Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

09 Feb

Standard Bank appoints Helena Mboti as group economist

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Helena Mboti as its new group economist. Mboti brings ten years of experience in central banking and commercial banking. Her background spans macroeconomic policy, financial markets and balance-sheet risk. She previously worked at the Central Bank, where she served as an economist in the research department before moving to the financial stability department as an analyst. Her work covered monetary and financial statistics, macroprudential analysis, systemic risk assessment; and financial stability monitoring. This exposed her to monetary policy formulation and risk assessment across Namibia’s financial system. Mboti later joined the FirstRand Namibia Group,…

09 Feb

Upstream Petroleum Unit will participate in NIEC 2026

Observer Money

Namibia’s newly established Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU), operating directly under the Presidency, has confirmed its participation at the 8th Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), taking place from April 14 to 16 in Windhoek. As Namibia edges closer to first oil, the Petroleum Unit’s involvement signals the government’s commitment to shaping upstream policy, fostering investment and promoting partnership between regulators and industry. The UPU, led by Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisory and Head, and Carlo McLeod, Special Advisor and Deputy Head, is responsible for overseeing the country’s upstream petroleum sector. Established within the Presidency, the Unit develops regulatory frameworks, monitors compliance and…

09 Feb

South African wine industry marks blessing of grape harvest

Observer Money

Staff Writer The South African wine industry has gathered for the annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event to honour excellence, heritage and innovation. The event also marked the blessing of the 2026 grape harvest and commemorated 367 years since the birth of the country’s wine industry. South Africa remains unique among wine-producing nations because it can trace the exact origin of its wine industry to a diary entry dated 2 February 1659. The entry reads: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.” Clifford van der Venter, chairperson of the Groot Constantia Trust, said…

09 Feb

Namibia weeps for prosecutor Shiweda

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo The death of Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda has left Namibians shaken and many within the justice system fear for their safety. Shiweda died on Saturday at Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, where she had been hospitalised since October last year after she was shot and attacked with corrosive acid while preparing to go to work in Ondangwa. She fought for her life for four months before succumbing to her injuries. The Namibia Law Association (NLA) says the death of Shiweda is an attack on the justice system and the rule of law. Gebhardt said the killing…

09 Feb

China Town shop owner’s car to be auctioned over unpaid lawsuit

National News

Justicia Shipena The failure by China Town shop owner Li Bailong to pay court-ordered damages has led to his property being attached for sale by public auction to settle a claim brought by a former employee. The High Court authorised the attachment of Bailong’s movable property after he failed to comply with a judgement ordering him to pay N$230 000, interest at 20% per year, and legal costs to Itakeya George. The court found that Bailong violated George’s dignity by stripping her naked in full view of the public. A writ of execution was issued and carried out on 27…

09 Feb

Beifang Mining roster row leads to 10 suspensions

National News

Renthia Kaimbi A dispute over shift changes at the Beifang Mining Technology Services (BMTS) Husab Project has escalated, leading to the suspension of 10 employees and growing tension between management and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN). The issue began on 24 January when the company’s human resources department issued a joint memorandum with the MUN branch executive committee. The notice announced a mandatory shift from a reverse to a forward rotation, effective 27 January. The memorandum, signed by human resources head Abraham Christian and branch chairperson Gebhard Shikongo, said the change was “imperative” to comply with Section 20 of…

09 Feb

Health policy to bring rules for digital health providers

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia’s newly launched National Digital Health Policy 2026–2036 will lay the groundwork for a law to regulate digital health providers and protect patient data as the country expands the use of technology in healthcare. The policy was launched on Friday in Windhoek by the minister of health and social services, Esperance Luvindao. Luvindao stated that the policy will serve as a guide for the drafting of a Digital Health Bill. The planned law will provide legal certainty, safeguard patient privacy and regulate the digital health services operating in the country. Digital health involves the use of information and…

09 Feb

Ongete Fishing donates fence to Shaama Combined School

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Shaama Combined School in the Ohangwena region has received a new perimeter fence as part of a N$500 000 donation from Ongete Fishing (Pty) Ltd, aimed at improving infrastructure at the school. The handover took place on Friday at the school in Onanghulo village. Government officials, traditional leaders and community members attended the ceremony. The donation also includes plans for a soup kitchen, an administration block and a library, which are still under review. School principal Toivo Shadjuuka said the fence ends years of operating without a secure boundary. “We held school in the presence of goats and…

09 Feb

Japan funds new project to support drought-affected farmers

National News

Justicia Shipena Japan has launched a new grant-funded project to strengthen the resilience of farming communities affected by drought in Namibia, with a focus on long-term food security and climate-smart agriculture. The project, titled 'Enhancing resilience of farming communities affected by drought through the promotion of adaptive agriculture', was launched on Saturday in Otjiwarongo. It will be implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform. Japan’s ambassador to Namibia, Shinichi Asazuma, said the project reflects Japan’s commitment to helping Namibia move from emergency drought…

09 Feb

Justine Shiweda did not have to die; not like this

Editorial, Featured

Namibia is mourning, but mourning alone is not enough. The death of Justine Shiweda, a public prosecutor who died from injuries sustained in a brutal, targeted attack, should leave this nation shaken to its moral core. She did not die of illness. She did not die by accident. She died in the line of duty because she dared to do her job. And that should outrage every single one of us. Justine Shiweda did not deserve to die. Not like this. Not violently. Not as a warning. Not as collateral damage in a society that too often shrugs when women…