Namibia Minute.
12 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Archive Minute from 12 April 2026
Politics

Minister consults Gciriku community on seven-year chief dispute

The News

Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa held a meeting in Rundu to address an ongoing leadership dispute within the Gciriku Traditional Authority, which has been without a recognised chief since the death of Hompa Shiyambi in 2019. The minister is tasked by the High Court to make a final decision on the succession based on customary law.

12 April 2026 · The Namibian

Politics

  1. Minister consults Gciriku community on seven-year chief dispute

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa held a meeting in Rundu to address an ongoing leadership dispute within the Gciriku Traditional Authority, which has been without a recognised chief since the death of Hompa Shiyambi in 2019. The minister is tasked by the High Court to make a final decision on the succession based on customary law.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. President addresses parliament on oil, land, wealth fund

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Last Namcor fraud accused Austin Elindi granted N$50,000 bail

    Austin Elindi, director of fuel companies alleged to have defrauded the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) of millions of namibian dollars, was granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court after spending more than eight months in custody. He is the last of 14 accused persons in the case to be released on bail and faces charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to fuel sales and unpaid credits.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. ACC allocates N$100,000 for specialised consultancy services

    The Anti-Corruption Commission has set aside N$100,000 for specialised consultancy services to support complex investigations and strategy development in its 2026/27 budget of N$1.9 million. The ACC says outsourcing expert advice is more cost-effective than maintaining permanent specialised staff, though a lawyer noted the amount is modest relative to costs in major corruption cases like Fishrot.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua mourned at memorial service

    Mourners gathered at Otjozondjupa Regional Council Hall for a memorial service honouring late former governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua, who died in a car accident over Easter weekend along with his son Venturo.

    12 April 2026 · New Era

Business

  1. Bank of Namibia promotes Oskar to senior communications role

    The Bank of Namibia has promoted Josefina Oskar to senior communication and media relations specialist. Oskar, who joined the bank in 2021, brings over 10 years of experience in communications across public and private sectors.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. TransUnion Africa names Botha as general counsel

    TransUnion Africa appointed Annemie Botha as general counsel effective 1 February, leading legal, risk and compliance functions across eight African countries. Botha, who has over 17 years of experience in legal advisory and compliance, previously served as director of compliance at the company.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. President pledges Welwitschia Wealth Fund for future generations

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told parliament that legislation for the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund — designed to save revenue from fishing, mining and other natural resources for future generations — has reached an advanced stage. She cautioned that the fund should not be misused as a slush fund for immediate spending on roads and schools.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. MSC Cruises recruiting over 200 Namibians for shipboard jobs

    The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and MSC Cruises are recruiting more than 200 Namibians for hospitality positions on cruise ships, including roles as bartenders, beauty therapists, casino dealers, guest service staff, and others. The recruitment follows a 2024 initiative in which more than 40 Namibians secured employment with the cruise operator.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Government advances N$2.8 billion Windhoek commuter rail project

    The government is progressing with a feasibility study on a commuter rail system linking Windhoek to Rehoboth and Katutura, with N$13 million spent and the study 30% complete. The N$2.8 billion project is part of broader government plans to modernise Namibia's rail infrastructure and ease transport pressures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

Mining & Energy

  1. Namibia should embrace Norway's oil transparency model

    An editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for benchmarking Namibia's emerging oil sector against Norway's transparent approach rather than corruption-prone neighbours, but warns that technical expertise alone will not prevent resource mismanagement without strong domestic political will, parliamentary oversight, and public access to petroleum data—cautions reinforced by Mozambique's cautionary tale of corruption despite similar Norwegian partnerships.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. RP accuses Headspring of influencing communities over uranium mining

    Republican Party president Henk Mudge accused Headspring Investments, a Russian state subsidiary, of using material incentives to sway communities and officials to accept uranium mining in Omaheke via in-situ leaching, which he warned poses serious contamination risks to the Stampriet aquifer and shared transboundary water systems. Headspring disputed the allegations, stating the project relies on advanced technologies used worldwide and operates under strict regulatory oversight.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. Namibia's livestock sector generates N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange

    Namibia's livestock sector generated over N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025 and contributed 3.5% to GDP, supporting over 45,000 direct jobs in primary production and 12,000 technical roles in export and processing, according to Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani. The sector sustains livelihoods for approximately 70% of Namibians and Namibia remains the only African country with concurrent export access to the US, China, Norway, and the EU.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Live cattle exports threaten Namibia's premium beef positioning

    Growing live cattle exports to Mauritius are diverting slaughter-ready animals from Namibia's value-added export chains to premium markets like Norway, the EU, and the US, risking underutilisation of domestic abattoirs and export quotas. The Meat Corporation of Namibia's interim CEO argues that while live exports offer farmers immediate payment and market diversification, unchecked large-scale exports could erode Namibia's reputation as a premium supplier and proposes a calibrated levy and better coordination between government, producers, and processors to balance immediate returns with long-term national value.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Ministry denies plan to import South African bees

