Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

10 Feb

Beyond candles and speeches: To truly honour our founders

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) February has emerged as a month of reckoning for Namibia, a time heavy with memory, loss, and moral reflection. Within its short span, the nation finds itself repeatedly called to pause, to mourn, and to ask difficult questions about legacy, fidelity, and the meaning of service. One year after the passing of His Excellency Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, Namibia gathered once again at Heroes’ Acre. Candles were lit. Speeches were delivered. Tributes were read. The nation paused, as it should, to remember the…

10 Feb

Anglo American presses ahead with De Beers sale

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Anglo American has reaffirmed its plan to separate De Beers through a dual-track process, according to the group’s production report for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2025. De Beers is a 50-50 partner with the Namibian government in Debmarine Namibia, Namibia Diamond Trading Company and Namdeb land operations. Anglo American said the separation process remains under way, with a potential sale and other options being considered as part of a structured process. Anglo American chief executive officer Duncan Wanblad said a structured sale process for De Beers is currently under way, following earlier announcements by the group.…

10 Feb

Nekundi defends eviction rules for government housing

National News

Justicia Shipena Government employees evicted from state-owned houses will not receive special treatment or automatic relocation, Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has said. Nekundi said the ministry cannot create a system where people who breach contractual obligations are treated differently from others on the housing waiting list. “The ministry cannot establish a precedent whereby persons who have breached their contractual obligations or who occupy government property unlawfully are granted preferential treatment through automatic reallocation,” he said while responding to questions from member of parliament Enea Emvula in parliament on Thursday. The government’s immovable assets are valued at about…

10 Feb

Why Namibia’s Constitution Day must matter more than ever

Editorial, Featured

Every year on 9 February, Namibia marks Constitution Day. It is a date that should command national attention, deep reflection and collective pride. Yet too often it passes quietly, almost unnoticed, despite the immense significance it holds in the life of our Republic. On 9 February 1990, just weeks before Independence, the Namibian Constitution was adopted, laying the legal and moral foundation upon which our democracy was built. This year, Constitution Day falls in a month heavy with national grief and remembrance. On 8 February, the nation mourned the passing of its Founding Father and first President, Dr Sam Shafiishuna…

10 Feb

Absolute Engineering steps in to repair school furniture

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Absolute Engineering Enterprises CC has launched an initiative to repair school furniture in the Otjozondjupa region. The company is fixing chairs, lockers, beds, and tables for schools in the Okahandja district at its own expense. The company’s owner, Shatyohamba Haihambo, said the project forms part of its social responsibility programme and started after schools were invited to apply for help. “We officially commenced with our first batch of school tables, lockers, beds and chairs under the company’s social responsibility programme. We started in January,” Haihambo told Windhoek Observer on Sunday at Okahandja Secondary School, where repair work is…

10 Feb

Eenhana housing project enters construction phase

National News

Justicia Shipena The National Housing Enterprise will begin constructing 100 houses for low-income earners in Eenhana this month. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Eenhana Extension 10 on Monday, NHE manager for infrastructure development Indileni Set-Sam Iipinge said the project responds to housing demand in the Ohangwena region. He said the development targets low-income earners. “This initiative is not just another project on our books – it is a direct response to the housing demand for low-income earners, the very citizens who need affordable shelter the most,” Iipinge said. According to Iipinge, the project will deliver one-bedroom houses of 30.1…

10 Feb

‘Minister’s powers outdated for oil sector’

Main, National News

Allexer Namudjembo Energy lawyer Shakwa Nyambe says Namibia’s oil and gas sector has grown beyond the powers given to the minister of industries, mines and energy and the petroleum commissioner under the current oil law. He said this as parliament debates changes to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act. Nyambe said he supports the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, adding that the changes are needed to update regulations and attract investment in the upstream sector. Nyambe explained that the 1991 law concentrates extensive authority in the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy and the petroleum commissioner, a structure he…

09 Feb

NSX closes week marginally lower

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) posted mixed results during the week ended 6 February 2026, as gains in some sectors were offset by declines in others. The NSX overall index closed at 2,254.46 points, slightly down from 2,259.63 points the previous week. This represents a decline of 0.23%. Despite the weekly drop, the index remains 5.28% higher than its December 2025 level. The dividend yield stands at 3.54%. The NSX Local Index performed better. It rose by 0.15% to close at 812.39 points, up from 811.16 points the week before. Since December 2025, the index has gained 0.57%.…

09 Feb

Rosh Pinah commissions first paste backfill plant

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Rosh Pinah Zinc and Appian Capital Advisory Limited, the investment adviser to long-term private capital funds, have commissioned a new paste fill plant at the Rosh Pinah mine as part of the RP2.0 expansion project. The plant is the first commissioned paste backfill operation in Namibia. It reduces mining dilution, lowers the volume of tailings deposited on the surface and improves ore recovery. The RP2.0 expansion project is now more than 85% complete and remains on schedule and on budget. Once completed, the project will almost double the mine’s processing capacity to 1.3 million tonnes per year. Completion…

09 Feb

TotalEnergies takes operatorship of PEL104

Observer Money

Staff Writer TotalEnergies has signed agreements to acquire a 42.5% operated interest in the PEL104 exploration licence offshore Namibia from Eight Offshore Investments Holdings and Maravilla Oil & Gas. Once the transaction is completed, TotalEnergies will operate the licence with a 42.5% interest, alongside Petrobras with 42.5%, Namcor with 10%, and Eight Offshore Investments Holdings with 5%. The PEL104 licence is located in the Lüderitz Basin and covers about 11 000 square kilometres offshore Namibia. “After the acquisition in December of a 40% operated interest in the PEL83 licence, TotalEnergies further strengthens its position in Namibia by entering this new…