Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 28 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 28 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Thursday, 28 May 2026

Politics

  1. Namibia marks Genocide Remembrance Day today

    As Namibia observes Genocide Remembrance Day, the country pauses to remember the systematic extermination of the Ovah, one of the darkest chapters in its history.

    28 May 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Civil servants fear labour arbitrators favour government in disputes

    Retired civil servant Manfred Menjengua says arbitrators employed by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations cannot view public service labour disputes objectively and automatically favour the government. He also raises concerns about workplace mistreatment of union activists, gender-based harassment limiting women's promotion, and poor recruitment practices based on political affiliation rather than merit.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Keetmanshoop municipality spends N$391,000 monthly on vehicle rentals

    Keetmanshoop municipality pays N$391,000 a month to rent 26 vehicles from Avis Fleet, including a Mercedes-Benz for the mayor, prompting criticism from councillors who call the expenditure wasteful given the municipality's financial constraints.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Namibia commemorates 1904–1908 genocide through education and unity

    At Namibia's Genocide Remembrance Day observance in Oshana Region, the Minister of Education emphasised that genocide remembrance is a national responsibility grounded in unity, justice and historical truth. She called for schools and institutions to ensure young people understand the country's past and committed to healing and reconciliation through truthful education.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  5. Speaker urges commitment to genocide recognition and reparations

    National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that while commemorating Namibia's 1904–1908 genocide is necessary, the country must remain committed to addressing unresolved questions of recognition and reparation. She stressed that the 2021 joint declaration with Germany represented progress, but Namibia's concerns must be fully reflected in its implementation to achieve true justice and reconciliation.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  6. Deputy Speaker calls unity at Shark Island genocide remembrance

    At Shark Island's joint ||Kharas and Hardap regional commemoration on Genocide Remembrance Day, Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo urged Namibians to embrace forgiveness, unity, and historical truth while preserving memory of the 1904–1908 genocide, noting the island's use as a German concentration camp between 1905 and 1907 where Ovaherero and Nama prisoners faced starvation, forced labour, violence, disease, and death.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  7. VP calls on Namibians to preserve genocide history and unity

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged Namibians to remain united in preserving the country's history, promoting justice and reconciliation during Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration in Eenhana. She described the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people as defining moments that exposed colonial brutality while highlighting the courage and resistance that laid the foundation for Namibia's independence.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  8. Christuskirche symbolizes Namibia's colonial genocide legacy

    As Namibia marks the second Genocide Remembrance Day (gazetted as a national holiday in 2024), the Christuskirche in Windhoek, built between 1907 and 1910, remains a prominent reminder of German colonial rule and the genocide against Ovaherero and Nama communities during 1904–1908. Commemorations honour victims and renew calls for historical justice, reparations, and reconciliation.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  9. Genocide remembrance requires justice and healing, says speaker

    National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia's Genocide Remembrance Day commemorates the systematic killing of Ovaherero and Nama people by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908, and stressed that remembrance alone is insufficient—addressing unresolved recognition and reparations issues remains necessary, despite the 2021 Joint Declaration between Namibia and Germany.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  10. President calls for reflection on 1904–1908 genocide history

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah marked Genocide Remembrance Day by calling on Namibians to reflect on the country's colonial history, honour victims of the 1904–1908 Ovaherero and Nama genocide, and work toward justice, healing, and national reconciliation. She emphasized the day's significance for all Namibians and urged younger generations to understand the sacrifices that shaped the nation.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  11. President pledges continued genocide reparations talks with Germany

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia will continue engaging Germany on the 1904–1908 genocide of Ovaherero and Nama people until reaching a "just and meaningful conclusion" on apology and reparations, and that the government remains committed to ensuring international recognition and historical acknowledgement of the atrocities.

    28 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  12. Katamelo urges Germany beyond words on genocide

    National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo said that the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people can only be addressed through meaningful action, not words alone. He urged companies operating in Namibia to focus on improving social conditions and creating jobs in local communities as a way to help correct historical injustices.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  13. PM calls for continued documentation of 1904–1908 genocide

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, speaking at Genocide Remembrance Day commemorations in Otjinene, urged ongoing academic research and publication of the 1904–1908 genocide to preserve memory of colonial-era atrocities. He stressed that documentation through books, archives, universities, museums, and films is essential to prevent historical records from fading and to ensure future generations have access to truthful accounts of the affected communities' suffering and resilience.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. Supreme Court orders Namfisa to pay N$35.1m to Prowealth investors

    The Supreme Court has ordered Namfisa to pay N$35.1 million to the liquidator of insolvent company Prowealth Asset Management, to be distributed to investors who lost money entrusted to the company about two decades ago. The order follows a November finding that Namfisa was liable for losses suffered by approximately 87 investors due to insufficient regulatory oversight from August 2005 until the company collapsed in December 2008.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Cran defends fixed regulatory fee rates for broadcasters

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia says its proposed regulatory levy increases consider challenges faced by broadcasters. The new system replaces progressive rates with fixed rates: telecommunications companies at 2.25% of annual revenue and broadcasters at 1.2%, designed to ensure fairness across licensees within each sector.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. MTC plans N$625 million network upgrade across Namibia

    Mobile Telecommunications Limited announced a N$624.9 million capital investment for 2025/26 to modernise network infrastructure, expand coverage to remote areas, upgrade ICT systems, build new towers, and invest in power infrastructure and strategic business initiatives.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. South Africa recalls Range Rovers for faulty roof trim adhesion

    South Africa's National Consumer Commission has announced a safety recall for select 2022 to 2026 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models due to a manufacturing defect in panoramic roof side finishers that may not have been properly secured during factory rework. The faulty adhesion could cause the trim to loosen or detach, potentially distracting drivers or endangering pedestrians and cyclists.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. Desert locust swarms destroy vegetation in Walvis Bay and Hardap

