Namibia Minute.
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
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Archive Minute from Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Politics

Young Uganda votes between 81-year-old incumbent and generational change

The News

Uganda's presidential election Thursday pits President Yoweri Museveni, 81 and in power for four decades, against Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old opposition leader backed by youth demanding change. In a country with a median age of 17, the contest reflects a fundamental tension between an aging political establishment and a youthful population demanding inclusion and meaningful participation.

14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Young Uganda votes between 81-year-old incumbent and generational change

    Uganda's presidential election Thursday pits President Yoweri Museveni, 81 and in power for four decades, against Bobi Wine, a 43-year-old opposition leader backed by youth demanding change. In a country with a median age of 17, the contest reflects a fundamental tension between an aging political establishment and a youthful population demanding inclusion and meaningful participation.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namcor fraud suspects' bail appeal postponed to mid-February

    Five individuals accused of defrauding the state oil company Namcor of over N$400 million have had their High Court bail appeal hearing postponed to mid-February after parties failed to file required documents on time. The accused, who have been detained since July 2025, are challenging a magistrate's decision to deny them bail.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Malakia Shoombe designated as new Uukolonkadhi Chief

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has approved the application to designate Malakia Shoombe as successor to late Chief Daniel Shooya of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority. Supporters of the late Chief's nominee, Johannes Taanyanda Asino, dispute the decision, claiming the community was kept in the dark and procedures were not properly followed.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Young leader emphasises service and accountability in governance

    Medical student and youth leader Christoph Halolye Ndengu describes leadership as rooted in service and accountability rather than visibility, arguing that young people should be engaged as active partners in governance structures and policy frameworks, not merely as future prospects.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  5. Windhoek council warns vendors against illegal trading, cites regulations

    The City of Windhoek's corporate affairs manager has cautioned residents to stop illegal trading and familiarize themselves with informal trading regulations. The council is implementing a Market Development Masterplan to designate suitable areas for informal traders, though some traders have complained about lengthy permit processes, lack of information, and alleged harassment by City Police.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  6. Minister approves Shoombe as Uukolonkadhi chief amid family dispute

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa approved Malakia Shoombe as chief of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority in January 2026, but community members and family argue that Johannes Asino is the legitimate heir, citing a nomination and will from the late chief Daniel Shooya.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  7. //Kharas leadership calls for unity, service delivery focus

    At the //Kharas Regional Council's 2026 opening, chairperson Gerrit Witbooi urged the council to focus on present and future deliverables rather than past failures, while regional governor Dawid Gertze warned administrators against disrespect, absenteeism, and tardiness, and called for unified work under the Swapo manifesto and NDP6.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  8. President Nandi-Ndaitwah receives African Political Leader award

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will be honoured as African Political Leader of the Year at an African Leadership Magazine awards ceremony in Accra on 27–28 February 2026, in recognition of her historic role as Namibia's first female president and her focus on inclusive governance. Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao will also be recognised as African Public Health Champion of the Year.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Business

  1. Medical aid industry posts N$129.5m surplus in Q3 2025

    Namibia's medical aid funds recorded a net surplus of N$129.5 million in the third quarter of 2025, with reserves above the minimum 25% prudential requirement and total membership reaching 223,961 beneficiaries. The industry remained financially stable despite sustained claims pressure of 88.6%, supported by improved investment performance and cost containment measures, though one fund failed to meet minimum requirements.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Savanna Beef secures N$40 million investment boost

    Savanna Beef has raised an additional N$40 million in private equity funding from BPF Windsor Holdings Ltd, bringing total private equity financing to N$290 million. The company has completed its abattoir construction, begun meat production for training purposes, and is pursuing EU export certification targeted for 2026.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Fuel smugglers adapt methods as arrests decline in north

    Although apprehensions of illicit fuel traders have decreased markedly in northern Namibia in recent months, smugglers continue their trade under the name "Ngungula" by changing tactics—using border-resident permits for legal crossings, installing extra fuel tanks, and in urban areas, operating through trusted customers only. The price difference between Angola (approximately N$5 per litre) and Namibia (N$20 per litre) drives the illicit trade, which is causing fuel shortages and station closures near the border.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Namib Mills workers strike over wage disparity after failed talks

