Blog – Page 94 – Windhoek Observer

18 Jun

Sixteen Namibians selected for 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship

National News

Niël Terblanché Sixteen young Namibians have been selected to participate in the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. The fellowship, part of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), brings together around 650 participants from across Sub-Saharan Africa for a six-week academic and leadership programme in the United States. The United States Embassy in Namibia said the programme aims to build leadership skills, support innovation, and offer hands-on learning through academic study, training, and professional networking. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Alexis Haftvani said this year’s Namibian cohort includes professionals from Omaheke, Kavango West, Khomas, and Omusati…

18 Jun

Another N$24 million channelled toward drought relief

National News

Niël Terblanché The European Union (EU) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef) have announced a joint humanitarian contribution of about N$24 million to support Namibia’s drought response. The funding will target the regions most affected by the ongoing drought. The EU is providing €911,000 (around N$19 million) through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Agency (ECHO). Unicef is contributing an additional €228,000 (roughly N$5 million) from its own resources. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony in Windhoek on Tuesday, attended by prime minister Elijah Ngurare. The aid will support life-saving services for around 86,000…

18 Jun

Namfisa puts medical aid accountability in members’ hands

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has urged members of registered medical aid funds to actively participate in their upcoming annual general meetings (AGMs). The authority warned that low turnout could weaken good governance and threaten the long-term sustainability of the healthcare financing sector. Namfisa’s chief executive officer, Kenneth Matomola, described AGMs as essential for accountability, where members can directly shape how their contributions are managed. “Medical aid funds exist to serve their members. The AGM provides a vital platform for members to make their voices heard, scrutinise decisions and ensure the fund is being run in…

18 Jun

SADC PF mourns passing of Angolan legislator

Africa / World

Moses Magadza The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has joined the National Assembly of Angola in mourning the passing of Diamantino Domingos Mussokola, an Angolan legislator and active member of the Forum. Mussokola died on Friday, 13 June 2025, in Luanda at the age of 54. In a statement issued in Luanda, the speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira, paid tribute to the late parliamentarian, hailing his legacy of humility, camaraderie, and wisdom. “As a Member of Parliament, Diamantino Domingos Mussokola leaves behind a legacy of humility, camaraderie, and wisdom that enriched political debates…

18 Jun

Commercial banks told to cut margins above repo rate

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Namibia (BoN) is calling on commercial banks to align their lending margins with those of other countries in the Common Monetary Area (CMA). According to BoN governor Johannes !Gawaxab, Namibia is currently the only CMA country where the prime lending rate exceeds the repo rate by more than 3.50 percentage points. In Namibia, the margin remains at 3.75 percentage points. “This move will address this anomaly and, in time, provide relief to consumers,” said !Gawaxab. He further stated that banks will receive a specific timeframe to modify their operational…

18 Jun

NAMIT SME Fund disburses over N$800,000

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena The Mineworkers Union of Namibia's (MUN) NAMIT SME Fund has disbursed over N$800,000 to entrepreneurs across various regions since its establishment in 2024. The fund helps current and former union members start or grow their small businesses. So far, 54 applications have been received this year. The MUN said this signals a strong interest in the union’s push for inclusive economic empowerment. This development was shared during the Western Regional Roundtable held in the Erongo region on 18 June. The roundtable is part of MUN’s national series of forums to improve engagement between the union leadership and its…

18 Jun

Diamond sector faces setback from US tariffs

Observer Money

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Gaudentia Kröhne, has warned that the imposition of a 21% United States tariff on Namibian mineral exports could stall trade momentum and threaten future economic opportunities under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Speaking during a ministerial roundtable on the promotion of natural diamonds in Luanda on Tuesday, Kröhne described the April 2025 executive order from the US as a major threat to Namibia’s diamond industry and broader trade prospects. “Namibia now faces a reciprocal 21% tariff on mineral exports, including diamonds, to the US, a significant market for Namibian goods.…

18 Jun

In a global economy, no country is too far from the shockwaves of war

Featured, Opinions

JOSEF KEFAS SHEEHAMA Geopolitical developments in the Middle East are expected to have a negative influence on market sentiment and the global economy if de-escalation efforts fail. Namibia is a part of the global village and trades with other countries; it is therefore not immune to economic catastrophe. The global economy has been negatively impacted by event such as COVID-19, the wars between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Israel and Hamas, the start of the global tariff war, and Israel and Iran. These wars threaten the global economy and have the potential to erode globalization and interdependence. Oil prices…

18 Jun

‘The era of free capital is over’ – report

Observer Money

Justicia Shipena The head of investment at Simonis Storm Securities, Max Rix, says the investment landscape has changed. According to Rix, the change is not a temporary adjustment but a structural regime shift. Interest rates will remain real. Rix said interest rates will remain real, capital will remain costly, and fiscal policy will stay constrained. “We see no room for complacency and even less for nostalgia,” he said. “The old anchors, free liquidity, suppressed volatility, and endless duration – are gone. What remains is the real task of investing: allocating capital prudently, understanding risk honestly, and protecting long-term value against…

18 Jun

Desert Jewels captain vows to win the UAE Cup

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe National netball team captain Anna Kasper has promised fans they will win and bring the United Arab Emirates Netball Cup home. Kasper made the commitment on Tuesday after Namibia drew 49-49 against Singapore Vandas in their second match of the tournament. Namibia had won their opening game 69-48 against Kenya. Their third match is scheduled for today against Ireland, followed by their final group match against the United States of America on Saturday. Speaking after the draw with Singapore, Kasper said the team didn’t expect such a strong performance from their opponents but took valuable lessons from the…