Namibia Minute.
19 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Archive Minute from 19 April 2026
Politics

President calls for unity and service delivery at SWAPO's 66th anniversary

The News

President Nandi-Ndaitwah commemorated SWAPO's 66th anniversary on 19 April 2026, calling for renewed commitment to service delivery, economic transformation, and unity, while paying tribute to liberation heroes. She announced that planned anniversary celebrations and the party's national headquarters inauguration have been postponed to 26 April following the death of MP James Uerikua and his son.

19 April 2026 · Informanté

Politics

  1. President calls for unity and service delivery at SWAPO's 66th anniversary

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah commemorated SWAPO's 66th anniversary on 19 April 2026, calling for renewed commitment to service delivery, economic transformation, and unity, while paying tribute to liberation heroes. She announced that planned anniversary celebrations and the party's national headquarters inauguration have been postponed to 26 April following the death of MP James Uerikua and his son.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

  2. Swapo official recalls Uerikua's work at memorial service

    Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa delivered condolences at a memorial service for parliamentarian James Uerikua at Parliament Gardens, recalling his advocacy for development projects in the Otjozondjupa region and describing him as a voice of reason and charismatic legislator.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Windhoek High Court strikes down Swapo eviction bid

    The Windhoek High Court has struck Swapo's urgent application to evict a group of people camping at the party's national headquarters since October last year off the court roll, with the judge finding it did not meet the requirements for an urgent hearing. The group, led by Matheus Nangolo, are demanding clarification about funds allegedly provided by the United Nations for the repatriation of Namibian exiles in 1989.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. LPM internal divisions deepen amid leadership and suspension disputes

    The Landless People's Movement faces growing internal tensions, with former councillor Joseph Isaacks accusing leader Bernadus Swartbooi of running the party dictatorially and the party suspending former mayor McDonald Hanse over alleged involvement in forming a new political party. The LPM's spokesperson denies disunity claims and says the party operates within constitutional rules, while Hanse contests his suspension and disputes the allegations against him.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Vice president honours late MP Uerikua at funeral ceremony

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and MP James Uerikua at his funeral, describing him as a dedicated public servant whose legacy and impact on the nation will be remembered. Uerikua and his son died in a car accident in Otjozondjupa on 3 April.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. Fabian Shaanika appointed to Kudu Chemicals board

    Green Metals Refining has appointed seasoned mining and banking executive Fabian Shaanika to the board of its Namibian subsidiary Kudu Chemicals, which is developing a sulphuric acid plant at Walvis Bay for battery-grade manganese chemical production.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. FNB funds advanced CCTV system for Windhoek policing

    First National Bank Namibia has pledged N$569,202 to the City of Windhoek to advance its smart city policing agenda through installation of advanced surveillance infrastructure, including panoramic cameras and automatic number plate recognition systems in high-priority areas.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Bank of Namibia emphasizes resilience, reform at 2026 investor conference

    The Bank of Namibia's Deputy Governor told the Cirrus Investor Conference that Namibia's economy is expected to strengthen over the medium term, supported by construction and public investment, but structural constraints and regional risks like Foot-and-Mouth Disease require economic diversification and transformation. The central bank is advancing strategic reforms including an Instant Payments Solution to improve financial inclusion and modernize the financial system.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

Mining & Energy

  1. NamPower lists N$5 billion note programme on NSX for capital access

    Namibia Power Corporation has successfully listed a N$5 billion Domestic Medium-Term Note Programme on the Namibia Securities Exchange, enabling the utility to raise funding through various debt instruments aligned with strategic projects and sustainability goals. The listing follows a two-year preparation process and provides NamPower with flexible, cost-effective access to capital markets while supporting Namibia's energy sector expansion.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

  2. Namibia delegation visits China to advance renewable energy capacity

    A technical delegation comprising representatives from the Namibia Power Corporation, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy is in China to study advanced renewable energy technologies, including wind energy, solar solutions, and battery storage, with engagements centered on scaling Namibia's infrastructure and supporting the country's goal to increase renewable energy's share in the national energy mix from 54% to 70% by 2040.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

Society

  1. PM Ngurare pledges government support for Kavango East school

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Kaisosi Combined School in Kavango East and pledged government support to address water shortages, lack of teaching resources, and challenges affecting over 300 orphans and pupils without identification documents.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. National polio vaccination campaign begins 27 April

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services is rolling out Round 3 of a polio vaccination campaign from 27 to 30 April, targeting all children aged 10 years and below, following detection of poliovirus type 2 in environmental samples in Rundu, Windhoek, and Gobabis. Although no active cases have been reported, health authorities emphasise vaccination is safe and essential to prevent potential outbreaks.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

  3. Police chief links unemployment to youth crime and substance abuse

    Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo says 53,000 young Namibians applied for 2,000 police posts, illustrating limited job opportunities that leave youth vulnerable to crime, violence and drug abuse. Shikongo warned that early criminal records can permanently damage employment prospects and called for coordinated government, community and family support to address root causes of youth vulnerability.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Decades without documents leaves Namibian family in legal limbo

    Maria Kambinda, 77, has lived undocumented in Kavango West since 1997, leaving her four children and 16 grandchildren unable to access employment, further education, or social services. The Ministry of Home Affairs is developing legislation to address statelessness, but until those laws are enacted, the family survives on seasonal labour while awaiting resolution.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Former Nust employee charged with N$2.6 million fraud

