Namibia will mark its 36th Independence Day on 21 March 2026 by holding simultaneous celebrations across all 14 regions, a shift from previous years when events were hosted in a single location. The celebrations will be coordinated nationwide under the theme "Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future" to promote unity and inclusivity.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia will mark its 36th Independence Day on 21 March 2026 by holding simultaneous celebrations across all 14 regions, a shift from previous years when events were hosted in a single location. The celebrations will be coordinated nationwide under the theme "Beyond 35 for a Prosperous Future" to promote unity and inclusivity.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's decision to subsidize tuition at public universities and vocational centres is an ambitious social investment requiring multi-billion dollar annual commitments, but its long-term viability depends on transparent funding formulas, alignment with labour market demand, and protection of educational quality amid competing fiscal priorities.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Thursday when the government sought urgent approval of four Public Service Commission commissioners, citing concerns about their age, qualifications, ethnic representation, and lack of adequate debate. The walkout left no quorum for the vote to proceed.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah presented the 2026/27 national budget under the theme 'People, Productivity and Prudence' amid a sluggish global economy, with Namibia's growth revised down to 2.9% for 2025 and projected at 3.1% for 2026. The budget faces revenue constraints from weak diamond receipts and lower customs union revenues, while expenditure exceeds revenue, with development spending declining notably as externally funded projects dry up.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Finance will adjust income tax brackets in the second quarter of 2026, according to finance minister Ericah Shafudah. The adjustment aims to reduce fiscal drag and improve fairness by updating personal income tax rates and thresholds.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Supreme Court of Namibia has declined to review Salmaan Jacobs's application to overturn a High Court ruling that found him guilty of corruption; Jacobs, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, is set to appear in Keetmanshoop Regional Court on 12 May 2026 for sentencing after the High Court in November 2025 found him guilty of using his former office as CRO of //Kharas Region to transfer N$30,000 to a company owned by himself and his wife under false pretenses.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Okandjoze Chiefs' Assembly on Genocide has rejected the Joint Declaration between Namibia and Germany, telling President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that it is "beyond reform" and fails to meet international reparations standards for the 1904-1908 genocide. The traditional leaders called for a new national conference, stronger domestic involvement of descendants, and alignment with the African Union's Algiers Declaration instead.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Opposition party leader Panduleni Itula claims the 2026/2027 national budget contains N$9.3 billion in wasteful spending through travel allowances, workshops, and politician pay rises. He proposes redirecting these funds to pensioners, water infrastructure, youth employment, and schools under an IPC government.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Justice Esi Malaika Schimming-Chase has become the first woman to be permanently appointed as a judge to Namibia's Supreme Court, taking her oath of office at a ceremony administered by Chief Justice Peter Shivute. She assumes duties effective 1 March 2026, following a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has endorsed the establishment of the Hage Geingob Presidential Centre at the late president's private residence, to be transformed into a national archive and exhibition space showcasing his life and leadership by year's end. The centre's board, chaired by former National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, will gather documents, photographs, speeches and artefacts for citizens, researchers and visitors.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
The finance ministry plans to reduce subsidies and capital transfers to state-owned enterprises from N$1.3 billion in 2025/26 to N$615.7 million in 2026/27, citing fiscal consolidation and high public debt. Several SOEs including TransNamib and the Agricultural Bank of Namibia will receive no government transfers, while priority support goes to the National Housing Enterprise and Road Fund Administration.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Debt collection firm RedForce Debt Management is suing the Rundu Town Council for N$9.2 million over an alleged breach of a 2020 debt-collection agreement, claiming the council sabotaged its work and prevented it from meeting targets; the town council denies the allegations and contends RedForce failed to meet performance targets first. A High Court judgment scheduled for Friday has been postponed to 13 March.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Successful AI rollout requires addressing employee anxieties about job security and creating psychological safety, rather than simply focusing on technology deployment and usage metrics. Organizations should recognize industry-specific risk perceptions, measure psychological safety alongside adoption rates, and prioritize learning environments before scaling enterprise-wide.