Politics & Governance
Policy moves, parliamentary debate and leadership decisions shaping Namibia.
Steenkamp inaugurates new UNAM Council
Staff Reporter THE Minister of Education, Dr Sanet Steenkamp, has inaugurated the University of Namibia’s (UNAM) Council, which will be responsible for providing strategic direction, ensuring good governance and overseeing the institution’s affairs. “As Council, your role is to provide strategic leadership, sound governance and effective oversight, while respecting the important distinction between governance and ... The post Steenkamp inaugurates new UNAM Council appeared first on Informanté .
Namibia sends condolences to Ghana...eight die in helicopter crash
Victoria Immanuel President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended her condolences to Ghana president John Mahama and the people of Ghana following a tragic mil
Nandi-Ndaitwah mourns Tanzania’s first gentleman
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has sent condolences to Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu Hassan following the death of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan. Ame
Pato served beyond pulpit
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has described the late Bishop Luke Pato as a spiritual leader whose work transcended the church, contributing to peace, justice
German govt drops N$204.5m City project
Adolf Kaure The German government has withdrawn a grant to the City of Windhoek’s sustainable urban mobility project worth N$204.49 million. This was re
Khumub calls opportunities for disabled persons
Max Henrich ONGWEDIVA - Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Moses Khumub, has called for meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilit
Education researchers told to shape budget
Max Henrich ONGWEDIVA- Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge has called on education researchers to provide evidence-based solutions that can guide government polici
Education Ministry announces final NSFAF application window for 2026
Staff Reporter THE Minister of Education, Dr Sanet Steenkamp, has announced the final application window for the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) for the 2026 academic year. The final application period will run until 7 October 2026. The Ministry explained that this follows requests from students and trainees who were unable to apply during ... The post Education Ministry announces final NSFAF application window for 2026 appeared first on Informanté .
Over 10 000 elderly pensioners put back on beneficiary list
Staff Reporter THE Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Dr Emma Kantema-Gaomas, has announced that a total of 10 066 pensioners have been put back on the government’s list of pension grant recipients following a national audit. This comes after the welfare ministry announced that a total of 15,785 of the country’s 209,226 old-age ... The post Over 10 000 elderly pensioners put back on beneficiary list appeared first on Informanté .
When Parliament becomes the problem
There are moments in the life of a democracy when the conduct of politicians tells us more about the state of the institution than the outcome of the vote itself. The National Assembly’s decision to approve Dr Gerson Sindano as the new chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is one such moment. The […]
National Assembly unanimously approves Sindano’s nomination as ECN chairperson
Staff Reporter THE National Assembly today unanimously approved the nomination of Gerson Sindano as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), with members of Parliament from Swapo and the United Democratic Front (UDF) voting in favour of his nomination. This follows opposition parliamentarians, including those from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), Affirmative Repositioning ... The post National Assembly unanimously approves Sindano’s nomination as ECN chairperson appear
Omaheke, Zambezi struggle with higher maternal deaths
Patience Makwele Namibia’s sharp decline in maternal deaths nationally is being undermined by persistent regional disparities, with the Omaheke and Zambezi regions recording maternal mortality ratios significantly above the national average. Deputy minister of health and social services Suzan Ndjaleka made the disclosure on Monday during the launch of a national training programme aimed at […]
President Nandi-Ndaitwah pays tribute to late Bishop Luke Pato
Staff Reporter PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has described the late emeritus Bishop Luke L. Pato, former head of the Anglican Church’s Diocese of Namibia, as “a revered spiritual leader” and “a shepherd of uncommon devotion”. Bishop Pato passed away in South Africa on Sunday. In a message of condolence issued on behalf of the Government and ... The post President Nandi-Ndaitwah pays tribute to late Bishop Luke Pato appeared first on Informanté .
Clients don’t buy financial products, they buy certainty
When you ask someone why they took out a life policy, do they say something like, “because the premium-to-benefit ratio was competitive”? Or do they say something more like, “because I needed to know my family would be okay?”
SWAPO BUSINESS COMMUNITY DONATES N$111,000
PRESIDENT MOURNS BISHOP PATO
Sekgoma gets youth empowerment award
Moses Magadza The Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Boemo Sekgoma, has been honoured with the Excellence, Youth Empowerment &
Opinion - Multi-party democracy, national identity construction in Zambia
Zambia had general elections on 13August 2026. However, for two main reasons, an analysis of those elections – in terms of fairness and transparency - is beyo
Pakarae jumps on mental health bandwagon
Zebaldt Ngaruka Swapo parliamentarian Piniel Packy Pakarae says the Mental Health Bill will enhance the operational effectiveness of mental health services
Ngurare calls for digital job applications
Ester Hakaala Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for the immediate digitalisation of public service job applications, saying Namibians should no longer
TANZANIAN PRESIDENT'S HUSBAND BURIED IN ZANZIBAR
‘Common sense cannot be legislated’ – Ngurare
Patience Makwele Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has warned that Namibia’s public-service recruitment system risks being undermined by tribalism, favouritism and corruption, alleging that some jobs are decided before interview panels meet. Speaking at the Government Human Resource Conference in Windhoek on Monday, Ngurare said he had received reports of applicants paying panel members for positions, […]
Sankwasa rejects Divundu CEO’s appeal for contract renewal
Sostenus Wilherm Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has rejected Divundu Village Council’s appeal to have chief executive officer Athanasius Ndjamba Maghumbo’s five-year contract renewed, making it clear that the council’s challenge is unlikely to change his decision. Sankwasa told the Windhoek Observer that Maghumbo’s contract will not be renewed, regardless of whether the […]
Africa urged to prepare for powerful El Niño
AFRICA could face a season of severe heat, drought, flooding and disrupted rainfall as a potentially powerful El Niño strengthens, prompting calls for governments to prepare for impacts on food security, water supplies, public health and electricity generation. The latest outlook from the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that El Niño ... The post Africa urged to prepare for powerful El Niño appeared first on Informanté .
