The Financial Sector Must Stop Financing Everyone but Namibians

When Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab recently admitted that local ownership and control in our financial sector has reached only 20% against a 25% target set a decade ago, he was not merely stating a statistic, he was laying bare an uncomfortable truth. Namibia’s financial services sector, the backbone of any modern economy, remains far too dependent on and beholden to foreign capital and interests. For ten years, we have tinkered at the edges of transformation. We have introduced localisation quotas, promoted local talent into top management, and celebrated the listing of banks on our stock exchange. Yet beneath this…
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Welwitschias prepare for Dubai World Cup qualifier 

Welwitschias prepare for Dubai World Cup qualifier 

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The national rugby team, the Welwitschias, are preparaing  for the repechage tournament in Dubai, where they aim to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.  Head coach Jacques Burger made the commitment after Namibia's dominant 86-29 victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Kampala, Uganda.  The win secured Namibia's place in the repechage tournament, set for November 2025. The winner will earn a spot in the World Cup. TThe tournament will feature four teams from different continents: Belgium (Europe), Brazil (South America), Canada (North America), and Namibia (Africa).  Burger stressed the importance of thorough preparation ahead of…
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BREAKING THE CYCLE: A BOLD MOVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND VARSITY YOUTH—ALIGN WITH MARKET DEMAND EARLY.

BREAKING THE CYCLE: A BOLD MOVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND VARSITY YOUTH—ALIGN WITH MARKET DEMAND EARLY.

By Sem Billy David I, _ A Youth leader and Regional Chairperson With graduate unemployment sitting at a shocking 36.9% in this country, it is evident we have an issue within our education system. As young learners and students assessing their high school and university prospects, it is imperative to recognize the myriad methods to shatter the cycle of unemployment and barely employment that so many people their age struggle with. One potential solution could be a daring move that intertwines acquiring specific vocational skills with the cultivation of natural abilities. The potential issue is that no one in current…
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Tjihozu Combined School crowned Go Hard or Go Home champions

Tjihozu Combined School crowned Go Hard or Go Home champions

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Tjihozu Combined School from the Kunene region was crowned champions in the men’s football category of the Go Hard or Go Home Tournament last week. Go Hard or Go Home sports director Rauna Haulu said the 2025 tournament aimed to unite young people through sports and build a sense of community.  “The 2025 tournament celebrated youthful energy, athleticism, and unity – bringing together learners from various schools in friendly but fierce competition. As we drive toward the year’s end, the atmosphere in our sports community is filled with excitement and gratitude. Following the overwhelming success of the Go…
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Pensioner’s missing funds triggers legal threat against Nampost

Pensioner’s missing funds triggers legal threat against Nampost

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A 75-year-old Katutura woman has taken legal action against the Namibia Post Limited (NamPost), accusing the institution of failing to protect her account from unauthorised transactions totalling more than N$10,000. Petrina Sikeka claims that 12 fraudulent withdrawals were made from her transactional account at the Katutura branch between February and July this year.  The funds include her monthly pension of N$1,600 and an additional N$350 orphanage grant for her grandson. Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, acting on Petrina’s behalf, sent a letter to Nampost chief executive officer Festus Hangula on Friday. The letter states that the client’s account was…
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Govt targets 15% local oil share by 2030

Govt targets 15% local oil share by 2030

Justicia Shipena  In the next five years, the government plans to increase carried participation from 10% to 15%. This goal is outlined in the recently launched sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which sets 2030 as the deadline. The goal is to empower citizens and local corporations to actively participate in the petroleum sector.  The plan also includes goals to produce 150 million barrels of oil equivalent, increase gas production to 130 million standard cubic feet per day, and create 22,800 jobs by 2030.  Recent reports show that Namibia collected N$5.96 billion ($309 million) in royalties from mining activities over the…
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​​PWC audit flagged irregularities in Namcor payment arrangements

​​PWC audit flagged irregularities in Namcor payment arrangements

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) flagged questionable financial practices at Namcor.  It highlighted irregular payment arrangements with Enercon Namibia (Pty) Ltd, the company at the centre of a N$53 million fuel supply deal. The audit was presented during the ongoing bail application of former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga and eight others in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court. State prosecutor Basson Lilungwe told the court that the PWC audit uncovered accounts exceeding credit limits, unusual balances, and questionable payment terms.  The state revealed that Enercon was allowed to accumulate a fuel debt of N$108 million, despite having a formal…
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Foreign meddling threatens Africa – NNN

Foreign meddling threatens Africa – NNN

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for stronger alliances and collective strategies to resist economic exploitation and foreign-backed calls for regime change.  Speaking at the Liberation Movements Summit in Johannesburg on Sunday, she urged sister parties to stand united against external interference targeting Africa's political stability. "We must share with each other strategies on confronting the evil calls for regime change in our respective countries by some foreign forces through opposition parties and civil society," Nandi-Ndaitwah said. The summit, held under the theme "Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa," brought together…
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Digital access up by 6% in two years

Digital access up by 6% in two years

Allexer Namundjembo  Namibia's ICT Development Index (IDI) score rose from 68% in 2023 to 73.2% in 2025, according to the latest IDI report, released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).  The 6% rise reflects an increase  in the country's digital connectivity.The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) said this growth highlights progress in connectivity levels. The IDI measures Universal and Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) across 164 member states using 2023 data. UMC includes access, affordability, digital literacy, and network qualitym                                           …
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Liberation Movements – Past Their Sell-By Dates?

The former liberation movements of southern Africa – the ANC in South Africa, SWAPO in Namibia, the MPLA in Angola, among others – have gathered in South Africa under the lofty theme:“Defending the Liberation Gains, Advancing Integrated Socio-Economic Development, Strengthening Solidarity for a Better Africa.” On paper, it sounds noble. In reality, it reeks of irony. For decades, these movements carried the dreams of their people, leading struggles that dismantled colonialism and apartheid. They promised freedom, prosperity, and dignity. Today, however, many citizens look at them and ask: What liberation gains are left to defend? Liberation vs. Governance The transition from…
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