Page 69 – News Stand

19 Jun

Does the latest N13.50 wage increase for security guards has any consequences?

info_e12wt4csOpinions

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro That the security workers are working under unbearable conditions is absolutely an understatement. Because in modern-day free and independent Namibia, which is enormously wanting in social and economic justice, security guards are among the wretched of the workers, if not the wretched themselves. Subjugated to the uncaring and indifferent disregard and don’t care attitude of the unions, having been unrepresented by any unions for sometime, as well as the government, that has been grossly negligent and derelict in its duties in terms of the necessary legislation to guarantee, protect, enhance and promote their rights. Indeed it has seemed…

19 Jun

ANIREP fulfills conditions to take over CERIM

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (ANIREP) has fulfilled all conditions for acquiring a 45% stake in Cerim Luderitz Energy (Pty) Ltd for N$60 million. The company confirmed that all outstanding conditions precedent have been met. This includes the signing of the sale and purchase agreement and approvals from the Namibia Power Corporation and the Electricity Control Board. CERIM is an Independent Power Producer developing a 50 MW (AC) wind power plant located 17 km south of Lüderitz in the ǁKaras Region. The project includes the development of 743 hectares of land and the construction of a 40…

19 Jun

GIPF’s housing scheme in final stages

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira The Government Institution Pension Fund (GIPF) is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Prime Minister for the Pension Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHL). Edwin Tjiramba, general manager for marketing and stakeholder engagement, told Observer Money that the fund will soon inform members and stakeholders of the outcome and the way forward. He declined to answer further questions, saying the fund is not in a position to share more information at this stage. In its 2024 Annual Report, GIPF said it had been engaging stakeholders on the PBHL scheme. The initiative is designed to…

19 Jun

Tariffs must be below import average tariffs

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Observer Money (OM): Recently, the Electricity Control Board (ECB) said Namibia needs a power plant for base load generation. What would be the ideal capacity in the eyes of the ECB? Robert Kahimise (RK): The ideal capacity of a base load power plant based on the current developments can be like the following: Baines Hydro Power Plant (300-400 MW) as a long-term solution, an allocation of 200 MW to BW Kudu in line with the cabinet directive to offer base load power in the short to medium term, with a load profile in accordance with both the expiry of import…

19 Jun

Walvis Bay leads April exports with N$5.6 billion

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Walvis Bay Harbour recorded exports worth N$5.6 billion in April, making it the top export point for the month. Eros Airport followed with exports of N$2.4 billion, while the Katima Mulilo border post accounted for N$1.1 billion, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s April trade report. On the import side, Walvis Bay Harbour remained the main entry point with imports valued at N$5 billion. Ariamsvlei recorded N$3.2 billion in imports, and the Trans Kalahari border post followed with N$1.7 billion. Sea transport remained the most used export mode, handling goods worth N$6.1 billion. This represented 55.5% of Namibia’s…

19 Jun

THE INTERCONNECTION OF THE BANTU LANGUAGE FAMILY: A LIVING FOSSIL OF AFRICAN CIVILIZATIONAL CONTINUITY

info_e12wt4csFeatured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) ABSTRACT On 16 June 2025, the Day of the African Child, we are reminded of the profound legacy of linguistic and cultural suppression endured by generations of African children. This article draws methodologically on Cheikh Anta Diop’s interdisciplinary framework, integrating linguistics, historical reconstruction, and cultural analysis as indispensable tools of epistemic decolonization and African renaissance. The goal is not only scholarly clarification but, more profoundly, the unwavering affirmation of Africa’s sovereign intellectual heritage and a fervent call for the immediate and comprehensive internalization and institutionalization of our indigenous languages as…

19 Jun

Inflation stable compared to neighbouring countries

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia recorded a 3.5% annual inflation rate in May, placing it in a stable position compared to neighbouring countries. South Africa reported a lower inflation rate of 2.8% in April, which remained within the target range set by the South African Reserve Bank, according to a report by Simonis Storm Securities. Botswana maintained low and steady inflation, with prices rising by 2.3% year-on-year in April. In contrast, some countries in the region are facing much higher inflation. Zambia recorded an inflation rate of 15.3% in May, down from 16.5% in April. Angola’s inflation dropped to 20.74% in May,…

19 Jun

Final report for Venus oil project submitted for approval

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira SLR Environmental Consulting (Namibia) submitted the final scoping report for the proposed development of the Offshore Venus Field in Block 2913B to the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism on 30 May. TotalEnergies EP Namibia B.V. (TEEPNA), together with joint venture partners NAMCOR and QatarEnergy, holds the exploration licence for Block 2913B, located offshore southern Namibia. Following positive exploration and appraisal results and ongoing development studies, the joint venture is now assessing the feasibility of producing oil commercially from the Venus Field. The Venus Field lies about 320 km southwest of…

19 Jun

Koryx advances Haib copper project

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Koryx Copper Inc. has announced significant progress on its Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia. Haib is a copper-molybdenum project expected to produce clean copper concentrate through conventional crushing, milling, and flotation, with potential for additional copper production through heap leaching. Koryx Copper President and CEO Heye Daun said, “We are very pleased with the substantial progress we have made with the met testwork, process flowsheet and infrastructure development aspects of the Haib copper project during the last six months. Results are highly encouraging and are being incorporated in the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) which we are preparing…

19 Jun

Rate of mishandled baggage continues to decline

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

2024 was a record-breaking year for air travel, with global passenger numbers reaching 5.3 billion, the highest in aviation history. As the volume of passengers soared, so did the number of bags handled. Yet the rate of mishandled baggage continued to decline, according to the newly released SITA Baggage IT Insights 2025. This is a clear sign of industry progress, though challenges remain. The mishandling rate dropped to 6.3 bags per 1000 passengers in 2024, down from 6.9 the previous year, a 67% improvement since 2007. This drop is even more significant considering the surge in global traffic, which grew…