Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 7 March 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 7 March 2026
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Archive Minute from Saturday, 7 March 2026
Politics

Swapo youth league demands apology from Kandorozu over Ballotti remarks

The News

Swapo Party Youth League secretary general Ephraim Nekongo has called on National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu to apologize and withdraw comments made to education deputy minister Dino Ballotti during National Assembly proceedings, citing the need for respectful parliamentary conduct and saying personal attacks undermine the Namibian Constitution.

7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Swapo youth league demands apology from Kandorozu over Ballotti remarks

    Swapo Party Youth League secretary general Ephraim Nekongo has called on National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu to apologize and withdraw comments made to education deputy minister Dino Ballotti during National Assembly proceedings, citing the need for respectful parliamentary conduct and saying personal attacks undermine the Namibian Constitution.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Former Nipam marketing manager arrested for corruption

    Katoole Ipinge, a former marketing and communication manager at Namibia Institute for Public Administration and Management, has been arrested for allegedly diverting client funds to his personal bank account. According to the Anti-Corruption Commission, between June 2021 and December 2021, N$175,200 was deposited into his account, and he appeared in court on Friday and was granted bail of N$10,000.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. President discusses land, genocide reparations with Ovaherero chief

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Hoze Riruako of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority to discuss land, genocide reparations, and community concerns. Riruako described the engagement as constructive and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on historical issues.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Former NIPAM manager arrested and granted bail on corruption charges

    Katoole Ipinge, a former Manager for Marketing and Communications at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management, appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on corruption allegations and was granted bail of N$10,000. According to investigations, N$175,200 was allegedly deposited into his personal bank account, and he faces charges under the Anti-Corruption Act for allegedly using his office for gratification.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Business

  1. Namibia launches e-commerce clearance centre by April

    The Namibia Revenue Agency is establishing a centralised e-commerce clearance centre to streamline online imports and address challenges faced by small and medium enterprises under the 'Order With Me' initiative, expected to be operational by 30 April.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibian SMEs urged to maximize existing digital tools first

    Technologist Siddhartha Paul Tiwari advises Namibian small businesses to focus on automation features within tools they already use—such as cloud accounting, online booking, and inventory systems—before investing in expensive artificial intelligence, as these simple efficiencies can free up time for owners to focus on core business activities.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Bank of Namibia withdraws winding-up case against Trustco Bank

    The Bank of Namibia has withdrawn its High Court application to wind up Trustco Bank Namibia, a former Trustco Group subsidiary. Trustco confirms the bank remains solvent and states that all depositors have been fully repaid with no losses.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Police report progress against fuel smuggling along Angola border

    The Oshana Regional police commander says law enforcement is winning against illegal fuel importation across the northern Namibia-Angola border, with smuggling cases decreasing in the region as offenders face vehicle impoundment, criminal charges, and prison terms. Smugglers profit by buying Angolan fuel at around N$5 per litre and reselling it at N$16, undercutting legitimate fuel prices and damaging the local energy sector.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

  5. Namibia gains duty-free access to Chinese market from May 2026

    From 1 May 2026, Namibian exports will qualify for 100% duty-free access to the Chinese market under a "Pre-Early Harvest" arrangement, a preliminary phase of the China–Africa Economic Partnership. The Minister of International Relations and Trade said this represents a "massive opportunity" for small and medium enterprises, and provides Namibia with relief alongside the reauthorised AGOA programme with the U.S., allowing duty-free access to both markets through December 2026.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

  6. Namib Mills strike reaches day 54 amid two months unpaid

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union reports that close to 1,000 workers at Namib Mills sites in Windhoek, Otavi and Walvis Bay have been on strike for 54 days and have gone two months without pay due to the company's "no work, no pay" policy. The union's secretary-general has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene, warning of potential food shortages if the dispute is not resolved.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Mining & Energy

  1. Parliamentary uranium project recommendation sparks heated controversy

    A parliamentary standing committee recommended allowing Rosatom to proceed with uranium exploration and mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, arguing the project could help gather scientific data on natural contamination. The recommendation has drawn criticism from former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein and farming groups, who warn the project could permanently damage the aquifer—Namibia's key drinking water source for the arid south—and lack scientific grounding, while supporters cite potential economic benefits and Rosatom's expertise.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Zambezi River overflows; authorities urge flood preparedness

    The Zambezi River at Katima Mulilo is overflowing with water levels near 5 metres, a significant rise from levels recorded in February. The Hydrological Services of Namibia has called for intensified flood preparedness efforts in flood-prone areas including the Zambezi, Kavango, Kunene, and Orange River regions.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Society

  1. Windhoek to install speed humps in Katutura for road safety

    The City of Windhoek has announced road upgrade and decongestion works along Eneas Peter Nanyemba Road in Katutura, including speed hump installations on multiple streets from March to April to improve road safety and slow down traffic.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Ministry and Cenored sign deal to accelerate rural electrification

    The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will sign a service level agreement with the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor on 9 March to accelerate rural electrification. The agreement aims to improve livelihoods through the Solar Revolving Fund, providing loan funding and subsidies to help households and businesses connect to the grid.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. ACC arrests three officials over diverted water tanks

    The Anti-Corruption Commission arrested three officials from the rural water supply directorate in the Omaheke region for allegedly distributing community water tanks via corrupt practices. The officials are accused of submitting fraudulent requisitions and diverting two 10,000-litre water tanks intended for communities to private individuals; the tanks have since been recovered and will be returned to regional government stores.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. President backs alternative building technology for housing

