Page 53 – News Stand

11 May

Coach Damaseb faults focus in girls’ COSAFA loss

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibia’s under-17 girls team head coach, Errol Damaseb, says a lack of concentration cost them their opening match against Malawi. Namibia lost 0-3 to Malawi in the first game of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) under-17 girls tournament. The tournament started on Saturday at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek. Damaseb said the team started the game well but conceded two goals from set pieces, which he believes should not have happened. He said the players regrouped in the second half but began to lose focus and could not recover from the early goals. "That…

09 May

Union dispute with Freshmark drags on

info_e12wt4csMainDrivers at Freshmark, Naretu

Allexer Namundjembo Drivers at Freshmark, a subsidiary of the Shoprite Group, have raised concerns over poor working conditions. They point to high medical aid costs, food voucher deductions, slashed overtime, and delayed bonuses. The workers also say the company refuses to recognise their union, the Namibian Revolutionary Transport Union (Naretu). Although many drivers are registered members of Naretu, they say the company continues to ignore the union. The company only offers bonuses after seven years of service, and workers report not having representation during wage negotiations. “Not only are we not allowed to be with the union of our choice,…

09 May

Afrail appoints Steytler to its global advisory board

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyDevelopment Bank of Namibia (DBN), Dr John Steytler

STAFF WRITER Afrail Inc, a premier infrastructure and smart mobility company pioneering eco-friendly transit systems across Africa, the Middle East, and the United States, has appointed Dr John Steytler to its global advisory board. Steytler, former CEO of the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), and Namibia’s first Statistician General, is one of Namibia’s leading and most accomplished economists. He brings decades of expertise in economic policy, statistical systems, and development finance, having also served at the Bank of Namibia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also previously served as economic advisor to the Presidency of the Republic of Namibia,…

08 May

Business as usual on Workers Day

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro After everything was said and done, including both good and bad speeches, some well-meaning and others not worth the paper they were written on, most of these speeches lacked sincerity, as has become routine; many were more like recitals than genuine speeches. Therefore, Yours Truly Ideologically could not derive many takeaways from them. Other than the remarks of one of the unionists, “Comrade”, inviting and informing fellow “Comrades” to what would be perhaps the most pleasing and physically and practically nourishing moment of the observance of Workers Day and May Day, as it is also alternatively known. She…

08 May

RECLAIMING THE SPIRIT OF THE LATE FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND FATHER OF THE NAMIBIAN NATION, H.E. DR SAM SHAFIISHUNA NUJOMA

info_e12wt4csOpinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Introduction The Perennial Light of a Revolutionary Mind In an era where the cadence of national reflection often oscillates between commemorative reverence and the pragmatic urgencies of the present, the towering figure of the Founding Father Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma emerges not merely as an indelible echo from the annals of a hard-won liberation, but as an essential, vital compass. His enduring presence, particularly as we contemplate the trajectory of the nation he so singularly shaped, serves as both an inspiration and a profound challenge. Founding Father Nujoma transcended the conventional…

08 May

Early days for Swakop Uranium’s Zambian plans

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Swakop Uranium executive president Irvine Simataa has confirmed a recent visit to Zambia by company officials. He described Zambia as a highly prospective and progressive mining region in the SADC. Simataa said the visit had two objectives. The first was on behalf of its majority shareholder, CGNPC Uranium Resources Company (URC), to meet with government, private sector, and other stakeholders for exploratory talks on possible partnerships to develop uranium projects in Zambia. The second objective was for Swakop Uranium to build technical relationships with Zambian mining peers operating mines similar in scale to the Husab Mine. This effort…

08 May

Uranium supply faces mismatch

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Deep Yellow, which is developing the Tumas Project in the Erongo Region, has released an update on the uranium market in a report titled Uranium Demand and Supply Equation – A Total Mismatch. Managing Director John Borshoff said China continues to show strong growth, the European Union supports nuclear energy, India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, with nuclear as a key energy source, and the Middle East is advancing its nuclear ambitions. Borshoff said uranium supply has declined for over a decade. He noted that Kazatomprom appears to be in trouble, while Cameco…

08 May

De Beers relocates its auctions business to Gaborone

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Observer Money

CHAMWE KAIRA De Beers Group has announced that its auctions business has resumed operations following the successful relocation of the business’s headquarters from Singapore to Gaborone. The completion of this relocation unites De Beers Group’s global diamond trading activities in Gaborone, enhancing operational efficiency and supporting Botswana’s position as a major player in the global diamond value chain. With auction sales now being re-established, De Beers Group ran a small-scale trial event for Sightholder customers during Cycle 3. The event generated substantial interest, with a high number of customers viewing lots and participating, resulting in the majority of lots being…

08 May

‘Koos’ Brandt retires from Bank Windhoek

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

CHAMWE KAIRA The board of directors of Bank Windhoek has announced the retirement of Jacobus Christiaan “Koos” Brandt as a non-executive director of Bank Windhoek. The group said Brandt retired from the board on 30 April, concluding an illustrious career of over four decades with Bank Windhoek and Capricorn Group Limited. Brandt is one of the founders of Bank Windhoek, leading the group of visionary entrepreneurs who established Bank Windhoek in 1982. He has served Capricorn Group and Bank Windhoek with distinction in various leadership capacities. Notably, Brandt was the chairperson of Bank Windhoek from 1982 until 30 June 2017,…

08 May

‘Zaamwani’s skills not enough for complex ministry’ – Analysts

info_e12wt4csNational News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah has cautioned that Inge Zaamwani’s strong administrative background may not be enough to manage the complex political and social issues within her new ministry. Zaamwani was sworn in as a non-voting member of the National Assembly on Wednesday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed her as the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, replacing Mac Hengari. “She has the background from the Ministry of Mines, and also when she was Namdeb’s Chief Executive Officer, it shows that she is experienced in terms of administration and technocratic matters,” Kamwanyah said. “But the ministry that she…