    Workers at Namibia's largest grain processor embarked on industrial action after the company imposed a lockout in response to their strike, which follows six months of failed salary negotiations. The union is demanding wage alignment and an end to salary disparities where newly hired workers earn more than long-serving employees in the same roles.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  5. Young entrepreneur builds faith-based clothing brand with biblical messages

    Monika Amunyela Maveja Maombokere, a 23-year-old Christian from Okakarara, founded 'The Cross Culture,' a faith-based clothing brand that features biblical quotes on garments as a way to spread the gospel and make faith visible in everyday spaces. Despite facing challenges like fear and limited resources, she has grown the business through word-of-mouth and social media, and hopes to expand with new designs and collaborations with other faith influencers.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  6. Darius van Zyl appointed head of Standard Bank's private wealth

    Darius van Zyl has taken over as Head of Private Bank & Wealth at Standard Bank Namibia, effective 5 January 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience in finance, corporate and international tax consulting, and banking. Van Zyl plans to focus on customer-centric solutions, digitisation, and process efficiency for the division's high-net-worth clients.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  7. Young Katima Mulilo entrepreneur builds multi-brand business from savings

    Miti Muchaka founded Kong Investment CC in August 2022 with his own savings, growing it from a security services company into a diversified business operating several brands including Gorilla Private Protection Group, Gorilla Beard Oil, and Gorilla Puff, while employing 10–20 young Namibians. Despite facing challenges like late payments and high costs, Muchaka has funded the company entirely through self-investment and reinvestment of profits, using income from one business to support others during difficult periods.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  8. Chemistry graduate builds detergent manufacturing business from home

    Johannes Shiwombolo, a trained chemist, started making cleaning detergents from his home in Okuryangava and has grown the operation into a small manufacturing business that now employs four people based in northern industry. Though capital remains his biggest challenge, he has never delayed wages even during difficult months and aspires to build his business into a strong foundation for future ventures.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  9. Otjiwarongo councillor plans investment and infrastructure growth

    Otjiwarongo constituency councillor Paulus Nekundi is pursuing mining and biomass projects, road rehabilitation, water reticulation, and housing development to grow the region into an investment hub and improve service delivery in settlements. He also aims to upgrade informal areas with tarred roads and electrification while supporting youth through agriculture, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Mining & Energy

  1. Namibia leads Africa in green hydrogen sector strategy

    National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo told the International Renewable Energy Agency conference in Abu Dhabi that Namibia's deliberate reforms, political backing, and dedicated national green hydrogen programme have established the country as a fast-moving market leader. Industries minister Modestus Amutse said Namibia's green hydrogen strategy aims to support domestic industrial applications like green steel and fertilisers while positioning the nation as a future exporter.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Emerging miners seek support as Mineral Act review advances

    The Emerging Mining Association of Namibia called on government to support small-scale mine production, citing restrictions on modern equipment and limited access to processing facilities as obstacles to local participation in mining. The ministry is reviewing the Minerals Act, with draft amendments introducing stricter local ownership and beneficiation requirements.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Ministry deploys reinforcement teams to control Zambezi locust outbreak

    The Ministry of Agriculture has reinforced locust control operations in Zambezi Region with response teams from six other regions, bringing extra vehicles and equipment. Control measures include surveillance, ground spraying at breeding sites, and farmer awareness initiatives, with four operational teams now deployed.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Light to moderate rain falls across country, more expected

    Light to moderate showers have recently affected various regions, with Tsumeb recording over 25 mm on Monday and other northern, central and eastern areas also experiencing rainfall. Further showers are forecast for Wednesday in northern areas, Khomas and Omaheke, while the south faces continued heat with temperatures reaching 38–39°C.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Namibia's dam levels more than double in past year

    Most of Namibia's major reservoirs now hold more than double the water they contained a year ago, with many exceeding 50% capacity as of mid-January 2026 compared to below 30% in the same period last year, according to the Hydrological Services of Namibia's Flood Bulletin.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Activist demands comprehensive land audit to expose corruption

    Social justice activist Shaun Gariseb has called on government to conduct a comprehensive land audit since independence to expose corruption and land injustice, arguing that white commercial farmers conceal unoccupied farms and the /Khomanin people have been systematically disadvantaged in the resettlement programme. The Ancestral Land Foundation and /Khomanin Landless People's Association plan to seek a court order to compel the audit, while government's proposed Land Bill aims to scrap the "willing buyer, willing seller" clause to accelerate land reform.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Society

