Blog – Page 69 – Windhoek Observer

17 Oct

YOUNG OBSERVER | Discovering Namibia’s hidden gems

National News

Gondwana’s Desert Grace Gondwana has fortunately been running splash sales since the beginning of the year 2025, which has afforded Gondwana card-holding members such as myself to experience some of Namibia’s hidden gems but on a budget. I made the impulsive decision to visit The Desert Grace on a Tuesday afternoon after seeing an advert for the flash sale on Instagram and decided to eat air for the rest of the month and purchase my vouchers. Due to the fact that my decision was last minute, I could only leave for the desert after work on Friday, which meant that…

17 Oct

YOUNG OBSERVER | Namibian youth join Afro-Arab Dialogue on peace and development

Featured, National News

Namibia participated in the Afro-Arab Youth Congress held in Uganda from 6 to 10 October 2025 under the theme “Amplifying Youth Voices for Peace, Unity, and Prosperity.” The event marked the launch of a fundraising drive for the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) International Headquarters in Uganda and convened its General Council. Namibia was represented by Leonard Akathingo and Esther Shakela. Akathingo joined a panel discussion on mental health among men, where he shared his journey of turning pain into power and purpose. Akathingo is the president and founder of the Popya Assistance Foundation, an organisation that focusses on gender-based violence,…

17 Oct

YOUNG OBSERVER | YOUTH SPOTLIGHT: Breaking ground with precision – The journey of Zhahida Tjizera

Featured, National News

In a field often dominated by men and hard hats, Zhahida Tjizera stands out not just for breaking barriers but for redefining what it means to build with purpose. As a quantity surveyor, she measures more than bricks and mortar; she measures progress with perseverance and dedication. From early dreams of shaping skylines to navigating construction sites and cost estimates with precision, Zhahida represents a new generation of Namibian women making their mark in technical professions. Her story is one of quiet determination and bold ambition, a reminder that success in STEM and construction is not reserved for any gender…

17 Oct

YOUNG OBSERVER | #UNMUTED

Featured, Opinions

Last week during a Parliament session, a member of an opposition party took to the floor to lament the exclusion of the springbok on one of the national notes. While some may have found it hilarious, the episode posed a sobering question regarding the (possibly deteriorating) quality of debate in the August House. The National Assembly is the legislative arm of government, and it is meant to dissect and pass laws with scrutiny of government actions and policies. It is supposed to be a house that seeks solutions for the challenges that we face as a nation. One therefore wonders…

17 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Celebrating Excellence: Why Namibia must call its best home

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When Dr Ndjodi Ndeunyema recently travelled home to Namibia, it was for a profoundly personal reason, to marry the woman he loves, herself an academic of exceptional calibre. The Windhoek Observer congratulates the newlyweds and celebrates their union as a joyful reminder of what Namibian brilliance looks like. But this editorial is not about romance; it is about recognition. It is about celebrating excellence and asking whether, as a nation, we truly value our best minds. Dr Ndjodi Ndeunyema represents the very best of Namibia, a young, highly accomplished scholar who has distinguished himself on one of the world’s most…

17 Oct

Implementation of women, peace and security agenda still uneven

National News

Justicia Shipena Despite global commitment, implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda remains uneven, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said on Thursday. Nandi-Ndaitwah urged world leaders and regional blocs to strengthen their efforts. “As we mark this 25th anniversary, we must look forward. Resolution 1325 has laid a foundation, but the task ahead remains urgent,” she said. “Conflicts across Africa and the globe are intensifying, with women and children bearing the greatest burdens," she said during the silver anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, held in Windhoek. Nandi-Ndaitwah reflected on Namibia’s role in shaping the WPS agenda,…

17 Oct

A timely cut, but will lower interest rates be enough to lift Namibia’s economy?

Editorial, Observer Money

The Bank of Namibia’s decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, from 6.75% to 6.50%, marks a cautious yet significant attempt to breathe life into a sluggish economy. Announced by governor Johannes !Gawaxab, the rate reduction comes amid weakening growth, subdued inflation, and rising concern that Namibia’s recovery is losing momentum. For households and businesses already grappling with tight financial conditions, the decision offers some relief. But it also raises deeper questions about whether monetary policy alone can lift an economy facing structural headwinds. By reducing the repo rate, the central bank makes it cheaper for commercial…

17 Oct

BoN plans to accumulate gold

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has launched a gold accumulation strategy to diversify the country’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthen economic stability amid global uncertainty. BoN governor Johannes !Gawaxab said the strategy is part of a broader effort to protect Namibia’s financial system and improve its resilience against external shocks. He said gold will now form a key component of the central bank’s reserves portfolio, targeting 3% of total net foreign exchange holdings. The gold will be acquired from local mines, kept under domestic custody and stored as London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) good delivery bars with 99.9%…

17 Oct

Global economy shows resilience amid shifting commodity prices

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The global economy continues to show resilience, even as forecasts point to slightly slower growth in the coming years. Bank of Namibia (BoN) governor Johannes !Gawaxab said this week that since the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting in August, inflation trends have moved in different directions across major economies, while global stock markets have strengthened and bond yields have declined. “The US Federal Reserve cut its policy rate for the first time this year, marking a shift in its monetary stance, while most other major central banks opted to hold their rates steady,” he said. The Organisation for…

17 Oct

Business loans lift private sector credit to 5.8%

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) rose slightly to 5.8% year-on-year in August 2025, compared to 5.7% in July, showing a gradual recovery in credit demand driven mainly by corporate borrowing, according to FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti. Mboti said the modest increase reflects a cautiously improving credit environment supported by stronger business confidence and continued investment activity. Household credit expansion, however, remains limited due to weak income growth and affordability constraints. Corporate credit led the growth, rising 10.3% year-on-year in August from 10.1% in July. Mboti said the increase was mainly supported by higher demand for other loans…