Page 9 – Windhoek Observer

30 Oct

More women than men set to vote

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Over 800 000 women have registered to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections set for 26 November 2025. The Electoral Commission of Namibia’s (ECN) final voters register shows that out of 1 499 449 registered voters, 808 419 are women and 691 080 are men. This means women make up just over 54% of all registered voters. ECN chief electoral and referenda officer Peter Shaama said women have continued to show strong commitment to civic participation. “Their dominance on the voters’ roll is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of their leadership in community…

30 Oct

Sankwasa orders southern municipalities to reverse debt write-offs

National News

Justicia Shipena The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, has ordered local authorities in the ||Kharas and Hardap regions to reverse their decisions to write off pensioners’ debts. He said the move was carried out without ministerial approval and is therefore illegal. In a letter dated 24 October to Lüderitz mayor Ronnie McKay, Sankwasa said his ministry had learnt that several local authorities had written off pensioners’ debts without first seeking authorisation from his office, as required by law. Sankwasa’s order comes days after the ||Kharas and Hardap regional councils directed municipalities under their control to cancel pensioners’…

30 Oct

Agribank sues presidential advisor over unpaid livestock loans

National News

Justicia Shipena The Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) has filed a lawsuit against Christine Hoebes, special advisor to the president, for failing to repay two livestock loans dating back to 2015. Court documents show that Hoebes entered into two loan agreements with AgriBank on 3 March 2015. The first loan of N$193 000 was for the purchase of 26 cows and one bull. It carried an annual interest rate of 4% over a 10-year repayment period. The second loan of N$7 000 was meant for a goat ram and a sheep ram, repayable over eight years at the same interest…

30 Oct

Namibia pays off US$750m eurobond … Shafudah says sinking fund ensured repayment without hurting services

Main

Chamwe Kaira The minister of finance, Ericah Shafudah, says the redemption of Namibia’s US$750 million Eurobond marks a milestone in the country’s economic journey. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that Namibia had successfully redeemed its second eurobond, valued at US$750 million (approximately N$13.9 billion). The bond represents the largest single debt maturity in the country's history. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic foresight, and prudent debt management,” Shafudah said. Namibia first issued a eurobond in 2011 under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba at an interest rate of…

29 Oct

NNN tasks Kapofi with stabilising mines and energy ministry

Main

Justicia Shipena The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete. She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals. The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…

29 Oct

Magistrate rules state evidence insufficient to keep Willemse detained

National News

Justicia Shipena Former Namcor supply and logistics manager Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse has become the third accused to be granted bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday set his bail at N$200 000. Windhoek Magistrate Olga Muharukua ruled that Willemse’s continued detention was not in the interest of justice. She said the state failed to present enough evidence showing that he was likely to interfere with investigations or witnesses. “There is no evidence before this court to suggest a serious risk of interference with investigations or with witnesses,” she said. “Further, the court is…

29 Oct

President says she fired Ithete for defying oil moratorium

National News

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on oil deals. On Sunday, she dismissed Ithete from the Cabinet, removing him from his roles as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy. She then assumed control of the ministry until a replacement was appointed. Speaking in a video that surfaced from her closed-door address to ministry staff on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Ithete went against her directive on upstream oil activities. “There seem to be things happening in…

29 Oct

Mix Settlement relocation nears completion

National News

Justicia Shipena At least 80% of residents from Mix Settlement have been relocated to pave the way for the construction of essential services. This is part of the area's ongoing formalisation and upgrade project. City of Windhoek councillor Fransina Kahungu reported that 68 out of 84 households have been moved to make way for roads, a sewer network, and residential plots outlined in the area’s layout plan. She revealed this information during a public meeting held on Monday with the residents of the area. She said the City of Windhoek has invested N$1.7 million in installing 25 toilets and N$1.3…

29 Oct

Namibia among Africa’s top five passports

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia has ranked among Africa’s top five countries for global mobility in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. It joins Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, and Botswana in offering citizens greater travel access. The latest index places Namibia 62nd globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 81 destinations. The government attributes this progress to strong foreign policy and targeted diplomatic engagement that has improved the country’s global reputation. While Namibia’s access remains below Seychelles with 156 destinations and Mauritius with 151, its steady climb is notable. The improvement reflects growing international confidence in Namibia’s political stability and regional cooperation. The…

29 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | The five-year investor visa: A bold step toward a more competitive Namibia

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s recent announcement of a five-year visa for serious investors marks a decisive and forward-thinking step in Namibia’s quest to become a truly competitive investment destination. Speaking at the launch of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum in Windhoek, the President not only underscored her administration’s recognition of the bureaucratic barriers that discourage investment but also signaled a broader philosophical shift, from gatekeeping to gateway. For years, investors have lamented Namibia’s slow, paper-heavy, and often frustrating visa and business registration processes. The President’s call for a simplified, investor-friendly visa regime acknowledges this bottleneck and proposes a solution aligned with…