Politics & Governance
Policy moves, parliamentary debate and leadership decisions shaping Namibia.
Unions, minister clash over labour council
Labour unions and employer organisations have accused justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel of trying to single-handedly choose who should represent them on the Labour Advisory Council (LAC). The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), Trade Union Congress of Namibia (Tucna), Namibia Employers’ Federation (NEF) and Namibia Employers’ Association (NEA) say they have already […] The post Unions, minister clash over labour council appeared first on The Namibian .
Zambia heads to polls as Hichilema rallies Mandevu
Zambia heads to the polls on Thursday, with president Hakainde Hichilema urging voters in Mandevu, Lusaka province, to back the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND).
SADC…
Trade and international relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi is leading Namibia’s delegation at the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in Durban, South Af
NFA commits to grassroots football
Zebaldt Ngaruka GOBABIS - The president of the Namibia Football Association (NFA), Robert Shimoshili, said the football governing body will continue working
Trump backs embattled Infantino
United States President Donald Trump said on Monday it would be “a terrible mistake” to replace Gianni Infantino, the embattled FIFA president who tried, and failed, to sell off part of the World Cup to private investors. Infantino came under renewed fire in an open letter signed by three confederations: Europe’s Union of European Football... The post Trump backs embattled Infantino appeared first on New Era .
Audit exposes deep protection deficits in Omaheke
Uakutura Kambaekua A series of farm inspections led by Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel in the Omaheke region, has highlighted a
Zaamwani reads fishing industry riot act
WALVIS BAY – Fisheries minister Inge Zaamwani has warned players in the fishing industry against attempting to improperly influence, pressure or entice minist
Ombudsman wants total independence
Uakutura Kambaekua The office of the Ombudsman is advocating for the repeal and amendment of the Ombudsman Act of 1990 to establish a modern legislative framework that ensures full administrative and financial autonomy for the institution.The old Act keeps the Ombudsman dependent on the government, while the new Bill offers independence and real power. The... The post Ombudsman wants total independence appeared first on New Era .
Minimum wage stretching farmers’ pockets
Some communal farmers say they are struggling to pay the national minimum wage because their farms do not generate enough income. Their concerns come after justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel visited farms in the Omaheke region over the weekend. Immanuel found that some farmers were not complying with labour requirements. The agricultural minimum […] The post Minimum wage stretching farmers’ pockets appeared first on The Namibian .
‘Network undermines Kavango West healthcare’
Lylies Joel NKURENKURU – Poor and unreliable network coverage is undermining healthcare delivery in Kavango West, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Immanuel dissolves ‘ancient’labour council
Labour Minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel has blocked the reappointment of Labour Advisory Council members who have served for up to 12 years. Immanuel is unambiguous: it is time to inject fresh blood into one of Namibia’s most important labour institutions. The decision is intended to promote fairness, diversity, efficiency and broader representation while preventing the... The post Immanuel dissolves ‘ancient’labour council appeared first on New Era .
Repo rate remains unchanged at 6.75%
Business Reporter INTEREST rates on various loans and housing mortgages will remain unchanged after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of Namibia decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.75%. Similarly, the prime lending rate remains at 10.25%. Ebson Uanguta said that this policy stance is deemed appropriate to support the stock ... The post Repo rate remains unchanged at 6.75% appeared first on Informanté .
MPs unearth ‘illicit’ Kunene mines
Auleria Wakudumo Questions have been raised about a mining operation in the Kunene region that has reportedly conducted questionable testing activities for about two years, suggesting production may be taking place under the guise of testing. This prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to question what is happening at the site. The concerns... The post MPs unearth ‘illicit’ Kunene mines appeared first on New Era .
Bank of Namibia leaves repo rate at 6.75%
Staff Writer The Bank of Namibia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to leave the repo rate at 6.75%, governor Ebson Uanguta announced today. The central bank last adjusted the repo rate in June 2026, when it increased the rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%. The move was part of the Bank’s efforts to […]
NFA splashes N$9m on football season
The Namibia Football Association (NFA) says it spent approximately N$9 million from its own funds to ensure the 2025/26 Namibia Premier Football League season was completed. NFA secretary general Mabos Vries disclosed this while responding to questions about the league’s finances after the government’s N$10 million contribution, which was meant only for the first stanza […] The post NFA splashes N$9m on football season appeared first on The Namibian .