Integrated approach key to reviving rail and logistics
Namibia needs an integrated approach combining infrastructure investment, policy reform, regulation and commercial restructuring to unlock the full potential of its railway and logistics systems, according to World Bank transport infrastructure and logistics specialist Bernard Aritua.
‘Very accurate’ census must guide development – councillor
Kapako constituency councillor Augustinus Kupembona has criticised a lack of government action on census data that accurately portrays Kavango West’s widespread poverty and other s...
Sankwasa rejects Divundu CEO's contract renewal
The Divundu Village Council is fighting to retain its long-serving chief executive Athanasius Ndjamba Maghumbo, after urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa rejected a...
TURNING POINT | The Fisheries Indaba Must Catch More Than Fish
As a Namibian entrepreneur, I welcome the 2026 National Fisheries Indaba and, particularly, the strategic direction articulated by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. There is value in bringing government, industry, workers, communities, financiers and other stakeholders into one room to confront the future of one of Namibia’s most important economic sectors. But there is another question we […]
ICT MINISTER ASSESSES ||KHARAS INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES
Tanzania’s First Gentleman Hafidh Ameir Hassan has died
Staff Writer Tanzania’s First Gentleman, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, husband of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has died at the age of 76. Hassan died this morning at around 08h00 at Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital in Zanzibar, where he had been receiving treatment for a heart condition. Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi announced the death, extending condolences to […]
Fisheries must increase GDP contribution – Nghitila
WALVIS BAY – Namibia’s fisheries sector provides close to 20 000 jobs, contributes about 4.3% to gross domestic product (GDP) and generates between N$10 billion and N$14 billion in export earnings. However, the government says the sector can contribute more to the country’s economy. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform executive director Teofilus... The post Fisheries must increase GDP contribution – Nghitila appeared first on New Era .
Nandi-Ndaitwah trumpets economic liberation
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday called on Namibians, particularly the youth, to take responsibility for the country’s economic future, saying Namibia has entered the “second phase” of its struggle after achieving political independence. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks when she visited the family of late liberation struggle veteran Helao Joseph Shityuwete at his residence to convey... The post Nandi-Ndaitwah trumpets economic liberation appeared first on New Era .
Persons with disabilities only 2% of the workforce
Adolf Kaure Max Henrich Vice President Lucia Witbooi has launched the Guideline for the Medical Assessment of Functionality and the Degree of Disability Digital Programme for Medical Assessments of Persons with Disabilities on Friday. The interventions are aimed at improving how persons with disabilities are assessed and connected to the services and support they need.... The post Persons with disabilities only 2% of the workforce appeared first on New Era .
Diplomacy, protocol & Giordano
WALVIS BAY – What was meant to be a glittering event bringing together fishing industry players, stakeholders and policymakers was overshadowed by what appears to be a protocol mishap. This is after US Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano was denied entry to the National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay on Friday. It turns out that... The post Diplomacy, protocol & Giordano appeared first on New Era .
Fishing rights renewals under scrutiny
Patience Makwele Namibian fishing rights are under renewed scrutiny as the government prepares to review expiring rights and questions whether nominal Namibian ownership translates into genuine control and economic benefit. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced at the National Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay on Saturday, that fishing rights expiring from the end of this year would […]
Govt commits to fix disability assessment crisis
Sostenus Wilherm The government has moved to overhaul a disability assessment system that has been plagued by delays, inconsistent criteria and administrative hurdles, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi warning that the process meant to unlock social protection must never become a barrier to those who need it most. Witbooi made the remarks in Windhoek on […]
Swapo moves to rebuild Zambezi ranks
Patience Makwele SWAPO is moving to strengthen its structures in the Zambezi region following the return of former party members who challenged the organisation in last year’s regional council elections. Among those who have rejoined the ruling party are former Judea Lyaboloma councillor Humphrey Divai and former Swapo Zambezi regional treasurer Morven Mukwata. Their return […]
Calls grow for Trump to recall Giordano
Renthia Kaimbi Calls are growing for US President Donald Trump to recall United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano amid mounting controversy over his conduct and diplomatic engagements in Namibia, with critics warning that the situation could undermine long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. The calls follow an incident in which Giordano was reportedly […]
Yes, madam President, the fishing industry has heaps too
Madam President, at the National Fisheries Indaba this week, you shared a powerful lesson from Namibia’s mining sector. You noted that a surprising share of a mine's true wealth is not found in the ore shipped out, but in the heaps left behind.
Zimbabwe is valuable to SA agricultural exports
The South African government recently hosted the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission Business Forum. The discussions centred on firming trade, industrialisation, and the development of regional value chains.