Duminga Ndala, the Landless People's Movement national youth leader, has been appointed chairperson of Young Women of Africa. She will represent the continental organisation at national and international events and lead advocacy for policies benefiting young women across Africa.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as Swapo chief whip following pressure from younger MPs over parliamentary procedures, with Alpheus !Naruseb appointed to replace him. Herunga remains in parliament as a regular MP, marking the first time a Swapo chief whip has resigned while keeping their parliamentary seat.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel was forced to withdraw a comment in parliament that opposition members interpreted as a physical threat toward AR MP George Kambala during a debate on an oil exploration bill. The speaker ruled the remark inappropriate, though Immanuel denied wrongdoing and claimed he was merely responding to interruptions.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
John Steenhuisen's decision to step down as Democratic Alliance leader follows revelations about his personal credit card debt and the controversial removal of environment minister Dion George. The incoming leader must navigate questions about race, the party's electoral strategy, and its relationship with the ANC government—while protecting the DA's core claim to integrity that distinguishes it from other parties.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament will scrutinise the petroleum bill before passage, with MPs from multiple parties expressing concerns that it concentrates too much power in the presidency and calling for amendments before approval. The bill, to be tabled today, seeks to transfer certain powers from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the president.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Media Ombudsman Sadrag Shihomeka has called on journalists, public office bearers and the public to exercise freedom of expression responsibly, warning that growing tensions in the media space risk undermining professionalism and public trust. He emphasized that professionalism and ethical self-regulation remain central to credible journalism while condemning conduct by journalists that brings the profession into disrepute.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the third session of parliament with a focus on inclusive development and participatory democracy, calling on lawmakers to pass laws addressing high unemployment, inequality and poverty, and to add value to Namibia's natural resources through local beneficiation. She noted that only two of nine bills were passed in the past year and urged parliament to rise above partisanship to deliver tangible outcomes for citizens.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila opened the third session of Namibia's eighth parliament, emphasising the theme of enhancing parliament's role for inclusive development and participatory democracy. She stressed the importance of complementarity between the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and called for MPs to recommit to inclusivity, participation, and service to all Namibians.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Popular Democratic Movement chief whip Deiderik Vries has raised alarm about police officers allegedly involved in drug abuse and trafficking in multiple towns, saying their involvement compromises police integrity and threatens public trust and the rule of law.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo MP Alpheus !Naruseb has been announced as the party's new chief whip, replacing Uahekua Herunga. The National Assembly speaker made the announcement Wednesday, noting that Herunga has also stepped down from his position as chairperson of the whole house committee.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Two years after the death of Namibia's third president Hage Geingob, Namibian pupils share their reflections on his leadership, charismatic personality, and enduring national legacy. Students recalled him as a joyful, compassionate leader who was deeply engaged with the people and committed to the nation's progress.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill 2025, introduced in Parliament, will require top government officials overseeing the petroleum sector to declare any interests in oil and gas and establish a new Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Office of the President to modernize regulation of the sector. Opposition members including PDM leader McHenry Venaani raised concerns that the Bill concentrates excessive power in the presidency.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on all SWAPO Party members to fully dedicate themselves to implementing the party's election manifesto as integrated into the 6th National Development Plan. She stressed that with SWAPO holding the majority in parliament and controlling most local authorities, members have a constitutional obligation to coordinate their work and deliver tangible improvements to citizens' lives.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to the late former President Hage Geingob on the second anniversary of his passing, describing his enduring legacy and calling on SWAPO members and lawmakers to draw inspiration from his service and uphold the principles he represented.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →
A small, intimate ceremony was held at Heroes' Acre to remember the late Dr Hage Geingob, Namibia's first prime minister and third president, alongside his widow Monica Geingos and other family members, former leaders, and dignitaries.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →
Parliament's second session approved the Appropriation Bill and advanced key legislative reforms including the Land Bill, Mental Health Bill, and public enterprise governance amendments, according to National Assembly Speaker Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The Speaker said the session strengthened parliamentary oversight, public participation and democratic debate while addressing pressing national challenges such as health care, land reform, unemployment and economic growth.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →
Former first lady Monica Geingos has stated that the legacy of late president Hage Geingob does not belong to any individual but to the entire nation, emphasising that Namibians can learn from both his successes and struggles. A combined candlelight ceremony honouring Geingob and Founding President Sam Nujoma is to be held at Heroes Acre on Saturday.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Former justice minister Sacky Shanghala has applied for Acting Judge Marilize du Plessis to recuse herself from presiding over the Fishrot matter, alleging bias and apprehension of partiality based on the Judge's statements and treatment of defence applications. The matter has been postponed to 11 February 2026, with a hearing on the recusal application scheduled for 9 March 2026.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act, assented in October 2024, simplifies divorce procedures by replacing fault-based grounds with a single irretrievable-breakdown standard, while placing strong emphasis on children's rights and fair property division. The law requires courts to ensure proper custody, guardianship, and maintenance arrangements for children before granting divorce, and removes outdated mechanisms like restitution of conjugal rights.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened Namibia's legal year at the Supreme Court today, marking the start of a year the justice ministry hopes will bring meaningful reform, improved efficiency, and strengthened public confidence. The judiciary has established a Safety and Security Task Force to address concerns following recent attacks on prosecutors, while legal professionals advocate for plea bargaining reforms and amendments to obsolete laws.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Swapo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told party lawmakers at an induction workshop that discipline, coordination, and service delivery must define their work, warning that public trust depends on visible improvements in people's lives. She stressed that Swapo's electoral dominance brings responsibility to deliver on its manifesto and the Sixth National Development Plan.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Ahead of Parliament's 2026 opening session, Namibian residents have called on MPs to prioritize poverty eradication, service delivery, and job creation, with some arguing that laws have been implemented without substantially improving conditions on the ground, particularly in informal settlements.
5 February 2026 · New Era →
Christopher Likuwa, retained as councillor for Tobias Hainyeko, says his 2026 priorities include fast-tracking serviced land delivery, improving electricity access, and upgrading toilet facilities in underserved areas. He also plans to develop youth employment programmes to address high unemployment in his constituency.
5 February 2026 · New Era →