Page 14 – Windhoek Observer

21 Oct

Airlines body calls for reform in African aviation

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has called for bold, collective action to transform Africa’s aviation industry. The association says change requires harmonised regulations, open markets, better governance, financial discipline, and stronger aviation infrastructure and services. Speaking at AASA’s 55th Annual General Assembly in Lusaka, Zambia, CEO Aaron Munetsi said all players, such as airlines, airports, regulators and suppliers, must work together to reshape Africa’s aviation story and prove that African carriers can compete globally.“For too long, African aviation has been underestimated, especially by ourselves. Africa is home to 1.4 billion people, the world’s youngest population and…

21 Oct

SA to showcase investment potential in US

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), in partnership with UBS and Standard Bank Group, will host the annual South Africa Tomorrow Investor Conference on 21–22 October 2025. The event will be held under the theme “Delivering Superior Returns Through Transformative Reforms.” The conference aims to connect the US investor community with South Africa’s top JSE-listed companies and promote the country as an attractive investment destination. The South African delegation will include key figures from government and the financial sector, among them South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago; Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Minister of Public…

20 Oct

Mpox outbreak declared in Namibia …first case recorded in Swakopmund linked to cross-border travel

Main

Justicia Shipena Namibia has confirmed its first mpox case, linked to recent cross-border travel within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) declared an outbreak on Sunday after a case was confirmed in Swakopmund over the weekend. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the patient is receiving care in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital and remains in stable condition. “In line with World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols, one confirmed case of Mpox constitutes an outbreak,” she said. She said the ministry's team in the Erongo region are tracing contacts and monitoring potential…

20 Oct

NDF to recruit 1 500 despite Govt job freeze

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) will recruit 1 500 new members in this financial year despite the government’s decision to freeze all unadvertised job positions until March 2026. A memo issued last Wednesday stated that a team from the NDF Recruitment Planning Committee (NDF RPC) will manage the process across all 14 regions. “Marginalised communities are also allocated 4% of slots and their application forms received should be stamped and recorded. In the same vein, the constituency councillors should assist all candidates and no candidate should be turned away,” the memo reads. NDF spokesperson Colonel Peter Shilumbu said…

20 Oct

STOSAR II targets food security and value chain growth

National News

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has launched the second phase of the Support for Operationalisation of SADC Regional Agriculture Policy (STOSAR II) project. The executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, described the initiative as a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the agricultural sector by enhancing food security, resilience and competitiveness. The European Union (EU) funds the second phase, which runs from 2025 to 2028, with N$3.5 million allocated to Namibia. It builds on the first phase (2019–2023), which improved national capacity in data management, animal disease diagnostics and sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Under STOSAR II, Namibia will…

20 Oct

DAILY OBSERVER | Confused and contradictory: Government’s mixed signals on jobs must stop

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Namibian government must understand this once and for all: jobs are not political slogans to be thrown around at convenience, they are a matter of national survival. Every mixed message, every contradictory pronouncement, and every vague promise chips away at public confidence and deepens the despair of thousands of unemployed Namibians. When the Office of the Prime Minister announced recently that all unadvertised government positions would be frozen, many citizens reluctantly accepted it as part of much-needed fiscal discipline. The assumption was simple: government is tightening its belt to control the ballooning public wage bill, prioritising efficiency and redirecting…

20 Oct

Over 140 workers employed at revived Rundu Abattoir

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has created 142 permanent jobs at the Rundu Abattoir since its reopening in August 2023. This was revealed by Meatco's interim chief executive officer, Albertus Aochamub, during a recent visit to the Kavango East and West regions where he met with with governors Hamunyera Hambyuka of Kavango East and Verna Sinimbo of Kavango West. The meetings aimed to build partnerships and explore ways to improve livelihoods in the northern communal areas. The company shared these developments in a statement issued on Friday. “We believe sustainable growth begins with empowering farmers and creating…

20 Oct

PSG Wealth sells insurance business to Santam for N$51m

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira PSG Wealth made N$51 million from the sale of Western National Insurance Namibia to Santam Namibia. The company said in its interim results for the six months ended 31 August that the assets and liabilities related to the insurance business were classified as held for sale since 29 February 2024, after management approved the sale. The sale became effective on 3 March 2025 after all suspensive conditions were met. PSG, which operates in South Africa and Namibia, reported a 21% rise in recurring headline earnings per share and a return on equity of 28.6%. The company said better…

20 Oct

IMF forecasts Namibia’s GDP to grow by 3.6%

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Namibia’s economy will grow by 3.6% in 2025, compared to 3.7% in 2024. The IMF predicted Namibia's growth to reach 3.8% in its October Sub-Saharan Africa report. Angola’s economy is projected to grow by 2.1% in 2025, down from 4.1% in 2024. Botswana is expected to record a negative growth of -0.9% in 2025, compared to -3.0% in 2024. The IMF expects Botswana’s economy to recover to 2.3% in 2026. Sub-Saharan Africa’s economic growth is expected to remain steady at 4.1% in 2025, with a small increase in 2026. The…

20 Oct

O&L sells its Cleanergy stake to Belgian company

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira H2Infra NV, a subsidiary of Belgian-based CMB.TECH, is set to become the sole shareholder of Cleanergy Solutions Namibia after acquiring the 51% stake held by the Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group. The transaction, subject to approval by the Competition Commission, marks a new phase for the clean energy company that plays a key role in Namibia’s green hydrogen drive. O&L executive chairman Sven Thieme said CMB.TECH is “ideally positioned to lead Cleanergy forward”, using its international expertise and innovation to support Namibia’s sustainable energy goals. O&L co-founded Cleanergy Solutions Namibia and said it is proud to have helped…