Ballotti calls for national support on teachers’ mental health

Ballotti calls for national support on teachers’ mental health

Justicia Shipena The deputy minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture, Dino Ballotti, has called for stronger national support for teachers’ mental health. He said their well-being is essential to the success of the country's education system. Speaking at the launch of the Teachers’ Mental Health Awareness Campaign in Keetmanshoop on Friday, Ballotti said the initiative aims to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of care in schools.  The launch took place ahead of World Teachers’ Day, which Namibia celebrated with the rest of the world on Sunday.  “When teachers are well, schools shall be…
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Tourism ministry spends extra N$800k on Erongo office

Tourism ministry spends extra N$800k on Erongo office

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism spent N$800 000 more in completing the construction of its Erongo Regional Office in Swakopmund after appointing a new contractor to finish the project. Environment and tourism minister Indileni Daniel said the project was initially valued at N$19.2 million.  She said after the first contractor was terminated in August 2018, when the work was 78% complete, the remaining construction was completed for N$8.3 million. The expansion of the Swakopmund office started in 2015 with the construction of a new office block.  The project faced delays due to poor workmanship by the…
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Govt plans office complex for former presidents

Govt plans office complex for former presidents

Allexer Namundjembo The government is considering building a shared office complex for Namibia’s former presidents, prime minister Elijah Ngurare said on Thursday.  Ngurare said this is the idea, instead of constructing individual offices for each. Ngurare made the announcement in Parliament while responding to questions from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani about post-presidency arrangements for former president Nangolo Mbumba. He explained that the Former President’s Pension and Other Benefits Act of 2004 governs the benefits extended to former presidents and does not require the construction of separate offices. He said the idea of a shared office complex would…
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Damaging money can lead to jail time – BoN

Damaging money can lead to jail time – BoN

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has warned that damaging or destroying Namibian currency is a criminal offence that can result in jail time or a heavy fine. The warning follows a viral social media video showing the newly launched N$5 coin destroyed.  In a statement issued on Saturday, BoN said damaging or defacing legal tender is illegal under section 80(3)(a) of the Bank of Namibia Act and is punishable by a fine of up to N$50 000 or imprisonment of up to three years. “The currency must be treated with care. It is not only a medium of…
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Cran opens public comment on new licences

Cran opens public comment on new licences

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has opened a 14-day public comment period on three new spectrum licence applications.  The applications were submitted by the International University of Management (IUM), Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The announcement was made in a recent government gazette issued on 3 October 2025.  Cran chief executive officer Emilia Nghikembua said the process is part of promoting transparency and public participation in the allocation of spectrum licences. “These notices are published in accordance with regulation 4(7) of the regulations prescribing procedures regarding application for, amendment, renewal, transfer…
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The basics: Preparing for the rainy season

The basics: Preparing for the rainy season

Erastus Ngaruka  As Namibian farmers eagerly anticipate a favourable rainy season, signs of climate change persist. Although the previous rainy season may have ended with a sigh of relief for farmers, every rainy season has become spatially and temporally unique in terms of its initiation, intensity, distribution, and duration. This means farmers need to continuously prepare for every rainy season, as each season may present different challenges and climate change-related risks. As Namibian farmers eagerly anticipate a favourable rainy season, signs of climate change persist. Although the previous rainy season may have ended with a sigh of relief for farmers,…
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Largest cobalt deposit outside DRC up for sale

Largest cobalt deposit outside DRC up for sale

Chamwe Kaira Celsius Resources has begun drafting non-binding agreements for a potential deal with a strategic partner to sell its 95% interest in the Opuwo Project. The company said it continues to look for a suitable buyer after previous sale attempts were not completed.  “No significant activities have been undertaken for the Opuwo Project in this past year,” Celsius announced. The Opuwo Cobalt Project, held under Celsius’ Namibian subsidiary Opuwo Cobalt Holdings (Pty) Ltd, is located about 730 kilometres northwest of Windhoek. Exploration permits for the project have been under renewal since early 2025 and are expected to be finalised…
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Local bonds seen as ‘Sweet Spot’ for investors

Local bonds seen as ‘Sweet Spot’ for investors

Staff Writer Simonis Storm Securities has reaffirmed its positive outlook on Namibian bonds, identifying those with 5- to 10-year maturities as the “sweet spot” for investors seeking yield, stability, and policy clarity. The firm said its strongest conviction lies in government bonds maturing between 2028 and 2032 (GC28–GC32), which currently offer yields of between 8.5% and 9.3%. These bonds trade at spreads of 64 to 114 basis points over similar South African bonds. “This segment offers the most attractive blend of carry and roll-down,” Simonis Storm said, adding that the assurance of a 6.50% repo floor through 2026 provides “clarity…
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Nictus expands portfolio with IT and property acquisitions

Nictus expands portfolio with IT and property acquisitions

Chamwe Kaira Nictus Holdings is entering an expansion phase that will require investment in new projects and capital across its subsidiaries. These include Auas Motors, Nictus Furniture, Build It, and Tiger Wheel & Tyre. The board said it has reviewed the group’s performance, future capital needs, and growth plans, and recognised that the company is entering a new phase of expansion. “To support these opportunities and ensure sustainable shareholder value creation, the board has resolved to retain a portion of the current year’s earnings. This approach balances shareholder returns with the need to maintain financial flexibility for the group’s strategic…
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Airlink finalises lease for ten new Embraer jetliners

Airlink finalises lease for ten new Embraer jetliners

Airlink has concluded its lease agreement with Azorra following the formal acceptance of the first three of ten new Embraer E195-E2 jetliners. The lease agreement, finalised in August, involves Azorra, a Fort Lauderdale-based leasing and asset management firm, providing the newly built aircraft to the Johannesburg-headquartered airline. The deal strengthens Airlink’s existing all-Embraer fleet. The new aircraft, which seats up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin layout, will increase capacity on high-demand routes such as Johannesburg–Cape Town. The E195-E2’s extended range will also allow Airlink to explore new routes and connect more destinations across sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024, Qatar…
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