Namibia Minute

Saturday, 4 April 2026

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Saturday, 4 April 2026

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Politics

Employers' Federation warns ministerial role blurs labour dispute processes

The News

The Namibian Employers' Federation has raised concerns over growing ministerial involvement in company-level labour disputes, warning it risks undermining established legal processes and institutional boundaries. The federation's president cited the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter case as an example where ministerial intervention halted restructuring before formal dispute-resolution mechanisms had concluded.

4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

Employers' Federation warns ministerial role blurs labour dispute processes
The Namibian Employers' Federation has raised concerns over growing ministerial involvement in company-level labour disputes, warning it risks undermining established legal processes and institutional boundaries. The federation's president cited the Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter case as an example where ministerial intervention halted restructuring before formal dispute-resolution mechanisms had concluded.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo MP Uerikua mourned as brilliant young leader
Affirmative Repositioning MP George Kambala has urged young Namibians to carry forward the vision of deceased Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, who died in a vehicle accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. Kambala praised Uerikua's commitment to youth leadership, his advocacy for Ovaherero and Nama genocide recognition, and his belief in Namibian potential.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo Youth League pays tribute to parliamentarian James Uerikua
The Swapo Party Youth League has issued a tribute to Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, describing his legacy as extending beyond leadership to his dedication to development and the upliftment of young people, saying his impact will be felt for generations.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Lawmakers mourn death of Swapo MP James Uerikua
Swapo member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua died in a vehicle accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. Fellow lawmakers described him as a skilled debater and intellectually gifted parliamentarian, mourning his loss to the National Assembly and the country.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
MP James Uerikua dies in road accident, tributes pour in
Member of parliament James Uerikua died in a road accident on Friday. Colleagues from across the political spectrum paid tribute to him, describing him as a unifier and noting that his son also died in the same accident and his wife is in critical condition.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo MP James Uerikua dies in single-vehicle crash
Otjozondjupa regional police confirmed that Swapo MP James Uerikua and his son died in a vehicle accident caused by a burst tyre on Friday. Police said Uerikua lost control and the vehicle overturned; his wife survived but remains in critical condition.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
MP Aupindi mourns colleague Uerikua killed in car accident
Tobie Aupindi, a Member of Parliament, has paid tribute to his fellow MP James Uerikua, who died in a car accident on the road between Otjiwarongo and Okakarara on Friday. Aupindi described Uerikua as a dear friend, brother, and devoted servant to Namibia.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President mourns death of Swapo MP James Uerikua
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has mourned the death of Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, who died in a road accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. She described him as a promising leader and called on Namibians to exercise caution on the roads.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Memorial stone honours nine PLAN fighters killed in 1989
A tombstone was unveiled in Ohangwena Region to honour nine People's Liberation Army of Namibia combatants killed on 2 April 1989 in a clash with Koevoet, the counterinsurgency unit of the then South West African Police, just a day after a ceasefire had taken effect. Former PLAN fighters, government officials, and relatives attended the ceremony at Enghandja laShikongeni village.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →
President mourns MP James Uerikua and son in road accident
President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of SWAPO MP James Unomasa Uerikua and his son in a fatal road crash, extending condolences to the family and colleagues and calling for greater road safety across Namibia.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →

Business

Iran crisis drives Namibia fuel costs up sharply
Closure of the Strait of Hormuz in March caused global crude oil prices to surge 54%, pushing Namibian petrol prices up N$2.50 per litre and diesel up N$4 per litre, compressing real incomes and increasing production costs across transport, agriculture and tourism sectors.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
MTC inaugural branding and marketing awards announced
The MTC Branding and Marketing Excellence Awards announced nominees across 15 categories, with 44 nominees selected from 109 entries following a merit-based vetting process. The inaugural awards ceremony will take place on 10 April at the Windhoek Country Club Resort to celebrate creativity and innovation in Namibia's marketing industry.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank of Namibia reports record N$892 million loss in 2025
The Bank of Namibia declared a record annual loss of N$892 million for 2025, primarily due to unrealised foreign exchange losses from Eurobond redemption and currency fluctuations, though operating profit of N$569 million allowed a N$200 million dividend to government.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

PM calls for urgent land delivery to boost Opuwo's economy
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for urgent land delivery, increased investment, and stronger collaboration between traditional and local authorities to unlock Opuwo's economic potential. He stated that land is central to development and that investors are already interested in the region but cannot proceed due to land constraints.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Society