    The agriculture ministry has denied allegations of importing bees from South Africa to boost blueberry harvests, stating that the last application was rejected in 2024 due to South Africa's inability to provide health assurances. The rejection comes amid concerns from local beekeepers and the Namibian Beekeeping Association about threats to native bees and the lack of adequate quarantine systems.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Agriculture ministry deploys tractors to aid flooded crop rescue

    The agriculture ministry has deployed 10 tractors to help farmers in eight Zambezi region villages move harvested crops from flooded fields to higher ground. So far, 14 farmers have been assisted in relocating 57.5 tonnes of crops to safety, with the intervention continuing until mid-April 2026.

    12 April 2026 · New Era

Society

  1. Namibian corporate communicator joins Prisa executive committee

    Victoria Raimond, corporate communications manager at Namfisa, has been selected to serve on the executive committee of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa) Namibia. Raimond says the position provides a platform to advance professional development and ethical communication practices in the country.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. NamPower urges graduates to start businesses, not seek jobs

    At a graduation ceremony in Windhoek, NamPower managing director Simson Haulofu encouraged 26 graduates to pursue entrepreneurship and job creation rather than relying on traditional employment, emphasising that vocational training and skills development are essential to reducing poverty and spurring economic growth. Officials from the Namibia Training Authority stressed that TVET empowers individuals to create employment and build resilience in sectors critical to Namibia's economy.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Schools should prioritise indigenous languages over Afrikaans

    An opinion piece argues that Namibian schools should reduce the prominence of Afrikaans, a colonial language imposed during apartheid, and instead allocate more funding and institutional support to indigenous languages like Oshikwanyama and Oshindonga, which remain underrepresented in curricula despite being spoken by the majority of the population.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. School calendar stability drives local town economies

    An active and uninterrupted school calendar is a powerful but often overlooked driver of local economic activity in Namibian towns, creating consistent demand for transport, food, stationery and services that sustains informal entrepreneurs and reduces unemployment. School disruptions weaken business activity for taxi operators and vendors, demonstrating how sensitive local economies are to shifts in pupil-driven demand.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Fishing workers petition for jobs after years of unemployment

    Former United Fishing Enterprises workers and others in Namibia's fishing industry have submitted petitions to the Erongo governor, demanding stable employment after years without work since 2018. They cite the pilchard moratorium and quota allocation systems as obstacles to permanent jobs and call for government intervention to create opportunities in the sector.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Cattle herder discovers human skeleton in Otamanzi grazing area

    A cattle herder in Onkaankaa village discovered human remains, including a skull and bones, in a livestock grazing area last week. Omusati regional police have launched an investigation and say forensic testing is underway to identify the deceased and determine the cause of death, with authorities appealing to the public for information on missing persons in the area.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Otavi schoolboy faces blindness after childhood accident and complications

    Rusten !Gu-daob, 13, lost his left eye at age four after falling onto a stick while playing, and now risks total blindness after his remaining right eye began bleeding this year. His vision is severely impaired—he can only count fingers at three centimetres—and doctors suspect the removal of his left eye may have affected the right one; his teacher and community members have appealed for urgent medical intervention.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  8. VIP hospital unit contradicts healthcare reform drive, critics argue

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah ordered government officials to use public hospitals from April, but Windhoek Central Hospital's new VIP unit exclusively for senior officials has drawn opposition criticism as discriminatory and contrary to equitable healthcare goals. Opposition leaders and analysts argue the separate facility undermines the reform and mirrors apartheid-era segregation.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  9. Eight roads closed in ||Kharas after heavy flooding

    The Roads Authority has temporarily closed eight roads in the ||Kharas region due to heavy rainfall and flooding damage. The affected routes include district roads and main road M25; some alternative routes require four-wheel drive vehicles, and the authority will assess and repair roads as conditions improve.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  10. Government assists over 51,000 persons with disabilities in 2025/26

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that more than 51,000 persons with disabilities received government assistance during the 2025/26 financial year, including the distribution of over 1,235 wheelchairs and education support totalling N$7.8 million across all regions. The government also launched a revised National Policy on Disability and provided targeted support to vulnerable communities and indigenous minorities.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  11. Oshakati without power since yesterday, restoration timeline unclear

    Residents of Oshakati have been without electricity since yesterday morning due to a fault on an OPE feeder that affected transformers at the Oshakati substation. Technicians are working on repairs but no exact restoration time has been provided, and the public is warned to treat electrical points as live.

