Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 21 February 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 21 February 2026
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Archive Minute from Saturday, 21 February 2026
Politics

Gobabis deputy mayor expelled from Right to Shelter Foundation

The News

The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia expelled local councillor and deputy mayor Dina Fillemon on 5 February, citing a controversial swearing-in from the previous year. Because her council seat was tied to her foundation membership, she automatically lost her positions as councillor and deputy mayor, though the foundation says she continued attending council meetings after expulsion.

21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Gobabis deputy mayor expelled from Right to Shelter Foundation

    The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia expelled local councillor and deputy mayor Dina Fillemon on 5 February, citing a controversial swearing-in from the previous year. Because her council seat was tied to her foundation membership, she automatically lost her positions as councillor and deputy mayor, though the foundation says she continued attending council meetings after expulsion.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. IPC appoints new parliamentary chief whip Likando

    The Independent Patriots for Change appointed Rodrick Likando as its new parliamentary chief whip on Thursday, replacing Rodney Cloete. Likando described the change as "standard procedure" and a "normal change of guard."

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Deputy minister calls for property valuation reforms to address rising prices

    Urban and rural development deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele has called for property value-based reforms to address rising property prices, highlighting the establishment of the Namibia Council for the Property Valuers Profession to remove banks' regulatory dominance and stabilize the property market.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Malima's mother denies knowledge of money laundering scheme

    Martha Antindi, mother of fugitive Victor Malima, has distanced herself from her son's actions in the N$400 million NAMCOR fraud and corruption case, claiming she neither speaks nor reads English and had no knowledge of funds tied to criminal activity. Antindi and her sister Johanna Mundjego, both arrested in February and charged with corruption and money laundering, argue they played no active role in the operation of Malima's entities Eco Trading and Eco Fuel Investment, and have been granted bail of N$50,000 each.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

  5. Namibia remembers liberation hero Erkki Nghimtina

    Former President Nangolo Mbumba and SWAPO Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa paid tribute to late freedom fighter Erkki Nghimtina at his military memorial service in Omahenge, describing him as a hero who carried the burden of the struggle without wavering. Nghimtina died on 8 February, a month that has seen the deaths of several prominent Namibian figures including Founding President Sam Nujoma and President Hage Geingob in previous years.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Business

  1. Cran plans four-year phase-out of 2G and 3G networks

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia is planning to gradually shut down older 2G and 3G mobile networks over the next four years and replace them with 4G and 5G to align with global trends, provide faster internet speeds, and offer better security features. The authority is also implementing a public key infrastructure system to enhance digital security and protect online transactions.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia's foreign reserves recover to N$51.9 billion

    Namibia's international reserves rose from N$48.6 billion to N$51.9 billion, recovering from a decline caused by the October 2025 Eurobond redemption. Central bank governor Ebson Uanguta attributed the increase mainly to Southern African Customs Union receipts and said the level provides 3.3 months of import cover, sufficient to support the currency peg.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Trustco unwinds share deal after RVF takeover bid fails

    Trustco Group Holdings is returning 400 million shares to treasury or suspension following a failed takeover bid by its largest minority shareholder, Riskowitz Value Fund, which held 23% of shares and attempted to fire the board. The reversal of the Legal Shield Holdings transaction, originally approved in December 2024, restores capital structure and reduces total shares in issue to approximately 992.2 million.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Gondwana Collection launches annual leadership development programme

    Gondwana Collection Namibia has begun its 2026 Go4Gold Leadership Programme, a 12-month initiative involving eleven lodge managers. The programme aims to develop personal leadership, self-awareness and management capabilities through six structured modules and practical workplace assignments, with a focus on strengthening operational excellence and service standards across the lodge portfolio.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Mining & Energy

  1. Rössing funds second safety upgrade on fog-prone B2 route

    Rössing Uranium Mine is donating N$251,000 for road safety improvements on the fog-prone Swakopmund-Arandis B2 route in the Erongo region, including installation of road studs to improve visibility and lane demarcation. This is the company's second similar contribution to the same stretch of road since 2020.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Ongwe Minerals begins bedrock sampling at Belmont Gold Prospect

