Page 128 – Windhoek Observer

28 Nov

Racism and tribalism remedies still out of reach

National News

Justicia Shipena The Office of the Ombudsman says Namibia has made little progress in tackling discrimination, tribalism and racism, despite clear recommendations made almost eight years ago. The chief of office at the Ombudsman, Ingrid Husselmann, said public hearings held in 2017 produced a detailed report that outlined steps ministries should take to address discrimination and tribalism. She said most of those steps remain untouched. “Unfortunately, not very many of those recommendations have been implemented,” Husselmann told the Windhoek Observer. One of the key proposals was the development of legislation that would give people simple and informal access to remedies…

28 Nov

Govt ready for talks but rejects magistrates’ new demands

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The government says it is ready to resume talks with the Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia (MJAN) but will not simply accept the new demands made by magistrates. Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel on Thursday said the magistrates have shifted from an agreement reached earlier. Immanuel said the government was close to implementing allowance adjustments approved by former finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi in October 2023 when the industrial action began. He said the dispute arose after the MJAN introduced new demands that the government believes are completely out of line with the 2023 agreement.…

28 Nov

New pact puts judiciary’s data on MTC cloud

National News

Justicia Shipena A new agreement will see the office of the judiciary move its entire digital infrastructure onto Mobile Telecommunications Company's (MTC) cloud platform. The agreement was signed on Thursday in Windhoek. This partnership positions MTC as the judiciary’s official digital partner for cloud hosting services. The agreement follows a procurement process that awarded MTC the contract to provide a comprehensive enterprise-grade cloud service to the judiciary. The package includes virtual machines, cloud resources and an integrated digital environment designed to support the judiciary's growing operational needs. Speaking at the signing ceremony, deputy executive director in the office of the…

28 Nov

Elections have consequences

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The dust hasn’t quite settled on the 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections, but the political mood across Namibia already feels unmistakably familiar. Swapo, after its stumble in 2020, has found its footing again. The opposition, meanwhile, looks scattered and winded. Add to this the drag of a low-turnout election, the kind that almost always tilts toward incumbents, and the picture that emerges is one of a democracy revealing not just its choices but also its frustrations. What we are witnessing is a shift in how Namibians are engaging with politics: less animated by party colours, more shaped by…

27 Nov

Multichoice Namibia says Canal+ deal will unlock synergies

Observer Money

Observer Money sat down with MultiChoice Namibia Managing Director Roger Gertze to discuss the Canal+ deal, its impact on Namibia, the production of local content, subscription fees, and decoder prices. Chamwe Kaira (CK): What impact will the takeover of Multichoice by Canal+ have on the operations of Multichoice Namibia? Roger Gertze (RG): You would know that Canal+ is a media company similar to what we have been doing over the years. They have been concentrating on the French-speaking part of the continent as well as in their home country, France. They have been expanding over the years into a number…

27 Nov

Pepkor revenue surges to N$95.3 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Pepkor Holdings Limited grew its group revenue by 12% to N$95.3 billion for the year ended 30 September. The clothing and general merchandise segment increased revenue by 8.9% to N$66.9 billion, while the furniture, appliances and electronics segment rose by 7.2% to N$11.8 billion. Operating profit before capital items increased by 13.2% to N$11.1 billion, driven by strong trading and tight cost control. Net finance costs grew by 4.1% to N$3 billion, supported by lower interest rates and measures that reduced funding costs. “The group achieved strong cash generation and enhanced returns, notwithstanding the high levels of strategic…

27 Nov

S&P upgrades SA banks after sovereign rating lift

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira S&P Global Ratings has upgraded eight South African banks after raising the country’s sovereign rating on 14 November. The agency lifted South Africa’s foreign-currency rating to BB from BB- and its local-currency rating to BB+ from BB, with a positive outlook. It said the move reflects better economic growth, a stronger fiscal path, and lower risks from state-owned enterprises as Eskom posts its first profit in decades. On 18 November, S&P said the sovereign upgrade allowed higher ratings across major banks, noting that most institutions remain capped by the sovereign ceiling because government distress can affect domestic banks.…

27 Nov

Chamber of Mines calls for reliable and efficient railway system

Observer Money

Chamber of Mines of Namibia chief executive Veston Malango says recent incidents involving hazardous materials such as sulphuric acid show the risks posed by damaged sections of the country’s railway network. He said these incidents can cause serious environmental harm, especially in sensitive areas. Malango said the mining sector relies on safe and reliable transport. He stressed that a strong railway system is critical for moving mining inputs and products in a safe and cost-effective way. Observer Money (OM): What is the Chamber of Mines of Namibia’s position on the current state of the railway industry in Namibia? Veston Malango…

27 Nov

Andrada Mining expansion gathers pace

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Andrada Mining Limited reported higher production, stronger revenue and reduced operating losses for the six months ended 31 August 2025. The company said it is now entering a scaling phase after completing engineering upgrades and corporate restructuring. The unaudited interim results showed continued investment across its Namibian operations, including the Uis Mine and several development projects aimed at expanding tin, tantalum and lithium output. The company processed 527 583 tonnes of ore, up 10% from 481 504 tonnes in the first half of the previous financial year. Tin concentrate production increased by 14% to 858 tonnes, and tantalum…

27 Nov

Africa Bitcoin enters OTCQB market

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Africa Bitcoin Corporation Limited (ABC), formerly Altvest Capital Limited, says its ordinary shares have started trading in the United States on the OTCQB Venture Market. Trading began on Wednesday under the ticker AFBCF. The company anticipates that this move will enhance its visibility and reach, providing global investors with an additional avenue to access its shares. The OTCQB Market is an electronic broker-dealer platform operated by OTC Markets Group. It is not a licensed or regulated securities exchange, and ABC’s admission is not a formal listing. It allows secondary trading of the company’s existing ordinary shares through US…