Featured – Page 10 – Windhoek Observer

07 Jul

Inflation risks persist despite easing fuel costs

Featured, Observer Money

Justicia Shipena Fuel price reductions announced in June, backed by over-recoveries in May, are expected to help keep the country’s headline inflation below 4% in the near term. This is according to Almandro Jansen, a junior economist at Simonis Storm Securities. Jansen said this brings some short-term relief for households, especially amid slow wage growth. However, he noted that underlying risks continue to weigh on the economic outlook. The country's annual inflation rate eased to 3.5% in May 2025, slightly down from 3.6% in April and from a recent peak of 4.2% in March. Much of the decline came from…

07 Jul

Is consolidation in the cement industry justifiable? A closer look at the Swenk // Whale Rock Cement merger

Featured, Opinions

Johannes Shangadi On 5 June 2025, the Namibian Competition Commission convened a public conference under Section 46 of the Competition Act in relation to the proposed acquisition of Swenk’s shareholding in Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement, the owner of Cheetah Cement. This transaction would effectively consolidate Namibia’s only two cement manufacturers into a single integrated entity. As clarified by Mr. Johannes Ashipala, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at the Commission, Section 46 conferences are investigative by design. They serve as fact-finding exercises, critical engagements that precede the Commission’s final determination. This article seeks to discuss the issues raised at…

02 Jul

Youth games part of Namibia’s road to LA 2028 Olympics

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Dino Ballotti, says upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games will serve as platform to prepare athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games. Ballotti made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday while providing an update on Namibia’s readiness for the youth games, which start Friday in Windhoek and Swakopmund. He said the games will help identify elite athletes for the government's long-term talent development programme and prepare them for international events, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The preparation programme is called “The Road…

01 Jul

NNN tightens travel approval rules for governors

Featured, Main

Allexer Namundjembo Regional governors will now need approval from the Office of the President to be able to travel to attend official events across the country. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the directive at State House during the appointment of seven new regional governors yesterday. She said the move aims to curb the unnecessary use of state resources on events that do not benefit the public. “I have observed governors travelling and officiating events that do not benefit the people of their regions. From now on, their approvals will come from my office. I have already sent a memo to all…

30 Jun

Capricorn Eagles lock in squad for CSA series

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Cricket Namibia has announced the Capricorn Eagles squad that will face the Cricket South Africa Women’s Emerging Academy in an upcoming series of matches. The series will begin with T20 matches at the FNB Cricket Stadium. The first T20 is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by the second match on Thursday. The third match will be played on Saturday, with the final T20 on Sunday. The 50-over series will start on Tuesday next week. The second match is set for Thursday, and the final one will take place on Saturday. The Capricorn Eagles squad includes Sune Wittmann, Kayleen Green,…

29 Jun

Essential rules and lessons for every man in 2025

Featured, Opinions

Hanhote Hotty Ndinomolo In most cases, we are worried about things that are less important, such as what people are going to say, losing friends or doubting ourselves. All that does not really matter. However, there are essential values, basic principles and rules that every man should live by, silently; in private or public. In a group or when alone. Talk to God often. No one is comparable to God. He is our father, Alpha and Omega. He is always ready to listen; he will not judge nor tell the next person. Read your bible. I like the books of…

29 Jun

Namibia bags three medals at World Youth Games

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Three young Namibian athletes won medals at the World Youth Games held from 26 to 29 June 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mathew Coetzee took gold in the boys’ under-14 80-metre race with a time of 9.07 seconds, one of the fastest times recorded by a Namibian at that age. Speaking after the race, Coetzee said the event was a great experience for him, especially since it was his first time competing internationally. “It was a great experience running on an international stage. I enjoyed the race because I didn’t feel challenged by the other athletes. But I didn’t…

29 Jun

Gobabis hosts fierce grand prix chess battle

Featured, Sports

Justicia Shipena Fifty-five players recently battled it out in a chess match in Gobabis during the eighth leg of the Bank Windhoek Grand Prix series. The event recently took place at the Omaheke Regional Library with a few titled participants, drawing interest from both experienced and young chess talents. President of the Namibia Chess Federation, Berdian Beukes, said the event gave players a chance to earn Grand Prix points and improve their national rankings. He said the Gobabis Open was a successful leg in the Grand Prix circuit and a positive milestone for the sport in the Omaheke region. "The…

26 Jun

Region 5 Youth Games launch inclusive sports guide

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The organisers of the African Union Sports Council's (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games have released a guide to help stakeholders use respectful and accurate language when communicating with and about athletes with disabilities. The guide, launched this week, is aimed at supporting dignitaries, broadcasters, newsrooms, and other stakeholders in engaging with disability sport using empowering terms. It introduces key terminology related to parasport, Special Olympics, and inclusive youth sport. For the first time, the Region 5 Youth Games will include events for athletes with disabilities and special needs. The 11th edition of the games will take place in…

26 Jun

Maybe God Will Judge Us by How We Treat Our Animals: Noah’s Ark, Part ll

Featured, Opinions

Mauricio Adelino The Bible has long emphasized treating animals with kindness and respect. In the story of Noah’s Ark, God commanded Noah to save each species, highlighting the intrinsic value of all creatures. Proverbs 12:10 reinforces this, stating, "The righteous care for the needs of their animals." In Namibia, where animals play integral roles—whether as companions, livestock, or working animals—we have a profound responsibility to ensure their welfare. This biblical directive resonates deeply in our society, where animals are central to both rural and urban life. As a veterinary student deeply invested in the welfare of domestic animals in Namibia,…