    The rebranded Canadian company Ongwe Minerals Inc has launched its inaugural bedrock sampling campaign at its Belmont Gold Prospect in Namibia's Northwest Damara Belt, following completion of a reverse takeover and TSXV listing. The company plans to outline gold targets beneath surface cover in the first half of 2026 before advancing to extensive diamond drilling in the second half.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Minister rejects claims president will issue petroleum licences

    Environment Minister Indileni Daniel said the president will not be issuing petroleum licences, contrary to opposition claims, as this is an administrative duty. The amendment bill to place the petroleum sector under the Presidency requires oversight by the highest executive level for strategic national resources, though opposition parliamentarians dispute the move on constitutional and accountability grounds.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Trans-Kalahari Corridor pushes FMD regional coordination

    The Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat is engaging regional partners to strengthen coordination on foot-and-mouth disease, which is affecting cross-border cattle movement and creating trade barriers. The secretariat plans to convene stakeholders from member states to develop joint prevention strategies and public awareness campaigns.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia launches private sector Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention fund

    Namibia's livestock industry has launched a privately-funded Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund to strengthen prevention and emergency response measures, amid regional FMD cases in South Africa and Botswana that could threaten the country's N$15 billion livestock sector. The fund, led by four national farmers' unions, seeks N$50 million in private contributions to support veterinary authorities and coordinate industry action against potential outbreaks.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Meatco shows progress; FMD prevention critical for markets

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told Meatco's Annual General Meeting that Namibia's livestock sector is improving in governance and financial stability, with the corporation targeting a 6% contribution to GDP by 2030. Zaamwani emphasized that Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention is a national responsibility requiring vigilance from producers, transporters, and officials, as FMD threatens trade and Namibia's reputation as a quality beef producer.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Society

  1. Namibia launches second round polio vaccination campaign next week

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services will conduct a nationwide polio vaccination campaign from 24 to 27 February, targeting all children under 10 years, following detection of poliovirus type 2 in environmental surveillance at Rundu in January. Although no polio cases have been reported in Namibia, the ministry says the virus is genetically linked to strains in Angola, and children must receive the oral polio vaccine in both rounds for adequate protection.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Education minister completes doctorate while managing pandemic response

    Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp said she paused her doctoral studies during the Covid-19 pandemic to focus on her national duty leading the country's education response, but eventually resumed and obtained her doctorate in education from Rhodes University in 2025. She told a public lecture at Unam and Nust that academic excellence requires discipline and consistency, and acknowledged the emotional toll of managing schools during the crisis.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Woman arrested over toddler's death in Omusati region

    A 32-year-old woman from Ohalumbele village has been arrested in connection with the death of a 3-year-old child. Police allege she took the sleeping toddler from her father's house, strangled her, and left the body in a field; she faces charges of murder and defeating the course of justice.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Namibia records 56 road deaths in first six weeks

    Namibia recorded 56 fatalities, 599 injuries, and 336 crashes from 1 January to 15 February, an 18% decline in deaths compared to the same period in 2025, though figures remain higher than 2024. The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund is intensifying road safety education for young and emerging drivers to influence long-term behaviour.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Capricorn Foundation donates ultrasound machines to Maxuilili Clinic

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services accepted two portable ultrasound machines valued at N$90,000 each from the Capricorn Foundation for Maxuilili Clinic in Tobias Hainyeko constituency. The donation aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by enabling ultrasound services at the primary care level and reducing the need for patient referrals to hospitals.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Land disputes slow school building projects in Hardap and ||Kharas

    Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti told parliament that land disputes between local authorities and government are delaying school infrastructure projects in Hardap and ||Kharas regions, particularly in Marmer and Oranjemund. He expressed frustration that 36 years after independence Namibia is still negotiating with local authorities for land to build public schools.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Woman arrested in Omusati over stepdaughter's death

