Politics
Police inspector general reshuffles regional commanders
The News
Police Inspector General Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has reshuffled regional commanders with effect from next month.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia Minute.
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
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Politics
Police inspector general reshuffles regional commanders
Police Inspector General Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has reshuffled regional commanders with effect from next month.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Education ministry unable to fund critical infrastructure
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said a reduced capital budget has left the ministry unable to fund critical regional and infrastructure needs.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Vaalgras community frustrated over eight-year chief appointment delay
Community members in Vaalgras, ||Kharas region, express frustration over an eight-year delay in appointing a new Traditional Authority chief following Joel Stephanus's death. Community member Fritz Stephanus alleges that traditional authority councillors are deliberately causing delays and artificial disputes, potentially motivated by their own ambitions to become chief.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Finance Minister questions Parliament's lengthy debates with little outcome
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah criticised prolonged parliamentary deliberations that yield little substantive progress, saying nearly two hours were spent on procedural matters without reaching decisions. Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acknowledged the concern but held that adjournment rules must be enforced.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Supreme Court upholds ex-PM's block of ACC investigator
The Supreme Court found that former prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila acted lawfully under the Public Service Act when she blocked the appointment of Phelem Masule as the Anti-Corruption Commission's chief of investigations and prosecutions in July 2020. Although the court found the High Court erred in setting aside her decision, it dismissed the government's appeal after determining the appellants failed to rely on the correct section of the Act in their appeal.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Police Inspector General defends senior officer reshuffle
Inspector General Joseph Shikongo said the recent transfer of senior officers, including Commissioner Julia Sakua to Zambezi region and Commissioner Andreas Pingana Shilelo to Oshana, is a planned strategic move to strengthen the force and improve service delivery, not a reaction to isolated incidents.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Petrus Sindimba moves to Cabinet secretariat executive director role
Former executive director of urban and rural development Petrus Sindimba has been transferred to the Cabinet secretariat in the Office of the Prime Minister, where he will serve as executive director without accounting powers, following a recommendation by the Public Service Commission.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition, experts voice concern over political hiring bias in Namibia
Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC calls for suspension of protected zone commercial fishing
The Independent Patriots for Change has demanded the immediate suspension of a Cabinet decision to allow commercial fishing within the 150m to 200m isobath zone, saying it threatens protected marine breeding areas and raises governance concerns. The party's shadow minister says the directive lacks scientific basis and transparency, and could harm long-term sustainability of fish stocks along Namibia's coast.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
New suspect in NAMCOR fraud case appears in court
Semeon Nangolo Handjene and his company Oshali Fuel Centre CC have been added as accused 21 and 22 in the NAMCOR fraud and corruption case. Handjene is charged with theft, money laundering, and contravening the Anti-Corruption Act; he allegedly received N$1.2 million via his company on 21 July 2022 from Eco Trading CC, owned by fugitive Victor Malima, in connection with fraud linked to fuel storage facilities sold to NAMCOR.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Business
Okongo craftsman builds woodcarving business from natural talent
Matheus Job, a 45-year-old resident of Okawe village in Okongo Constituency, left school in Grade 10 due to distance and developed his drawing and woodcarving skills into a livelihood. He works as a bricklayer, painter, and woodcarver with his wife as his only assistant, and seeks business support to expand and create employment for others.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Bank of Namibia holds repo rate at 6.50% until June
The Bank of Namibia has announced the repo rate will remain unchanged at 6.50% until mid-June, keeping commercial banks' prime lending rates at 10%. The central bank says the stance is necessary to safeguard the Namibia dollar's peg to the South African rand, citing weak domestic economic activity and higher inflation forecasts for 2026.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Bank of Namibia maintains repo rate at 6.50%
The Bank of Namibia's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.50%, with commercial banks expected to maintain their prime lending rate at 10.00%. The decision was guided by weak domestic economic activity, higher inflation forecast for 2026, and the need to safeguard the peg between the Namibia Dollar and the South African Rand.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Mining & Energy
Windhoek inaugurates N$4.3m German-funded Solar Centre