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has confirmed desert locust swarms at Homeb in Walvis Bay Rural and at Daweb in Hardap region, destroying grazing and natural vegetation in affected areas. The locusts are in the flying stage, making control efforts difficult.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Society

  1. Two men deny murder and rape of Walvis Bay resident

    Quanito van Vuuren (28) and Sem Moses (22) pleaded not guilty to murder, two counts of rape, and robbery with aggravating circumstances in connection with the death of Vernon Gavin (53) in his Walvis Bay home on 30 December 2023. Moses denied being at the home at all, while Van Vuuren admitted being present but said he did not commit the crimes.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. 70% of Namibians unable to afford formal housing

    Less than 10% of the working population hold home loans; 70% of the population cannot afford formal housing due to low incomes and limited mortgage access, according to central bank data. Average house prices have risen from N$200,000 in 2000 to between N$1.3 million and N$1.4 million today, while the average working Namibian earns N$5,000 or less per month.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Family seeks answers in death at Gammams water treatment plant

    A 47-year-old man's decomposed body was discovered at the Gammams Wastewater Treatment Plant on 17 May 2026 with lacerations to the neck from a sharp object. His family is calling on Namibian police for details about the circumstances, stating they want to know whether he was thrown into a drain alive or already deceased.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté

  4. Four of six Omusati jail escapees rearrested, two still sought

    The Namibian Police have rearrested four of six trial-awaiting inmates who escaped from Onandjaba police holding cells in Omusati on Sunday; two escapees remain at large, and three of five stolen police firearms have been recovered.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School mourns teacher Lourika Groenewald

    Lourika Groenewald, who taught English and Afrikaans at Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School for more than 17 years since 2008, has died. The school community and other local institutions have extended condolences, describing her as a dedicated and kind educator who made an impact on many lives.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Hai//Om San traditional leader chief Dawid //Khamuxab dies at 75

    Chief Dawid //Khamuxab, the 75-year-old Hai//Om San traditional leader for areas including Outjo, Oshivelo, and Etosha, died at Outjo District Hospital on Tuesday after a long illness. At the time of his death, he served more than 20,000 Hai//Om San.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Education minister calls youth to honour genocide remembrance

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has urged young people to reject hatred, discrimination and division, speaking at Genocide Remembrance Day commemorations in Ondangwa. She said Namibia's youth are essential for building lasting peace while preserving the memory of the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people, and called on the current generation to transform painful memories into constructive national purpose.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Culture

  1. Nascam prepares for leadership election amid governance reform

    The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music is heading toward its annual general meeting on 27 June following a turbulent period that included the termination of its chief executive. An interim board appointed in August 2025 is steering constitutional reforms, with former board member Mac-Donald Vihanga calling on artists to participate directly in shaping the organisation's future governance.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Sport

  1. Crystal Palace wins first European trophy in Conference League final

    Jean-Philippe Mateta scored as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final to secure the club's first European trophy, with departing manager Oliver Glasner claiming his third trophy in two and a half years at the club.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Germany seek World Cup redemption in 2026 Group E

    Germany, four-time champions seeking to break their recent World Cup struggles after failing to advance from the group stage in both 2018 and 2022, will face Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Curaçao in Group E at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Spain faces fitness crisis ahead of World Cup Group H

    Spain's World Cup campaign is shadowed by injury concerns, with star winger Lamine Yamal potentially missing the opening two matches against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia due to a hamstring injury, and key players including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri struggling with recent injuries. Coach Luis de la Fuente has nonetheless expressed confidence that Spain can win the tournament.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Egypt seek World Cup breakthrough in Salah's likely final tournament

    Mohamed Salah, 33, leads Egypt at what is likely his final World Cup, seeking a first tournament victory for the Pharaohs after three previous campaigns without a win. Salah recently ended his nine-year Liverpool career with 257 goals before joining Al-Ittihad.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Zirkas Racing prepares for National Circuit Championships leg

    The Zirkas Racing team is preparing their cars for leg 2 of the National Circuit Racing Championships on 30 May at the Tony Rust Raceway. Drivers Deon Friedenthal and Zirk Coetzee completed practice rounds to test their vehicles and fine-tune technical aspects, with Friedenthal emphasizing that success depends on driver skill and pit crew expertise alongside the car itself.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  6. South Africa-Namibia drag racing event draws large crowd

    The Race Wars drag-racing event between South Africa and Namibia drew a larger-than-expected crowd to the Tony Rust Race Track near Windhoek, with 65 car and motorcycle entries competing and organizers noting strong local and cross-border interest.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

  7. World number one Sinner crashes out of French Open

    Jannik Sinner, the world number one, suffered an apparent heatstroke during a loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open on Thursday, blowing the men's tournament wide open. Leading by two sets and 5-1 in the third set, Sinner struggled with his movement and lost 18 points in a row before falling to a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 defeat to world number 56 Cerundolo.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tourism & Environment

  1. Documentary explores seal rescue efforts along Namibia coast

    'Unseen Line', a 13-minute documentary by Loft Arts, follows rescuers protecting seals along Namibia's coastline from ocean pollution including fishing lines and plastic waste. The film premieres on 8 June, World Ocean Day, and features Ocean Conservation Namibia's work rescuing 876 seals in 2023 and 791 in 2024.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

World & Region

  1. Madagascar court dismisses bid to oust military ruler

    Madagascar's top court rejected an opposition lawmaker's attempt to remove military ruler Michael Randrianirina, ruling that the challenge did not meet constitutional requirements for removing a head of state. Randrianirina took power in October after his predecessor fled amid youth-led protests over lack of water and energy.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

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