The race for Johannesburg's mayor is now dominated by DA candidate Helen Zille and ActionSA president Herman Mashaba, with the ANC yet to name a candidate and facing declining support in the city. Infrastructure failures and declining voter turnout in traditional ANC strongholds like Soweto have reshaped the political landscape ahead of local elections expected in late November 2026.
The race for Johannesburg's mayor is now dominated by DA candidate Helen Zille and ActionSA president Herman Mashaba, with the ANC yet to name a candidate and facing declining support in the city. Infrastructure failures and declining voter turnout in traditional ANC strongholds like Soweto have reshaped the political landscape ahead of local elections expected in late November 2026.
The ANC in Gauteng is weakened by service delivery failures, corruption, and entrenched factionalism among regional leaders, leaving the party unable to arrest its decline before local elections. With a minority government vulnerable to no-confidence votes, the party may resort to horse-trading with opposition parties to pass budgets, perpetuating extraction and undermining governance.
Opposition shadow minister Michael Mwashindange warns that the government's growing wage bill—now covering 119,000 civil servants—crowds out development and infrastructure spending while increasing borrowing pressure. Political analyst Henning Melber suggests the government faces a strategic dilemma between downsizing the public service and risking electoral support, and should instead focus on attracting private-sector investment.
The Commander of Naval Operations and the head of the Brazilian Naval Advisory Mission (BRAZMAN) have awarded certificates of recognition to Warrant Officer Nghiloloka Alvina and the Namibian Ship Brandan Simbwaye for outstanding performance during training and advisory activities in the second half of 2025. BRAZMAN provides military, technical and administrative support to the Namibian Navy under a longstanding Naval Cooperation Agreement between Namibia and Brazil.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi represented the President at the unveiling of a tombstone for victims of the 19 February 1988 Oshakati Barclays Bank bombing in Ongwediva, honouring the innocent civilians killed during Namibia's liberation struggle. Witbooi pledged that violence shall never define the nation's future and that reconciliation and unity remain cornerstones of democracy.
Rudolf Gaiseb, Deputy Minister of Education, said the government will publicly identify local authorities demanding compensation for land needed to build schools, citing delays at Marmer and Oranjemund sites. Parliament members questioned why local authorities are charging fees for land already zoned for government use under planning law.
Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina, aged 78, was buried at the Eenhana memorial shrine on Saturday after passing away on 8 February. Political leaders praised him as a disciplined, loyal servant of Namibia who served in government from 1997 to 2020.
Namibia's Justice Minister Filemon Wise Immanuel has urgently requested residential security protection for all magistrates and prosecutors following the death of Magistrate Justine Shiweda and rising threats against judicial officers in Grootfontein and Ondangwa. Immanuel warned that attacks on judges threaten the independence of the justice system and emphasised that financial constraints cannot delay protecting those who administer justice.
A former bank employee and two relatives of fugitive Victor Malema were granted bail of N$50,000 each in connection with alleged fraud and corruption at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). The three must report weekly to authorities and face charges including forgery, money laundering, and theft; six accused in the matter are now out on bail pending investigations.
A Tax Officer at Namibia's revenue agency, Namra, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly approving a Tax Good Standing Certificate to a Chinese company that owed outstanding taxes. The fraud was uncovered during a due diligence exercise by the Central Procurement Board ahead of a contract award to the company.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters supports the Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would transfer core upstream petroleum powers from the responsible minister to the President. NEFF parliamentarian Kalimbo Iipumbu said the President must have final approval authority over petroleum sector decisions to protect the industry from regulatory capture and ensure it serves the people, though the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy should remain the primary technical and regulatory body.
Ndilimeke Iileka, councillor for Oshakati West, outlined her priorities of agriculture and food production, affordable housing aligned with the National Development Plan 6, and youth empowerment during her term. She emphasised transparent communication and community engagement as central to her approach, with concerns being considered in the 2026-2029 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi inaugurated a new Analytical Laboratory Services building in Windhoek, describing it as a strategic economic asset that supports quality assurance, research and industrial competitiveness across agriculture, mining, food safety and water quality sectors. The facility, which now employs 34 staff members with 60% being young people, represents growth from the original four staff in 1997 and advances Namibia's Vision 2030 goals for economic diversification and value addition.
Namibia's economic outlook remains nuanced, with gold and uranium exports driving improvements in the trade deficit and international reserves, while agriculture, fishing, mining, and manufacturing contracted in early 2025. Inflation has eased to 2.9 percent as of January 2026, down from 3.5 percent in 2025, though the diamond sector remains pressured by global inventories and lab-grown competition.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology inaugurated ScaleUp Namibia offices to centralise support for entrepreneurs by bringing innovation hubs and support organisations under one roof, aiming to improve access to mentorship, funding and reduce fragmentation in Namibia's start-up ecosystem.
