Page 61 – Windhoek Observer

16 Jul

Fuelgate: Malima’s getaway leaves a N$9.5m question mark

National NewsFuelgate

: Justicia Shipena Fugitive Victor Malima’s name surfaced in court on Tuesday during the bail testimony of businessman Peter Elindi, one of the accused in the Namcor corruption case. According to documents presented to court, a N$9.5 million payment made to Eco Trading CC in July 2022 formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity. Malima, listed as the sole owner of the company, reportedly fled the country through the Wenela border post at Katima Mulilo on Friday, just moments before a nationwide alert to stop him was issued. Malima is also the founder and owner of Ecofuels and formerly…

16 Jul

Nored clears N$341m debt to NamPower

Featured, National NewsNored

Allexer Namundjebo The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) says that it has fully settled its debt of N$341 million with NamPower. Nored acting chief executive officer Toivo Shovaleka said this week the debt, which had strained relations between the two entities, was cleared on 9 June 2025. He described the amount as a historic debt that had built up over several years. NamPower had previously suspended electricity supply to Nored due to the unpaid amount. To resolve the crisis, Nored entered into a repayment agreement with NamPower in June 2023, which allowed it to gradually settle the debt. “We are…

16 Jul

Ministry warns of risks to gender policy implementation

National Newsgender policy

Hertta-Maria Amutenja As the country prepares to implement its third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy (NGEEP) for 2025 to 2035, the ministry of gender equality and child welfare has flagged several risks that could undermine progress. Speaking at the Women in Politics and Decision Making roundtable held from 15 to 18 July in Swakopmund, executive director Lydia Indombo highlighted several threats to gender equality efforts. These include an unfavourable economic climate, limited budget allocations, staff turnover, a lack of stakeholder cooperation, and the withdrawal of development partners. She also cited the rise in gender-based violence, lack of shelters for…

16 Jul

State pressed to drop charge against Elindi over wrong account

National NewsMalakia Elindi

Justicia Shipena Businessman Peter Elindi’s legal team has threatened to approach the High Court if the state does not withdraw a charge related to alleged proceeds of unlawful activity by today. Peter is one of the accused in the ongoing N$480 million Namcor corruption case. While testifying during his bail application at the Windhoek Magistrates Court on Tuesday, Peter told the court that the charge is based on mistaken identity. The state alleges that on 19 July 2020, near Windhoek, Peter knew or ought to have known that N$1.5 million paid into a Bank Windhoek account from Onyeka Clearing and…

16 Jul

PSC dreams a unified desk for SADC

National NewsSalmaan Jacobs

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Public Service Commission chairperson Salmaan Jacobs has proposed that Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states formalise cooperation in staff exchange and secondment programmes. Jacobs made the proposal during the annual general meeting of the SADC Public Service Commissions (PSCs) Forum, currently underway in Windhoek. He stated that the regional body could support and implement these programmes using collective bargaining standards. He stated that formal agreements between public service commissions were necessary to transform regional commitments into practical actions and protocols for public administration. Jacobs also highlighted the importance of digital platforms for regular engagement. He said digital…

16 Jul

Youth celebrate skills progress

National NewsWorld Youth Skills Day

Allexer Namundjebo Young people across Namibia marked World Youth Skills Day on Tuesday, celebrating ten years since the global initiative was launched to promote skills development for employment, entrepreneurship, and decent work. This year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills”, focused on preparing the next generation for a world shaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Palms For Life Fund, a key player in skills development for marginalised communities, used the occasion to highlight its work with San youth. Over the past four years, the organisation has helped train more than 1,300 young people through community-based centres and…

16 Jul

People before projects

OpinionsPeople before projects

Hileni Amadhila No matter how groundbreaking your strategy is or how bulletproof your execution plan may seem, if you ignore the human factor, your stakeholders, your project is already halfway to failure. Stakeholder management is often treated as a checklist: identify them, inform them, involve them, influence them. But when we reduce people to processes, we lose the very thing that makes them buy in, trust. People don’t just support plans. They support people who value them, listen to them, and show up consistently. At the heart of effective stakeholder management is empathy. It’s understanding that a board member, a…

16 Jul

Survey warns of certification and safety gaps in oil sector

Observer Money

Allexer Namundjembo A new Industrial Baseline Survey (IBS) says Namibia is not yet ready for large-scale oil and gas production because it lacks key technical certifications, strong health-and-safety systems and reliable compliance checks. The findings were shared in virtual session hosted by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI). The meeting, open to both NCCI members and non-members, centred on the nation's readiness for the upstream oil and gas sector. The IBS was launched in December 2024 and officially endorsed by the government. It was commissioned by NCCI and conducted by Deloitte Namibia, with contributions from the Ministry of…

16 Jul

Airlink doubles Walvis flights

Observer MoneyAirlink

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Airlink has introduced a second daily flight between Johannesburg and Walvis Bay, boosting air connectivity between Namibia’s west coast and South Africa’s economic hub. The additional service began on 4 July. Namibia Airports Company (NAC) chief executive officer Bisey /Uirab, speaking on behalf of Air Connect Namibia, said the added frequency supports Walvis Bay’s position as a key trade, investment, and tourism centre in Southern Africa. “This new Airlink expansion offers travellers improved air access to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. It is a strategic link that reinforces Walvis Bay's role as a Southern African trade, investment and tourism…

16 Jul

NFA commends U20 women’s team for youth games performance

Featured, Sports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has congratulated the under-20 girls' national football team for for finishing fourth at the recently concluded USC Region 5 Youth Games. NFA interim secretary general Cassius Moetie said on Tuesday that te teams performance inthe 10-nation tournament is a commendable achievement for the youth team. “The young Brave Gladiators displayed exceptional determination and skill throughout the competition, demonstrating significant progress and potential for Namibian women's football,” he said. Namibia lost 1-0 to South Africa and again Los 1-0 to Botswana in the third-place playoff. Moetie said the players showed talent, resilience, and fighting…