Namibia's 2026/27 budget, presented under the theme "People, Productivity and Prudence," shows a gap between government spending priorities and the sixth National Development Plan's objectives. Though the budget allocates to social sectors, operational expenditure dominates over development spending in infrastructure and productive sectors needed for economic transformation.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's 2026/27 budget, presented under the theme "People, Productivity and Prudence," shows a gap between government spending priorities and the sixth National Development Plan's objectives. Though the budget allocates to social sectors, operational expenditure dominates over development spending in infrastructure and productive sectors needed for economic transformation.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's 2026/27 budget prioritises fiscal consolidation and prudence, with projected deficit narrowing and controlled inflation that aim to sustain the economic environment for pensioners, though the budget contains no explicit pension reforms and relies on system stability rather than direct intervention.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Fourteen individuals charged with fraud and corruption at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia are scheduled to plead on 21 April after the Windhoek Magistrate's Court postponed their case yesterday to allow further investigations and state preparation. The accused are alleged to have been involved in fraudulent transactions including the sale of filling station assets to a Namcor subsidiary for N$53.2 million and credit limit breaches with fuel companies.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will deliver her Independence Day address live on NBC at midnight on 21 March instead of at a public event, prompting the IPC and analysts to question the decision's justification and appropriateness.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Affirmative Repositioning party said independence is "incomplete" due to persistent poverty, inequality and unemployment, arguing that since 1990 freedom fighters compromised with former colonisers who retained economic control while surrendering only political institutions.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice president Lucia Witbooi praised ||Kharas region for transforming into an economic hub with significant progress in agriculture, agri-processing, mining, fisheries and tourism. She acknowledged ongoing challenges in industrial activity, water, sanitation and housing while noting government efforts through development projects at Noordoewer and Auas.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa called on Namibians, especially youth, to strive for a united, peaceful, and developed nation at the 36th independence anniversary celebrations, reflecting on historical sacrifices and expressing solidarity with regional partners against imperialism.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi called on Namibians to renew their commitment to building an inclusive nation anchored in freedom, equality, and shared prosperity, speaking at a wreath-laying ceremony for the late Reverend Willem Konjore. Witbooi highlighted Konjore's key role in the 1976 Nama Teachers' Strike and his subsequent contributions to Namibia's independence struggle and governance, including service as a Founding Father, Chief Whip of SWAPO, Deputy Speaker, and minister until his retirement in 2010.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi held a courtesy meeting with the Bondelswarts Traditional Authority, led by Acting Chief Dencil Christian, to strengthen collaboration between government and traditional leaders in community development, cultural preservation, and inclusive governance.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah celebrated Namibia's 36th Independence Day by reflecting on the country's sovereignty since 1990 and expressing gratitude for global support during the liberation struggle. She reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to strengthening international cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development while addressing socio-economic challenges and youth empowerment.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia celebrated its 36th Independence Day while marking Vice President Lucia Witbooi's 64th birthday, with tributes recognising her leadership, service to nation-building, and advocacy for women's empowerment and social inclusion.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Revenue Agency has signed a cooperation agreement with the Gambling Board to access data on operators and winners to close compliance gaps and ensure betting and gambling income is properly taxed. Namra commissioner Sam Shivute says the authority will cross-check gambling board data against tax records to identify non-compliance and is calling on operators and individuals to voluntarily regularise their tax affairs.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
E-hailing company Yango Namibia said it is taking steps to comply with regulatory requirements from the Ministry of Works and Transport, including public passenger permit standards, while working with fleet partners and investigating reports of unregistered drivers.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's transport and ICT ministries have given unregistered e-hailing operators including Yango, InDrive, and Lefa 56 days to obtain public passenger permits or face vehicle impoundment. The requirement follows a meeting between transport minister Veikko Nekundi and operators, with platforms given 28 days to ensure full compliance and the ministries a further 28 days to verify, before enforcement action.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Cheetah Cement plans to close operations and retrench approximately 87 employees by 15 April, citing sustained financial losses, regional import restrictions, and a blocked merger attempt with Ohorongo Cement. The Namibian Competition Commission refused the merger in July 2025, and the company says it has been loss-making for eight years; the union is negotiating to find alternatives to the retrenchments.