  1. Ministry releases 2025 NSSCO and NSSCAS examination results

    The Ministry of Education announced the official release of Namibia's 2025 national senior secondary examination results (NSSCO and NSSCAS). The executive director commended learners, teachers, and parents for their efforts and encouraged all stakeholders to support learners' continued academic progress and future development.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Ministry monitoring 24 Namibians ensnared in trafficking schemes

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade says it is monitoring 24 Namibian nationals identified as victims of human trafficking, with four already rescued from Malaysia and six others held in Myanmar by criminal networks. The ministry is prioritizing humanitarian aid and repatriation regardless of legal classification, and is collaborating with Interpol and regional authorities to dismantle trafficking syndicates and bring perpetrators to justice.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Only 36% of 2025 NSSCO learners qualify for advanced level

    According to Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp, 13,921 of 38,692 full-time learners who sat the 2025 Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary examination qualified for progression to Advanced Subsidiary level, a slight improvement from 29.5% in 2024. Regional performance varies significantly, with Kavango East leading at 52.7% while Kunene performed lowest at 23%.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Community initiative provides sanitary pads to vulnerable girls

    Predestined Girls, founded in 2021, supports young girls from low-income backgrounds in communities including Omaruru, Windhoek, Havana, and Okuryangava with sanitary pads and hygiene products to keep them healthy, confident, and in school. The initiative, run by volunteers and donors, is currently running a Back-to-School Sanitary Pad Drive targeting at least 500 girls and plans expansion to rural communities including Otjimbingue, Tsumkwe, and northern regions.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  5. Young engineers network launches flagship mentorship and industry exposure programme

    The Young Consulting Engineers of Namibia (YCEN) acts as a bridge between academia and the consulting engineering industry, offering students and young professionals webinars, technical site visits, networking sessions, and a Job Shadow Day initiative that placed 26 participants at member firms in March 2025. The organisation is also active in community outreach, supporting charities like Needy Hearts Soup Kitchen and Desert Kidz Care Foundation.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  6. Namibian exam pass rates rise, but teaching gaps remain

    Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that 40.3% of 2025 NSSCO candidates qualified for advanced studies, up from 34.6% in 2024. However, the Directorate of National Examinations flagged concerns that some learners are losing marks due to untaught topics and basic examination technique deficiencies.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  7. Three family members die after eating traditional vegetable meal

    Police in Kavango West confirmed that a father and two children died after consuming mutete (traditional vegetables) and pap at Nzinze village in early January. Five family members fell ill after the meal; two survivors have been discharged while samples of the food were sent to the laboratory for investigation.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  8. MP donates shoes to disadvantaged learners in rural school

    Lawmaker Willem Amutenya donated 30 pairs of school shoes to learners at Kandume Combined School in Oshikoto region, which serves over 1,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Amutenya and local councillor Erastus Nekomba, both former teachers, urged learners to study hard and called on parents to prioritize education over household chores.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  9. Multiple traffic incidents and crime reported across Namibia

    New Era reports on several incidents: a hit-and-run in Katima involving a pedestrian struck by a truck; a fatal head-on collision near Omuthiya and a separate pedestrian injury; a robbery at a bar in Onethindi where N$14,745 and a jackpot machine were stolen; and a fatal stabbing in Okahandja. Police investigations are ongoing in all cases and public assistance is being sought.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  10. School turns away 100 learners over unpaid development fund fees

    About 100 learners were sent home from Joy Mungungu Senior Primary School in Rundu during registration after their parents failed to pay N$210 School Development Fund contributions, sparking parent protests; the Kavango East education director confirmed learners were turned away but said she intervened so they could return, noting the school board raised the fees to fund temporary classrooms to address overcrowding and safety concerns in the area.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  11. Education minister calls for discipline to improve learning outcomes

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has called for restoration of discipline, moral values and quality teaching in schools as the 2026 academic year begins, emphasizing that improved learning outcomes depend on collective responsibility from teachers, parents, communities and learners. She noted that strengthening moral values does not require additional funding and highlighted overcrowding in urban schools, particularly in the Erongo region, as an ongoing challenge that the ministry is working to address.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Sport

