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Friday, 1 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 1 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Friday, 1 May 2026
Politics

Justice minister hands over vehicles to rural community courts

The News

Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel handed over two vehicles to the Otjikaoko and Ongandjera community courts at Opuwo to improve access to justice in remote areas. The minister said the initiative aligns with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan and reflects government commitment to decentralizing legal services and strengthening public institutions.

Why it matters

Justice minister's vehicle delivery to remote community courts advances decentralization of legal services to underserved rural areas.

1 May 2026 · The Namibian

Politics

  1. Justice minister hands over vehicles to rural community courts

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel handed over two vehicles to the Otjikaoko and Ongandjera community courts at Opuwo to improve access to justice in remote areas. The minister said the initiative aligns with Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan and reflects government commitment to decentralizing legal services and strengthening public institutions.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. President calls for skills development, worker empowerment at May Day

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the 2026 Workers' Day commemoration in Opuwo, calling for continuous skills development and a knowledge-based workforce to boost productivity and economic growth. She emphasised that Workers' Day reaffirms workers' rights and dignity, linked to Namibia's liberation struggle and the working class's historical role in nation-building.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

Business

  1. Naretu, NBL sign wage deal with 5% salary increase

    The Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union (Naretu) and Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) have signed a wage agreement granting NBL employees a 5% salary increase, an adjusted housing allowance of N$2,000 per month, and salary alignment measures, effective from 1 January to 31 December, with all adjustments backdated to January.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. Fisheries Minister calls for sustainable fishing practices

    Minister of Fisheries Inge Zaamwani has urged fishing sector stakeholders to promote responsible fishing practices amid challenges including overfishing, competition with seal populations, and climatic conditions. She emphasized that sustainable fishing depends on ecosystem health and sound management to support food security, job creation, and long-term ocean sustainability.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

Society

  1. President urges private sector collaboration on internship programmes

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on the private sector to partner with government in the National Internship and Apprenticeship Programmes to equip graduates with practical skills the market demands. She noted that government offices, ministries, and agencies have been directed to create budgetary allocations for internships and apprenticeships.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. Roads Authority closes 14 ||Kharas roads due to rain damage

    The Roads Authority has temporarily closed 14 roads in the ||Kharas region following severe damage caused by heavy rainfall and flooding. The authority is monitoring the areas and will undertake assessments and repairs as conditions permit, advising the public to avoid flooded roads and follow closure signage.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. 18 killed in Namibian road accidents over two days

    A series of fatal road accidents across Namibia has claimed 18 lives over two days, including 10 fatalities in a head-on collision between a patient transport bus and a truck on the B1 road south of Otjiwarongo, as well as one death and four critical injuries in a three-vehicle collision near Usakos on Friday morning.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

  4. Man arrested in Omusati for murder and body mutilation

    A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Omusati Region for allegedly murdering a resident of Omuthitugwonyama village by smashing his head with a brick and then mutilating the corpse. The suspect also faces an attempted murder charge for attacking another person who escaped.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

Sport

  1. Timberwolves upend Nuggets; Knicks advance in NBA playoffs

    The sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the third-seeded Denver Nuggets 4-2 in the first round and will face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semi-finals, while the New York Knicks defeated Atlanta in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Leclerc fastest in Miami Grand Prix practice ahead of Verstappen

    Charles Leclerc topped the sole Friday practice session at the Miami Grand Prix in his Ferrari, outpacing Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, while Mercedes were pushed aside despite winning the previous three races.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Godon wins Romandie stage four as Pogacar holds lead

    Dorian Godon sprinted to victory on the third stage of the Tour of Romandie while Tadej Pogacar finished fourth to preserve his overall lead. Godon recovered after being dropped on a climb 32 kilometres from the finish with help from his Ineos team-mates.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. RB Leipzig pursue Champions League return in Bundesliga title race

    RB Leipzig, in third place, can secure Champions League qualification with a victory over sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday, as the Bundesliga's top-four race concludes. Leipzig are five points clear of Stuttgart and Hoffenheim, who face each other in a decisive match, while Bayern Munich has already clinched the title and Borussia Dortmund has secured second-place qualification.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Sinner, Zverev reach Madrid Open final in tennis

    World number one Jannik Sinner defeated Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 to reach the Madrid Open final, where he will face second seed Alexander Zverev. Sinner won his 22nd straight match and seeks to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Arsenal target six-point lead over Manchester City

    Arsenal can go six points clear of Manchester City this weekend if they beat Fulham, before City face Everton two days later. The Gunners have failed to score more than one goal in any game since mid-March, while City have been scoring more freely.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  7. IOC gender testing decision praised by World Athletics president

    World Athletics president Sebastian Coe called the IOC's March decision to introduce gender testing for Olympic eligibility a "very important development," limiting Olympic women's sports from 2028 Los Angeles to biological females and those without differences in sexual development. The announcement drew mixed reactions: while Coe welcomed the move, French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari called it "a step backwards," and the gene's discoverer argued that defining biological sex entirely by chromosomes is "overly simplistic."

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  8. Braga beats Freiburg 2-1 in Europa League semi-final first leg

    Braga defeated Freiburg 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday, with Mario Dorgeles scoring in injury-time to secure a slender advantage ahead of the return leg in Germany.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

  9. Nottingham Forest beats Aston Villa in Europa League semi-final

    Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 1–0 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, with Chris Wood scoring a penalty after a handball by Villa defender Lucas Digne. Forest will face Villa in the second leg on May 7, with the winner progressing to the final in Istanbul on May 20.

    1 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tourism & Environment

  1. Vice President opens 19th Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, calls for growth

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened the 19th Annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival on Friday, calling for inclusive economic growth and sustainable resource management. She highlighted Lüderitz's emerging role as a strategic growth hub in Namibia's blue economy and energy sector.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté

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