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations from Vivo Energy, positioning Nasan as the country's third-largest fuel retailer. The purchase was conditional on divestment to prevent monopolistic control, following concerns about potential connections between Nasan's co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vivo's parent company Vitol.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare assured the business community that Namibia will not run out of fuel, as only 20–30 per cent of fuel imports come from the Middle East, with most sourced from Nigeria, India, and Europe. The country maintains a three-month fuel supply, and fuel tankers are expected to have arrived by now, he said.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Orano desalination plant in Erongo resumed operations on Saturday afternoon after shutting down Friday due to high sulphur levels. NamWater confirmed normal supply to mines and surrounding areas including Swakopmund, Nonides, and Arandis has been restored.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Emerging Mining Association of Namibia president Thekla Mutero stated during Independence Day commemorations that true independence requires ensuring people benefit from the country's natural resources, describing minerals as a pillar of sovereignty and calling for mineral wealth to be transformed into sustainable prosperity for all Namibians.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Kehemu Sidamenena have endured seasonal flooding for nearly eight years due to the area's natural topography, with water accumulating and damaging homes, businesses, and public health. The article argues that despite repeated reports to the town council, no meaningful intervention has occurred, and questions why similar flooding in wealthier areas like Queens Park prompted swift ministerial action and N$108 million in funding, while this informal settlement remains neglected.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Johannes Jackson, who served eight years in prison, co-founded Ondumbo Niise Gym in Katutura's Ombili area in 2020 with Phillip Shikemeni to keep young people off the streets and build community fitness. The gym has grown from five to 150 members at N$30 per day or N$200 monthly, with free training available to those who cannot afford fees, and is now seeking expansion support and sponsors.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A land and spatial sciences professional warns that Namibia's new presidential task force on land and housing risks repeating the mistakes of the failed Mass Housing Development Programme unless it addresses past failures—including poor accountability, weak project management, cost overruns, unaffordable units, inadequate local authority support, and lack of transparency.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia has strong internal migration patterns, with 32% of residents living in a different region from where they were born, predominantly rural-to-urban and among young male jobseekers. Khomas and Erongo are the largest destinations for internal migrants, while northern regions show the highest out-migration rates.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team confirmed that hackers linked to the INC Ransomware Group unauthorisedly accessed Namibia Airports Company's network and stole approximately 500GB of data, including financial records, HR data, and customer information. The group uses "double-extortion" tactics involving data theft and system encryption, and has threatened to release the stolen data after a countdown period.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
NamPost has intensified collaboration with regional leaders across seven regions to improve the distribution of National Social Cash Grants, following engagement sessions focused on addressing service delivery challenges and enhancing efficiency since taking over the programme on 1 October 2025.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
A food writer explores chevon (goat meat) as a cost-effective alternative to beef in Namibian households, arguing that proper preparation with warm spices eliminates the odour concern and produces flavourful stews ideal for family meals.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
'Echoes of Omusati – A Forgotten Heritage', directed by Oshoveli Shipoh, follows a Zambian-born woman named Ndilimeke as she returns to Namibia to reunite with her father and discover her heritage after years in exile. The film premieres on 27 March at Ster-Kinekor Maerua Mall and examines how cultural practices, language, and storytelling preserve identity across generations.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Singer Erna Chimu, who won woman artist of the year at the 2014 Namibian Annual Music Awards, says she uses music in her mother tongue to inspire people to overcome toxic relationships and daily challenges while promoting Khoekhoegowab language and culture. She has performed internationally across Europe, Africa, and China, and calls for government support, a music union, and increased local airplay to help Namibian artists compete globally.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A 1907 heritage-listed building in Swakopmund is at the centre of a redevelopment dispute, with a developer citing safety concerns and proposing conversion into a boutique hotel while the National Heritage Council has directed that the original structure be preserved in full. The Swakopmund municipal council and residents association have expressed support for the adaptive reuse project, arguing that modernisation is necessary for the building's long-term preservation.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to their 11th straight victory, defeating the Washington Wizards 132–111. The game was marred by a first-half brawl that resulted in four player ejections.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Football Association spent approximately N$700,000 on the funeral of former secretary general Charles Siyauya and N$400,000 on that of executive member Michael Situde, raising concerns among insiders about the lack of a formal funeral policy and alignment with the organisation's development mandate. NFA officials disputed some details but acknowledged the absence of clear guidelines, while former leadership and current executives questioned whether such expenditure was justified given underfunding of youth football programmes.