    Maria Hengari, a former Namibia University of Science and Technology employee, has been charged with fraud and money laundering after allegedly receiving more than N$2.6 million in student payments between 2021 and 2024 without remitting the funds to the university, and clearing students' debts on the system. She has been remanded in custody pending further investigations.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Thieves steal seven laptops from Roads Authority head office

    The Roads Authority reported a break-in at its Windhoek head office over the weekend, with seven laptops stolen from the procurement section on the fourth floor. The thieves allegedly entered via balcony rails and also attempted to break into offices on the fifth floor; a theft case has been reported and investigations are ongoing.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Labour Court dismisses Best Cheer workers' review on procedural grounds

    The Labour Court has struck from the roll an application by 53 former employees of Best Cheer Investments Namibia to review an unfair dismissal ruling, after finding they failed to serve the application within the required 30-day time period. Although the workers filed the application on time, they only served it on the relevant parties in April 2024, exceeding the deadline set by the Labour Act and court rules.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  8. Japan provides N$18.4 million aid for Namibia's health systems

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has welcomed a N$18.4 million support package from Japan aimed at strengthening health systems, improving diagnostic capacity, and enhancing public health emergency preparedness. The assistance includes medical equipment for cancer diagnosis and outbreak response, and is expected to benefit over 118,000 people across eight hospitals while improving water, sanitation, and hygiene access for more than 14,000 people.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

  9. Oshana police celebrates 16 years of women advancement

    The Police Women Network in Oshana Region marked its 16th year as the Namibian Police Force continues efforts to promote gender equality and women's advancement in its ranks. Oshana has 625 female police officers and now includes two female deputy commissioners in strategic roles, alongside numerous female chief inspectors and station commanders.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

Sport

  1. Real Sociedad wins Copa del Rey final on penalties against Atletico

    Real Sociedad defeated Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the Copa del Rey final in Seville, claiming the club's fourth title. The Basque side came from behind under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, with goalkeeper Unai Marrero saving two penalties to secure victory.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Orlando Pirates regain South African Premiership lead

    Orlando Pirates defeated AmaZulu 3-0 to reclaim top spot in the South African Premiership with 58 points and five matches remaining, two points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand. The two clubs have been locked in a season-long battle for the title, with Pirates seeking their first championship since 2012.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Arteta urges Arsenal to seize chance against Manchester City

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says his side are "more than capable" of defeating Manchester City in a Premier League title showdown at the Etihad on Sunday, holding a six-point lead but having played one more game. Arteta called for his team to go for it with full belief against City, who have won the title the last two seasons and hold the chance to close the gap with convincing recent form.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Man United beats Chelsea; Tottenham draws with Brighton

    Matheus Cunha's goal gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday, moving them towards Champions League qualification, while Tottenham drew 2-2 with Brighton after conceding in stoppage time, leaving them in the relegation zone.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Sundowns beat Esperance to reach African Champions League final

    Colombian Brayan Leon scored the decisive goal as South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Tunisia's Esperance 1-0 in a CAF Champions League semi-final second leg, winning 2-0 on aggregate. Sundowns will face Morocco's FAR Rabat in the final, with the first leg in Pretoria on May 15 and the return in Rabat on May 24.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Bayern Munich inches toward Bundesliga title as Dortmund loses

    Bayern Munich edged closer to the Bundesliga title after Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 at Hoffenheim on Saturday, leaving Bayern 12 points clear and needing just a point against Stuttgart to claim their 35th German title. Union Berlin coach Marie-Louise Eta, the first female manager of a men's team in the top five European leagues, lost her debut 2-1 at home to Wolfsburg.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Lakers, Nuggets, Knicks, Cavaliers win NBA playoff openers

    LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 107-98, while the Denver Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 116-105, the New York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102, and the Cleveland Cavaliers won 126-113 over the Toronto Raptors in opening games of the NBA playoffs.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  8. NFA has land for 10 stadiums but lacks funding

    The Namibia Football Association has secured more than 10 land sites countrywide to build stadiums but lacks the financial resources to develop them, instead seeking external and local investment. The NFA's projects are separate from the government's plan to build 28 stadiums across regions, though the association will provide technical advisory support to ensure compliance with international football standards.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  9. Namibia hosts first regulation polo match near Windhoek

    The La Muela Polo Exhibition took place outside Windhoek this weekend, marking the first full-time polo match played in Namibia on a regulation field. Organisers imported horses from Argentina for the event and breeding with Namibian mares.

    19 April 2026 · New Era

World & Region

  1. Global council appoints Tjaveondja as Namibia's diplomatic liaison

    The Great Global Reconvergence Council (GGRC) has selected Mbakumua Tjaveondja as its diplomatic liaison for Namibia in a voluntary position. Tjaveondja, who joined the council in late 2025 after an application process, is a consultant with the One Economy Foundation and says he was drawn to the GGRC's proposition that the economic gap between richer and poorer nations is narrowing and that Namibia plays an indispensable role in that story.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Pope visits Angola, calls for peace and rejection of corruption

    Pope Leo XIV, on a four-country African tour, called Africa a "reserve of joy and hope" and urged leaders to abandon corruption and wasteful war spending while respecting human rights. During his Angola visit, he met President João Lourenço, prayed for victims of recent flooding, and reiterated his message of interfaith dialogue and youth engagement.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté

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