Blog – Page 71 – Windhoek Observer

21 Jan

Pepkor updates investor disclosures before AGM

Observer Money

Staff Writer Pepkor Holdings Limited has updated disclosures linked to its N$10 billion Domestic Medium Term Note (DMTN) Programme and confirmed the availability of key financial and governance documents ahead of its annual general meeting. In a notice issued on 19 January 2026, the South African retail group informed noteholders that the information statement incorporated by reference in the DMTN Programme has been updated and dated the same day. The update was made in line with the JSE Debt and Specialist Securities Listings Requirements. Pepkor said the changes mainly relate to investor considerations and risk factors, the group’s organisational structure,…

21 Jan

MTC marketing awards to be held in April

Observer Money

Staff Writer The MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba has announced 18 excellence award categories aimed at recognising innovation and strong performance across branding, marketing, communications and advertising in Namibia. The awards will be presented at the MTC Branding and Marketing Indaba Gala Dinner on 10 April 2026 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Windhoek. MTC's chief brand, marketing, communications, and sustainability officer, Tim Ekandjo, said the awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have made meaningful contributions to the industry. “The award ceremony will honour outstanding individuals and corporates that have demonstrated exceptional achievements and have made vital contributions and impact…

21 Jan

De Beers to hold the usual 10 sales across the 12-month period

Observer Money

De Beers has released its sales schedule for the coming year, with plans to hold the usual 10 sales across the 12-month period. The miner sells around 90% of its rough diamonds to sightholders that agree to buy a set volume of rough in return for consistent supply. Amid ongoing uncertainty in the diamond industry, De Beers will extend its current sightholder agreement through June 30, 2026. The contract regulates the company’s rough-diamond sales to customers via its sight system. The rough diamonds originate from the company’s owned and joint-venture operations. The sales will take place in Botswana, Namibia and…

21 Jan

BHP lifts copper production outlook

Observer Money

Staff Writer BHP Group Limited has lifted its copper production guidance for the 2026 financial year after strong operational performance and firm commodity prices during the half year ended 31 December 2025. In its operational review, the mining group said copper prices rose 32% year-on-year, supported by solid global demand and supply disruptions at rival producers. Iron ore prices were also higher, rising 4% over the same period. Against this backdrop, BHP recorded operational records across its copper and iron ore businesses. The company said it increased its copper production guidance for the 2026 financial year after stronger-than-expected performance across…

21 Jan

Nored workers to go on strike on Friday

National News

Justicia Shipena Workers at the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) will go on strike from Friday. This is after six years without any wage increase, following the completion of all legal labour processes. The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) said Nored employees have not received salary adjustments despite repeated engagements through recognised union structures. The union said workers have now exercised their constitutional right to strike. MUN general secretary George Ampweya said the union views Nored's conduct as unfair, particularly in how resources are allocated. “The Union views this as fundamentally unfair and indicative of misplaced priorities, especially in circumstances…

21 Jan

Patience Masua at NYC: talent, reward and the cost of mediocrity

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The announcement that the newly appointed interim chairperson of the National Youth Council (NYC), Patience Masua, will earn N$100 000 per month for a three-month contract has ignited predictable outrage. Youth affiliates are questioning governance and priorities. Social media has been ablaze with indignation. Commentators ask how such a salary can be justified in a country where unemployment among young people remains stubbornly high. These concerns are valid and deserve scrutiny. Yet buried beneath the noise lies a deeper and far more dangerous national habit: Namibia’s persistent discomfort with rewarding talent, skill and leadership at competitive levels. This is not…

21 Jan

Masua to earn N$100k monthly at NYC

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Newly appointed National Youth Council interim executive chairperson Patience Masua will earn N$100 000 per month during her three-month tenure. This has sparked debate among youth affiliates and raised questions about ministerial influence over the youth body. The Windhoek Observer has learnt that Masua’s predecessor, Kennedy Kariseb, earned the same monthly amount during his short tenure, from October until his resignation in December 2025. The disclosure has angered some NYC affiliates, who question why N$300 000 is being spent on an interim position instead of funding a General Assembly to elect a full-term board. Sources told the Windhoek…

20 Jan

No land auctions under my watch, says Sankwasa …tells councillors to stop favouring foreign companies

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has called for a “Namibia First” approach to government procurement, urging regional and local authority councillors to prioritise national interests. He also warned against the abuse of land allocation processes, procurement systems and public trust. “If Trump can stand and say ‘America first', we must also stand and say ‘Namibia first' and not second,” Sankwasa said. He was speaking at the opening of a five-day induction workshop for regional and local authority councillors, chief regional officers, chief executive officers and administrators in Rundu on Monday. Sankwasa said that procurement practices…

20 Jan

Experts warn weddings overshadow marriage

National News

Justicia Shipena Modern couples are increasingly drawn to the spectacle of weddings rather than the substance of marriage, leaving many unprepared for the realities of married life, says relationship mechanic Ngamane Karuaihe-Upi. Karuaihe-Upi said people marry for many reasons beyond religion and that pretending otherwise distorts the conversation around divorce. “Not everyone gets married because God said so. People get married because they are lonely, because of desire, because culture says so, or because of pressure linked to age," he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. “People get drunk on the excitement of looking good and being celebrated,” he said.…

20 Jan

Shanghala presses court on legal aid

National News

Justicia Shipena “Why am I not legally represented as a former minister of state? What I would like to know, and this needs to be recorded, is why the state has money to give to prosecutors but not to us?” These were the questions raised by former justice minister and fishrot accused Sacky Shanghala on Monday in the Windhoek High Court as the fishrot matter came before court for a hearing on the commencement of the trial. Shanghala told the court that there was unequal treatment between the prosecution and the accused, saying funds were available for state prosecutors while…