President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warned Swapo members at an induction workshop that all government deployees, without exception, must demonstrate total commitment to implementing the party's election manifesto and development plan. She said the results of last year's regional and local elections show Namibians have faith in Swapo and high expectations for the eighth administration.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warned Swapo members at an induction workshop that all government deployees, without exception, must demonstrate total commitment to implementing the party's election manifesto and development plan. She said the results of last year's regional and local elections show Namibians have faith in Swapo and high expectations for the eighth administration.
Senior advocate Raymond Heathcote has submitted an opinion arguing that Namibia's investment promotion bill is unconstitutional, grants the minister excessive discretion, and replaces the rule of law with bureaucratic uncertainty. Heathcote advises a strategic pause on the bill, warning that its current form would discourage rather than encourage foreign investment.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told parliamentarians during the opening of the eighth parliament that some use debates merely to score political points, and called on them to prioritize lawmaking, accountability, and shared commitment to national interest over partisan divisions.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah forcefully removed journalist Jemima Beukes from State House after she posed an unauthorized question about her family's alleged interest in the oil industry. The incident has drawn criticism from media watchdogs, opposition parties, and journalists' unions, who say it violates press freedom and constitutional values.
A parliamentary standing committee has identified poor execution and delays in government-funded projects across the ||Kharas region, with committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi calling for officials to take project implementation more seriously and improve accountability to parliament.
Newly elected Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona defended his lack of a tertiary degree, saying leadership requires hard work and experience rather than academic qualifications. His remarks respond to calls by urban development minister James Sankwasa and several political parties for mandatory minimum educational qualifications among local councillors.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.
MP Inna Hengari argues that parliament has fallen into a "politics of diagnosis," becoming adept at identifying problems like youth unemployment and education crises but failing to deliver concrete solutions. She calls for legislators to move beyond blame and debate toward disciplined, accountable action and cross-party collaboration to effect real change for Namibians.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the opening of the third National Assembly session, calling for a strong legal framework to give confidence to the nation and urging parliamentarians to pass amendments with urgency to ensure citizens benefit and address bread-and-butter issues.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Parliament to prioritize public-proposed amendments to laws, particularly those ensuring meaningful national benefit from resources and local economic participation. She stressed Parliament's role in creating responsive legislation to address unemployment, inequality, poverty, and to protect Namibia's sovereignty amid global uncertainty.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed disappointment at Parliament's legislative output, noting that of nine key bills considered in 2025, only two were successfully passed—both budget-related. She called on parliamentarians to focus on their constitutional duty to make laws addressing citizens' needs rather than scoring political points, amid the country's economic and social challenges.
Auleria Wakudumo Lawmaker Inna Hengari has called on her colleagues to move beyond political affiliations and serve all Namibians, cautioning against the "politics of diagnosis and blame" that distract from solving challenges. Analysts echoed her concerns, urging MPs to prioritise passing laws that improve material conditions, strengthen governance, and address pressing issues including land disputes and unemployment.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has categorically denied that her relatives have interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector and demanded a public retraction and apology or credible evidence from those making the allegations, particularly after journalist Jemima Beukes was removed from State House for questioning such purported ties.
Trade and International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on her ministry to prioritize economic diplomacy, trade and investment promotion to deliver measurable benefits to Namibians including jobs and market access, as global tensions, climate pressures and trade disruptions threaten smaller economies. The ministry plans to focus on market diversification in priority sectors such as agriculture, mining, renewable energy and logistics, while advancing new investment and trade bills.
Microlender Entrepo Finance is seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court after the High Court dismissed its application for contempt of court against Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah over her alleged non-compliance with a court order requiring the continued operation of the Payroll Deductions Management System.
Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge held a consultative meeting with regional and local authorities to align leadership around a shared vision and renew commitment to ethical governance and development that improves people's lives.
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry's northern branch has seen membership decline from about 1,500 to 400 businesses, with many joining the rival Namibia Local Business Association. NCCI leadership attributes the exodus to limited recognition from public enterprises and internal fragmentation, while Naloba claims it offers better support for local entrepreneurs.
A former Bank Windhoek employee has been arrested and charged with five counts including fraud, forgery, and contraventions of anti-corruption and financial intelligence laws in connection with the Namcor fraud investigation. She is accused of helping open a fraudulent bank account in the name of Quality Meat Supplies using someone else's identity document on behalf of fugitive Victor Malima, and is being held in custody pending a bail application hearing.