Local energy company Nasan Energies has reached the final stages of acquiring 52 service stations from Vivo Energy and Engen Namibia, following a Namibia Competition Commission stakeholders' conference in Windhoek. Interested parties have 30 days to submit data before a final decision is made on the transaction, which would make Nasan the third-largest player in Namibia's retail fuel market.
B2Gold's Otjikoto Mine in Namibia produced 199,139 ounces of gold in 2025, near the high end of its guidance range, contributing to the Canadian company's record annual revenue of US$3.06 billion. The open pit concluded mining operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, with production expected to shift to underground mining at Wolfshag and low-grade stockpile processing.
Namibia and the Republic of Congo are set to sign agreements linking their ports and bringing together their national oil companies for cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as Namibia emerges as a new oil producer. The agreements will be signed during a Joint Cooperation Commission meeting, with Congo's experience in oil production supporting technical cooperation and knowledge exchange with Namibia.
Northern Namibia has received good rains this season, reversing recent drought devastation and leading to improved grazing conditions and better harvest prospects for subsistence farmers. Water pans and floodplains are now full, with further rainfall expected from seasonal flooding patterns.
Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani has called for continued reforms and heightened vigilance against Foot and Mouth Disease as the Meat Corporation of Namibia advances its recovery, announcing a profit of approximately N$106 million for the year ended 31 January 2025 after several years of losses. The minister described Meatco as strategically important to achieving the agri-food sector's target contribution of 6% to GDP by 2030 and emphasized that financial stability is critical for farmer confidence, market security and Namibia's export reputation.
A sedan collided with a truck allegedly stationary in the middle of the C33 road near Karibib on Saturday evening, killing four passengers and injuring two others. The truck driver, a Zimbabwean national, was reportedly standing outside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Namibia's Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao announced the distribution of new official uniforms to approximately 11,504 nurses and 4,283 doctors and pharmacists nationwide following a N$55.88 million investment with August 26 Manufacturing Company. The uniforms, the first official issue in over 15 years, aim to enhance professional identity and unity among health workers, though additional distributions are planned for staff recruited after the 2023 census.
Riddick Narib was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the brutal murder of his five-year-old stepson Dantali Eiseb in Walvis Bay in January 2023. Narib admitted to repeatedly striking the boy with a brick and cutting him with a knife, and told the court he committed the act to hurt the boy's mother, with whom he was in a failed marriage.
Rehoboth mayor Jacky Khariseb says the town council is intensifying efforts to combat drug and substance abuse through a multi-sectoral approach involving law enforcement, social workers, and community organisations. The council has donated a house to police for a drug squad, established a Junior Town Council for youth engagement, and is planning satellite police stations in identified crime hotspots.
Heavy weekend rainfall in southern Namibia intensified river flows and caused flooding, prompting a rescue operation by Namibian Police, State Emergency personnel, and the Mayor of Mariental who evacuated people trapped by rising waters by boat. Further heavy showers are expected in the region, with authorities advising the public to avoid crossing rivers and flooded areas.
Heavy rainfall affected multiple regions across Namibia over the weekend, with areas including Outapi, Tsumeb, Windhoek, and Okahandja experiencing flooding and waterlogged roads. Namibia Meteorological Services predicts isolated to scattered thundershowers will continue in the north and central regions, while the south faces widespread thundershowers, with severe storms and flash-flood risks in central and southern areas.
Deputy Minister Ballotti told Parliament that most budgeted education infrastructure projects for the 2025/26 financial year are advancing as planned, with majority expected near completion by June 2026, though three capital projects—Mix Primary School, Tubusis Primary School, and Onkumbula Combined School hostels—are experiencing delays.
A 22-year-old man has been detained for questioning in connection with the murder of 39-year-old Rosalia Andonyo, who was killed on 20 February at Kahenge village, Kavango West Region. According to police, Andonyo died after being assaulted on the head with an unknown object, and the suspect allegedly dragged her body into nearby shrubs.
A two-year-old girl was found dead in a mahangu field at Ohalumbele village in the Omusati Region on Friday morning. Police have detained a 31-year-old woman for questioning; according to the police report, the suspect allegedly took the child from a room and strangled her in the nearby field.
A Freightliner truck made an alleged sudden U-turn on the C33 road near Karibib on Saturday night, colliding head-on with a Nissan Sentra carrying six occupants; four passengers died on the scene or at hospital, and two remain in critical condition. Multiple other fatal road accidents were reported nationwide over the weekend, including a hit-and-run in Omusati, a collision near Okongo, and incidents in Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop, and Karasburg.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has honoured social media influencers who promote safe and responsible digital communication through the Ethical Use of Social Media Challenge, awarding cash prizes including N$15,000 to the overall winner and recognising content creation as meaningful work in efforts to curb misinformation and online abuse.