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian borrowers will save at least N$314 million annually following a 25-basis-point reduction in commercial banks' lending rates directed by the Bank of Namibia, which narrowed the prime-minus-seven repo spread from 3.75% to 3.50%. The lending rate reduction followed cumulative repo rate cuts of 50 basis points during 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Government debt is projected to rise to N$193.8 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, equating to 67.8% of GDP, with interest payments consuming 16.4% of total revenue. The debt portfolio is predominantly domestic (88%), with fixed-rate bonds representing the largest component at 52.6%.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's economy grew at 2.9 percent in 2025, slower than expected due to factory underproduction, drought-affected farms, and reduced household spending. However, the government and central bank forecast growth between 3 and 4 percent for 2026, driven by improved rains, stronger uranium exports, and new oil and gas investment, while inflation has fallen to 2.9 percent and fuel prices have dropped.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
TalentsBridge Namibia, a partnership between Namibia and Germany, was officially launched to address youth unemployment in Namibia and skilled worker shortages in Germany through structured vocational training. The initiative will prepare young Namibians for employment in sectors including Industrial Electrics, Wholesale and Retail, and Hospitality, with applications now open and 100 participants selected in the first year.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) has announced that Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, Executive Upstream Development & Production, will serve as Acting Managing Director effective 1 March 2026, pending completion of a recruitment process for a permanent managing director. Ndafyaalako, who joined NAMCOR in 2018 as a geoscientist and brings nearly two decades of oil and gas sector experience, replaces interim MD Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, whose six-month tenure ends 28 February 2026.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board launched a new Namibian Investment Guide, a seven-volume document aimed at marketing Namibia as an ideal investment destination and providing information about the country's economic sectors, business registration processes, and investment climate. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade said the guide will be used by Namibia's embassies and high commissions to promote the country abroad and supports the President's vision of prioritizing investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and urban land development.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's FY2026/27 budget allocates N$81.3 billion to operational spending but cuts capital expenditure to N$8.47 billion, prompting analysts to warn that low investment in infrastructure risks slower economic growth while debt servicing consumes 18% of projected revenue.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
A Namibian company called Flushh provides mobile toilet services to address widespread lack of sanitation in the Kavango regions, where over 70% of people lack toilet access and still practise open defecation. Since 2020, the company has served community events and reached an estimated 11,000 people, targeting women and children most affected by poor sanitation.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to Middle East conflict threatens Namibia's fuel supply and could raise prices, as the country imports most refined petroleum from Gulf producers via the strait. Namibian economists warn that prolonged instability could force Namibia to seek alternative suppliers at higher shipping costs and impact inflation through transport and food prices.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Critical One Energy Inc. has terminated its 2025 purchase agreement with Dark Star Minerals Inc., regaining full ownership of its Khan and Cobra uranium projects in Namibia's Erongo region. The mutual termination involved the return of shares with no financial penalties, restoring the company's strategic flexibility as investor interest in critical minerals strengthens.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Rössing Uranium has donated a laser alignment tool valued at N$130,000 to the Namibia Institution of Mining and Technology for training fitter and turner apprentices in modern industry-relevant skills. The donation reflects the company's commitment to aligning technical training with industry requirements and long-term skills development in Namibia.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's newly established foot-and-mouth disease support fund, organized by farmers' unions, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, and the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, has raised N$12.76 million from corporations and unions to strengthen biosecurity and emergency response. The fund aims to raise N$50 million to complement N$57 million allocated by the agriculture ministry for awareness, prevention, and rapid response efforts.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Meteorological Services reported the driest January since 1981, with uneven rainfall posing risks to livestock and crop production. The article urges farmers to take early action—such as selling vulnerable animals and securing irrigation—and calls on policymakers to support export abattoirs, subsidize irrigation systems, and strengthen border security against foot-and-mouth disease.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has launched an FMD Support Fund and Task Force to protect its N$15 billion livestock industry from Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with 11 partners pledging nearly N$13 million. The effort aims to strengthen surveillance, border biosecurity, and response capacity amid heightened risk from FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
The Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and its employees, represented by the Mineworkers' Union of Namibia, have reached an agreement ending a five-day strike. The deal includes a 14th cheque for 2024/25, a 4% salary increment for 2025/26, and a 4.3% increase for 2026/27.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A 13-year-old boy, a 56-year-old man, and a cattle herder died after allegedly being struck by lightning in separate incidents across northern and central Namibia on Friday and Saturday. Police say no foul play is suspected in any of the deaths.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's immigration amnesty programme, extended to 27 February, has facilitated the voluntary departure of at least 379 foreign nationals, with Zimbabweans accounting for 55% of those who left. The government extended the amnesty—originally set to end 16 January—to allow individuals who had overstayed permits or breached immigration laws to depart without arrest or prosecution, and has now resumed normal enforcement operations.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A Northern Regional Electricity Distributor strike in Kavango East has cut power to school hostels since Friday, forcing the closure of facilities serving over 2,000 pupils and spoiling food supplies. The strike stems from wage negotiations; employees are demanding a 6% pay increase and a 14th cheque, while Nored has offered 3.5% and agreed to the cheque.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Recent torrential rains have left residents in three of Oshakati's informal settlements standing knee-deep in water in their homes. The town mayor says the council is monitoring the situation but has not begun relocations, though residents affected by flooding in areas including Kasikili Island have accused the council of ignoring their pleas and claim the problem was caused by a newly constructed stormwater channel that redirects water into a nearby dam.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
A Zambian national was arrested in the Luhingi Fish Reserve, Zambezi Region, after allegedly being found in possession of a lechwe carcass valued at N$25,000 without a permit.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Education has commenced construction of Basic Constituency Sport Infrastructure Facilities across 28 constituencies in all 14 regions, with implementation handed to regional governors and N$10 million allocated per region. Construction has begun in Kunene, Oshana, and Kavango East, with remaining regions to follow.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia and Germany have launched TalentsBridge Namibia, a skills training programme designed to address Namibia's 36.9% unemployment rate and Germany's shortage of skilled workers. The project will offer training in industrial electrics, wholesale and retail, and hospitality, with the first 100 trainees starting vocational courses in September 2026.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
The business community, coastal residents and former learners of Kuisebmond Secondary School raised N$2.5 million at a gala dinner toward completing a school hall project delayed since 2012 by financial constraints. Prime Minister Elia Ngurare attended and emphasized the importance of education investment and the need for learners to take their studies seriously.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
A Rovos Rail train derailed near Naute, about 100 kilometres from Keetmanshoop, early Sunday morning, killing two people. TransNamib CEO Desmond Van Jaarsveld confirmed the incident and said emergency teams were dispatched immediately; an investigation into the cause is underway.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Martin Angula, a 30-year-old craftsman from Ohangwena, creates eco-friendly wooden bowls, spoons and cups as an alternative to plastic and factory-made goods. Despite setbacks including a 2021 robbery at his workshop, he has rebuilt his business through training and government support, and now seeks modern equipment to expand production and reach larger clients such as hotels and museums.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
South Africa, unbeaten after seven matches, face New Zealand in the first T20 World Cup semi-final, while defending champions India play England in the second; if both sides win, they would meet in a rematch of the 2024 final that India won by seven runs in Barbados.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa, the tournament's only unbeaten team, face New Zealand in Kolkata on Wednesday, while defending champions India take on England in Mumbai the following day. AFP Sport analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the four contenders, from South Africa's power-packed batting to England's form-finding Super Eights run and India's inconsistent group-stage start before late improvements.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian cyclists excelled at the SA Cup MTB series in Paarl, South Africa, winning seven medals. Qara Volschenk was the star performer, claiming two gold medals in the sub junior girls category, winning the short course race by more than 90 seconds and the cross country Olympic race by nearly eight minutes.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Zimbabwe's Premier Soccer League has become the new destination for Namibian players, with eight securing moves during the 2025/26 transfer window, driven by higher pay packages—averaging around US$1,500 per month—and success of earlier Namibian arrivals like Moses Shidolo. The influx marks a shift from Botswana, which previously attracted more Namibian talent but now hosts only seven players compared to ten the previous season.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