Three new schools inaugurated, nine upgraded in Kunene
Staff Reporter THE Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, inaugurated three schools in the Kunene Region, as well as additional classrooms, ablution facilities and other infrastructure constructed at nine other schools. Steenkamp revealed that the schools and facilities were constructed at a total cost of N$70,061,531.64. The newly inaugurated schools are Outjo Project Primary School, Outjo ... The post Three new schools inaugurated, nine upgraded in Kunene appeared first on Informanté .
Itula appeals against phosphate ECC decision
Renthia Kaimbi and Sostenus Wilherm Independent Patriots for Change leader Dr Panduleni Itula, has challenged the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) to Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project through a notice of appeal and legal objection filed with the minister of environment, forestry and tourism. The appeal, lodged […]
Amnesty International joins fight against Joint Declaration on Genocide
Staff Reporter THE Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) has announced that the international human rights organisation Amnesty International has filed court papers seeking to join the fight against the signing of the Joint Declaration between the Namibian and German governments. The Joint Declaration, which is said to be at the final stages and is expected to ... The post Amnesty International joins fight against Joint Declaration on Genocide appeared first on Informanté .
India proposes tax exemption for overseas rough sellers
The Indian government has introduced a bill granting a 15-year tax holiday for foreign companies selling rough diamonds in special notified zones (SNZs).
Beyond ‘willing seller, willing buyer’: A path to address pre- and post-independence colonial land dispossession in Namibia
For more than three decades, land has been the loudest issue in Namibian politics and the quietest in terms of results. At every election, at every rally, and at two National Land Conferences, we have been told that the government has a solution to colonial land dispossession.
Ya Shiindi says she remains unmoved by Andreas as defamation court case proceeds
Staff Reporter A MEMBER of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi’s accusations against Josef Andreas have continued unabated, declaring that she is not afraid of meeting comrades in “SWAPO-led courts”. The comment comes from a social media post by Ya Shiindi published on 8 August 2026, two days before the court ... The post Ya Shiindi says she remains unmoved by Andreas as defamation court case proceeds appeared first on Informanté .
Parliamentary committee raises concerns over Okarikua Mine conditions
Staff Reporter Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources member Ester Haikola-Sakaria has raised concerns over the working conditions at Okarikua Mining in Kunene Region, revealing that workers have been operating without adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper ablution facilities. Haikola-Sakaria made the remarks during a site visit to Okarikua Mining in Ohungurume village in ... The post Parliamentary committee raises concerns over Okarikua Mine conditions appeared
Ngurare rejects pressure to ditch Cuba
Namibia has vowed not to bow to international pressure to distance itself from Cuba, with prime minister Elijah Ngurare reaffirming the country’s commitment to its long-standing ally despite the economic embargo imposed on the island nation. Ngurare made the remarks in Havana, Cuba, on Monday during a colloquium commemorating the centenary of the birth of […] The post Ngurare rejects pressure to ditch Cuba appeared first on The Namibian .
Nandi-Ndaitwah to headline inaugural Namibia CSI Mukopano
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to deliver a keynote address at the inaugural Namibia Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Mukopano in Windhoek on 3 September. The inauguration will bring together corporates, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), funders and development partners to strengthen collaboration on sustainable socio-economic development. CSI was launched in July as a platform for organisations […] The post Nandi-Ndaitwah to headline inaugural Namibia CSI Mukopan
Govt flats become bars, salons and ‘kambashus’
The mismanagement of government flats has turned balconies into “kambashus” (shacks), prompting the works ministry to demand stricter oversight and commercial management of state properties. This comes after works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi ordered the newly appointed interim board of the Public Assets Management Agency of Namibia (Pama) to hit the ground running and […] The post Govt flats become bars, salons and ‘kambashus’ appeared first on The Namibian .
Ministerial, SOE Board Roles Must Remain Separate
Before 2004, companies and any other bodies corporate were regulated by the Companies Act, 61 of 1973. During 2004, parliament enacted a law called the Companies Act, 28 of 2004 and its purpose was to provide for the incorporation, management and liquidation of companies. This act defined a director as any person occupying the position […] The post Ministerial, SOE Board Roles Must Remain Separate appeared first on The Namibian .
