Page 249 – Windhoek Observer

10 Sep

OPCW training focuses on preventing return of chemical weapons

National News

Justicia Shipena The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has started a week-long training course in Swakopmund to strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to chemical incidents. The course, which opened on Monday, brings together participants from English-speaking States Parties across the continent. Deputy minister of industries, mines and energy, Gaudentia Kröhne, said the destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles in 2023 was a landmark achievement. “This historic achievement underscores the commitment of the international community to disarmament and reminds us of what can be accomplished through cooperation,” she said. Kröhne stressed that while the elimination of stockpiles…

10 Sep

Africa holds less than 2% of world military spending

National News

Justicia Shipena Africa accounts for less than 2% of worldwide military expenditure even as global spending surged to a record $2.7 trillion in 2024, a new United Nations (UN) report shows. This is despite being home to nearly 20% of the world’s population and about a quarter of UN member states. Launching The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future on Tuesday, UN secretary general António Guterres warned that excessive military spending does not guarantee peace. "It often undermines it, fueling arms races, deepening mistrust and diverting resources from the very foundations of stability," he…

10 Sep

Oryx Properties warns of 30% profit drop

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Oryx Properties Limited has warned shareholders of a sharp fall in profit for the year ended 30 June 2025. In a trading statement issued this week, the group said earnings per share and headline earnings are expected to drop by more than 30% compared to the previous year. The decline is linked to the derecognition of deferred tax assets after legislative changes limited the carry-forward period for assessed losses to five years. Despite this pressure, Oryx said distributions to unitholders would increase by up to 10%, showing resilience in its core operations. The company plans to release its…

10 Sep

Ministry extends Haib Copper project rights

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The ministry of industries, mines and energy has renewed Koryx Copper’s exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 3140 for the Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia. The licence, valid until July 2027, was granted after the company submitted a technical update and confirmed that it had met its expenditure commitments during the previous licence period. Under the renewal terms, Koryx must provide progress updates after the first year and keep annual environmental clearance certificates from the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism. Koryx has also applied for a mining licence, as it moves to shift the Haib project from exploration…

10 Sep

NamPower launches GridOnline’s new pricing structure

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira New services under NamPower’s GridOnline platform will enable smaller operators to be competitive and expand internet access to underserved areas. This forms part of a new, unified national pricing framework launched in Windhoek, replacing the previous cost-recovery model that was based on fibre distance usage. NamPower’s chief operating officer, Fritz Jacobs, speaking on behalf of managing director Kahenge Haulofu, said the change goes beyond pricing adjustments. “We are adding services that will enable smaller operators to be competitive and to grow, to offer internet connectivity in underserved areas. With these innovations, GridOnline is positioning itself not simply as…

10 Sep

Entrepreneurs urged to embrace digital tools

Observer Money

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) recently hosted its first Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship Breakfast Session, an event that highlighted technology’s role in advancing entrepreneurship across the country. Cran's chief executive officer, Emilia Nghikembua, said starting a business is never easy and requires resilience, strategic foresight, and commitment. “The journey of entrepreneurship is often filled with challenges, uncertainties, and hurdles, but it also offers immense opportunities for growth, impact, and economic development,” she said. She noted that success begins with clarity of purpose, sound financial management, and a clear understanding of what one seeks to offer. She stressed the…

10 Sep

MTC expands fibre internet to eight new towns

Observer Money

Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has expanded its fixed internet service, Spectra, to Maltahöhe, Rietoog, Stampriet, Aranos, Oshifo, Khorixas, Tsandi, and Otavi. MTC’s chief brand, marketing, communications and sustainability officer, Tim Ekandjo, said the rollout is part of the company’s commercial strategy to connect rural and semi-urban communities to fibre before the end of its financial year. He explained that the expansion forms part of MTC’s remote outreach strategy aimed at bridging the digital divide by investing in high-speed internet for settlements outside urban centres. “Our Spectra offering is the last entrant in the highly competitive fixed internet market, and our…

10 Sep

Is our government working clockwise with its people?

Opinions

Hidipo Hamata Many unemployed youths and adults find themselves unable to provide basic needs or put bread and butter on the table because they are unemployed. Employment is hard to find, and even when you are fortunate enough to secure a job, the salary is often too small to sustain yourself, let alone your extended family. Life is hard, but is our government truly working clockwise to find amicable solutions for her people — solutions that soften the economic pressure while also building the country brick by brick, together with its citizens? Today, thousands of Namibians have found creative ways…

10 Sep

SUCCESSION PLANNING, A MISSING LINK IN NAMIBIA’S PUBLIC ENTITIES

Featured, Opinions

Lusia Kornelius and Zucky Bauleth-Nashima Succession planning within Public Entities (PEs) has been overlooked, and failure to implement it can lead to operational inefficiency, derailed strategy implementation and financial losses. When key officials retire or leave unexpectedly, institutions are compelled to conduct external searches for replacements matching the qualifications and years of expertise. While replacement is inevitable, the process is usually lengthy, as it requires an extensive hiring process, which can contribute to operational stagnation and sometimes a management vacuum. These recruitment processes can incur financial implications, which could otherwise be utilised to fund key company projects and improve service…

10 Sep

OBSERVER DAILY | The middleman syndrome: How Namibia bleeds through procurement

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Minister of Health and Social Services recently boasted that the ministry saved more than N$200 million through better procurement practices. On the surface, this is good news. But before we clap, let’s pause. Why should we celebrate a ministry for simply not wasting money? Praising a government department for finally buying goods at fair value is like applauding a fish for swimming. It exposes the rot in our procurement system rather than proving its efficiency. And at the heart of this rot is the phenomenon of “middlemen.” The mrise of the middleman Middlemen exist in every economy. They connect…