Blog – Page 5 – Windhoek Observer

30 Oct

Iipumbu tells staff to be careful what they tell clients

National News

Justicia Shipena Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu says the tendency of staff members to tell clients that their documents are waiting for her signature affects her mental health and concentration. Speaking during the workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness session at the ministry's headquarters in Windhoek on Tuesday, Iipumbu said such actions, though seemingly minor, have serious effects on both staff and leadership well-being. “Do you know that the people you tell that the files are in my office follow me? Whether I’m in China or in Germany, they call me. Imagine you are…

30 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia clears its eurobond: A victory worth applauding, but with eyes wide open

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia this week announced that it has fully settled its US $750 million Eurobond, a decade after it was first issued in 2015. The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia confirmed that all payments were made in full and on time, a move that many have described as a major fiscal milestone. At first glance, this is indeed a moment to celebrate. In a world where several developing nations have defaulted on external debt in recent years, Namibia’s ability to meet its Eurobond obligations reflects discipline, foresight, and credibility. Yet, while the country deserves credit for fulfilling its…

30 Oct

NHE targets to build 20 000 houses by 2029

National News

Justicia Shipena The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) aims to deliver 20 000 houses over the next five years. This is part of its new integrated strategic business plan (ISBP) for 2024/25 to 2028/29, launched in Windhoek on Wednesday. NHE chief executive officer Gisbertus Mukulu said the five-year plan comes as the enterprise realigns itself with national priorities. “The success of this plan will require aligned efforts from leadership, management, and staff and collaboration from all our stakeholders," said Mukulu. He said the ISBP serves as a roadmap built through reflection and collaboration, adding that strategy alone is not enough without…

30 Oct

More women than men set to vote

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Over 800 000 women have registered to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections set for 26 November 2025. The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN) final voters register shows that out of 1 499 449 registered voters, 808 419 are women and 691 080 are men. This means women make up just over 54% of all registered voters. ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said women have continued to show strong commitment to civic participation. “Their dominance on the voters’ roll is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of their leadership in community…

30 Oct

Sankwasa orders southern municipalities to reverse debt write-offs

National News

Justicia Shipena The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has ordered local authorities in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions to reverse their decisions to write off pensioners’ debts. He said the move was carried out without ministerial approval and is therefore illegal. In a letter dated 24 October to Lüderitz mayor Ronnie McKay, Sankwasa said his ministry had learnt that several local authorities had written off pensioners’ debts without first seeking authorisation from his office, as required by law. Sankwasa’s order comes days after the ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils directed municipalities under their control to cancel pensioners’…

30 Oct

Agribank sues presidential advisor over unpaid livestock loans

National News

Justicia Shipena The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) has filed a lawsuit against Christine Hoebes, special advisor to the president, for failing to repay two livestock loans dating back to 2015. Court documents show that Hoebes entered into two loan agreements with AgriBank on 3 March 2015. The first loan of N$193 000 was for the purchase of 26 cows and one bull. It carried an annual interest rate of 4% over a 10-year repayment period. The second loan of N$7 000 was meant for a goat ram and a sheep ram, repayable over eight years at the same interest…

30 Oct

Namibia pays off US$750m eurobond … Shafudah says sinking fund ensured repayment without hurting services

Main

Chamwe Kaira The minister of finance, Ericah Shafudah, says the redemption of Namibia’s US$750 million Eurobond marks a milestone in the country’s economic journey. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that Namibia had successfully redeemed its second eurobond, valued at US$750 million (approximately N$13.9 billion). The bond represents the largest single debt maturity in the country's history. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic foresight, and prudent debt management,” Shafudah said. Namibia first issued a eurobond in 2011 under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba at an interest rate of…

29 Oct

NNN tasks Kapofi with stabilising mines and energy ministry

Main

Justicia Shipena The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete. She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals. The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…

29 Oct

Magistrate rules state evidence insufficient to keep Willemse detained

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor supply and logistics manager Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse has become the third accused to be granted bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday set his bail at N$200 000. Windhoek Magistrate Olga Muharukua ruled that Willemse’s continued detention was not in the interest of justice. She said the state failed to present enough evidence showing that he was likely to interfere with investigations or witnesses. “There is no evidence before this court to suggest a serious risk of interference with investigations or with witnesses,” she said. “Further, the court is…

29 Oct

President says she fired Ithete for defying oil moratorium

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on oil deals. On Sunday, she dismissed Ithete from the Cabinet, removing him from his roles as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy. She then assumed control of the ministry until a replacement was appointed. Speaking in a video that surfaced from her closed-door address to ministry staff on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ithete went against her directive on upstream oil activities. “There seem to be things happening in…