Page 15 – News Stand

22 May

FNB lowers 2025 inflation forecast to 3.9%

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA FNB Namibia economist Helena Mboti said FNB now expects inflation to ease to 3% year-on-year in May. The annual average inflation for 2025 is forecast at 3.9%, slightly below the earlier projection of 4.2%. “Our updated forecast reflects lower-than-expected pressure from housing and utilities, while other assumptions remain broadly unchanged. Although housing and rent prices are expected to remain elevated, the utilities outlook has improved. We had anticipated an electricity tariff increase of over 8%, assuming limited fiscal capacity to subsidise national tariffs for a second consecutive year,” Mboti said. NamPower’s announcement of a more moderate 3.8% increase,…

22 May

Consumers are preferring fuel-efficient cars

info_e12wt4csEnergy, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA Namibian car buyers are shifting their focus from luxury and performance to affordability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. Simonis Storm Securities says this trend is creating space for new brands, especially Chinese manufacturers, to enter the market as some established European brands lose ground. “This evolution presents new opportunities for local dealerships, financiers, and service providers to adapt their offerings in line with shifting consumer expectations, focusing more on cost-conscious packages, servicing support, and competitive financing models tailored to the growing mid-tier vehicle segment,” Simonis Storm Securities said. Vehicle sales data for April 2025 show a strong preference for…

22 May

Sanlam, Tyme Bank form joint venture

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Sanlam has announced that Sanlam Life, Sanlam Personal Loans Proprietary Limited (SPL) and Tyme Bank Limited have entered into agreements which will result in the establishment of a joint venture focused on unsecured personal loans with an embedded credit life offering. The establishment of the joint venture will be subject to the fulfilment of certain suspensive conditions. SPL provides unsecured personal loans of between R5000 and R300000 to qualifying individuals on repayment terms of 12 months to six years at a fixed interest rate. The SPL loan book size was R5 billion as at 31 December 2024. Tyme Bank is…

22 May

Kimberley Process marks ‘breakthrough’ in expanding definition

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

The World Diamond Council (WDC) has welcomed the meaningful progress made towards expanding the Kimberley Process definition of conflict diamonds after a successful week of open and productive dialogue at the 2025 Intercessional in Dubai. The meeting, hosted by the UAE and current KP Chair Ahmed Bin Sulayem, marked a significant breakthrough in seeking to expand the definition of conflict diamonds after years of discussion. The current definition, established over two decades ago, primarily addresses diamonds financing rebel movements against legitimate governments. However, the evolving nature of conflicts necessitates a broader scope. The African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA), representing 15…

21 May

Home Affairs mum on alleged document forgery

info_e12wt4csMain

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Home Affairs is in hot water after a man discovered his identity documents had allegedly been used fraudulently by another person. Months after the incident was reported, the ministry confirmed forgery but has yet to provide any answers. Matheus Matheus, a resident of Arandis, found out about the identity breach in July 2024.He was applying for a passport at the Swakopmund Home Affairs office when officials told him his name and ID number were already in the system, but his photo and signature didn’t match. He was then referred to the ministry’s head office in…

21 May

Activists call for lights and CCTV after woman dies in riverbed

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Katutura Residents Committee (KRC) and women’s rights activists have called for urgent safety interventions, including improved street lighting and CCTV cameras, following the death of a woman found in a riverbed in Windhoek's Damara location on Thursday. Women's rights activist Rosa Namises, speaking in the wake of the incident, said the death reflects a deeper crisis facing women in unsafe and neglected areas of Windhoek. “This is not just a mysterious or unknown death of a woman in our midst. It is part of the violence against women in our country. It shows how unsafe and insecure our…

21 May

Diplomatic spouses’ charity proceeds to support education projects

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Association of Diplomatic Spouses (ADS), representing spouses of accredited diplomats stationed in Namibia, is reaching out to the City of Windhoek to help identify education-focused projects and organisations that could benefit from funds raised through its recent charity initiatives. During a courtesy visit on Tuesday, ADS president Matthias Geisler and former president Lamia Lotfy met with Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja to discuss collaboration on distributing proceeds from the 2025 International Day Diplomatic Charity Bazaar. The event, held in April, raised over N$200,000, with a maximum of N$50,000 allocated per beneficiary. Geisler explained that the ADS was established…

21 May

Forbes calls for an end to infighting to enhance service delivery

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes, has appealed to the public and members of the municipal council and management to abandon what he described as a “blame game” and concentrate on resolving the town’s challenges through cooperation and accountability. Speaking during a special briefing on Tuesday, Forbes addressed recent tensions that arose following his earlier statements alleging sabotage of municipal functions by certain staff and councillors. His remarks were met with resistance, particularly from the current chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda, prompting the need for the mayor to publicly explain his position. During a meeting of the…

21 May

Health ministry rejects malaria tender payment claims

info_e12wt4csNational News

Allexer Namundjebo The Ministry of Health and Social Services says no payments have been made for the procurement of anti-malaria medication, which Job Amupanda criticised on social media. The ministry released a statement on Tuesday responding to claims made by Amupanda through his investigative platform, Eagle 25. Amupanda alleged that the government paid N$1,500 per pack for 300 packs of malaria tablets, totalling N$450,000. He claimed the original supplier charged only R580 (about N$696) per pack. He questioned the price difference and suggested corruption. “Assuming the transportation cost was N$50,000, a crazy figure, the middlemen still scored N$225,000 just for…

21 May

Huawei partnership to enhance Namibia’s digital development

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said the country’s digital transformation hinges on close collaboration with private sector partners, robust infrastructure, and a digitally skilled population. Speaking at the Huawei Partner Connect Gala Dinner in Windhoek on Tuesday evening, she described the recently launched Namibia LEAP Digital Talent Programme as a turning point in efforts to empower young Namibians. The programme, which is the result of an agreement signed between the ministry and Huawei Technologies Namibia in August 2024, is designed to equip young Namibians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the global…