Viral 'Ndele ohai filidja' girl Hulda Gideon dies of leukaemia
Hulda Gideon, 9, who became a social media star after a 2023 viral video, has died from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia following a relapse last year. She had initially been diagnosed with the blood cancer at age two, achieved remission after chemotherapy, received a bone transplant from her mother in February, but ultimately succumbed to the disease.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Suspected human remains discovered in Omusati Region
Cattle herders in Onkaanka village, Otamanzi constituency, found suspected human remains including head and back bones and navy blue jeans on Thursday. The deceased's identity, date of death, and cause of death remain unknown; bones have been sent for investigation.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →
Zambezi floods disrupt education for over 500 learners
Nineteen schools in the Zambezi Region have been affected by floods, with 509 learners losing approximately two weeks of learning. The Ministry of Education has identified relocation sites and is working to address logistical challenges including transportation, meal provision, and catch-up teaching during school holidays.
4 April 2026 · Informanté →

Culture

Three-legged pot endures as cultural centerpiece for meals
A personal essay reflects on the iconic African three-legged pot's role in Setswana mourning rituals and family cooking, describing how it produces distinctive, richer flavors that modern cookware cannot replicate and serves as a repository for generations of recipes and cultural practice.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Millennials face different world than previous generations
Anne Hambuda reflects on reaching the age her mother was when she was born, observing that while her generation faces a different, more expensive and isolating world than before, the core human experiences of fear, hope and aspiration remain constant across generations. Despite different circumstances, each generation navigates life with similar uncertainty and humanity.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian beauty queen Elly Aron to represent nation at Miss World
Elly Aron will compete for Namibia at the 73rd Miss World pageant in Vietnam from August to September, promoting Namibian cultural diversity and preventing teenage pregnancies. She has backing from the government and Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, who calls her participation a national responsibility.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Author encourages teens to read books over social media
Victoria Shilongo, a 29-year-old author and evangelist, has published three books aimed at equipping teenagers with life skills and purpose through topics including emotional intelligence, financial literacy, and faith-based guidance. Shilongo, who leads a youth ministry initiative, says her books offer a holistic approach to personal growth and are designed to help young people think critically in an increasingly confusing world.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian Theatre and Film Awards return after six-year hiatus
The sixth edition of the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards celebrated local creative talent at the National Theatre of Namibia, with Rodney Gariseb's 'Naked Spaces' winning six theatre awards and Errol Geingob's 'Speel Aan' claiming five film awards. Both winning productions centre on men's mental health, and the ceremony also featured inaugural dance category awards won entirely by Ombetja Yehinga Organisation.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
April brings diverse religious observances worldwide
April marks several major religious festivals across faiths, including Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and observances by Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and other communities, reflecting global spiritual and cultural diversity. The article emphasizes the importance of interfaith harmony, tolerance, and recognition of shared principles like compassion and justice across different belief traditions.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sport

U20 Cup football matches relocated due to waterlogged pitch
The Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup organising committee moved all U20 matches from Field A to Field B at Keetmanshoop's Westdene Stadium after heavy Friday rainfall made Field A unplayable. Organisers are working to restore Field A and will return matches there once the pitch is ready.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Rain halts netball competition at Newspaper Cup
The opening day of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup netball tournament was disrupted by rain on Friday, forcing two matches between Kunene and Ohangwena, and Oshana and Otjozondjupa to be paused mid-quarter and resume on Saturday. Netball Namibia president Juanita Witbeen said matches would resume from the exact point they were stopped, with remaining quarters to be completed the following morning.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2026 opens with goals aplenty
The opening day of the football tournament at Keetmanshoop saw Oshikoto thrash Ohangwena 4-1 and Oshikoto edge //Kharas 1-0 to book their place in the quarterfinals, while defending champions Kunene and other teams played to mixed results in rainy conditions.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tourism & Environment

Ocean warming threatens Namibia's fishing and coastal economy
Warming oceans and changes in the Benguela Current ecosystem—including shifts in the Angola-Benguela Front and so-called 'Benguela Niño' events—are preventing recovery of sardine, hake, and lobster populations and endangering seabirds, putting coastal livelihoods and fishing businesses at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz at risk. Long-term research is needed to better understand these trends and adapt management to protect both wildlife and coastal communities.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

World & Region

Afghan earthquake kills eight family members in Kabul province
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Afghanistan overnight, killing eight members of the same family in Kabul province's Gosfand Dara area, with only a two-year-old child from the household surviving with injuries. The quake struck at a depth of 186 kilometres in north-eastern Badakhshan province and was felt across multiple parts of the country, including the capital.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Opinion

Opinion: Satirical critique of council CEO's self-appointment
This is a satirical opinion piece criticizing an acting council CEO (referred to as "Fernest") who appointed himself to a newly created human resources and administration manager position, including awarding himself allowances and benefits via a self-congratulatory letter. The piece uses heavy irony to mock the lack of transparency and ethics involved in the self-appointment.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Kelley Followership Model identifies types of followers
An opinion piece argues that while good leadership is important, good followership is equally necessary. It introduces the Kelley Followership Model, which categorizes followers into four types—passive critical, conformist, alienated, and effective—based on their independent thinking and active engagement with their leader.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →