Transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced that a forthcoming public passage bill will address e-hailing services operating illegally in Namibia, as current law requires all transport operators to obtain road carrier permits from the Ministry of Works and Transport. The ministry has engaged the Attorney General to hold e-hailing platforms accountable for allowing unlicensed operators.
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced that a forthcoming public passage bill will address e-hailing services operating illegally in Namibia, as current law requires all transport operators to obtain road carrier permits from the Ministry of Works and Transport. The ministry has engaged the Attorney General to hold e-hailing platforms accountable for allowing unlicensed operators.
The Namibia Statistics Agency board has extended statistician general Alex Shimuafeni's contract from 31 March to 30 September to ensure completion of critical projects and a smooth leadership transition. Deputy statistician general Ottilie Mwazi's contract was also extended from 1 January to 31 March following her reaching retirement age on 31 December.
Three officials from the Ministry of Agriculture's rural water supply directorate were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly submitting fraudulent requisitions and diverting two 10,000-litre water tanks intended for communities in Omaheke to private individuals. The tanks have been recovered and the suspects were granted bail of N$10,000 each.
The case involving former agriculture minister Mac Hengari and his co-accused has been postponed again to Tuesday, as the prosecutor general has not yet signed off on whether to proceed with prosecution in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court. The state attributed the delay partly to the death of Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda.
Minister Emma Theofelus has halted the recruitment of an information commissioner, citing insufficient stakeholder consultations on the operationalisation of the Access to Information Act. Critics including the IPC and policy experts express concern that the delay is hindering implementation of the transparency law, though budget allocation for 2026/2027 suggests the pause may be temporary.
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned that councillors and administrative officials responsible for financial losses within regional and local authorities could be required to compensate the state. He directed local authorities to strengthen financial oversight and instructed government institutions and councillors to settle outstanding municipal arrears, while exempting pensioners and people with disabilities from debt write-offs from possible consideration.
Ricardo Gustavo, first accused in the Fishrot fraud and corruption case, says a recusal application by former attorney general Sacky Shanghala and James Hatuikulipi against acting judge Marilize du Plessis is intended to delay the trial. The judge is expected to rule on the recusal application on 23 March.
The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.
The Judicial Service Commission has decided to hire a limited number of foreign judges on fixed-term contracts to serve in the High Court's civil stream to reduce case backlogs. The Commission said the move became necessary because domestic candidates, particularly magistrates, lack the specialised expertise in civil law required for complex civil cases, and senior legal practitioners have been reluctant to accept permanent judicial positions.
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp has acknowledged that the integration of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund into the Ministry of Education has raised legitimate staff concerns, particularly about remuneration and job security, and assured employees that their concerns are being taken seriously and that the integration aims to strengthen governance and improve alignment with national priorities.
The Office of the Judiciary has appointed five judges to the High Court, including three from other southern African countries on temporary contracts to address capacity constraints in the civil stream. The appointments are part of a temporary measure while longer-term domestic solutions are pursued.
Former justice minister Shanghala has applied for High Court acting judge Marelize du Plessis to recuse herself from his corruption trial, arguing her statements characterizing his applications as delay tactics and her treatment of parties demonstrate bias. Co-accused and their legal representatives also challenge the judge's competence and impartiality.
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the first woman to lead Namibia's parliament, says the country is advancing gender equality through policy advocacy and gender-sound laws. With President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Lucia Witbooi also in office, Namibia is among the few countries globally where women hold the president, vice president, and speaker positions simultaneously.
Jandre Dippenaar, convicted of six counts of murder stemming from a 2014 car accident near Henties Bay that killed six people, has lodged an application to appeal to the Supreme Court after the High Court dismissed his earlier appeal in December. Dippenaar was the first in Namibia convicted of murder based on dolus eventualis rather than culpable homicide in a motor vehicle collision case; he argued the court wrongly prioritised eyewitness testimony over expert evidence, but judges ruled the trial court correctly drew inferences and imposed an appropriate sentence.
A Windhoek High Court judge dismissed the attempt by cryptocurrency investment scheme operator Ruaan Smith to regain access to bank accounts frozen by the Bank of Namibia after the central bank found reason to believe he was conducting unauthorised banking business. The court upheld the Bank of Namibia's November 2021 decision to investigate Smith's accounts and the subsequent freezing of accounts at Nedbank Namibia.
Former Meat Corporation of Namibia acting chief executive Patrick Liebenberg faces 26 disciplinary charges, including allegations of misappropriating over N$5.5 million and fraud linked to 900 missing cattle. The charges include forging agreements, falsifying livestock records, and instructing staff to move cattle during an audit to mislead auditors, with Meatco also filing a High Court case against him.
Namibia Breweries Limited conducted a half-day training session for human resource and safety managers from 12 major companies in Windhoek to promote responsible and moderate alcohol consumption in the workplace. The initiative aims to help companies address alcohol misuse and strengthen wellness and safety programmes, with NBL emphasizing that alcohol-related disruption should be treated as an operational risk.
Standard Bank's Blue Growth Series has trained 695 entrepreneurs, almost half women, helping many formalise their businesses and access finance and market networks. According to the programme data, participants completed financial literacy training and some received international certifications, positioning them to compete in regional and continental trade.
First National Bank Namibia has been awarded best foreign exchange bank in the Global Finance magazine's 26th Annual World's Best Foreign Exchange Banks Awards, which recognises institutions demonstrating leadership, innovation and superior service across 87 countries and territories.
Savanna Beef Processors Limited has introduced a digital Slaughter Rights System allowing producers to trade slaughter slots on the Namibia Securities Exchange over-the-counter platform while the company awaits full EU export accreditation. The system, which begins trading on 16 March, aims to provide fair and transparent access to abattoir capacity and unlock value in Namibia's beef sector.
Meatco's export abattoir has retained an A+ equivalent grade under the Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards (BRCGS) certification system, one of the world's most widely recognised food safety programmes. The accreditation is essential for Meatco to maintain access to premium international markets and strengthens Namibia's reputation as a trusted supplier of premium beef.
Namib Mills and the Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union have made meaningful progress in wage negotiations and reached broad agreement on substantive wage issues, but talks have stalled after the union introduced items outside the scope of the dispute. The industrial action, which began in January 2026 after months of failed negotiations, involved nearly 700 workers across multiple depots demanding higher wages, housing and transport allowances, and full December bonuses.
The Auditor General has issued an adverse audit opinion on the Fisheries Observer Fund's 2024/2025 financial statements, citing material issues including incorrect revenue recognition from previous years' landings, discrepancies in levy income totalling millions of namibia dollars, and undisclosed information required under revenue reporting standards.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia supports government plans to amend mining sector taxation, including limits on loss carryforwards and tax deductions for rehabilitation and corporate social responsibility expenditures. The chamber says the changes aim to strengthen economic activity and encourage investment in community development.
Paragon Investment and businessman Knowledge Katti have separately expressed interest in acquiring a 10.2% equity stake in Rössing Uranium Limited currently held by South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation. Katti has called for the stake to be sold exclusively to a 100% Namibian entity, arguing that greater local private sector participation in strategic mineral assets is key to national economic sovereignty.
The rapid acceleration of oil and gas discoveries in Namibia is creating significant challenges for the legal sector, particularly general counsel who must navigate licensing, local content obligations, joint ventures and cross-border risks while balancing economic opportunity with environmental and social commitments. A CDH managing partner stressed that general counsel must ensure governance frameworks are robust enough to handle the complexity of these developments while maintaining environmental protection and community engagement.
According to Otniel Hembapu, emerging farmers with limited resources should choose between pursuing commercial production (maximizing herd numbers for volume income) or stud breeding (building premium genetics for higher-margin sales), rather than attempting both simultaneously. Hembapu advises focusing on building herd numbers and scalable production first, before exploring genetic improvement or branding later.
Bennie Ganuseb is working to establish a banana farm in Kunene's harsh climate, having reduced his plantation from over 500 trees to nearly zero due to water shortages. With support from the IREMA climate resilience project, he received 180 new banana trees and is now seeking funds for a solar-powered water system to revive his farm and supply local schools and communities.
Beatus Iiyambo, 25, travelled to Windhoek in January for work but disappeared the day after arriving; his mother pleads for information, saying she will settle for knowing his whereabouts or "even if it is only his bones" to gain closure. His last known location was Oponganda Cemetery, and his phone has been unreachable since he went missing.
