NUDO's Vetaruhe Kandorozu told Education Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti to "go back to Italy" and made comments about white people not being Namibian in the National Assembly on Wednesday, forcing Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo to adjourn the session; Kandorozu later withdrew his remarks after being told they were "unparliamentary" and not in the interest of building the nation.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah unveiled an operational budget of N$81.3 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with 61.7% of spending directed to the social sector including education, health, and civil service salary increases. The government projects revenue of N$89.8 billion and targets a budget deficit of 5.5% of GDP, down from current levels as part of its fiscal consolidation strategy.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The director general of Namibia's intelligence service has requested that a N$1.8-million defamation case against him be heard in camera to protect classified information, but lawyers and human rights experts argue that holding the trial in secret would undermine public accountability and enable officials to hide misconduct under the guise of national security.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Otjiwarongo Municipality has failed to implement a 2014 salary directive or comply with a Labour Court order to pay over N$30 million in back pay owed to 20 employees, despite the ruling last year. The dispute arose after management ignored a ministry instruction to adjust C4-band employees' salaries by N$7,475 and instead gave them only N$2,000 in adjustments while promoting D-band staff, prompting workers to take the case to court in 2021.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has awarded Roads Contractor Company (RCC) a N$140-million project to build sport facilities across Namibia's 14 regions, bypassing standard public procurement rules under a presidential fast-track exemption. The decision has drawn criticism from industry groups and opposition politicians over transparency and accountability, though officials argue the project follows existing legal frameworks and incorporates oversight mechanisms.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi has said he will not contest for the Swapo secretary general position or any of the party's top four posts at the 2027 party congress. The announcement comes amid speculation about potential candidates for the party's leadership race, including Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and SPYL leader Ephraim Nekongo.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa met with Iran's ambassador to Namibia to reaffirm ties between the two countries and extended condolences following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February, which she described as "unjustified aggression and an illegal military operation."
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament has suspended recruitment for an information commissioner and deputy, further delaying implementation of the 2022 Access to Information Act. No reason has been provided for the halt.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Cabinet has approved three Memoranda of Understanding with Spain, Malta, and Hungary to strengthen cooperation in education, research, sport, and scholarships. The agreements include sports and physical education cooperation with Spain, a research and innovation framework with Malta, and Hungarian scholarships for Namibian citizens.
5 March 2026 · Informanté →
Disgruntled Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund employees have petitioned President Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene in the institution's reintegration into the education ministry, citing salary cuts of up to 100%, lack of consultation, and what they describe as autocratic board decisions. The staff have filed a labour complaint, with several including the acting CEO resigning on Friday, though Education Minister Steenkamp disputes the allegations and insists service delivery will not be affected.
5 March 2026 · New Era →
Raphael Mbala, newly inaugurated Ngambela of Masubia Traditional Authority, says the authority faces poor financial status and deep community divisions after nearly four years without a substantive chief. He plans to restore financial transparency, strengthen governance systems, and rebuild unity through improved communication and adherence to cultural succession principles.
5 March 2026 · New Era →
Omaheke Regional Council chairperson Rocco Nguvauva and governor Pijoo Nganate opened 2026 activities with a call for stronger cooperation among public institutions and stakeholders to improve service delivery, reduce unemployment, and raise living standards across the region.
5 March 2026 · New Era →
Rocco Nguvauva, chairperson of Omaheke Regional Council, said the new council will build on foundations laid by previous leadership, focusing on infrastructure development, basic service provision, and community empowerment while maintaining fiscal discipline and responsiveness to regional needs.
5 March 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service has clarified that its development budget ceiling stands at N$243 million, structured around Youth Infrastructure Development and Integrated Sport Development programmes. The executive director noted that the Sam Nujoma Stadium falls outside this portfolio as it is owned by the City of Windhoek, and that major projects require multi-year financing and public-private partnerships.
5 March 2026 · New Era →