that rightfully regards its diamonds as part of its collective inheritance. Now, as investigations continue and an employee has been arrested in connection with the heist, Namdia has chosen to retreat behind a wall of secrecy, refusing to disclose even the arrested person’s identity, gender, or position in the company. The justification given is that…

15 Jan

BoN sets caps on cross-border transfer fees

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has set limits on fees that local banks may charge for cross-border money transfers within the Common Monetary Area (CMA). The CMA includes Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. According to the central bank’s directive on user fees, charges and speed of cross-border Common Monetary Area low-value transactions (PSDIR-9), as amended, Namibian banks may not charge more than N$20 for incoming or outgoing transfers below N$1 million. For transfers ranging between N$1 million and N$5 million, the maximum fee is capped at N$35 for incoming transactions and N$30 for outgoing transactions. The directive…

15 Jan

Greg Field to take over as Deep Yellow CEO in February

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow Limited has confirmed that Greg Field will begin his role as managing director and chief executive officer on 2 February. The confirmation follows an announcement made on 2 December 2025 on Field’s appointment. Deep Yellow executive Chris Salisbury said the board was pleased that Field would start earlier than first expected. Salisbury said the board looks forward to Field’s leadership as the company approaches key decisions on the Tumas Project in Namibia and other developments across its portfolio. He thanked Craig Barnes for serving as acting chief executive during the transition and said Barnes will return…

15 Jan

PSG directors receive shares after Curro deal

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira PSG Financial Services has announced that some of its non-executive directors and their associates received PSG Financial Services shares following the implementation of a scheme of arrangement involving Curro Holdings Limited. In a notice issued on Wednesday, shareholders were referred to Curro’s announcement published on the JSE Stock Exchange News Service on 23 December 2025. The announcement confirmed that the Jannie Mouton Stigting acquired the remaining Curro shares through a scheme of arrangement. Under the scheme, Curro shareholders received a mix of cash and shares held by the trust in two listed companies, including PSG Financial Services. The…

15 Jan

Namfisa cautions public to use only registered microlenders

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has cautioned the public to use only registered microlenders when accessing short-term credit and related financial services. Namfisa said dealing with unregistered microlenders exposes consumers to unlawful practices, excessive charges and the loss of legal protection. Under Namibia’s Microlending Act, all microlenders must be registered and supervised to operate legally. The Act aims to protect consumers by regulating lending practices and promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability in the microlending sector. Namfisa said registered microlenders must be formally authorised and are required to clearly disclose interest rates, fees, and repayment terms before…