African Stars moved to 45 points after thrashing Tigers 6-2, extending their lead atop the Namibia Premier Football League with a goal difference of +21. FC Ongos climbed from fourth to third place after winning 2-0 away to Life Fighters and drawing 0-0 with Mighty Gunners.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Ghana striker Antoine Semenyo scored to keep Manchester City on Arsenal's heels in the Premier League title race, while African players across Europe's top leagues also featured prominently—including Alex Iwobi helping Fulham beat Tottenham and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring twice for Marseille against Lyon.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said he would seek more consistency in selection during a challenging 2026 fixture list featuring the Nations Championship, a four-Test series against New Zealand, and an end-of-year tour, with less experimentation than the nine changes per game average in 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Formula One's 2026 season starts in Melbourne on March 8 with sweeping changes to chassis and power units designed to increase overtaking and improve eco-sustainability, though McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari remain expected to compete for the championship. Key storylines include questions about whether Mercedes exploited a loophole for performance advantage, the rivalry between George Russell and Max Verstappen potentially reigniting if Mercedes proves competitive, and Lewis Hamilton's determination to chase an eighth world championship after a difficult 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Dante Beukes and Lutopu Khoa won the 2026 Namibia National Closed Chess Championships, joining eight other champions selected to represent Namibia at the upcoming Chess Olympiad. The competition featured over 20 participants across open, women's and B sections.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised the Brave Gladiators for their historic victory over South Africa in the Cosafa Women's Championship, calling the achievement a testament to perseverance and describing sport as an investment in youth and national pride.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka officially broke ground on Saturday for construction of a basic sports field in Divundu village, Kavango East region, describing it as a strategic investment to nurture grassroots talent and address rural sports infrastructure gaps. The project, awarded to Roads Construction Company, is aligned with the Sixth National Development Plan and emphasises local employment and community upliftment.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Kalahari Lions SC, founded in 2024 in Drimiopsis, finished second in the Namport Omaheke Third Division League in their debut campaign while scoring the most goals and conceding the fewest. The club, established by educator and former player Uauanisa Kamberipa, aims to use sport for youth development and community cohesion, though it faces financial challenges with sponsorship needs.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Brave Gladiators won the Cosafa Women's Championship with a 2–1 victory over South Africa on Sunday, with star player Zenatha Coleman named Player of the Tournament. Coleman, 31, announced her retirement from Cosafa competitions but will continue representing Namibia in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while defender Emma Naris also retired after 15 years with the national team.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Elite cyclist Alex Miller has called on local race organisers to introduce more technically demanding courses at national championships, arguing that predominantly straight bypass roads leave Namibian riders unprepared for international competition and lacking in critical skills like tight-corner handling.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
African Stars Football Club extended their lead in the Namibia Premier Football League standings to 45 points after a 6-2 victory over Tigers FC on Sunday at Unam stadium. Young African FC's coach Maleagi Ngarizemo said his team was satisfied with collecting four points from weekend matches against the reigning champions and Khomas Nampol FC.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
The Namibia Meteorological Service has warned of intense thunderstorms and flooding expected to affect eastern regions today, with flash floods anticipated. Heavy rainfall has already caused flooding in parts of the north, with Gobabis recording around 80mm of rain and Oshakati experiencing property damage.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Tourism Board used banners depicting a Thompson's Gazelle (which does not occur in Namibia) and an AI-generated elephant at international tourism fairs. The opinion piece awards the NTB, NIPDB, and South African Airways "Mamparra of the Year" for the embarrassing error.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led Iran as supreme leader since 1989 and was a key figure in Iranian political life for over 40 years, was killed on Saturday in United States-Israeli air strikes. The article traces his rise from clerical training and anti-Shah activism through his ascent to supreme leader following Ayatollah Khomeini's death, his handling of domestic opposition and regional conflicts including the creation of the "Axis of Resistance," and his fraught relations with the West over Iran's nuclear programme.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece questions whether the Trump administration has a viable long-term strategy following a joint US-Israel military operation against Iran in February 2026 that killed Iran's supreme leader. The columnist argues that Iran's religious identity, ethnic diversity, and proud historical legacy make regime change and regional stability unlikely outcomes of military intervention.