    12 April 2026 · New Era

Culture

  1. Ministry should recognise and reward Namibian writers

    A reader appeals to Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp to acknowledge and support Namibian writers working in fiction and non-fiction to preserve the country's culture and history, and suggests the government learn from how other nations reward their authors.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Katjavivi earns PhD on Namibian Genocide history

    Perivi John Katjavivi has completed a PhD at the University of the Western Cape on the Namibian Genocide, using innovative acoustic, virtual and cinematic storytelling to document the 1904–1908 genocide.

    12 April 2026 · New Era

Sport

  1. McIlroy and Young share Masters lead after chaotic third round

    Rory McIlroy, who started the day with a six-shot lead, carded a one-over-par 73 to share the lead with Cameron Young at 11-under 205 through 54 holes at the Masters, as Young fired a scintillating seven-under-par 65. Sam Burns trails by one stroke heading into the final round.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Fury defeats Makhmudov, calls out Joshua for Britain super fight

    Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury won a unanimous points decision over Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday after a 16-month absence, then challenged fellow former champion Anthony Joshua to a "Battle of Britain" super fight. Joshua, watching ringside, declined to accept immediately but the two exchanged words, with Fury saying the fight had been "ten years in the making."

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Teenage Australian sprinter Gout breaks 20-second 200m barrier

    Gout Gout, 18, won the 200m at the Australian championships in 19.67 seconds, becoming the first to break 20 seconds legally in that age group and reinforcing his status as a rising star. Fellow Australian Aidan Murphy also cracked the 20-second mark, coming second in 19.88.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Barcelona beats Espanyol 4-1 to extend La Liga lead

    Lamine Yamal assisted twice and scored in Barcelona's 4-1 derby victory over Espanyol, extending their advantage over Real Madrid to nine points with seven games remaining. The win came as Barcelona prepare for a Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. AC Milan's Serie A title hopes ended by Udinese shock loss

    AC Milan lost 3-0 at home to Udinese on Saturday, falling nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan with six matches remaining. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri warned that the club's Champions League qualification is now under threat after losing three of four recent matches.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Arsenal's title hopes weaken after Bournemouth defeat

    Arsenal suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, losing ground in the Premier League title race and handing momentum back to Manchester City, who have two games in hand. Liverpool beat Fulham 2-0 to strengthen their Champions League qualification hopes.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Teen cyclist Seixas wins Basque Tour at 19

    French cyclist Paul Seixas, 19, won the Tour of the Basque Country, becoming the youngest ever winner of a World Tour stage race—a year younger than Tadej Pogacar. August won the final stage, with Seixas finishing 2min 30sec ahead of Lipowitz in the general classification.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  8. Alcaraz, Sinner meet in Monte Carlo final for world No.1

    Carlos Alcaraz defeated Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Monte Carlo Masters final, where he will face Jannik Sinner, who beat Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-4. The final will determine who holds the world No. 1 ranking when updated ATP rankings are released on Monday.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  9. Pogacar chases cycling Monument clean sweep at Paris-Roubaix

    World champion Tadej Pogacar aims to win Paris-Roubaix on Sunday and become only the fourth rider to complete cycling's Monument clean-sweep by winning all five of sport's most prestigious one-day classics. If successful, he would join Belgians Eddy Merckx, Roger de Vlaeminck, and Rik van Looy in that elite group.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  10. Otjozondjupa second division games postponed over unpaid referees

    Referees in Otjozondjupa's second division have boycotted scheduled matches this weekend due to outstanding payments for match fees from January to March. The Namibia Football Association cited cash-flow challenges for the delays, but referees have maintained they will not officiate until all fees and allowances are settled in full.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

Opinion

  1. Create income by monetising your existing professional skills

    A legal professional argues that rather than relying solely on formal employment in uncertain times, individuals should identify and monetise their existing or developed skills—whether by offering specialised standalone services within their field, solving concrete problems for clients, or building visibility through accessible platforms and marketing.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Modern economic equality reshapes marriage roles and identity

    Traditional gender roles in marriage have shifted as women gain economic independence and education, creating new emotional and psychological challenges for both partners. The article argues that 21st-century marriage must move beyond outdated models, with men finding purpose beyond financial provision and women embracing empowerment without guilt.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Namibia's new information commissioner post criticized as wasteful

    An opinion piece argues that appointing an information commissioner at N$1.4 million annually is unnecessary bureaucracy, asserting existing government institutions and online resources already provide public information. The author contends that inefficiency in government responsiveness, not lack of access, is the real problem Namibia should address.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Namibia's road safety crisis demands stronger enforcement and cultural change

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's persistently high road-crash death rate—among the world's highest per capita—stems from preventable human behaviours like speeding, drunk driving, and reckless overtaking, worsened by societal tolerance and weak enforcement. The author calls for zero tolerance policies, licence suspensions for repeat offenders, and strict consequences for traffic violations to protect lives.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian

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