Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

23 Oct

Pensioners’ water debts to be wiped clean in the south

National News

Justicia Shipena The ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils have directed all municipalities under their control to cancel outstanding debts owed by pensioners before the end of the year. The move aims to promote social justice and protect the dignity of elderly citizens. In a circular dated 16 October 2025, ||Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaack instructed local authorities to write off water debts accumulated by pensioners, both living and deceased. He said the decision aligns with the constitutional principles of social welfare and compassion. Isaack explained that the directive is based on the Local Authorities Act of 1992, which allows…

23 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The Dark Side of Likes: When Teachers Turn Learners into Social Media Content

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The warning by PDM member of parliament Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo could not have come at a more crucial time. Her call for greater scrutiny of how some teachers are using learners to create social media content must serve as a national wake-up call. Namibia is fast catching up with the global trend where schools, classrooms, and even children’s private moments are turned into digital entertainment, often without consent, without understanding the consequences, and without any protection for the minors involved. What was once a space for learning and mentorship, the classroom, is now becoming a stage for online fame. Teachers who…

23 Oct

Election spending to test Govt’s financial discipline

National News, Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Projections made by Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah rest on assumptions that require careful interpretation. Economic analyst Almandro Jansen said maintaining GDP growth above 3% depends on how quickly investments in energy, logistics, and housing move forward, as well as on continued private-sector confidence. He noted that SACU inflows, which still make up about a third of total revenue, remain exposed to regional trade performance and South Africa’s fiscal outlook. Jansen said election-year spending in the 2026/27 financial year could test the government’s commitment to spending cuts. He said Simonis Storm’s assessment is that the fiscal outlook is credible…

23 Oct

NaCC pays N$9m in penalties to state coffers

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has paid N$9 million in penalties into the state revenue fund after the audit of its 2024/25 financial year by the auditor general. This fulfils its obligation under the Competition Act, which requires all collected penalties to be transferred to the fund. NaCC corporate communication practitioner Dina //Gowases said the commission collected the penalties through settlement and consent agreements with companies in several sectors, including non-financial services (N$1 million), cement (N$5 million) and fuel and air transportation (N$3 million). She said investigations found that some companies violated chapters 3 and 4 of the…

23 Oct

Economy slowed during Q2

Observer Money

Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia (BoN) and the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) have released the October 2025 Financial Stability Report, assessing the strength of the country’s financial system and its ability to withstand internal and external shocks. According to the report, the domestic economy slowed sharply in the second quarter of 2025, mainly due to weak performance in the manufacturing, fishing, and agriculture sectors. The economy grew by 1.6% during the quarter, compared to 3.3% recorded in the same period last year. The contraction was driven by declines in manufacturing, fishing and fish processing on board, and…

23 Oct

Energy conference set for April next year

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The eighth edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) will bring together industry leaders, government officials, and investors to discuss Namibia’s growing energy sector. The conference will take place from 14 to 16 April 2026 in Windhoek. Organised by RichAfrica Consultancy, the conference will focus on Namibia's transition from exploration to development and production. It aims to promote the creation and sharing of in-country value while advancing a diversified energy mix that includes oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, and power generation. RichAfrica said this milestone edition will align with Namibia’s approach to building a balanced and sustainable…

23 Oct

THE TIDE LINE | Mpox in Namibia: A wake-up call, not a cause for panic

Featured, Opinions

Namibia has recorded its first confirmed case of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, and while that headline alone may alarm some, this moment should be seen as an opportunity for vigilance, not fear. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has moved swiftly to isolate the patient, begin contact tracing, and activate the national emergency response system. That decisive action deserves commendation. In times like these, calm professionalism matters just as much as medical expertise. Understanding mpox: What we are dealing with Mpox is not new to Africa or to the global health landscape. It’s a zoonotic viral disease,…

23 Oct

OBSERVER COASTAL | Swakop Uranium donates 1 000 goats and sheep to Erongo farmers

Featured

Renthia Kaimbi Swakop Uranium has donated more than 1 000 goats and sheep valued at N$3 million to farming cooperatives in the Erongo Region. The donation is part of its Hope Farm Project, which aims to create sustainable livelihoods for women and youth. The announcement was made during the launch of the company’s 2024 Sustainability Report on Tuesday, where government leaders and industry representatives shared a collective vision for mining as a driver of national development. Erongo governor Natalia |Goagoses said the event reflected strong collaboration between government, industry, and communities. She praised Swakop Uranium’s continued investment in social development…

23 Oct

OBSERVER COASTAL | WLSPA advocates value addition in fisheries

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Wet Landed Small Pelagic Association (WLSPA) met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House on Monday to discuss the sustainability and economic transformation of Namibia’s horse mackerel sub-sector. WLSPA chairman Johny Johnson Doëseb said the meeting discussed key issues affecting the horse mackerel subsector within the fisheries industry. The association, representing companies involved in onshore fish landing and processing, used the four-hour closed-door meeting to call for policies that promote value addition, protect existing jobs, and create new employment opportunities, especially for youth and women. “Our discussions focused on value addition, safeguarding existing jobs, and creating sustainable…

23 Oct

OBSERVER COASTAL | Savva, a man who gave a boy ‘a chance to live’

National News

Renthia Kaimbi As the Walvis Bay community laid businessman John Savva to rest on Saturday, stories of his quiet generosity revealed the deep personal impact he had on the lives of many. Among them is the Namhadi family, who say Savva gave their son not only life but the chance to live it fully. A decade ago, Martha Namhadi, a camera operator at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), faced a desperate situation when her three-month-old son, Paulus Shilongo Justice Haidula, was diagnosed with a hole in his heart. “My son was at the brink of losing his life, and each…