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Armand Duplantis won his fourth world indoor pole vault title in Torun, Poland, with a championship record of 6.25 metres, while Josh Kerr triumphed in the 3,000m and Switzerland's Simon Ehammer set a new world record in the heptathlon.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Liverpool fell to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton while Chelsea were thumped 3-0 by Everton, both slipping further from the top five places that guarantee next season's Champions League football. The losses give renewed hope to other clubs including Everton, Brentford, and Fulham in the race for Champions League qualification.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tadej Pogacar defeated Tom Pidcock in a thrilling final sprint to win Milan-San Remo, adding a fourth of cycling's five "Monument" races to his collection. The 27-year-old Slovenian recovered from a crash before the Cipressa climb to claim victory on the 298-kilometre course, becoming the first world champion to win the race since Giuseppe Saronni in 1983.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Harry Kane scored in Bayern Munich's 4-0 home victory over Union Berlin, moving to 31 goals this season and within 10 of Robert Lewandowski's single-season Bundesliga record with seven games remaining. Serge Gnabry scored twice and Michael Olise also netted as Bayern extended their league lead to 12 points.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Environment and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel described Kunene as a critical pillar for inclusive growth, highlighting its unique landscapes, tourism potential, and strategic location near Angola that positions it for trade and regional integration. She said the government's work encompasses protecting nature while building livelihoods, creating jobs, and strengthening communities.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Unusually early and intense flooding along the Zambezi River, driven by heavy rainfall in upstream Angola and Zambia, is expected to significantly impact communities, livestock, and tourism in north-eastern Namibia in the coming weeks, with authorities potentially needing to relocate vulnerable populations and disruptions to roads and game drives forecast.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
Northern and north-eastern Namibia recorded the highest rainfall in February 2026, with several areas receiving over 200 millimetres, according to the Namibia Meteorological Services' Climate Watch Report. In contrast, southern regions recorded less than 100 mm of rain during the same period.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
Botswana President Duma Boko visited Namibia to discuss strengthening trade relations and bilateral cooperation with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, including plans for a joint oil refinery and modernizing border crossings to facilitate seamless movement of goods and people.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and visiting Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko reaffirmed bilateral cooperation, with discussions centring on trade promotion, the proposed Trans-Kalahari Railway, use of Walvis Bay port for regional connectivity, and the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Russian Embassy has congratulated Namibia on its 36th Independence Day, praising the nation's struggle for freedom and progress since 1990, and acknowledging the former Soviet Union's support during the liberation struggle and SWAPO's role in independence.
22 March 2026 · Informanté →
A contributor argues that Namibian military recruits lack financial education despite comprehensive tactical training, leading to debt and personal hardship upon entering the workforce. The writer calls on government to introduce a financial literacy module during recruit training to help officers build long-term wealth and financial security.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A satirical opinion piece in The Namibian frames snoring as an overlooked human rights issue, characterizing elbowing sleeping snorers as assault and arguing that non-snoring partners should use earplugs or relocate instead. The author proposes establishing a Namibian Snorers' Rights Association.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A social commentator reflects on Namibia's independence struggle, examining how the Lubango dungeons and other violence during the liberation movement shaped the free but unequal society she inhabits today. She argues that acknowledging historical trauma and her own inherited privileges—of class, education, and heteronormativity—is essential to understanding ongoing systemic inequalities and working toward genuine justice.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
In an Independence Day reflection, lawyer and former exile Bience Gawanas argues that 36 years after independence, Namibia must progress from merely ending war to addressing the absence of inequality and poverty, and to confront past wrongs and build true human dignity and social justice for all.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that while Namibia achieved political independence in 1990, economic independence remains limited, with foreign interests controlling much of the country's natural resources and wealth inequality persisting. The author contends that genuine independence demands mental emancipation and economic transformation, not merely symbolic sovereignty.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial in The Namibian warns that a syndicate of doctors and police officers allegedly involved in the murder of prosecutor Justine Shiweda has also engaged in widespread fraud, including forged medical passports, stolen hospital stamps, and fabricated insurance claims. The editorial calls on law-enforcement and health authorities to investigate immediately, and criticises medical professional bodies for remaining silent.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian's editorial argues that after 36 years, Namibia's Independence Day celebrations need fundamental reform to move beyond ruling-party-focused, stadium-centred events and instead embrace inclusive, progressive formats that resonate with younger generations and address economic realities like urban poverty.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →