Page 215 – Windhoek Observer

26 Sep

Sankwasa defends cost of government-built houses

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena Urban and Rural Development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa says government houses built on government-owned land should not be called expensive. He made the remark at the handover of 52 houses in Okakarara on Thursday under the National Housing Enterprise’s (NHE) national housing programme. The programme aims to deliver 10,000 housing units annually for the next five years as part of efforts to formalise informal settlements. “There is therefore no reason for anyone to say houses built by the government, on government land, are not affordable because the land is expensive,” he said. Sankwasa urged local authorities to lower…

26 Sep

Namibia presses UN to tackle land degradation

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has called for the implementation of the Namib Declaration on the United Nations (UN) Convention to combat desertification. The call was made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as she delivered her maiden speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Nandi-Ndaitwah asserted that this is crucial for achieving a world free from land-degradation. The declaration aims to reverse land degradation and to mitigate the impacts of drought. Nandi-Ndaitwah said climate change continues to harm livelihoods and ecosystems. “Climate change is scorching our lands and drying up our rivers. Global instability is…

26 Sep

Non-banking sector now worth N$474 billion

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The chief executive officer of the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa), Kenneth Matomola, says favourable market conditions, lower interest rates, and moderate inflation helped push the value of the non-banking financial sector to N$474.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year. This figure represents growth of 14.3% compared to the previous year’s 4.2% decline. “Our regulated entities continue to demonstrate financial stability and resilience, underscoring the effectiveness of our oversight and operational efficiency initiatives,” Matomola said on Thursday at the launch of the 2025 annual report in Windhoek. The report shows that NAMFISA’s regulatory portfolio has expanded to…

26 Sep

Rural parliament warns against neglecting the boy child

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Delegates at the eighth session of the Rural Women Parliament with Men as Partners have passed a resolution calling for urgent support and empowerment of the boy child, describing him as increasingly vulnerable and left behind. The session, held under the theme “Breaking Barriers”, addressed issues ranging from infrastructure to healthcare. The resolution on the boy child, however, became one of the most pressing points of discussion. It highlighted a shift toward recognising that rural youth face complex challenges that require a balanced approach. The chairperson of the National Council, Maria Mwala, said the gathering had “confronted the…

26 Sep

Moongo seeks answers on use of Gambling Fund proceeds

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Winnie Moongo has asked the minister of environment, forestry and tourism, Indileni Daniel, to explain how the Gambling Trust Fund is being monitored to ensure transparency and accountability. The fund was created under section 25 of the Gaming and Entertainment Control Act of 2018 to reduce the social and economic effects of gambling. It is used to support rehabilitation programmes and public education. The Gambling Board of Namibia manages the fund in trust. In a notice of questions in parliament on Thursday, Moongo said that despite the objectives of the act, concerns remain…

26 Sep

YOUTH SPOTLIGHT | From Namibia to Japan: Loide’s Teaching Journey

Featured, Uncategorised

When most Namibians dream of life after graduation, their thoughts rarely drift as far as the bustling streets of Tokyo or the quiet countryside of Japan, but for Loide Mpinge, a young Namibian who studied education at the Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus in Ongwediva, the classroom has taken on a whole new meaning thousands of kilometres away. Now living in Japan, she spends her days teaching English to Japanese learners beyond the rules of grammar and punctuation and also to speak and connect across cultures. Hers is a journey of courage, determination and the willingness to take a leap of faith.…

26 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | The future of connectivity in Namibia: progress that includes everyone

Featured, Opinions

From mobile payments to digital banking, Namibians are certainly in their connectivity and technology advancement era. Recently, both MTC and Paratus have announced the launch of e-SIM technology, promising a seamless, flexible and convenient experience for mobile users. For those unfamiliar, an eSIM (embedded SIM) allows you to activate a mobile plan without a physical SIM card. It is quite the popular choice, especially for frequent travellers who do not have the luxury of time to buy a physical SIM card while in transit or who simply want to stay connected without constantly swapping SIMs. While Namibia’s network coverage is…

26 Sep

YOUNG OBSERVER | #Unlimited

Featured, Opinions

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recently advertised a vacancy for an ICT Specialist, specifying that it was open to female candidates only. In a country that proudly celebrates having its first female President, a female vice president, a female speaker of parliament, and a notable level of women’s representation in the cabinet and the National Assembly, all achievements that have earned Namibia international praise, one might have expected applause. Instead, the announcement was met with resistance, scepticism, and even questions about its legality. The legal framework, as critics quickly pointed out, complicates matters. The Labour Act does not…

26 Sep

President Netumbo-Nandi Ndaitwah’s appointment of Namibia’s envoys: Transformative leadership or business as usual?

Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) ABSTRACT This analysis examines President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s six months in office through the lens of Paulo Freire’s conscientisation and Roberto Mangabeira Unger’s institutional reinvention and transformative leadership. Moving beyond ceremonial assessments, this examination intends to look at the mantra of “business unusual” of President Nandi-Ndaitwah as opposed to the substantive transformation of Namibian governance structures if juxtaposed to Freire and Unger’s conceptual frameworks. Introduction In any political cycle, the sixth month of governance is a symbolic milestone. It is the moment for a preliminary balance: assessing what has been delivered,…

26 Sep

OM Bank has no plans for Namibia

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The recently launched OM Bank, established in South Africa by the Old Mutual Group, has no immediate plans to expand into Namibia. Nawhal Foster, an official at OM Bank, told Observer Money that the new bank’s focus is on South Africa. “At this stage, OM Bank is focused exclusively on establishing and deepening its presence within South Africa. We are not planning to launch in markets outside of South Africa at this time,” Foster said. The company said it has met the remaining section 17 conditions and received regulatory approval for the appointment of Clarence Nethengwe as chief…