Consumers urged to report retailers rejecting five-cent coin

Consumers urged to report retailers rejecting five-cent coin

Allexer Namundjebo The director of banking services at the Bank of Namibia (BoN), Sencia Kaizemi-Rukata, says any shop or merchant refusing to accept the five-cent coin  should be reported. She reminded retailers that the coin remains legal tender.  Kaizemi-Rukata was speaking at the economic reporting workshop hosted by BoN on Monday. “If there is any shop refusing to accept the coin or South African rand, those shops must be reported so that appropriate actions are taken,” she said.  She stressed that although the minting of the five-cent  coin stopped in 2018, it has not affected its legal status. “The five-cent…
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Tourism’s Crown Jewel or National Embarrassment? Time to Decide on NWR

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has come out swinging against the board and management of Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). In a scathing letter, she accused them of gross incompetence, governance failures, and effectively allowing the company to slide into “operational paralysis.” Her frustration is justified. After more than four months in office, she has not received a single formal report on governance, operations, or finances from NWR. No budget, no audited financials, no strategic plan. Nothing. This is not just sloppy administration, this is negligence at the highest level of a state-owned company entrusted with some of…
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Namibia to host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifier

Namibia to host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifier

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia will host the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Africa qualifier in Windhoek from 31 August to 6 September 2025. Cricket Namibia announced on Monday that the tournament will feature eight countries competing for two spots at the Global Qualifier for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Chief executive officer Johan Muller said the event marks a milestone for women’s cricket in the region.  “Namibia is pleased to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier and to welcome seven international teams to our new home of cricket. This event is not only about…
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Swimmers eye Olympic path in Romania

Swimmers eye Olympic path in Romania

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Seven Namibian swimmers are competing at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania, this week.  The event is seen as a step in preparing for upcoming regional, continental, and world tournaments. Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation (NASFED) president Riaan Steyn said the swimmers face a busy calendar with the Africa Youth Games, Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Youth Commonwealth Games, and qualifications for the 2028 Olympic Games all ahead. “This event is a great platform, and further step, for our NASFED athletes towards qualification for upcoming events such as the Africa Youth Games, Youth Olympics, Commonwealth and Youth…
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NYS officials accused of protecting abusers

NYS officials accused of protecting abusers

Renthia Kaimbi Senior officials at the National Youth Service (NYS) are accused of ignoring allegations of trainee sexual exploitation, violent assaults and shielding perpetrators from accountability, according to a whistleblowing complaint seen by the Windhoek Observer. The complaint, signed by “Disgruntled Staff Members”, states: “We are not able to remain silent anymore. Enough is enough.” At least 10 cases of inappropriate staff-trainee sexual relationships have been reported.  Some officials allegedly fathered children with trainees, forced them to have abortions, and knowingly infected them with HIV.  Staff members accuse NYS of failing to act, allowing favouritism and leaving trainees unprotected. NYS…
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ACC to probe Walvis Bay’s N$3.4m pothole tender scandal

ACC to probe Walvis Bay’s N$3.4m pothole tender scandal

Renthia Kaimbi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has received a whistleblower complaint alleging corruption, inflated costs, and irregularities in the awarding of N$3.4 million pothole repair contracts by the municipality of Walvis Bay. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata confirmed receipt of the complaint in June 2025.  “The case is currently under review to determine whether it falls within the mandate of the Anti-Corruption Commission,” she said. Documents seen by the Windhoek Observer show that a tender for five pothole repair lots was changed from an open request for quotations to a “restricted bid”, selecting four contractors without public notice. The bids were…
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City police deputy chief evicted in land dispute with uncle’s widow 

City police deputy chief evicted in land dispute with uncle’s widow 

Hertta- Maria Amutenja  Windhoek city police deputy chief for operations Eliaser Iiyambo and his brother Simon have been ordered by the Oshakati High Court to vacate a homestead and farming unit they took from their late uncle’s widow six years ago. High Court judge David Munsu directed the brothers to return the keys to the Olundjinda homestead in Ongandjera to widow Aili Ndapandameme Iilende within 10 days.  They must also hand back peaceful and undisturbed possession of the Olundjinda homestead and the Etunda farming unit. “The defendants and all those in occupation of the premises are hereby evicted from the…
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SADC fund yet to win full ratification

SADC fund yet to win full ratification

Allexer Namundjembo  Only nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states have signed an agreement to establish and operationalise the SADC Development Fund, SADC executive secretary Elias Magosi has announced. This means about 44% of the countries have not signed the agreement.  Speaking at the opening of the 45th SADC Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Magosi said Angola and Zimbabwe remain the only countries to have deposited their ratification instruments, while Namibia is close to finalising the process.  He stressed that the fund is key to reducing dependence on external aid and achieving economic self-sufficiency. “The SADC Development Fund continues to…
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Namibia backs family-friendly work

Namibia backs family-friendly work

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia has ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention 156 on workers with family responsibilities. The executive director in the ministry of justice and labour relations, Audrin Mathe, announced this over the weekend.  He said Namibia’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) and ambassador to Switzerland, Julia Imene-Chanduru, deposited the instruments of ratification in Geneva last week with ILO director general Gilbert Houngbo. The convention aims to eradicate discrimination against workers with family responsibilities and foster a work-life balance.  It ensures that men and women aren't disadvantaged at work due to their obligations to children or other…
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Uranium safe from US tariffs 

Uranium safe from US tariffs 

Chamwe Kaira  Uranium is exempt from new  US tariffs because of its strategic importance to the United States, Bank of Namibia (BoN) governor Johannes !Gawaxab has said.  Speaking during a monetary policy dialogue in Windhoek, he explained that minimal impact is expected on uranium due to existing contractual obligations.  He added that uranium will also benefit from the weaker exchange rate, which will improve revenue and profitability. He noted that no tariffs were previously applied to diamonds, which helped natural diamonds remain competitive against cheaper lab-grown diamonds.  “The introduction of a 15% tariff will potentially negatively affect export volumes and…
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