    A 32-year-old woman has been arrested by Namibian Police in the Omusati Region on suspicion of murdering her three-year-old stepdaughter in Ohalumbele village. The suspect allegedly took the child from her bed, strangled her in a mahangu field, and abandoned her body behind bushes.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

  8. Minister urges NORED to connect three Kavango West network towers

    The Minister of Information and Communication Technology has called on the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor to speed up connection of three completed network towers in Kavango West's Mpungu and Tondoro constituencies to the power grid, as the region remains one of the least connected in the country. Once connected, the towers will provide free Wi-Fi for seven years to schools and health facilities to enable e-education and e-health services.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

  9. Public warned of fake Facebook accounts impersonating Minister Zaamwani

    The public is cautioned about fraudulent Facebook accounts impersonating the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ms. Inge I. Zaamwani. The Minister's official page is marked in red, and she will never contact citizens directly via Facebook for official matters or financial services.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Culture

  1. Family meal celebrates Portuguese-Namibian sardine traditions

    A food writer describes attending a Sunday lunch at a Namibian-Portuguese family's home, where she learned to prepare and enjoy fresh sardines simply seasoned with salt and roasted in the oven—a dish the family has cherished for years.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. South Africa's 'Die Kantoor' adapts global Office comedy formula

    An Afrikaans adaptation of 'The Office', the 14th international version of the format, premiered in South Africa on 18 January, following office workers at a processed meat company led by a bumbling but well-meaning manager played by Albert Pretorius. The series retains the mockumentary style and awkward humour of its British and American predecessors while offering distinctly southern African storylines and cast.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Gospel star Rodney Seibeb on faith, purpose and Namibian talent

    Award-winning gospel singer Rodney Seibeb says his childhood in Katutura shaped his resilience and calling to use music for healing and hope. He balances a career in marketing and public relations with his music ministry, and advocates for stronger support structures and investment in Namibian talent.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Namibian Theatre and Film Awards return with record nominations

    The Namibian Theatre and Film Awards (NTFAs) have announced nominees across film, theatre, web series, documentaries and a new dance category after a six-year absence. Local creatives including Rodney Gariseb's 'Naked Spaces' (ten nominations) and Errol Geingob's 'Speel Aan' (eight nominations) are leading contenders, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 28 March at the National Theatre of Namibia.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Education Ministry marks International Mother Language Day in Oshikoto

    The Directorate of National Heritage and Culture commemorated International Mother Language Day at Tsintsabis Combined School under the theme "Youth Voices on Multilingual Education". The two-day event brought together learners and San community members to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Sport

  1. Australia finish dismal T20 World Cup with easy Oman win

    Australia ended their T20 World Cup campaign with a nine-wicket victory over Oman, scoring 108-1 in response to Oman's 104 all out, but the win offered little consolation after they failed to progress past the group stage for only the second time in the tournament's history following defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia beats Mozambique 2-0 in Cosafa Women's opener

    Namibia opened their Group C campaign at the Cosafa Women's Championship 2025 with a 2-0 victory over Mozambique, with goals from Leena Alweendo and Millicent Hikuam. The Brave Gladiators dominated the match with 20 shots to Mozambique's 2.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. England promote Pollock to start Six Nations match vs Ireland

    England coach Steve Borthwick has handed 21-year-old Henry Pollock his first Test start at No. 8 for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham, looking to bounce back after a 31-20 loss to Scotland ended their 12-game winning streak. Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to his squad, dropping fly-half Sam Prendergast completely after an error-strewn performance and starting Jack Crowley in his place.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Zimbabwe stun Australia; Super Eights phase underway

    Zimbabwe topped their T20 World Cup group after an unbeaten campaign that included victories over Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka, while defending champion Australia failed to advance from the group stage for the first time since 2009. The Super Eights phase now features India as favourites facing South Africa in a rematch of the 2024 final.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Leipzig face Dortmund with Champions League hopes dimming

    RB Leipzig host in-form Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the Bundesliga with Leipzig's Champions League prospects fading after struggling in recent weeks, though they hold a strong home record against the visitors. Dortmund arrive in excellent form with one league defeat all season and a six-match winning run, despite being without several key defenders.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Namibia defeats Mozambique 2-0 in COSAFA Women's Championship

    The Brave Gladiators won their opening match against Mozambique 2-0 at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women's Championship in Polokwane, South Africa. Namibia faces Madagascar on Monday at 15h00 in their next match.

