Blog – Page 54 – Windhoek Observer

16 Sep

Defence ministry accused of neglecting soldiers’ welfare

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) is accused of failing to pay soldiers’ subsistence and travel allowance, with some members deployed to Katima Mulilo for the 26 Heroes' August Day parade allegedly receiving nothing. Sources within the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said ceremonial defence members often go without allowances, especially when deployed outside their duty stations. “Only top military officials are receiving S&T, and if you’re not close to a senior officer, you won’t receive anything,” they said. They also claimed that ceremonial soldiers sent to Katima Mulilo did not recieve allowances and…

16 Sep

Nust rejects anonymous corruption claims

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has dismissed corruption allegations contained in anonymous letters circulating on social media, saying it will not act on unverified claims. Three weeks ago, a 40-page dossier surfaced online accusing vice chancellor Erold Naomab and senior officials of syphoning millions through irregular procurement, reckless spending, and abuse of authority. The document, allegedly addressed to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa . It also flagged the absence of audited financial statements since 2019. Among the allegations were nepotistic appointments, inflated contracts , favoritism in tenders, a N$30 million “rebranding” project handled…

16 Sep

Swapo insists it remains financially strong

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Swapo secretary of finance, Lucia Iipumbu, has rejected claims that the party’s assets have depreciated, saying recent reports on its financial state were misleading and lacked verification. In a recent statement, Iipumbu said references to asset depreciation were misplaced. She explained that the financial notice published was only an abridged report of the political funding account, submitted to meet electoral act requirements, and did not include fixed assets that could depreciate. “These assets far exceed the meagre N$12 million,” she said, citing holdings such as Kalahari Holdings and other subsidiaries. She added that the figure of N$958 986…

16 Sep

Goreangab mall to be completed in April 2026

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties says construction of the Goreangab Mall development in Windhoek is on track for completion in April 2026. The 14 500-square-meter mall will serve the Goreangab suburb, the greater Katutura area, and surrounding communities.It will host more than 40 tenants and be anchored by Shoprite with 60% of the lettable space has already been secured. “The mall is expected to enhance employment prospects significantly, with approximately 340 jobs created during construction, followed by 360 opportunities once it is operational. The development is expected to be completed by April 2026,” the group said. The shopping centre is the…

16 Sep

Nedbank funds the expansion of Aussenkehr vineyards

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Nedbank Namibia has signed a funding deal with Achill Island Investments (Pty) Ltd to support the expansion of horticultural production in the Aussenkehr Valley. The partnership will back agricultural growth and promote sustainable farming in the south of the country. The funding will assist Achill Island Investments and its sister farm, Silverlands Vineyards, in growing their operations and strengthening sustainable practices. Together, the farms cultivate more than 900 hectares of table grapes and date palms under the Silverlands brand. They employ about 4 000 people during peak season and supply premium produce to global markets. Silverlands Namibia forms…

16 Sep

Construction remain modest in Windhoek, Swakopmund

Observer Money

Staff Writer Construction activity remained modest in Windhoek and Swakopmund during August, reflecting uneven momentum in both regions, according to Macro Pulse, an analyst at Simonis Storm Securities. Windhoek recorded a slowdown in approvals, dropping from 261 in July, the highest monthly figure this year, to 176 in August. Swakopmund saw a similar trend, with approvals declining from 99 to 81 over the same period. From January to August, Windhoek averaged 171 approvals per month, while Swakopmund averaged 68, underscoring Windhoek’s role as the country’s primary growth hub. “However, Swakopmund’s gradual improvement compared to historical averages signals that the coastal…

16 Sep

ReconAfrica taps into Gabon’s offshore potential

Observer Money

Staff Writer Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd (ReconAfrica) has expanded its portfolio with an entry into Gabon’s offshore oil and gas sector. The company signed a production sharing contract and joint venture agreement with Gabon Oil Company (GOC) and Record Resources Inc. The deal covers Block C-7, renamed Ngulu, located in shallow waters offshore central Gabon. ReconAfrica will operate the block with a 55% working interest. Record Resources holds 20%, GOC 15%, and the Republic of Gabon a 10% carried interest. Ngulu covers 1 214 square kilometres and lies close to producing fields with reserves of between 38 million and 250…

16 Sep

MTC Maris, MICT in talks on e-money future

Observer Money

Staff Writer MTC Maris and the ministry of information and communication technology (MICT) are exploring collaboration to accelerate digital transactions. The financial technology company, a subsidiary of MTC Namibia, paid a courtesy visit to ICT minister Emma Theofelus to introduce its operations and discuss potential partnerships. Led by board chairperson Jerome Namaseb, the MTC Maris team presented the company’s new innovations and solutions. The discussions looked at possible cooperation through the upcoming Mega Hackathon, financial education initiatives, and joint efforts with other government departments to expand digital services across government. “The future of e-money in Namibia is where we are…

16 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | From grief to guesswork: Why the Lubowski interview fails the evidence test

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Thirty-six years after Anton Lubowski’s assassination, the wound remains open and the questions still sting. That grief deserves recognition and compassion. No family should carry the weight of a loved one’s unresolved murder. The sorrow of Gabrielle and Nadia Lubowski is real, and their yearning for answers is understandable. But grief, no matter how deep, cannot stand in for proof. Pain is not evidence, and in their recent interview the two women drift from mourning into dangerous conjecture. Their claims that Sam Nujoma, SWAPO’s founding president, was effectively a South African asset and complicit in Anton’s killing are not just…

15 Sep

Opposition accuses Swapo of threatening voters …as NNN says service delivery will be delayed without Swapo majority

Main

Justicia Shipena Opposition parties have accused Swapo president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of threatening voters after she said service delivery will be delayed if Swapo does not win a majority in the upcoming regional and local authority elections. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the comments at the opening of Swapo’s central committee meeting on Saturday, urging voters to give the party a decisive mandate. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leaders and spokesperson, Immanuel Nashinge, called the remarks undemocratic and misleading. “That’s just a political statement. It doesn’t make sense at all. Local authorities depend on the minister of urban and rural development, who is a…