Blog – Page 75 – Windhoek Observer

04 Jul

Witbooi unveils N$25 million GH2 scholarship drive

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Applications for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Programme are now open, backed by an investment of N$25 million to support students from the Hardap and ||Karas regions, vice president Lucia Witbooi said. Witbooi on Wednesday launched the third call for applications at Reverend Dr Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi Primary School in Gibeon, //Karas Region. The funding will provide targeted skills training for young people, particularly school-leavers, unemployed youth, and individuals from disadvantaged communities. The programme focuses on building skills aligned with Namibia’s green hydrogen plans. “Today’s occasion marks not only a significant investment in our young people but…

04 Jul

Referees paid peanuts for matches

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) parliamentarian Utaara Mootu has raised concern over the low wages and non-payment of football referees, warning that the situation exposes them to bribery and undermines the integrity of the sport. “Referees are paid as little as N$50 to N$400 per game, despite the physical, emotional, and professional demands of their work,” Mootu said in parliament this week. She directed her concerns to the minister of education, innovation, sports, youth, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, questioning the ongoing delays in payments by the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Mootu said some referees have reportedly gone unpaid…

04 Jul

Ngarizemo backs premier league breakaway from NFA

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Young African Football Club chairman Maleagi Ngarizemo has backed calls for the Namibia Premier League (NPL) to become independent from the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Speaking this week, Ngarizemo said the league has reached a critical point and must embrace independence to drive growth and secure long-term sponsorships. “By transitioning to an independent structure, the NPL can enhance self-sustainability, attract greater sponsorship, and elevate the competitiveness of Namibian football on the continental and global stage,” he said. He pointed to global examples, including the English Premier League and South Africa’s Betway Premiership, as proof that self-governance works. These…

03 Jul

NRU reveals lineup for World Cup qualifier

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) has announced the final squad that will travel to Uganda for the Rugby Africa Cup, which will run from 8 to 19 July in Kampala. The tournament brings together the top eight rugby nations on the continent and serves as part of the two-year qualification process for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, set to be held in Australia from 1 October to 13 November. Namibia’s squad consists of 28 players, including 17 forwards and 11 full-backs. They will be supported by a 10-member technical and management team. Countries competing in the tournament…

03 Jul

Anirep plans to grow energy portfolio to over 190 MWp

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (Anirep) says its renewable energy portfolio is on track to grow to over 190 MWp of clean, diversified energy capacity. The company made the announcement in its latest financial results for the year ended February 28, following the successful launch of the Khan Moses Mague/Garoëb 25 MW solar PV plant. The growth outlook is supported by Anirep's recent acquisition of a 45% stake in the 50 MWp CERIM Wind Project and the development of the 100 MWp Kokerboom project. Total group revenue for the year grew to N$177.2 million, up from N$89.2…

03 Jul

Foreign reserves decline to N$57.4 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia's international reserves dropped to N$57.4 billion at the end of May, a 9.8% decline from the previous month, according to the Bank of Namibia (BoN). The decline was driven by net outflows from commercial banks, customer foreign currency (CFC) withdrawals, and revaluation losses caused by the strengthening of the Namibian dollar against major currencies. The current level of reserves translates into 3.7 months of import cover. Excluding oil exploration and appraisal activities, the import cover stood at 4.6 months. Commercial banks’ cash holdings fell to N$8.5 billion in May from N$9.9 billion in April, due to net…

03 Jul

Swakopmund plans to upgrade aerodrome

Observer Money

The Swakopmund Municipality has announced plans to upgrade the town’s aerodrome. This week, Observer Money asked the municipality’s public relations officer, Linda Mupupa, about the reasons behind the planned upgrade. Observer Money (OM): What has led to this proposed upgrade? Linda Mupupa (LM): Council called for a feasibility study in 2023 to be conducted on the aerodrome. The purpose of the study was to develop a framework that will guide the council in enhancing the operations and overall functionality of the Swakopmund Aerodrome, in alignment with the council’s long-term vision. The ultimate goal is to position the aerodrome as a…

03 Jul

Mining sector continues to register strong gains

Observer Money

Namibia’s mining sector continues to register strong gains in 2025, with uranium and gold emerging as key pillars of economic growth and resilience. Namibia’s uranium industry stands out as a top performer, recording a 59% year-on-year increase in production as of April 2025. Supported by rising global demand for clean and reliable energy sources, uranium has become the country’s most valuable export, contributing N$2.86 billion (26%) of Namibia’s total exports for April. Namibia is cementing its reputation as a strategic supplier of uranium to the world, especially as nuclear energy gains renewed momentum in global energy transition efforts. The strong…

03 Jul

Oryx finalises acquisition of Safari Investments

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties Limited has officially acquired Safari Investments Namibia (Proprietary) Limited, following the fulfilment of all conditions in the sale agreement. The transaction became effective on 30 June, with the transfer of shares completed on the same day. Safari Investments RSA Limited confirmed that all conditions precedent to the sale of 100% of the issued share capital and claims in Safari Investments Namibia had been met. The sale agreement was first announced on 28 March. Oryx informed its unitholders that the acquisition was successfully concluded and that “caution is no longer required to be exercised when dealing in…

03 Jul

Namibia exports petroleum jelly to Greece, Cayman Islands

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia exported petroleum jelly valued at N$3,100 to Greece and the Cayman Islands in May. In contrast, the country imported petroleum jelly worth N$4.9 million during the same month, mainly from South Africa. Between May 2024 and May 2025, the average monthly import value of petroleum jelly stood at N$3.7 million. The highest import value was N$5.9 million in July 2024, while the lowest was N$1.1 million in April 2025. In terms of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Namibia exported goods worth N$5.3 billion to African countries and imported goods valued at N$5.7 billion,…