  1. Namibian Sevens team travels to Western Cape tournament

    A Namibian Invitational Sevens rugby team, captained by Thehard Lintvelt and coached by Justin Nel, has been selected to compete in the Witz Barbarians Sevens Tournament in Ceres, South Africa on 16 and 17 January. The 13-member squad was chosen from close to 40 players following the Ongos Sevens tournament and a training camp in Windhoek.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibian teen Theron finishes fourth in regional tennis

    Johan Theron, 14, was Namibia's best performer at the ITF CAT Southern Africa Junior Tennis Championships in Gaborone, reaching the boys u16 semifinals before finishing fourth overall. Three Namibian girls reached the u16 second round but were eliminated, while other Namibian entries had mixed results across age categories.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Ongos FC striker Petrus chases golden boot award

    Thirty-year-old Petrus Stephanus, currently the league's top goal scorer with six goals, is aiming to win the golden boot for the 2025/2026 season while working under coach Ronnie Kanalelo. He has played for several local clubs and dreams of representing Namibia's national team on the international stage.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  4. Cricket4Good programme brings ICC World Cup coaching to Namibian schools

    The ICC's Cricket4Good social responsibility programme is operating in Namibia during the U/19 Men's Cricket World Cup, offering coaching clinics to 16 Windhoek schools led by World Cup players and focusing on health, education, sanitation and youth empowerment. The initiative aims to inspire young players to pursue cricket while using the sport as a tool for positive social change.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  5. Masilingi stops testosterone drugs, faces health and financial hardship

    Beatrice Masilingi, a Namibian track athlete, stopped taking testosterone-reducing drugs imposed by World Athletics in October 2023, citing severe side effects including bone density loss. Her sponsorship deal with MTC and other endorsements have ended, leaving her facing financial strain as she considers her future in athletics.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Orange and Zambezi rivers higher than last year

    Water levels in the Orange and Zambezi rivers were higher in January 2026 than in January 2025, according to Namibia's Hydrological Services Flood Report. The Kavango and Okavango rivers, however, experienced declines compared with the same period last year.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

World & Region

  1. German Embassy outsources Schengen visas to TLS Contact

    From mid-January 2026, the German Embassy in Windhoek will outsource Schengen visa applications to TLS Contact, a private service provider, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve convenience for Namibian travellers. The visa application centre will operate at Maerua Mall, while the embassy retains final decision-making authority on visa approval.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

  2. OPEC Fund strengthens partnership with African Development Bank

    The OPEC Fund for International Development held an official mission in Côte d'Ivoire to strengthen cooperation with the African Development Bank, with the two institutions signing an amended Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration across public and private sector operations, co-financing and knowledge exchange. The partnership, spanning nearly five decades, has supported 120 projects across energy, transport, agriculture, water, health, education and financial sectors with US$1.5 billion in co-financing.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  3. Schengen visa processing shifts to TLS Contact service provider

    From 19 January 2026, the German Embassy will outsource all Schengen visa applications to TLS Contact, adding a €24.51 service fee (approximately N$500) to the standard EU visa fees. The new arrangement aims to improve efficiency, appointment booking, and document guidance, while the German Embassy retains final visa decisions.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  4. Ethiopia begins construction of major continental airport hub

    Ethiopian Airlines Group has commenced construction of Bishoftu International Airport on 10 January 2026, a project designed to support African trade and connectivity through the African Continental Free Trade Area. Phase one is expected to be completed by 2030 with capacity for 60 million passengers annually, expanding to 110 million when fully built.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

Opinion

  1. Education as national strategy for Namibia's youth and future

    The article argues that with nearly one million learners in basic education—roughly one-third of Namibia's population—education must be a national priority, requiring qualified teachers, infrastructure improvements, nutrition programmes, and digital access. The author emphasizes the particular challenges facing rural schools and calls for government investment, private-sector partnerships, and community involvement to ensure equitable learning opportunities and unlock Namibia's demographic dividend.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. Opinion: Non-consensual video recording violates Namibian rights

    An opinion piece argues that recording people without consent in public spaces for social media entertainment violates the Namibian Constitution's protections of human dignity and privacy. The author notes that victims can report such violations to police under laws including the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, and calls for citizens to respect others' rights and reject the pursuit of online fame at others' expense.

    14 January 2026 · New Era →

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