South Africa's National Consumer Commission has alerted consumers to the recall of certain Nutricia baby formula products due to possible contamination with cereulide, a toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps at high exposure levels. The affected products were also distributed to Namibia and Botswana.
The Ministry of Education has formally integrated the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) into its structure to strengthen governance, improve policy alignment, and ensure long-term sustainability of the student funding scheme. Education minister Sanet Steenkamp acknowledged that the transition has created uncertainty among staff regarding remuneration and job security, but said the ministry is committed to stabilising the institution and improving service delivery to students.
Namibia's health minister has officially declared the end of mpox outbreak in Swakopmund district and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Omaheke region. The mpox outbreak saw three confirmed cases with full recoveries and no deaths, while a single CCHF case was recorded with one fatality.
The Namibia University of Science and Technology has appointed Nashilongo Gervasius as director of corporate engagement and internationalisation, confirming her in the role after serving in an acting capacity since July 2024. Gervasius, a communications and policy professional, will lead the university's strategic partnerships with industry and academic institutions and expand its international academic footprint.
The Namibian has published a correction to a 6 March article about the Roads Authority spending N$162,000 on iPads for temporary board members, clarifying that CE Hippy Tjivikua did not request the purchase—it occurred before his appointment.
Andrea Maasdorp appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on a murder charge after allegedly stabbing her brother-in-law Abre Maasdorp several times during an incident in Elisenheim on Sunday afternoon. Maasdorp also allegedly stabbed her estranged husband twice, though he was reported in stable condition.
A 40-year-old man was fatally stabbed and another man injured during a domestic incident at Elisenheim, Windhoek, on Sunday afternoon. Police say a 46-year-old woman stabbed her ex-husband twice and then her brother-in-law several times with a knife; the ex-husband escaped but his brother died at the scene, and the woman has been arrested.
Namibia's police honoured 17 officers who died in the line of duty over seven years on International Blue Day, with officers describing the physical and emotional risks they face, including motor vehicle accidents, violent crime responses, and armed confrontations with criminals.
Andrea Ferris, 46, appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court after being accused of murdering her brother-in-law, Abre Maasdorp, 40, on 8 March at a residential community on Windhoek's outskirts. The court remanded her in custody after the state objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the crime and the need to gather further witness statements.
Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has inaugurated a new governance committee for the Public Service Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS) to oversee implementation of reforms, including mandatory use of public hospitals by civil servants and alignment with the government's Universal Health Coverage objectives. The committee, drawn from government agencies, trade unions, and regulators, replaces the previous model to improve oversight, accountability, and healthcare sustainability.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined Ethiopian Airlines at Hosea Kutako International Airport to commemorate the airline's 80th anniversary and celebrate International Women's Day, highlighting women's growing role in aviation and progress toward gender equality. She pointed to Namibia's milestones including female leadership in government and sectors such as medicine, engineering and aviation, and noted that an all-female Ethiopian Airlines crew arrival sends a powerful message to young girls about career opportunities.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has officially declared the end of the Mpox outbreak in Swakopmund district (which produced three confirmed cases) and the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever outbreak in Omaheke Region (one confirmed case), following months without new infections and successful public health containment measures.
The University of Namibia is constructing an integrated wastewater management system at its Katima Mulilo Campus, financed by Germany's KfW Development Bank, to address the town's aging sewer infrastructure that dates to the 1930s and now serves a population of nearly 50,000. The N$60 million facility will serve Unam and the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre while supporting research, training, and water reuse initiatives in the region.
Namibia's Ministry of Health has formally ended both the Mpox outbreak in Swakopmund (which resulted in three confirmed cases, all recovered) and the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever outbreak in Omaheke (one confirmed death), following 90 days and two incubation periods without new cases respectively. The ministry credited swift surveillance, contact tracing, and community awareness for the successful containment.
Robberies were the most frequently reported crimes in Namibia during the weekend of 6–8 March, with incidents recorded across Windhoek and other regions. The police report also documented suicides, rape cases, drug-related offences, stock theft, housebreaking and other crimes across several areas.
The City of Windhoek Municipal Council has approved interim administrative support and conditional development permissions for residents of Groot-Aub peri-urban area, nearly eight years after a 2018 moratorium blocked construction and administrative services. Residents will now be issued residency confirmation letters, permitted to build permanent and semi-permanent structures subject to regulations, and farmers can register livestock and access agricultural services.
Ngweze Primary School in the Zambezi region held a belated celebration of African Day of the School Feeding Programme on Friday, with education officials emphasizing the programme's role in improving school attendance, concentration and academic performance. Officials called for the programme to be extended to secondary schools and for greater sustainability through dedicated budgeting and linkages with smallholder farmers.
Jacob Ipinge, who ranked eighth nationally in Namibia's advanced secondary exams, received N$10,000 from the Ondangwa Town Council for university accommodation after approaching the mayor. The council and its officials also contributed N$1,770 from personal funds to help him with other expenses as he studies medicine at the University of Namibia.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has invited industry stakeholders to help shape the return of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs), which have been dormant since MTC withdrew funding in 2020. A stakeholder engagement session is scheduled for 14 March to strengthen the awards' credibility and gather input on award categories, industry development needs, and future direction.
Kevin Hamukwaya, known as Kaytee NA, is a 21-year-old Windhoek-based music producer and DJ who has amassed over one million streams across platforms, with nearly half his listeners in South Africa. He is pursuing university studies alongside his music career, aiming to take Namibian talent to the international stage.
Namibia's Brave Gladiators' Cosafa Championship victory in March was built on decades of grassroots development through the NFA's Galz & Goals programme, which gave young girls safe spaces and structured competition, supported by Unicef and later sponsorship from Skorpion Zinc Mine and FNB Namibia. Captain Lovisa Mulunga credited the pathway from community fields to the FNB Women's Super League for developing the team that won the trophy, though she noted women's football still requires more sponsors to sustain progress.
The youth football and netball tournament brings together under-20 teams from all 14 regions of Namibia to develop emerging talent and foster regional sports development. Kunene defends the 2025 football title while Kavango East defends the netball crown, with group draws revealed at the official launch in Windhoek.
Namibian centre-back Sisqo Haraseb, playing for Iraqi club Al-Qasim FC, reports that football activities in Iraq continue as normal despite regional tensions involving Iran and the US, as his club is located far from areas affected by attacks. The article also covers updates on Namibian players in foreign leagues, including in Zimbabwe, Malaysia, and South Africa.
Liverpool travel to Istanbul for a Champions League last-16 first-leg match against Turkish champions Galatasaray, seeking to boost their season after a poor run of Premier League results. The fixture marks a rematch after Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the league phase.
The Confederation of African Football has announced substantially higher prize money for its 2025/26 club competitions, with Champions League winners receiving six million dollars (up from four million) and Confederation Cup winners receiving four million dollars (a 50 percent increase). The increases follow complaints from clubs about financial losses from competing in African competitions, particularly due to expensive and time-consuming air travel across the continent.
Sri Lanka named former South African Test player Gary Kirsten as their new coach on a two-year contract starting April 15, following Sanath Jayasuriya's departure after the team's early exit from the T20 World Cup. Jayasuriya, a Sri Lankan cricket legend, will transition to lead the National High Performance Centre.
The Namibia Premier Football League's rounds 23 and 24 saw Tigers FC and Young African FC struggle in their battle against relegation, with Tigers drawing 0-0 against Okahandja and losing 0-1 to Buck Buccaneers, while Young African suffered a 5-1 defeat that coach Maleagi Ngarizemo called the worst in the club's 13-year history. Eeshoke Chula Chula moved to the top of the log with 47 points, ahead of African Stars on 46 points, as Tigers remain in the relegation zone with 20 points from six matches remaining in the season.
An open letter to Sport Minister Sanet Steenkamp emphasises the need for greater transparency, accountability, and responsible management in sports organisations. The writer argues that strategic planning and support for sports officials should receive equal priority to that of athletes, citing their critical role in ensuring fairness, safety, and integrity across all sporting disciplines.
The 2026 MTC HopSol Youth League will commence on Thursday, marking its 10th anniversary with 115 teams expected to participate. The league, which has grown from 800 players in its first year to over 2,000 last year, aims to develop youth talent and has produced players who have progressed to the Premier League, tertiary institutions, and the national teams.
