Featured – Page 41 – Windhoek Observer

21 Aug

Inside the Mind of a Black Child

FeaturedInside the Mind of a Black Child, Johanna Swartbooi

Johanna Swartbooi, a creative entrepreneur was born and raised in the ||Karas, region and attended public schools in Windhoek. She received three years of training in Social Work before changing fields and acquiring a Higher Certificate in Business and Marketing Management in 2021. She is currently in her final year of studies in Business Administration majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management. Johanna’s professional career in fashion began with modelling in 2016. Since then she received various awards including Miss Namibia 2019 2nd Runner Up and Female Model of the Year in 2020 from the Simply You Magazine Lifestyle and Fashion…

21 Aug

Trustco Bank’s license temporarily suspended

Featured, National NewsBank of Namibia (BoN), Johannes !Gawaxab

Martin Endjala The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has temporarily suspended Trustco Bank Namibia’s license for a period of six months to rectify certain stipulated and communicated instances of non-compliance. This comes after BoN issued a statement last week Friday stating that the suspension is in accordance with Section 15(5) of the banking institutions Act no 13 of 2023, and it was done after consultations with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprise, which resolved to halt the authorisation of the Trustco Bank Namibia to operate as a banking institution with immediate effect. According to Johannes !Gawaxab, the BoN’s Governor, the…

18 Aug

Inflation hits alcohol, tobacco

Featured, Observer MoneyInflation hits alcohol, tobacco

The inflation rate for alcoholic beverages and tobacco stood at 6.9% in July 2023 compared to 5.4% registered in July of the preceding year The increase in the annual inflation rate for this category resulted from an increase witnessed in the subcategory of alcoholic beverages which increased by 7.7% in July 2023 compared to 5.4% recorded in July 2022, figures by the Namibia Statistics Agency revealed. The main products which pushed up the inflation rate for this subcomponent in July 2023 were sparkling wines/champagnes (from 1.2% to 10.6%); Wines (from 0.9% to 8.6%) and liqueurs (from -3.0% to 1.1%). Annual…

18 Aug

Government, Peugeot Opel to decide plant future

Featured, Observer MoneyGovernment

Chamwe Kaira With the future of the Peugeot Opel Assembly plant hanging in the balance, the government and PSA Automobiles, the two shareholders on the plant are expected to hold crucial talks that will determine the future of the plant. “The two shareholders have to meet and agree on the way forward. That is all, I am allowed to say at the moment,” Michael Humavindu, deputy executive director of industrialisation and enterprise development at the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade said this week. Humavindu is also a board member of the company. It is not clear when the shareholders will…

17 Aug

Oil and gas exploration should be done in harmony withthe environment: PM

Energy, FeaturedOil and gas exploration should be done in harmony withthe environment: PM

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Namibia is a land of unspoiled beauty and rich resources, and the discovery of oil and gas reserves within our borders brings both opportunities and responsibilities. “We must ensure that the development of this sector not only brings equitable economic development but that it is also done in harmony with our environment.” These were the words of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa- Amadhila, yesterday while speaking at the Oil and Gas Conference in the capital. She said that Namibia’s journey into the major leagues of oil and gas-producing countries should be a carefully considered one. “Because Government is still…

16 Aug

Inspiring American Para-Swimmer EncouragesNamibian Athlete to Dream Big

Featured, Sportsrecently connected with aspiring Namibian para-swimmer, Taylor Winnet

Diego Kahlari In a heart-warming display of cross-continental support and camaraderie, American para-swimmer and member of the U.S. Paralympics 2023 National Team, Taylor Winnet, recently connected with aspiring Namibian para-swimmer, Keila de Oliviera. The virtual meeting served as a beacon of encouragement and empowerment, as the seasoned athlete shared her remarkable journey and offered invaluable insights to inspire Keila’s own para-swimming career. Taylor Winnet has overcome formidable challenges to become a beacon of inspiration in the para-sports community. After sustaining a series of life-altering accidents, Winnet discovered the world of Paralympic Swimming through Coach Brian Loeffler from Loyola University Maryland.…

16 Aug

Trade ministry gets IT equipment worth N$ 123 m to boost international markets

Featured, Observer MoneyTrade has received Information Technology (IT), Trade ministry gets IT equipment worth N$ 123 m to boost international markets

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade has received Information Technology (IT) equipment from the European Union (EU) worth N$ 123 million to help the country boost international markets. The equipment is provided through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Plan Programme that exist between Namibia and the EU. They are intended to assist operations of the Directorate of International Trade Programme in the ministry, which aims to enhance Namibia’s access to export markets by improving the Government’s capacity to manage international trade agreements, with a specific focus on trade with the EU. During the handover ceremony which took…

15 Aug

Namibian Toastmaster to Compete for World Championship Title

Featured, National NewsNamibian Toastmaster to Competefor World Championship Title

Nikhita Winkler The annual Toastmasters event, renowned as the pinnacle of public speaking competitions, draws participants from across the globe, spanning over 100 countries. In the illustrious 85-year history of this prestigious competition, Africa has achieved victory on only two occasions, highlighting the extraordinary accomplishment of Verity Price from South Africa in 2021 and Cyril Junior Dim from Zimbabwe in 2022. Now, it is with great honor that I follow in their footsteps, proudly representing Namibia as the first semifinalist from our nation, taking my place among the distinguished top 28 contenders at this year’s World Championship, scheduled to be…

14 Aug

The Empress of Real Estate…An exclusive interview with Petrina Keramen

FeaturedMariental and Gibeon., The Empress of Real Estate...An exclusive interview with Petrina Keramen

Having had over half a decade’s worth of experience under her belt in the real estate industry, Petrina Keramen has quickly risen to become one of the country’s leading property specialists.She boasts an extensive real estate portfolio that includes a client base ranging from theneveryday buyer, entrepreneurs, investors and government agencies, to large corporations. Can you tell us where Petrina hails from?Petrina, hails from Windhoek born and bred. I attended primary and completed secondary school here.The Keramen family actually hails from the South of Namibia, namely Mariental and Gibeon.I am the middle child of 3 children with an elder sister…

14 Aug

July month-on-month inflation rate decrease to 4.5%

Featured, Observer Money12-month average annual inflation rate from August 2022 to July 2023, Alex Shimuafeni, July month-on-month inflation rate decrease to 4.5%

Martin Endjala THE monthly report recently released by Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA) Statistician-General and Chief Executive Officer, Alex Shimuafeni highlighted that the inflation rate performance for the month of July decreased to 4.5 percent compared to 6.8 recorded in the same month last year. Meanwhile, the statistics also revealed that the 12-month average annual inflation rate from August 2022 to July 2023 was estimated at 6.6 percent. The annual inflation rate for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels components, which accounts for 28.4 percent of the consumer basket, registered an increase of 2.7 percent during July 2023 compared to…