According to Namfisa data, 72% of insured Namibians hold funeral insurance policies while only 30% have health insurance, reflecting cultural priorities around dignified burial over access to healthcare. Medical professionals warn that the shortage of medical cover leaves uninsured citizens vulnerable to delayed care, financial hardship, and complications from chronic illnesses, while the government develops a Universal Health Coverage Bill to address gaps in the public system.
Ongwediva Town Council has launched a disaster risk preparedness initiative and procured six emergency tents valued at N$140,000, making it the first local authority to do so, to provide temporary shelter and support relief operations during natural disasters such as floods and fires.
The Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management launched a customer service charter aimed at transforming the public sector by empowering staff, strengthening institutional culture, and promoting accountability. Executive director Heroldt Murangi emphasized the need for public servants to lead by example and improve service delivery, noting the sector still lags behind private sector standards.
Iuze Mukube Stockley Kauejao, sentenced for the murder of stock investigator Hiambepo 'Major' Kazeurua, was unsuccessful in appealing his conviction after the Windhoek High Court dismissed his application for leave to appeal. Acting Judge Alfred Siboleka ruled that the evidence overwhelmingly proved the appellant's involvement and that the charges were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The City of Windhoek launched the 2026 Mayoral Clean-Up Campaign to address declining environmental standards as the city's population has grown from 340,000 in 2011 to approximately 486,186 in 2023. Mayor Sakarias Uunona called for community participation and shared responsibility in waste management, with the campaign running until October 2026 under the theme 'Go Green, Skip the Plastic'.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's education system unfairly marginalizes vocational training in favour of traditional academic paths, despite vocational education's proven role in developing practical skills, reducing youth unemployment, and supporting economic growth. The author calls for vocational education to be made compulsory and given equal status to academic schooling.
Speaking at the International Mother Language Day observance in Windhoek, language advocates urged local leaders to communicate more frequently in indigenous languages, warning that relying on English risks excluding communities from public engagement and causing cultural loss. The Unesco representative noted that nearly 40% of the global population lack access to education in their mother tongue, and urged Namibia to prioritise mother-tongue education given that about 70% of the population is under 35.
A new DSTV/KykNet series hosted by Joalette De Villiers travels across Namibia to feature people, places, and stories centred around potjie cooking, a tradition the creator Pedro Mendoza sees as a unifying symbol across Namibia's diverse cultures. The show highlights guests' authentic connections to their potjie recipes and traditions, with the fireside setting fostering honest conversations.
Namibia's ministry says it is waiting for a technical review from African football's governing body (CAF) before finalising preparations for the Independence Stadium. Design documentation was submitted to CAF in December 2025 for compliance review, but the ministry has not received a response despite follow-up attempts, though it aims to complete construction preparations by March 2026.
The NTA/CAT Under 14 and Under 25 tennis tournament was held in Windhoek on 20–21 February with 24 players competing in singles and doubles despite difficult heat and rain conditions. The event allowed players to earn Central African Tennis ranking points for future continental competitions without travelling outside Namibia.
African Stars defeated Mighty Gunners 1-0 on Friday with Awilo Stephanus scoring a penalty, keeping their bid for a fourth successive league title alive despite playing with ten men for much of the match. Coach Agnus Elemu praised his team's character, while Stephanus said the squad has the strength to secure the title and make history with a fourth consecutive championship.
Alex Miller won the elite men's 100km race in 2:23:59, his second title after 2022, while 19-year-old Delsia Janse van Vuuren claimed her debut win in the elite women's 100km race despite riding with a deflating tyre, in the 40th edition of the Nedbank Cycle Challenge.
Eberechi Eze scored twice as Arsenal defeated Tottenham 4-1 on Sunday to restore a five-point lead in the Premier League title race. Liverpool also won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest with a 97th-minute goal from Alexis Mac Allister.
Champions France defeated Italy 33-8 in Lille on Sunday, with winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring a try in a tournament record eighth consecutive Six Nations match. The victory kept France unbeaten in the tournament and on track for the Grand Slam.
South Africa ended India's 12-match T20 World Cup winning streak with a 76-run victory in Ahmedabad, bowling out the defending champions for 111 after posting 187-7. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj led the South African bowling attack as India failed in their first chase of the tournament.