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Rodney Cloete has called for urgent multilateral mediation and restraint following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, warning that regional escalation threatens Namibia's cost of living through disrupted shipping lanes and rising fuel and food prices.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade has issued a statement calling for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East following military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, warning that the escalation risks further destabilising the region and undermining international peace and security. The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint, cease hostilities, and return to dialogue and diplomatic engagement, emphasising that such tensions threaten global security and small developing states that depend on respect for international norms.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Trump said on Monday he is not ruling out sending US troops into Iran while threatening escalated attacks. He told the New York Post and CNN that while ground troops may not be necessary, he would deploy them if required, and signaled a major assault is coming soon.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will increase its nuclear warheads from around 300, launch a new nuclear-armed submarine in 2036, and extend its "advanced deterrence" strategy to eight European countries including Germany, Poland, and the UK, allowing them to participate in nuclear exercises and host French air bases. The move, described as the most significant change in French strategic thinking since 1960, aims to complicate adversaries' calculations across the European continent while retaining sole decision-making power over nuclear weapons use with the French president.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Director-General of South Africa's National Department of Health and two other senior officials were arrested on charges of fraud and theft involving over R1 million, allegedly linked to irregular appointments of service providers paid from Global Fund resources intended for Covid-19 support. The three officials appeared in court and were released on bail pending further investigation.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Authorities in South Sudan say at least 169 people, including 90 civilians and 79 regional forces, were killed on Sunday in a dawn assault on Ruweng Administrative Area in the north. The government accused armed youth linked to the opposition SPLA-IO, which has denied involvement; the UN warns the country risks sliding back into full-scale civil war.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A military base in Iraq hosting the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah group was struck again on Monday, killing one fighter and wounding another, while air defences in the Kurdish city of Erbil intercepted drone attacks. Iraq, long a proxy battleground between the US and Iran, has been repeatedly targeted since the start of the Israel-US campaign against Iran, though the government has said it does not want to be dragged into the conflict.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's acting police minister confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's report into a 2020 burglary at President Ramaphosa's farm has been declassified but remains inaccessible to the public, available only through formal legal channels under the Promotion of Access to Information Act. The report originally investigated allegations that VIP protection officers conducted questionable searches in Namibia following the theft of US dollars at the president's Limpopo property.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Ministry of International Relations has called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East following recent US and Israeli military actions against Iran, stating that dialogue and diplomatic engagement are the only viable route to lasting peace. The government emphasised its commitment to the principles of sovereignty and non-interference, and aligned itself with the African Union's call for urgent de-escalation.
3 March 2026 · Informanté →
Tension is escalating in the Middle East following military exchanges between the US, Israel, and Iran. The Namibian Embassy in Egypt has assured citizens in the region that their safety is a priority and advised them to exercise caution, avoid high-risk areas, and follow local authorities' instructions.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
A New Era opinion piece argues that while the Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran in February 2026 citing nuclear proliferation and regional instability concerns, killing leadership may not secure the endgame needed for stability—given Iran's deep historical pride, religious identity, ethnic diversity, and powerful Revolutionary Guard unlikely to surrender to American pressure.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's persistent wealth gap and poverty, rooted in colonial and apartheid history, cannot be solved by incremental reforms alone. The author calls for fundamental economic transformation—a mixed model blending capitalist and socialist principles with stronger state intervention—to ensure inclusive growth and equitable resource management, particularly as oil and gas development proceeds.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
According to an analysis by a Moscow State Institute lecturer, Britain is pursuing a strategy of prolonged conflict in Ukraine to maintain its role in Western European security, contradicting US efforts toward de-escalation and standing apart from Washington's push for burden-sharing among allies.
3 March 2026 · New Era →