Ovaherero authority vows to fight genocide declaration ‘to the end’
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) has maintained its rejection of the Namibia-Germany joint declaration of the 1904-08 genocide, accusing the two governments of excluding the descendants of the victims from the negotiations. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, OTA paramount chief of one faction Mutjinde Katjiua said: “It cannot be about us, without us”. […] The post Ovaherero authority vows to fight genocide declaration ‘to the end’ appeared first on The Namibian .
Public servants should not take debt crisis blame – Mwashindange
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has warned the government against using the country’s growing public debt to justify cuts to public servants’ salaries, saying Namibia’s fiscal crisis is a governance problem rather than simply a wage-bill problem. IPC shadow minister of finance Michael Mwashindange said this on Tuesday, in response to the International Monetary […] The post Public servants should not take debt crisis blame – Mwashindange appeared first on The Namibian .
Steenkamp inaugurates N$70m Kunene projects
Kaviveterue Virere OUTJO – Education minister Sanet Steenkamp on Friday inaugurated three schools and infrastructure at nine schools in Kunene, construct
Colombia president says armed rebels killed in clashes
BOGOTÁ - Colombian forces killed six members of armed groups on Sunday, President Abelardo de la Espriella announced, the opening salvo in a crackdown on crime
Ugandan investors eye Namibia’s key sectors
Several Ugandan investors are looking to establish businesses in Namibia after holding talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday. Chiefly, they are targeting the energy, agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), youth empowerment and security sectors to create jobs and strengthen economic ties between the two African countries. The investors, led by former Ugandan foreign affairs... The post Ugandan investors eye Namibia’s key sectors appeared first on New Era .
Kunene principals told to improve performance
OUTJO – Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has called on school principals in Kunene to strengthen leadership and accountability to improve learner performanc
N$178m medical store project to strengthen medicine supply
The government is investing nearly N$178 million to expand Namibia’s medical storage capacity as the Ministry of Health and Social Services continues efforts to address shortages of essential medicines at public health facilities. The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services signed a N$177.99 million contract for the... The post N$178m medical store project to strengthen medicine supply appeared first on New Era .
Govt sets up agency to manage State property
The government has established a new agency to manage its commercial properties, saying the move will improve the use of State assets, increase revenue and strengthen accountability. Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi announced the establishment of the Public Assets Management Agency of Namibia (PAMA) yesterday at the inauguration of the interim board of PAMA... The post Govt sets up agency to manage State property appeared first on New Era .
Domestic growth outlook lowered to 2.1% for 2026 …policy reforms critical for ensuring sustainable growth
Domestic economic recovery is losing momentum, as the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN’s) latest 2026 outlook revises the country’s growth forecast to 2.1%. The latest 2026 projection is a 0.5 percentage point downward revision from the central bank’s March outlook, highlighting the growing pressure on the domestic economy. This is as pressure builds from a prolonged... The post Domestic growth outlook lowered to 2.1% for 2026 …policy reforms critical for ensuring sustainable growth appeared first on New
China’s rare earth investors under increased scrutiny
SYDNEY – Australia’s economy minister increased scrutiny on Monday of China-linked investors in a critical minerals project that are refusing orders to sell, jeopardising the mine’s access to US funding. Northern Minerals has pitched its Browns Range mine as a “future cornerstone of non-China supply” of heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium, both essential to... The post China’s rare earth investors under increased scrutiny appeared first on New Era .
Moses van der Byl leads the way with school garden
Learners at Moses van der Byl Primary School are reaping the benefits of a vibrant school garden, which provides fresh vegetables to support student nutrition and promote practical learning. The garden initiative, aligned with the ministry of education’s policy encouraging schools to establish gardens, helps supplement learners’ dietary needs while fostering life skills. Recently, the... The post Moses van der Byl leads the way with school garden appeared first on New Era .
Namaf court victory provides clarity on regulatory boundaries
The Namibian Association of Medical Aid Funds (Namaf) has welcomed a High Court judgment dismissing a challenge brought by Olympia Eye Institute Private Hospital. It says the ruling provides important clarity on the association’s role in administering practice numbers and the regulatory boundaries within which it must operate. The High Court ruling potentially reinforces Namaf’s... The post Namaf court victory provides clarity on regulatory boundaries appeared first on New Era .
IPC wants ACC, police roped into NAC fracas
Adolf Kaure Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has called for accountability and a systems reform after
Ex Thai MP shoots dead local official over money row
BANGKOK - A former Thai MP yesterday shot dead a local government official in broad daylight over a financial dispute before being arrested and confessing to jo