Page 208 – Windhoek Observer

22 Sep

High Court gives Goantagab green light to mine

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The High Court has dismissed an urgent application brought by the Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy, #Aodaman Traditional Authority and Ultimate Safaris to stop mining activities at the Goantagab tin mine. Judge Boas Usiku delivered the ruling on Friday, striking the case from the roll for lack of urgency. The court ordered the applicants to pay the costs of the first respondent, Timoteus Mashuna, including fees for “one instructing and two instructed legal practitioners.” The urgent application, filed on Thursday, sought to block scheduled blasting on Mashuna’s mining claims. The applicants argued that the activities violated a…

22 Sep

Student bodies welcome recognition of Ndama East School

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Student bodies have welcomed the government’s decision to officially recognise Ndama East Primary School in Kavango East. On Friday, prime minister Elijah Ngurare and minister of education Sanet Steenkamp visited the school, where it was formally declared legal. The government also announced an infrastructure development project that will include 25 new classrooms, an administration block, two ablution facilities, and a perimeter fence. Temporary shelters will be provided before construction begins next yetar. Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) spokesperson Jessy Abraham said the announcement validates what communities have long fought for. “Nanso has always maintained that community-established schools are…

22 Sep

Minister declares war on waste

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Environment minister Indileni Daniel has declared a national war on waste, warning that pollution is harming public health, food security, tourism, and the economy. Speaking at the National Clean-Up Campaign in Nkurenkuru, Kavango West Region, on Saturday, Daniel said Namibia must act now to protect its environment. “A clean environment is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bedrock of public health, food security, tourism, and national dignity. Waste undermines our health, our food security, our economy, and even our national pride,” she said. Daniel announced that the government will push for stronger penalties against…

22 Sep

Avoiding building project nightmares: Tips for property owners

Featured, Opinions

Johannes Hesekiel Building projects often start with exciting visions of what life will be like once the project or renovation is completed. Unfortunately, for many starry-eyed property investors and homeowners, the dream very quickly descends into a nightmare as costs escalate to much higher levels than indicated in the original quotation and completion times extend well beyond initial expectations. This is also a nightmare that you cannot escape from quickly. Once committed to a building project, it is very hard to leave it. Even once the building project has been completed, there is still scope for the nightmare to continue. …

22 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia’s moment on the world stage: What President Nandi-Ndaitwah should tell the UN

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah walks up to the marble podium of the United Nations General Assembly for her maiden address, she will not simply be speaking for Namibia. She will carry the voice of a young African democracy with a hard-won independence and a people who have known both the scars of colonialism and the exhilaration of self-determination. Her speech will be more than a ceremonial debut; it is an opportunity to show the world what Namibia stands for and what it demands of a multilateral system under strain. This is a moment heavy with symbolism. Namibia has travelled a…

22 Sep

NBL’s revenue increases to N$2.1 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has reported a strong set of interim results for the six months ended 30 June, with net revenue up 9.7% to N$2.1 billion from N$1.9 billion in 2024. The company said the growth was driven by higher volumes, inflation-linked price increases, and benefits from local production. Gross profit margins improved on the back of fewer beer discounts, margin gains from locally packaged wine and cider, and tighter cost controls. Operating expenses rose by 3.5% to N$1.82 billion from N$1.76 billion, reflecting continued investment in brands and strategic initiatives, including the rollout of the enterprise…

22 Sep

Cattle production drops in second quarter

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Cattle production costs dropped by 1.9% over the last 12 months, according to the Namibia Agricultural Union’s (NAU) second quarter report for 2025. NAU said the decline was mainly driven by a 10.29% fall in fuel prices, which helped offset a 2.72% rise in electricity costs during the same period. The report noted that 2025 is a herd rebuilding year, which has increased profitability for farmers by leading to higher producer prices. At the same time, cattle marketing fell sharply, dropping by 56.24% from 211 610 in the first half of 2024 to 92 600 during the same…

22 Sep

Lower food prices drive inflation down

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FNB Namibia has revised its inflation forecast slightly lower and now expects headline inflation to reach 3.5% year-on-year by December 2025, compared to its earlier projection of 3.7%. FNB economist Helena Mboti said the adjustment was driven by lower-than-expected food prices, prolonged transport deflation, weak domestic demand, and favourable currency movements due to a weaker US dollar. She noted that pressures remained in food, housing and utilities, and alcohol, which together added 2.6 percentage points to headline inflation in August, down from 2.93 points in July. "At the same time, transport continues to weigh on overall inflation (-0.2…

22 Sep

Capricorn executives cash in N$23m share options

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Capricorn Group Limited has disclosed that its directors and company secretary exercised share awards worth more than N$23 million under the group’s conditional share plan and share appreciation rights scheme. According to Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) filings, the transactions were executed on 18 September at N$22.05 per share, following the vesting date of 23 August. Capricorn Group chief executive officer, Marthinus Prinsloo, exercised 239 578 shares worth N$5.28 million. Bank Windhoek's managing director, Baronice Hans, concluded several transactions under both schemes, involving more than 598 000 shares with a total value exceeding N$12.7 million. Other directors who participated…

22 Sep

NTB, MTC sign MoU to transform tourism

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive digital transformation in the tourism industry. NTB chief executive officer, Sebulon Chicalu, said the partnership will strengthen efforts to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and Namibia’s global position as a leading travel destination. “The agreement will allow NTB to leverage MTC’s technologies such as 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile applications and VR/AR to supplement our efforts and achieve strategic objectives such as enhancing stakeholder satisfaction and promoting social and economic inclusion in the tourism sector and improving industry service…