The City of Windhoek officially inaugurated a Solar Centre facility financed by a €212 750 grant from Germany, reflecting the partnership between the two cities.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia set to become southern Africa's cheaper fuel supplier
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote is building a 2,000km fuel pipeline from Walvis Bay through Botswana to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, with backing from the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) for a US$3-billion facility. A tank farm at Walvis Bay will enable Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia to obtain fuel from Namibia at a lower cost than current sources.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia needs skilled graduates for energy transition
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told Unam graduates that Namibia's shift towards green energy and oil production requires a new generation of highly skilled, adaptable professionals, and urged universities to evolve their curriculum to keep pace with market demands.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia ranks 13th in Africa on electricity regulation index
The African Development Bank's Electricity Regulatory Index measures how effectively African countries regulate their electricity sectors across governance, regulatory substance, and outcomes. In the 2022 ERI report, Namibia achieved a score of 0.618, placing 13th out of 43 African countries, emerging as one of Africa's most promising regulatory success stories.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture & Land
Agriculture ministry clarifies no livestock foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
The agriculture ministry clarified that confusion over hand, foot and mouth disease reported at Windhoek Gymnasium does not indicate a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in livestock. The ministry explained the two diseases are distinct: hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness affecting humans, while foot-and-mouth disease affects cloven-hoofed animals.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture minister orders full dissolution of AgribusDev by June 2026
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has directed the full dissolution of the Agricultural Business Development Agency (AgribusDev) by the end of June 2026, describing the move as long overdue and part of the ministry's broader effort to strengthen policy coordination and institutional support for agriculture.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Naute Dam opens sluice gates at 110.4% capacity
Two sluice gates at Naute Dam were opened on 29 April 2026 after the dam reached 92.313 million cubic meters of water, or 110.4% of full capacity. Water is being released at 298 cubic meters per second until the dam drops to 105% capacity, and downstream communities are urged to remain vigilant.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Minister orders urgent action on water shortages in Erongo
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani has ordered urgent action on water shortages, delayed responses and land servicing challenges in the Erongo region. Zaamwani said the region can no longer describe itself as water-stressed while located next to the ocean and having desalination potential.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Society
Windhoek couple appeals dismissed medical negligence claim
A Windhoek couple is challenging a High Court ruling that dismissed their N$500,000 medical negligence claim against the health ministry on a technicality.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Psemas members face capped private hospital coverage limits
Government medical aid fund members have unlimited hospitalisation benefits at state hospitals since 1 April, but cover for private hospital admissions is capped.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Three housebreaking suspects denied bail in Windhoek
Three men were arrested after Windhoek City Police responded to a housebreaking in progress in Auasblick on 23 April 2026 and found them inside a vacant property. All three have been denied bail and will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 22 June 2026.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
NUST appoints Professor Frednand Gideon as Vice-Chancellor
The Namibia University of Science and Technology has appointed Professor Frednand Gideon as its substantive Vice-Chancellor, effective 1 August 2026, following a rigorous recruitment process. Professor Gideon brings over 25 years of academic experience, including 17 years in academic leadership and 11 years of executive leadership.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Ace Models director emphasises confidence and articulation for young models
Daphne Voigts, director of Ace Models Namibia since 2014, says models should be taught not just runway skills but also confidence and communication abilities to succeed in a competitive industry with short career lifespans. She identifies a gap in the local market where young Namibians lack confidence to articulate themselves under pressure, and her mentorship focuses on developing posture, voice projection, and interview skills alongside traditional modelling training.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Third annual biker awareness event held in Windhoek
The third annual biker awareness gathering in Windhoek aimed to sensitise the public about motorcycle safety. Organisers highlighted that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and urged all riders to undergo training at accredited riding schools due to increased traffic and more powerful bikes.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia launches polio vaccination despite no reported cases