Heidi Boois, a former Bank Windhoek employee, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on five charges including fraud and forgery linked to the opening of a fraudulent bank account allegedly used to channel N$3.36 million to individuals connected to a larger Namcor corruption case. Boois is the 12th person charged in connection with alleged fraud and corruption at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, stemming from a fuel company's sale of filling station assets to a Namcor subsidiary for N$53.2 million in July 2022.
According to the chief executive of Image Consultancy Namibia, Namibian businesses have adopted "top-down" marketing approaches that ignore local behavioural psychology and grassroots reality, relying instead on international trends and digital metrics while neglecting community engagement and field research. He argues that effective advertising requires understanding customers' emotional and cultural needs through psychology, data analysis, and locally-rooted design rather than generic stock imagery.
The Namibia dollar has traded at N$15.65 to the USD, its lowest rate in over four years, following the South African rand's movements. The NAD is pegged 1:1 to the ZAR, tying its exchange rate behaviour to USD-ZAR movements.
Indigenous milk producer Travena Dairies will close its four Windhoek distribution outlets this month due to unsustainable operations, eliminating at least 20 jobs. The company faces challenges including land tenure insecurity, escalating costs, and loss of government school milk contracts when the government switched to imported powdered milk in 2022.
Shirley Eises, widow of Namdia Senior Protection Officer Francis Eiseb who was shot dead during a January 2025 armed robbery at the state-owned diamond company, is claiming close to N$4 million in compensation for loss of financial support and trauma, arguing that Namdia failed to provide adequate security despite knowing the risks to employees.
Namibia's Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus launched a network tower at Ehomba resettlement in Kunene Region under the Universal Service Fund programme, extending 4G broadband and voice services to the remote community and public institutions including a local school. The government initiative, administered by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, aims to expand telecommunications coverage to underserved and unserved areas.
Ndapewa Gift Niilenge, a 24-year-old single mother, left formal employment to focus full-time on Ombili Glow, her handcrafted candle business, as part of a broader trend among young Namibians turning to small-scale manufacturing amid rising unemployment. She produces high-quality soy wax candles with intricate designs across multiple collections and plans to donate 10% of proceeds to charity.
Namibia's men's grooming industry is experiencing consistent growth as an increasing number of men invest in professional grooming services, with approximately 75 barbershops now active across the country. Local entrepreneur Joel Mwatilefu's Joe's Fade Cuts exemplifies the sector's expansion, having grown from a side skill into a brand with multiple branches, a training academy, and proprietary products, though operators face challenges including high operating costs and cash flow management.
Costance Likando founded 'The Japo's Taste', an agro-processing and catering business in Windhoek that showcases authentic Namibian food through culinary training and international showcases in China, Dubai, and the USA. Starting with personal savings and driven by her commitment to her children's education and community impact, she has overcome funding constraints and operational challenges to build a recognised culinary enterprise while mentoring other food entrepreneurs, particularly women.
MTC Maris has partnered with Kazang, a leading African mobile money distributor, to expand financial services access through over 5,500 agents nationwide, bringing e-money, remittances, and digital payments to urban, informal, and remote rural areas in Namibia.
The Namibia Ports Authority has invested over N$22 million in next-generation reach stackers and logistics support at the Port of Walvis Bay, equipped with enhanced safety features and capable of handling up to five-container stacking heights. The investment supports Namport's modernisation goals and commitment to international port standards and smart port principles.
Chevron has renewed its diamond sponsorship of the Namibia International Energy Conference (scheduled for April 2026) as the country prepares for first oil following major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin. The conference aims to bring together government, energy companies, and investors to discuss Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector, which analysts project could contribute up to 18% of GDP at peak production.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has extended 88 Energy's PEL 93 licence until October to allow further geophysical surveys and prospect de-risking. The company plans high-resolution gravity and airborne geophysical surveys in 2026 to refine subsurface understanding and support future drilling decisions.
Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula launched an environmental impact assessment for the development of 500 erven in Bukalo Village Council, saying development and conservation can coexist through proper planning. The Bukalo Village Council chairperson said the exercise will evaluate environmental, social and economic impacts while gathering resident input before project approval.
Historians trace how donkeys became central to rural life in northern Namibia through colonial borders, migrant labour, and conservation policies. Donkeys entered the region in the 1920s-30s when migrant workers returning from the south brought them as hardy, disease-resistant pack animals, and they retained their special status by being permitted to cross the veterinary cordon fence that separated colonial Namibia.
Meatco paid out over N$580 million to livestock producers between November 2025 and January 2026, clearing all arrears, with additional payments of N$52 million to permit-day producers and N$64 million to Northern Communal Area producers. The corporation plans a throughput of 63,000 cattle for the 2025/26 financial year and is offering producer prices ranging from N$68 to N$78 per kilogram for AB 1–4 grades in the February to April 2026 period.
Several regions across Namibia, including Otjozondjupa, Omusati, and Erongo, received significant rainfall and hail this week, causing flooded streets in towns such as Otjiwarongo and Mariental. The Namibia Meteorological Services forecasts additional heavy showers today, with flash floods likely in Kunene, Erongo, and Omusati regions.
Agribank is implementing an Arrears Relief Programme from February 2026 for clients with overdue accounts, offering 100% write-off of penalty interest, de-listing from credit bureaus, and structured repayment plans over up to 60 months. Eligible clients in pre-legal status must pay at least 20% of arrears, while those in legal status must pay 25%, with the remaining balance ring-fenced and charged no further interest.
/Khomanin community members gathered to voice concerns over land allocation practices, alleging communal land is being sold to non-members and criticising lack of accountability from traditional leadership. The community presented a list of 50 households for placement on Farm Korassieplaatz and requested formal submission to the traditional authority and land reform minister.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao says Namibia has only one specialist oncologist in the public health sector, with six more in private practice, creating long waiting times and late-stage cancer diagnoses. The government is finalising a national cancer control programme and plans to decentralise services to northern regions, while four oncologists are being trained abroad to strengthen public sector capacity.
The Cancer Association of Namibia says geographical distance and financial hardship delay cancer diagnosis and treatment for rural patients, as specialist services remain centralised in Windhoek. The association is opening new oncology and palliative care centres in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to improve access.
Residents of Grysblok in Windhoek have raised alarm over a bridge whose railings collapsed nearly a year ago, creating a gap that forces pedestrians and schoolchildren to walk dangerously close to traffic. The City of Windhoek spokesperson says the department has assessed the area and will replace the railings; residents also cite inadequate street lighting and rising theft as additional safety concerns.
A parliamentary committee has warned of zero tolerance for incomplete health infrastructure after an oversight visit exposed non-functional theatres, missing equipment, and projects stalled for years at Okakarara District Hospital. The committee will summon contractors and officials to explain why funded projects remain incomplete and commit to enforcing accountability through a formal report to parliament.
The Capricorn Foundation has committed N$1.6 million across three education initiatives to provide learning materials and improve infrastructure for early childhood development centres. The funds support the Amos Meerkat Syllabus, EduVision Online Learning for remote schools in the Hardap region, and Karstveld Academy bursaries for Grade 12 pupils.
A 32-year-old Ondangwa resident was arrested after allegedly delivering drugs to an undercover police officer. Police seized cannabis valued at N$66,000 from his car and cocaine powder valued at N$2,500 from a body search, along with N$7,790 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
Unknown thieves broke into an Angola-registered vehicle parked at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and stole two bags of clothes, documents, and cash totaling approximately N$4,500. The victims, residents of Angola, declined to open a criminal case and returned home immediately.
NamWater announced a planned 24–48 hour water supply interruption in Omusati Region affecting Okahao town, Tsandi village and surrounding areas, starting Tuesday at 05:00 to allow for ground reservoir filling following liner replacement and leakage testing.
Three men accused of killing businessman Daniele Ferrari in July 2020 are claiming police brutality, torture, and that their confessions were made under duress and without proper legal warnings. The trial has moved into a trial-within-a-trial as defense lawyers contest the admissibility of the confessions and crime scene evidence, while police maintain the confessions were obtained without coercion.
Namibian Police in Erongo Region arrested a 15-year-old boy for selling cannabis in Narraville, Walvis Bay on Sunday, 1 February 2026. Police officers found him with 30 ballies of cannabis weighing 31 grams, valued at N$1,550.00; he was released into parental care pending a Magistrate's Court appearance in Walvis Bay.
The Capricorn Foundation has committed N$1.6 million to three education initiatives: Amos Meerkat Syllabus (N$600,000), EduVision Online Learning (N$609,744), and Karstveld Academy (N$423,330). The projects support early childhood development, online lessons in secondary schools, and student bursaries, with a focus on closing education gaps between rural and urban areas.
A government-funded enterprise training programme at the University of Namibia has helped young people start businesses; one graduate, Immanuel Shangula, now runs Pewa Omaano Trading CC, a school furniture manufacturing and repair business in Ohangwena that employs four permanent artisans and creates local work in communities.
The Old Mutual Foundation will host Youth Indaba 3.0 on 12 February 2026 at UNAM's Ongwediva campus, focusing on practical pathways to help young people translate education and skills into sustainable livelihoods. The event will bring together youth, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs for discussions on career readiness, entrepreneurship, financial capability, and economic opportunities.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia launched a telecommunications tower in Ehomba, Kunene region, under its Universal Service Fund initiative to expand digital access to rural and underserved communities. The launch follows an earlier USF tower deployment in Epinga, Ohangwena region in November 2025.
Parents and community members in Onanghulo village have raised over N$600,000 to build two hostel blocks at Onanghulo Combined School, aiming to keep learners in school during seasonal floods that have previously forced closures for up to three months. The roofed hostels are ready but remain empty awaiting beds, mattresses, paint, and cooking pots.
Namibia recorded 8,760 confirmed malaria cases in the first four weeks of 2026—a 68% increase compared to the same period in 2025—with 604 hospital admissions and 11 deaths. Twenty health districts have surpassed epidemic thresholds, with Katima Mulilo and Outapi districts reporting the highest case numbers.
The Bukalo Village Council is addressing long-standing challenges including inadequate sanitation, water access, housing shortages and safety concerns through targeted infrastructure upgrades and institutional reforms. The council has upgraded sewerage systems, improved water reticulation, allocated 500 housing plots with materials distributed to 200 beneficiaries, and undertaken a debushing exercise to reduce theft and housebreaking in the settlement.
A man convicted of killing his five-year-old stepson testified during mitigation proceedings that personal struggles and a relationship breakdown with the boy's mother drove him to strike the child with a brick multiple times. He cited heartbreak over the mother's alleged infidelity as his motive, though he acknowledged during cross-examination that he could have resolved matters maturely and expressed remorse for taking the child's life.
The Zambezi region vaccinated 42,478 children against polio in a recent nationwide campaign, achieving high coverage with strong parent cooperation, though flooded roads hindered access to some remote areas. The health ministry urged parents to participate in a second vaccination round scheduled for 24–27 February 2026.
The Investec Cape Town Art Fair returns to Cape Town from 20–22 February with 126 exhibitors from 23 cities and 490 artists from 44 countries, exploring the theme "Listen". The 13th edition will feature expanded programming, four curated sections, new awards including the Orms International Photography Prize, and exhibitions beyond the convention centre, with Windhoek's The Project Room having participated in the previous year's fair.
Swart Baster has renewed calls for binding local music quotas on Namibian radio stations, arguing that limited airplay is undermining local artists' incomes. According to Nascam interim board chairperson Joseph Ailonga, broadcasters are being consulted to revise the broadcasting code of conduct, with some indicating willingness to increase local content to 70–90%.
National netball coach Julene Meyer has welcomed the reactivation of nationwide schools netball, which aims to establish a structured regional pathway to develop elite talent for future international competitions. Meyer outlined a plan for national and regional schools leagues with play-offs to give players experience before joining senior squads.
Namibia will compete against Estonia in a Davis Cup World Group II play-off match in Windhoek this weekend, with the top-ranked Namibian player Connor van Schalkwyk unavailable as he plays for Baylor University. Despite the challenge posed by Estonia's higher world ranking and stronger individual players, captain Codie van Schalkwyk said the team is ready to compete for promotion to World Group II.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final second leg, with Kai Havertz scoring in stoppage time to secure the club's first final appearance in eight years. Arsenal will face either Manchester City or Newcastle at Wembley on March 22, seeking their first League Cup trophy since 1993.
Jacob Bethell's career-best four for 11 helped England sweep Sri Lanka 3-0 in a World Cup warm-up series, with England's spinners dominating as they defended 128 for nine to win by 12 runs. England head to the T20 World Cup in India with momentum, while Sri Lanka face questions about their vulnerability to spin bowling.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry says the organisation should focus on sport and preserve its neutrality, telling IOC members that while politics cannot be entirely separated from their work, the Games must remain a neutral ground where athletes can compete free from political divisions.
Morocco's football federation said it will appeal sanctions and fines totalling $315,000 imposed by CAF after the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal in January, which was marked by disputed penalty decisions, pitch invasions, and projectile-throwing by supporters. Senegal, which was fined $615,000 and whose head coach was banned for five games, also said it would appeal its sanctions.
Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands by 29 runs, Nepal beat the UAE by seven wickets, and Oman won against Sri Lanka A by five wickets in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches. The victories featured strong individual performances from Ryan Burl for Zimbabwe, Aarif Sheikh for Nepal, and Aamir Kaleem for Oman.
Thomas Rew's 110 helped England defeat Australia by 27 runs in a semifinal in Bulawayo and secure a place in Friday's ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup final against either India or Afghanistan.
Namibia's Brave Gladiators have been placed in Group C of the 2026 COSAFA Women's Championship alongside Mozambique and Madagascar, with the tournament running from 18 February to 1 March.
Bush Bucks and Shooting Stars each collected six points in the opening weekend of the Namport Zambezi Regional Second Division League, with Bush Bucks topping the 12-club table by goal difference after wins against Zambezi Sporting Academy and Real Cheetahs.
Namibia's men's tennis team will compete against Estonia in Davis Cup World Group Two playoffs at the Central Tennis Club in Windhoek from 7–8 February, with both teams vying for qualification to the World Group Two later in the year. Head coach Gerrie Dippenaar acknowledged Estonia's experience but expressed confidence in his team's youth and home-court advantage, despite the absence of their number one player Connor van Schalkwyk due to college commitments.
Namibian cyclist Vera Looser, 2025 Sportswoman of the Year, will partner with Rosa van Doorn of the Netherlands at the 2026 Absa Cape Epic mountain bike race in South Africa's Western Cape. Looser aims to secure her second title at the gruelling eight-day event running 692 kilometres.
The Namibian Squad Association has announced a 14-player provisional training squad to prepare for the Jarvis Competition in Mossel Bay, South Africa in July 2026, with six players ultimately to be selected for the national team based on fitness, commitment, and competitive performance.
Namibia plays Libya in the second round of the 2026 CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers today in Swakopmund, with the return leg set for 8 February. Head coach Marcos Antunes expressed confidence in his squad's ability to compete despite Libya's higher world ranking, emphasizing the importance of fan support and strategic preparation.
Namibia's national road and time trial cycling championships will take place in Windhoek from Friday to Sunday, with over 120 elite, under-23, and junior riders competing for national champion jerseys across time trial and road race events.
Newly released US Department of Justice records show convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cultivated extensive ties to South Africa dating to the 1980s, networked with prominent South African businessmen and officials, and used scouts and intermediaries to recruit South African women and girls through modelling opportunities and employment offers.
John Steenhuisen, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance, is being forced to announce he will not seek a third term as party leader, with the decision framed as his own choice to focus on his Agriculture minister portfolio. In exchange, he is permitted to retain his ministerial post, though party insiders say the decision was driven by internal pressure, an FLC investigation into his conduct, and concerns that his controversies—including credit card debt and perceived mishandling of a cattle crisis—could damage the party's prospects in upcoming local elections.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the 53-year-old son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has reportedly been shot dead at his home in Zintan, according to his political team's head, though conflicting reports suggest he may have died near Algeria's border. He was once considered his father's heir apparent and played a key role in Libya's rapprochement with the West before the regime's collapse in 2011.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir sacked his press secretary and chief administrator after a man dead for five years was appointed to an elections panel in a presidential order dated 30 January. The mistake drew social media mockery and prompted the president's office to acknowledge inadequate verification of names submitted by stakeholders.
US President Donald Trump announced a trade agreement with India that reduces tariffs to 18% from 25%, removes a 25% toll on Russian oil purchases, and commits to over US$500 billion in purchases of US energy, technology, agricultural, and other goods. Indian exporters welcomed the deal as relief from months of uncertainty, though analysts urged caution citing lack of clarity on implementation details.
The National Youth Council's interim executive chairperson and Venezuela's ambassador to Namibia met to strengthen diplomatic ties and establish youth development programmes, with plans to expand cooperation in education, skills development, and cultural exchange.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has allegedly been killed in western Libya, according to his political advisor and lawyer. Circumstances around his death remain unclear.
An opinion piece argues that small resource-rich nations like Namibia face threats to sovereignty from great powers pursuing imperial interests, citing the US attack on Venezuela as evidence. The author calls for Global South countries to form strategic alliances based on shared principles to ensure collective security and protect their right to self-determination.
An Old Mutual finance executive explains that personal loans are neither inherently harmful nor helpful, but tools best used for genuine needs and emergencies rather than wants. Taking a loan only makes sense when the interest rate and terms are competitive versus alternatives, the loan improves stability or opportunity, and the borrower can repay comfortably without additional spending.