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a national football and netball tournament that has run since 2001, was launched yesterday and will take place from 3–5 April in Keetmanshoop with all 14 regions participating. Officials including Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti and Netball Namibia President Juanita Witbeen praised the event for promoting youth sports development and discovering talent for national teams.
Three men were arrested for allegedly hunting an elephant in a mahangu field in Tsandi constituency last Wednesday; the animal later killed a 46-year-old woman. The suspects face charges including hunting a specially protected animal without licences, possessing a firearm without permits, and failing to secure it safely.
Klaudia Amunyela was trampled to death by an elephant in Omusati's Tsandi constituency after approaching what she believed was a dead animal to take photographs. Her widower, left to care for three young children, is calling on the government for funeral assistance and citing chronic livestock losses to wildlife in the area; the ministry says it is launching awareness campaigns and intensifying patrols to address human-wildlife conflict.
Namibian communal conservancies earned N$166.36 million through joint venture tourism and N$292.55 million from trophy hunting between 2013 and 2024, according to the environment minister. The minister said hunting and tourism both provide employment and community development, with hunting removing less than 1% of the national wildlife population annually against typical growth rates of 25–35%.
Three men from Omugulugombashe village in Omusati Region have been arrested and charged with illegal hunting of an elephant cow, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and failure to secure the weapon. The elephant was shot and injured, then trampled a female villager to death the following morning when crowds gathered at the site, after which conservation officials put down the animal.
Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel met with traditional authorities in the Zambezi and Kavango East regions to discuss community-led conservation, governance in conservancies, and wildlife management. Daniel reaffirmed government commitment to working with traditional leaders on sustainable biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing, and received a submission from the Hambukushu Traditional Authority regarding Bwabwata National Park management.
The United States has handed over advanced forensic equipment to Namibia's police forensic institute to identify timber species and combat illegal timber trafficking, making Namibia the only African country with this technology. The equipment, part of a broader US$8.7 million U.S. programme launched in 2020, enables law enforcement to verify shipments, detect protected wood, and provide evidence for criminal prosecutions.
Communal conservancies earned over N$292.5 million from trophy hunting between 2013 and 2024, with the Environment Minister confirming that selective hunting removes less than 1% of annual wildlife population and contributes to conservation funding, habitat management and community development.
A forged memorandum altered by South African police misled the ANC and prosecutors, causing the removal of officials pursuing Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases and effectively stalling investigations into dozens of apartheid-era crimes. The forgery, discovered in 2007, was part of a broader effort to prevent senior ANC leaders from being prosecuted for historical wrongdoings.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, has assumed Iran's top position following his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination, taking charge as the Islamic Republic confronts existential conflict. The reclusive cleric, who lost family members in the same strike and has never held public office, now leads a hardline regime while facing threats from the US and Israel, domestic opposition, and economic pressures from escalating Middle Eastern conflict.
Guinea's authorities have dissolved 40 political parties, including those of former president Alpha Condé and opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo, citing non-compliance with legal requirements. Diallo, now in exile, responded by declaring that "direct resistance" is the only path to change, saying President Mamady Doumbouya has "openly declared war" on democratic challengers.
Four years after expelling Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have taken a muted stance toward the recent US-led attack on Iran, prompting experts to accuse them of applying inconsistent standards and prioritizing powerful nations over principle.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 11 countries—including neighbours of Iran, European states, and the United States—have requested Kyiv's help countering Iranian drones, citing Ukraine's experience defending against similar Russian attacks.
Namibia has raised alarm over US President Trump's new 15% global tariff, arguing it conflicts with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which grants qualifying African countries duty-free access to the American market. Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi warned the tariffs risk undermining years of progress for African exporters, particularly Namibia's beef, fish, and horticultural sectors that have grown dependent on AGOA's preferential access.
Iran launched fresh attacks on energy installations across the Gulf, hitting Bahrain's Al Ma'ameer refinery complex and prompting major producers in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait to declare force majeure, warning of possible export disruptions. Oil prices surged to their highest levels since 2022 as regional conflict sparked market volatility and US embassy staff evacuations from Saudi Arabia.
An opinion piece argues that tribalism and racism in the National Assembly, including a recent incident involving NUDO legislator Vetaruhe Kandorozu, undermine democracy and national unity. The author calls for Namibians to reject tribal and racial divisions and pursue a national dialogue based on equality and reconciliation.