England routed Sri Lanka for 95 to secure a 51-run victory in their T20 World Cup Super Eights opener in Kandy on Sunday, with pace bowler Jofra Archer and off-spinner Will Jacks combining to devastate Sri Lanka's batting. England had scored 146-9 after being asked to bat first, then Archer and Jacks took five wickets in the powerplay to leave Sri Lanka's top order in collapse.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy acknowledged Zimbabwe quick bowler Blessing Muzarabani as an "X-factor" ahead of their Super Eights match at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium on Monday, while indicating the West Indies have plans to counter the 2.03m fast bowler who took nine wickets in the group phase. Sammy also signaled that all-rounder Romario Shepherd, sidelined for a week, could return to the squad.
Australia, the 2021 T20 World Cup champions, suffered an unprecedented group-stage elimination at the tournament in India and Sri Lanka, prompting criticism from former players and media over selection decisions and underperformance by key players. Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged the squad fell short despite believing the players were capable of progressing, with a forensic review planned ahead of the 2028 co-hosted tournament.
Defending champions Zambia drew 0-0 with Zimbabwe in Group B of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women's Championship 2025, remaining top with four points on superior goal difference. It was the tournament's first goalless match.
Welterweight contender Harry Simon Junior has publicly called out British boxer Conor Benn for a high-stakes showdown, highlighting their shared status as undefeated sons of former world champions and pointing to stylistic advantages he believes would expose Benn.
The Namibia Volleyball Federation and DTS hosted the opening leg of the Confederation of African Volleyball Zone Six Beach Volleyball Tour on 21–22 February in Windhoek, attracting 24 teams from nine countries to compete for regional ranking points. Local players competed against strong regional opposition, with organizers praising the quality of matches and professional event management.
The Bank Windhoek/NASFED Long Course Swimming Championships concluded in Windhoek, with 230 top swimmers from across the country competing and breaking several national records including in freestyle relays and individual events. According to NASFED vice president David Nell, the five-day event was a success marked by improved times and athlete dedication.
Namibia's women's football team faces Madagascar in the COSAFA Women's Championship after a dominant 2-0 victory over Mozambique. Head coach Lucky Kakuva praised the squad's execution and said they will maintain their aggressive, attacking approach in pursuit of Group C supremacy.
Alex Miller won the men's 100km race at the Nedbank Cycle Challenge in 2:23:59, while Delsia Jan van Vuuren triumphed in the women's event with a time of 3:02:21. Miller called for more technically challenging routes in future races, citing the need for Namibian cyclists to gain experience navigating corners.
Mobile Telecommunications Ltd and the City of Windhoek have partnered on a "Go Green, Skip the Plastic" campaign, with MTC pledging N$450,000 to purchase 4,000 reusable shopping bags and run awareness initiatives aimed at reducing single-use plastic and encouraging environmental protection among residents.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has told the BBC that Vladimir Putin has already started World War Three and must be stopped through intense military and economic pressure, rejecting Russian demands for territorial concessions as abandonment of Ukrainian people and positions. Zelensky argues that a ceasefire allowing Putin to recover would only delay further conflict, and insists that Ukraine's victory depends on restoring its independence and borders, though he acknowledges this requires time, weapons support from Western partners, and security guarantees.
American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, visited Namibia in February 1990 just before independence and met with founding president Sam Nujoma. Namibian leaders including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and PDM leader McHenry Venaani praised Jackson's support for Namibia's liberation struggle and his broader advocacy for justice and human rights globally.
The Fifth Session of the Namibia-Congo Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation opened in Windhoek on 19 February 2026 to review bilateral cooperation and finalise pending agreements in diplomacy, security, economic cooperation, and social sectors. The two-day event includes senior officials and ministerial sessions focused on accelerating implementation of signed agreements in health, fisheries, culture, telecommunications, and other fields.
The breakaway Somaliland region, seeking international recognition after Israel's December recognition, has offered the United States exclusive access to its mineral resources and the ability to establish military bases, according to a minister interviewed by AFP.
President Donald Trump increased the global tariff on US imports to 15% on Saturday, one day after the Supreme Court ruled much of his tariff programme illegal. The move prompted international pushback, with Brazil's president calling for equal treatment of all countries and the German chancellor pledging to formulate a joint European response.
Denmark's defence minister stated that Greenland does not need medical assistance from other countries, after US President Trump claimed he was sending a hospital ship to the autonomous Danish territory. The Danish government says Greenlandic patients receive adequate healthcare either in Greenland or Denmark, where access is free.
An opinion piece argues that geopolitical tensions—including Germany's support for Israel and Namibia's backing of Palestinian statehood—have hindered negotiations for reparations over the 1904–1908 genocide of Ovaherero and Nama. The author calls for Namibia to strengthen its negotiating position by unifying internally, centering victim communities' voices, and demanding legal recognition and direct reparations.