Page 294 – Windhoek Observer

04 Jul

‘Don’t fail the nation’ – Nandi-Ndaitwah tells governors

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reminded regional governors not to fail in implementing government plans, stating that the promises made during the election campaign remain unchanged. She was speaking on Wednesday at the induction workshop for regional governors of the eighth administration in Windhoek. She said it is her responsibility to ensure that the government delivers on the commitments set out in the 2024 Swapo party manifesto and its implementation plan, which has been turned into the sixth National Development Plan. The plan will be launched later this month. “I am, therefore, accountable to the Namibian people, and you…

04 Jul

DBN to tap up to N$4.65 billion climate project funding

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) has received official accreditation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a direct access entity under the medium-sized project category. DBN’s chief of marketing and corporate affairs, Jerome Mutumba, announced the development this week following confirmation at the GCF’s 42nd board meeting held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, from 30 June to 3 July 2025. Mutumba said DBN is the first Namibian institution to be accredited by the GCF for medium-scale funding as a direct access entity, beyond those previously accredited only for grant funding. “The GCF accreditation marks a transformative…

04 Jul

Modi’s visit to cement Namibia mining ties

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Namibia on 9 July. This will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 27 years. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in diamonds, uranium, critical minerals, trade, and investment. It comes as India moves to expand its access to strategic resources needed for its energy transition, electric vehicle production, and nuclear energy plans. Namibia, known for its reserves of marine diamonds, uranium, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, is becoming an important partner in India’s Africa strategy. Modi’s schedule…

04 Jul

Witbooi unveils N$25 million GH2 scholarship drive

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Applications for the Youth for Green Hydrogen Scholarship Programme are now open, backed by an investment of N$25 million to support students from the Hardap and ||Karas regions, vice president Lucia Witbooi said. Witbooi on Wednesday launched the third call for applications at Reverend Dr Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi Primary School in Gibeon, //Karas Region. The funding will provide targeted skills training for young people, particularly school-leavers, unemployed youth, and individuals from disadvantaged communities. The programme focuses on building skills aligned with Namibia’s green hydrogen plans. “Today’s occasion marks not only a significant investment in our young people but…

04 Jul

Referees paid peanuts for matches

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) parliamentarian Utaara Mootu has raised concern over the low wages and non-payment of football referees, warning that the situation exposes them to bribery and undermines the integrity of the sport. “Referees are paid as little as N$50 to N$400 per game, despite the physical, emotional, and professional demands of their work,” Mootu said in parliament this week. She directed her concerns to the minister of education, innovation, sports, youth, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, questioning the ongoing delays in payments by the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Mootu said some referees have reportedly gone unpaid…

04 Jul

Ngarizemo backs premier league breakaway from NFA

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Young African Football Club chairman Maleagi Ngarizemo has backed calls for the Namibia Premier League (NPL) to become independent from the Namibia Football Association (NFA). Speaking this week, Ngarizemo said the league has reached a critical point and must embrace independence to drive growth and secure long-term sponsorships. “By transitioning to an independent structure, the NPL can enhance self-sustainability, attract greater sponsorship, and elevate the competitiveness of Namibian football on the continental and global stage,” he said. He pointed to global examples, including the English Premier League and South Africa’s Betway Premiership, as proof that self-governance works. These…

03 Jul

NRU reveals lineup for World Cup qualifier

Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) has announced the final squad that will travel to Uganda for the Rugby Africa Cup, which will run from 8 to 19 July in Kampala. The tournament brings together the top eight rugby nations on the continent and serves as part of the two-year qualification process for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, set to be held in Australia from 1 October to 13 November. Namibia’s squad consists of 28 players, including 17 forwards and 11 full-backs. They will be supported by a 10-member technical and management team. Countries competing in the tournament…

03 Jul

Anirep plans to grow energy portfolio to over 190 MWp

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (Anirep) says its renewable energy portfolio is on track to grow to over 190 MWp of clean, diversified energy capacity. The company made the announcement in its latest financial results for the year ended February 28, following the successful launch of the Khan Moses Mague/Garoëb 25 MW solar PV plant. The growth outlook is supported by Anirep's recent acquisition of a 45% stake in the 50 MWp CERIM Wind Project and the development of the 100 MWp Kokerboom project. Total group revenue for the year grew to N$177.2 million, up from N$89.2…

03 Jul

Foreign reserves decline to N$57.4 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia's international reserves dropped to N$57.4 billion at the end of May, a 9.8% decline from the previous month, according to the Bank of Namibia (BoN). The decline was driven by net outflows from commercial banks, customer foreign currency (CFC) withdrawals, and revaluation losses caused by the strengthening of the Namibian dollar against major currencies. The current level of reserves translates into 3.7 months of import cover. Excluding oil exploration and appraisal activities, the import cover stood at 4.6 months. Commercial banks’ cash holdings fell to N$8.5 billion in May from N$9.9 billion in April, due to net…

03 Jul

Swakopmund plans to upgrade aerodrome

Observer Money

The Swakopmund Municipality has announced plans to upgrade the town’s aerodrome. This week, Observer Money asked the municipality’s public relations officer, Linda Mupupa, about the reasons behind the planned upgrade. Observer Money (OM): What has led to this proposed upgrade? Linda Mupupa (LM): Council called for a feasibility study in 2023 to be conducted on the aerodrome. The purpose of the study was to develop a framework that will guide the council in enhancing the operations and overall functionality of the Swakopmund Aerodrome, in alignment with the council’s long-term vision. The ultimate goal is to position the aerodrome as a…