Page 16 – Windhoek Observer

27 Oct

Outrage over Ithete’s “Only work with Swapo” remarks

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The United Democratic Front's (UDF) Youth League has criticised former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines, and energy, Natangue Ithete, for making comments they believe were divisive and irresponsible during his visit to Khorixas. Ithete allegedly said he only wants to work with members of his own political party and suggested that if another political party were to win, the people of Khorixas would have “brought poverty upon themselves.” In a video clip seen by the Windhoek Observer, Ithete is heard saying there are different candidates from different political parties contesting in this year’s regional and…

27 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Oil Dreams and Hard realities: Namibia must demand good jobs from foreign investment

Editorial, Energy, Featured, Opinions

Namibia’s growing oil and gas ambitions have once again come under scrutiny, and rightly so. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has sounded a sober warning that, despite the euphoria surrounding recent discoveries, the promise of thousands of jobs may not materialise as projected. In a country where unemployment hovers around 33%, and where the youth, the majority of the population, bear the brunt, it is not just a question of how much oil lies beneath our seabed, but whether that wealth will translate into decent, sustainable livelihoods for Namibians. The mirage of job creation According to government projections,…

27 Oct

State office rental costs increase by N$22 million

National News

Justicia Shipena The government will spend N$22 million more on office rentals this year.In total, it will pay N$364 million to rent offices, up from N$342 million last year.This was revealed by Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi in Parliament on Thursday. He stated that renting gives the government the flexibility to allocate resources, enabling it to focus on sectors such as education, health and social welfare. Nekundi explained that building new offices would be too costly. “To construct office space for about 300 employees would cost between N$600 million and N$700 million. Given that most ministries in Windhoek accommodate…

27 Oct

Union accuses Walvis Bay Council of tampering with job shortlist

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Public Workers Union (Napwu) has lodged a formal complaint with urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, accusing the Walvis Bay Municipal Council of interfering in the recruitment process for a senior position. In a letter dated 24 October 2025, Napwu general secretary Petrus Nevonga alleged serious irregularities in the hiring process for the general manager of human resources and corporate communication services. The union claims the council unlawfully altered an approved shortlist and made improper financial payments to candidates. Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that a shortlisting committee met on 25 July 2025…

27 Oct

Ya Nangoloh slams opposition for ‘Lip Service’ to democracy

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights advocate Phil ya Nangoloh questioned whether opposition parties can bring real political change. He said they have failed to address an important constitutional issue that impacts governance. Ya Nangoloh, the founder and executive director of NamRights, said he has long raised concerns about how the ruling Swapo governs the country. He believes the party has not fully upheld democracy, the rule of law, or justice since independence. He said this has created a misleading public perception that Swapo alone is to blame for the country’s failures in protecting civil, economic and social rights. He argued that…

27 Oct

MPs visit Okahandja to review informal sector progress

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The parliamentary standing committee on economy and industry, public administration and planning visited informal traders and SME centres in Okahandja on Friday. The visit aimed to assess how the town is implementing the International Labour Organisation’s Recommendation 204, which supports the transition from the informal to the formal economy. The visit, led by chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi and deputy chairperson Hilma Iita, aimed to understand the daily challenges faced by small business owners and informal traders. During the engagement, traders raised concerns about limited access to credit, lack of business training and the need for startup capital, which many…

27 Oct

Agra posts N$115 million profit after tax

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Agra has posted its strongest financial performance in its 45-year history, with profit after tax reaching N$115.1 million for the year ended 31 July 2025, up 56.7% from the previous year. Total revenue rose by 5.5% to N$2.8 billion, while gross profit increased by 9.2% to N$556.3 million. Operating profit grew by 43.7% to N$155.4 million. “These results reflect improved margins, disciplined cost control, and strategic expansion,” the company said. Agra’s share price increased by 4.9% to N$3.85 as of 31 July 2025, delivering a total return of 11%, including dividends. The company’s net asset value rose to…

27 Oct

Clicks rewards shoppers with over N$855 million

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Clicks ClubCard loyalty members across Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini received N$855 million in cashback over the past year, bringing total rewards paid to customers over the last three decades to N$7.5 billion. The Clicks ClubCard, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, grew active membership to 12.6 million and contributed 82.6% of total sales at Clicks stores. The Clicks Group, which operates 27 stores in Namibia, said while improvements in South Africa’s macroeconomic indicators are encouraging for retail spending over the medium term, consumer sentiment and discretionary spending remain under pressure. The group said it…

27 Oct

Deep Yellow CEO steps down

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow Limited has announced that its managing director and chief executive officer, John Borshoff, has stepped down from his position effective 20 October. Borshoff, who has led the company since 2016, will remain as an advisor until the end of November to ensure a smooth transition. Under his leadership, Deep Yellow grew from a junior uranium explorer into an Australian Stock Exchange-listed producer-in-waiting with key assets in Namibia and Australia. During his tenure, Deep Yellow revitalised the Tumas Project in the Erongo Region, one of Namibia’s most advanced uranium developments, now nearing a final investment decision. The…

24 Oct

Nandi-Ndaitwah Sings 500,000 Job Creation Amid Vacancy Freezing

Main

By Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her administration’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 jobs within five years, despite the government’s ongoing freeze on public service vacancies, a policy that continues to draw sharp criticism from the public and political commentators. Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum in Windhoek on Thursday, the President said her government was determined to drive “a new era of decisive, efficient, and results-driven governance” focused on economic growth, inclusivity, and employment. The job creation pledge is anchored in the recently launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), themed “Fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness, and Resilience…