Page 224 – Windhoek Observer

08 Sep

ADVERTORIAL | Namibia unveils multi-million dollar agricultural support programme

National News

The government unveiled a national agricultural support programme for the 2025/26 financial year, allocating over N$28 million to strengthen food security, increase production and productivity, and build climate resilience among small-scale producers. The programme covers horticulture, poultry, dairy, and small stock development across all 14 regions. The Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme will assist about 1 000 small-scale producers through subsidies on inputs. Farmers can receive a 50% subsidy on seeds, 60% on fertilizers, 50% on pesticides and herbicides, and 65% on irrigation materials and shade nets. Subsidized tillage services are also available at N$500 per hectare. To…

08 Sep

365 days of palliative care operations in Namibia

Featured, Opinions

Rolf Hansen The Cancer Association of Namibia (WO30) proudly marks the first anniversary of the House Zietsman Care Facility, under the auspices of Palliative Care Namibia, a programme in our organisation. This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect not only on victories but also on the many challenges that continue to shape our journey. It has not been an easy road. Yet the reward has been overwhelmingly positive. One lesson stands out clearly – the understanding of palliative care, even within Namibia’s broader medical ecosystem, remains limited. Too often, there is a reluctance to confront the reality of death and…

08 Sep

Exports to African markets reached N$5.1 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia exported goods worth N$5.1 billion to African countries in July, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said in its International Merchandise Trade Bulletin. Imports from the continent stood at N$6.1 billion, leaving a trade deficit of N$1 billion. The NSA said intra-Africa exports made up 40.7% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from Africa accounted for 48.7% of total imports. Most exports went to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique. Imports mainly came from South Africa, Zambia, the DRC, Nigeria, and Morocco. Namibia’s overall trade balance in July was a deficit of N$58…

08 Sep

Sanlam cuts stake in SanlamAllianz to 51%

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Sanlam Group has reduced its shareholding in SanlamAllianz to 51% following the sale of Sanlam Life Namibia and the acquisition of an additional stake by Allianz Europe BV. According to the group’s half-year results for the period ending 30 June 2025, Allianz acquired 8.59% of SanlamAllianz on 7 April 2025, leaving Sanlam with 51% and Allianz with 49%. Sanlam Life Namibia was sold to SanlamAllianz with effect from 1 July 2024. Before the transaction, Sanlam owned 100%, but afterward its effective ownership in Sanlam Life Namibia dropped to 59.59%. The group said the first half of the year…

08 Sep

Paladin boosts community investment

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Paladin Energy has reinforced its commitment to sustainability in Namibia by investing in communities in the Erongo Region while increasing uranium production at its Langer Heinrich Mine, the company said in its 2024 sustainability report. Paladin holds a 75% controlling interest in Langer Heinrich Uranium, with 25% owned by China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Uranium Holding Limited. The company said its operations in Namibia contribute to global efforts to move away from fossil fuels, with uranium playing a key role in supplying low-carbon power to developed countries. With the mine back in production, Paladin has rolled out a…

08 Sep

The winter crop season bodes well for food supplies

Observer Money

Wandile Sihlobo For much of the past few weeks, we have focused on the summer grains and oilseed, the plantings of which have recently started across South Africa. But other equally essential crops are winter grains and oilseeds. After a reasonably good production period during the winter season, the farmers are now busy harvesting the 2024-25 winter crops. Unlike other crops where we monitor the production conditions nationally, with winter crops, we pay close attention to the Western Cape because of the province’s significant contribution to these crops. For example, about 70% of the winter wheat plantings for the 2024-25…

08 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | Namibia’s unequal struggle: From recognition to real action

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

When Finance Minister Erica Shafudah addressed over 800 delegates and 80 central bank governors at the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum in Swakopmund, she did something that deserves recognition: she confronted the uncomfortable truth. Namibia, three decades after independence, remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. The minister did not hide behind slogans or polished talking points. Instead, she acknowledged that inequality, rooted in colonial dispossession and apartheid exclusion, continues to cast a long shadow over our democracy. That candor matters. Too often, governments facing stubborn structural problems resort to denial or distraction. Commending…

05 Sep

Zambezi Regional Council suspends CRO

Uncategorised

Justicia Shipena The Zambezi Regional Council has suspended its chief regional officer (CRO), Regina Ndopu-Lubinda, the Windhoek Observer has learnt. Her suspension comes amid reports from last week indicating that Regina Ndopu-Lubinda is facing 59 counts in a tender-related corruption case. She was arrested last month by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) along with Linyanti constituency councillor Ivenne Kabunga and Solo Mutelo over the Zambezi Waterfront Tourism Park tender. They were each granted bail of N$50 000 in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate’s Court. Contacted for comment on the suspension, Zambezi Regional Council’s chairperson Matengu Simushi said he had no knowledge of…

05 Sep

High Court keeps Linden Beef hanging by a thread

Main

Justicia Shipena The High Court has given Linden Beef Close Corporation, owned by David van der Linden, more time to fight off liquidation. High Court acting judge Andrew Corbett extended the provisional order against the company to 3 October 2025. Van der Linden, who is already linked to the disappearance of 400 Meatco cattle worth about N$7 million from his Linden Beef Feedlot, faces additional financial trouble. Bank Windhoek is seeking to liquidate his company over N$28.8 million in unpaid loans dating back to 2022. A provisional liquidation order was granted in August, but Van der Linden, who has been…

05 Sep

NCBN leaders allegedly cashing in on youth dreams

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The National Collaborative Board of Namibia (NCBN) and its president, Ingashipola Lucas, face allegations of misusing donor funds, faking documents, and covering up internal corruption. An internal letter seen by the Windhoek Observer details claims that millions meant for youth programmes were diverted for personal gain. The letter alleges that senior leadership misused donor funds, forged documents, and engaged in a cover-up. Lucas, who previously served as National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo)’s regional branch administrator in Ohangwena and Oshana, resigned from the party in April. In the same month, he also withdrew his candidacy for the upcoming local…