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has started a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage at Rundu and Gobabis, with the health minister declaring an outbreak despite no confirmed cases. The last reported polio cases in Namibia occurred in 2006, when 35 cases and 11 deaths were recorded.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
NHP and Universal Care apologise for managed care transition disruptions
Namibia Health Plan (NHP) and Universal Care have apologised for service disruptions following their transition to a new managed care system on 1 April, which caused delays in claims processing, provider payments, pre-authorisations and telephone services. The companies say the claims backlog is expected to be cleared by 7 May.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Labour expert says N$18 minimum wage insufficient
Labour expert Herbert Jauch says workers have nothing to celebrate on May Day, citing that the N$18 per hour minimum wage introduced two years ago amounts to only N$3,400 monthly, with South Africa's minimum wage at N$30 per hour for comparison. Domestic, agricultural, and security workers received phased increases starting January 2024, set to reach N$18 per hour by 2027, despite opposition from the Namibian Employers' Federation.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Woman arrested for dumping newborn in pit latrine
A 37-year-old domestic worker was arrested after allegedly giving birth and dumping a newborn boy in a pit latrine at Okafitu ka Kahala village in Outapi on Sunday. The case is being investigated as murder and defeating or obstructing the course of justice; Namibia decriminalized baby dumping in 2019 if infants are left unharmed at designated safe places such as hospitals and police stations.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Windhoek student installs solar power at Groot Aub shop
University of Namibia student Magdalena Ndivayele, who runs a cuca shop at Groot Aub settlement 56 kilometres south of Windhoek, installed a solar system after the City of Windhoek failed to connect the area to the national grid despite repeated promises. The solar installation has improved safety in her section and attracted more customers to her shop.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
San communities call for end to marginalisation, land ownership
At a Windhoek workshop, San representatives, government officials and activists discussed historical and ongoing dehumanisation and marginalisation of San communities, with calls for dignity and land ownership. Human rights activist Uhuru Dempers criticised exploitative practices such as employing San people as domestic workers and using their children for manual labour, describing these as a continuation of colonial-era dehumanisation requiring leadership intervention.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Windhoek plans second water recycling plant amid rising demand
The City of Windhoek is expanding its water reclamation capacity through a second Direct Potable Reclamation Plant (DPR2) to secure long-term water supply amid rising demand, climate uncertainty and increasing infrastructure costs. The facility will be implemented in phases, starting at 10 megalitres per day and expanding to 20 megalitres, increasing current reclamation capacity by 50% in phase one and another 50% in phase two.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Nust appoints Frednard Gideon as substantive vice chancellor
The Namibia University of Science and Technology has appointed Frednard Gideon as its substantive vice chancellor, effective August, following a recruitment process. Gideon, who holds a PhD in mathematics and has more than 25 years of academic experience including service on Nust's council for 14 years, succeeds Andrew Nikondo.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namfisa investigates Namibia Health Plan claim settlement concerns
Namibia's financial regulator Namfisa has initiated urgent engagements with the Namibia Health Plan to investigate concerns about the fund's direct claim settlement process, saying it will provide further clarity by Thursday.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Okahandja police urge families to seek updates on unsolved murders
The Okahandja Police Station commander has advised families of murdered children to maintain regular communication with police for investigation updates, after residents submitted a petition concerning three unresolved cases with no feedback for over a year. Community members called for increased police visibility, faster investigations, and stronger protections for women and children.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Church blood donation campaign collects over 17 litres
The World Mission Society Church of God held a blood donation campaign on 20 April across Khomas and Oshana regions, with 78 participants donating a combined 17,100 millilitres of blood at NamBTS branches in Windhoek and Oshakati to help address blood shortages.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
WHO approves first malaria treatment for newborns
The World Health Organisation has prequalified artemether/lumefantrine, the first antimalarial drug formulation specifically designed for infants weighing two to five kilogrammes. The move addresses a long-standing treatment gap affecting about 30 million babies born annually in malaria-endemic parts of Africa, as infants have previously been treated with medicines intended for older children.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President congratulates Angula on honorary doctorate in education
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has praised former Prime Minister Nahas Gideon Angula's contributions to Namibia's education sector following the conferment of an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Education by the University of Namibia, citing his role as the country's first Minister of Education and his leadership in shaping the post-independence education system.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Culture