    21 February 2026 · New Era →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Over half million pangolins seized as illegal trade persists

    A global report reveals that over 500,000 pangolins were seized between 2016 and 2024, with demand for their scales and meat continuing to drive exploitation despite international trade bans. In Namibia, at least 570 pangolins have been poached since 2018, though the government has launched a National Species Management Plan to strengthen protection and enforcement.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Black rhino sanctuary staff completes anti-poaching training

    Gondwana Collection Namibia and ERP Conservation Foundation completed an intensive anti-poaching training programme for rangers and trainees ahead of the new Black Rhino Sanctuary's opening. The programme combined theoretical and practical training, including scenario-based exercises, emergency response, trauma management, and K9 field medicine, delivered by instructors with military and tactical expertise.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Gondwana Academy launches holistic tour guide training programme

    Gondwana Collection Namibia has opened the Helmut zur Strassen Room of Remembrance and launched a new Gondwana Academy initiative to train and upskill field and tour guides. The training programme aims to go beyond facts and figures to integrate geology, ecology, history, storytelling, ethics, and personal development, with field-based learning across Namibia's landscape.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Gondwana Collection plants 435 Kiri trees in Damaraland

    Gondwana Collection Namibia and Avagrow have launched a Kiri Tree-Planting Project at Damara Mopane Lodge near Khorixas, with 435 fast-growing hardwood trees planted by staff and community members. The initiative aims to scale to 3,000 trees, combining environmental regeneration with sustainable land use using recycled water and biochar.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Namibia expects heavy weekend rain with flooding risk

    Namibia Meteorological Services predicts thunderstorms across northern, central and southern regions this weekend, with widespread rainfall expected Saturday and risk of flooding, particularly in areas near rivers where water levels have risen steadily. Communities are advised to exercise caution.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

World & Region

  1. Analyst warns Namibia rethink foreign policy amid global upheaval

    André du Pisani, an emeritus professor of politics, argues that the United States under Trump pursues a "predatory" form of realism that undermines global multilateralism and institutions. He calls for Namibia to conduct a comprehensive audit of its foreign relations and adopt a more integrated policy approach encompassing development, security, and economic diplomacy.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Opinion

  1. Opinion: Namibia's resilience tested if supply chain collapses

    The Namibian publishes a satirical opinion piece imagining what would happen if Namibia suddenly faced a complete halt in imports and reliance on external supply chains, suggesting that Namibians would eventually rediscover self-sufficiency, traditional skills, and community organization—but only after initial denial and panic. The author argues that current over-reliance on imported goods and external systems is risky, and proposes that Namibia should proactively build local capacity and self-reliance rather than waiting for a crisis to force the change.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Editorial warns against excessive presidential power concentration

    The Namibian's opinion piece supports Swartbooi's concerns about presidential oversight of the petroleum bill, but cautions that concentrating all executive power in State House risks undermining democracy and institutional checks—citing Hage Geingob's academic warning against presidentialism as the concentration of political power in individual hands.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Editorial: State-funded presidential mansions amid poverty are indefensible

    The Namibian argues that Namibia's practice of awarding mansions worth millions to retiring presidents — including cases where former presidents received both cash payouts and homes — is indefensible when 36.9% of citizens are unemployed and thousands face hunger. The editorial calls on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to end the scheme, citing examples from Sri Lanka, Cyprus, and France where governments have moved to curtail such perks.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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