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for further exploration of alternative housing technologies after inspecting a demonstration house built using Alternative Building Technology (ABT) panels in Okahandja Park. The President directed government officials to explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia's housing backlog, and commended the Namibian entrepreneurs behind the initiative.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

  5. Namibia to honour fallen police officers with international remembrance

    The Namibian Police Force will join a global INTERPOL initiative on 7 March to commemorate fallen police officers, with activities in Windhoek including a street procession from Independence Stadium to the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College, the lowering of flags to half-mast, lighting of an eternal flame, and the laying of wreaths.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Culture

  1. Roast chicken vetkoek recipe celebrates Namibian street food

    A lifestyle article featuring a roast chicken vetkoek recipe that celebrates the simplicity and familiarity of Namibian street food, particularly vetkoek sold by roadside vendors, and includes a tomato salsa.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Chester Houseprince expands business, calls for merit-based artist bookings

    Namibian musician Chester Houseprince, who rose from dancing to a successful solo career since 2018, is now diversifying into business ventures while advocating for industry unity, genre-blending and merit-based artist bookings rather than favouritism in event selection.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Artist Malua explores traditional Namibian totems in digital age

    Nambowa Malua's exhibition "Neotypes: Totemic Systems in the Age of the Machine" at the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre examines how traditional clan totems and symbols from Aawambo and other Namibian cultures encode historical survival narratives, while exploring whether new totems are forming in the era of technology and rapidly shifting social organisation.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. VDKei Crazyboy and Proof Nana release album 'I Am The Door'

    Fidelis Pataka (VDKei Crazyboy), a self-made producer and artist from Ondonga, has released a 17-track collaboration album titled 'I Am The Door' with afro-fusion artist Proof Nana. The project blends soul, afro, spiritual elements and contemporary Namibian influences, with the artists aiming to reclaim local music's cultural roots.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sport

  1. Jayson Tatum returns from Achilles injury as Celtics beat Mavericks

    Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum made his triumphant return after 298 days out with a ruptured Achilles tendon, scoring 15 points as the Celtics defeated Dallas 120-100. Tatum said the emotional comeback, supported by his team and family, represented a huge step forward after months of lonely rehabilitation and self-doubt.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Bayern Munich beats Gladbach 4-1 without injured Kane

    Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-1 on Friday without star striker Harry Kane, who was ruled out with a calf strain. The victory extended Bayern's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 14 points with nine games remaining.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Real Madrid scrapes past Celta Vigo with deflected injury-time goal

    Federico Valverde's heavily deflected 95th-minute shot secured a 2-1 La Liga win for Real Madrid at Celta Vigo on Friday, pulling them within one point of Barcelona. The Spanish giants played with 10 injured players, including French striker Kylian Mbappe, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa said he hoped the victory could mark a turning point after two consecutive league defeats.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Ireland beats Wales 27-17 in Six Nations thriller

    Ireland defeated Wales 27-17 at Lansdowne Road to keep their slim Six Nations title hopes alive with a bonus-point victory, extending Wales's losing streak to 15 matches. Ireland's chances now depend on Scotland beating France on Saturday.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Liverpool defeat Wolves again to advance in FA Cup

    Liverpool beat Wolves 3-1 on Friday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, avenging a Premier League loss three days earlier with goals from Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, and Curtis Jones. The victory comes as Liverpool languish in sixth place in the Premier League and pursue the FA Cup and Champions League as remaining paths to silverware this season.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Minister calls timber trade a crime; forensic centre opens

    Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu says timber trade is a serious crime undermining lawful commerce and threatening biodiversity, not a regular trading practice. The government has launched a Wood Identification and Screening Centre in Windhoek with US support to detect illegal timber species and prosecute forest crimes using scientific methods.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Proflight Zambia launches Livingstone-Windhoek air route

    Proflight Zambia operated its first flight to Windhoek on Tuesday, with service to be offered three times weekly from both Lusaka and Livingstone. The new route was marked by a landing ceremony attended by tourism and aviation stakeholders.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

World & Region

  1. Macky Sall becomes Africa's UN secretary general candidate

    Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has been nominated as Africa's candidate for the UN secretary general position, which will become vacant on 1 January 2027 when António Guterres's term ends. He is competing against former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Fewer South Africans see themselves as poor but financially strained

    Statistics South Africa reports that fewer people now describe themselves as poor than eight years ago, but a larger share say their income is insufficient to meet their needs. The study finds subjective poverty measures—how people perceive their financial well-being—are closely linked to happiness and influence household decision-making.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia to hold bilateral forum with Russia on minerals, energy

    Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade announced that an Intergovernmental Commission and Business Forum with Russia will be held in Windhoek on 16–17 March 2026, focusing on Russian expertise in geological exploration, agriculture, and energy infrastructure to support local value-addition in Namibia's mineral sector. The minister also outlined Namibia's broader diplomatic engagement with countries including South Africa, Angola, Brazil, Cuba, and Venezuela, as well as efforts to strengthen regional trade cooperation.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Opinion

  1. 31-year-old returns to school for film dream

    Anne Hambuda, a social commentator and novelist, reflects on returning to film school at 31 after initially pursuing other paths. She writes about the value of pursuing one's passion later in life, arguing that it is never too late to reshape your future and live according to your own terms.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Opinion: Namibia's use of 'war' language masks weak follow-through

    A satirical opinion piece argues that while Namibia frequently uses "war" metaphors for social problems—wars on poverty, hunger, corruption, and bad driving—the government typically responds with conferences and PowerPoint presentations rather than decisive action. The author suggests that adopting real "war" language and accountability would only matter if accompanied by genuine commitment and urgency to solve problems.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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