Accountant launches unscripted content show without formal training
Accountant Rauha Severus, 27, launched Unscripted Moments with Rauha in March 2025, a raw and high-energy show where she interviews guests with real, honest conversations. Severus bypassed traditional gatekeepers by using her phone and microphone to start her content creation journey, handling everything from venue scouting to editing herself.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Kwaito artist Dollar 6 seeks comeback after fourteen years
Namibian kwaito musician Sedekia Nakaambo (Dollar 6) says he is ready to return to music after 14 years away, citing financial challenges and lack of industry support as reasons for his absence. He has over 50 unreleased tracks and blames promoters for sidelining local musicians.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Sport
Arsenal and Atletico Madrid draw in Champions League semi-final
Julian Alvarez's penalty secured Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a Champions League semi-final first leg clash. Viktor Gyokeres had sent Arsenal ahead from the spot before the interval, but Alvarez equalized from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half after Ben White's handball.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President receives African sport leadership trophy
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah received a delegation from the Namibia National Olympic Committee and Namibia Commonwealth Games Association at State House, where she was presented with the Trophy for Distinguished African Leaders in Sport, awarded by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa. The delegation said the award recognises Namibia's commitment to advancing sport and its growing role in the Olympic movement.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest meet in Europa League semi-final
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, both former European champions from the late 1970s and early 1980s, face off in the Europa League semi-final. Villa are on course for a Premier League return to Europe's top competition, while Forest remain at relegation risk but are unbeaten in eight games under manager Vitor Pereira.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA increases World Cup prize money to $871 million
FIFA boosted total World Cup cash distributions to nearly $900 million (specifically $871 million) from an initial $727 million, citing concerns over rising costs for the 48 teams competing in Mexico, Canada and the United States. The increase includes raising preparation costs per team from $1.5 million to $2.5 million and qualifying payments from $9 million to $10 million per team.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Unbeaten Inoue and Nakatani clash in Tokyo boxing superfight
Japan's Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed superbantamweight titles against fellow unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani on Saturday at the Tokyo Dome in front of a sell-out 55,000 crowd in what has been dubbed the biggest boxing match in Japanese history; both fighters hold identical 32-0 records.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian wrestler Shipopyeni wins silver at African Championships
Namibian wrestler Shipopyeni Shithigona Lisias secured a silver medal in the Greco-Roman 55kg category at the African Continental Championships in Alexandria, Egypt, held from 27 April to 4 May. Namibia fielded a team of eight wrestlers at the continental event.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian rally teams compete at South African Swartland Rally
Three Namibian rally teams competed at the King Price Swartland Rally in South Africa against 36 local entries. Despite technical difficulties that forced withdrawals for two teams, Wilro Dippenaar and navigator Carolyn Swan achieved a notable victory.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
NNOC reaffirms sport development commitment after international engagements
The Namibia National Olympic Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sport development following engagements with the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne and government leadership, aiming to unlock opportunities for athlete development and institutional capacity building.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Former goalkeeper Subeb launches youth development programme
Former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Arnold Subeb has launched a goalkeeper development initiative offering training sessions for players Under-9 to Under-18 at weekends, focusing on technical, tactical, and physical development with modern goalkeeping methodologies.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibian flyweight champion Namutiwa pursues undisputed status
Namibia's national flyweight champion Hertha Namutiwa (20) says her ultimate goal is to become an undisputed champion and move up in weight categories, describing undisputed status as "powerful" and "legacy-defining" while emphasizing that building a respected legacy through discipline and inspiring young girls matters beyond titles alone.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Tourism & Environment
Lüderitz hosts 19th annual Crayfish Festival
The 19th annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival runs from 28 April to 3 May 2026, featuring a business forum, music performances by local and regional artists including Gazza, King Biko, and Sam Deep, and motorsport activities, with government participation.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
World & Region
Namibia seeks climate funding to unlock multibillion-dollar plan
Namibia is seeking US$32.2 million in concessional climate funding from the Climate Investment Funds to unlock a broader US$259.5 million climate plan.
29 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →