Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 30 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 30 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Archive Minute from Saturday, 30 May 2026
Politics

Minister Luvindao named to 2026 Amujae Initiative leadership cohort

The News

Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao has been selected among 15 women for the 2026 fifth cohort of the Amujae Initiative, a pan-African leadership programme. She was recognised for her work advancing healthcare systems and sector reforms, including recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare workers and launching Namibia's first digital health policy.

30 May 2026 · Informanté

Politics

  1. Minister Luvindao named to 2026 Amujae Initiative leadership cohort

    Namibia's Minister of Health and Social Services Esperance Luvindao has been selected among 15 women for the 2026 fifth cohort of the Amujae Initiative, a pan-African leadership programme. She was recognised for her work advancing healthcare systems and sector reforms, including recruitment of over 2,000 healthcare workers and launching Namibia's first digital health policy.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. Minister Iipumbu urges vigilance against cross-border crime in Zambezi

    Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu addressed Zambezi regional staff at Katima Mulilo, calling for vigilance against illicit cross-border crimes while upholding professionalism and consistent law enforcement despite operational challenges in the region.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Nama Traditional Leaders warn against sidelining communities in development

    The Nama Traditional Leaders Association cautioned that Namibia's development push risks repeating historical exclusion patterns if affected communities remain sidelined from ownership and decision-making. The association argued that a true renaissance should include restorative justice, equitable ownership, cultural protection and meaningful participation in national wealth creation, rather than corporate social responsibility donations used as substitutes for meaningful redistribution.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. TransNamib northern railway faces infrastructure challenges despite N$1.17bn investment

    TransNamib's northern railway line, which runs from Tsumeb through Ondangwa to Oshikango and received N$1.17 billion in investment, faces severe infrastructure and capacity challenges including the need for rail upgrades, limited rolling stock capacity, and regulatory gaps. The government is demanding board accountability over frequent derailments on the line.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Namibia Asset Management grows to N$23.1 billion

    Namibia Asset Management has grown its assets under management to N$23.1 billion over 30 years, with assets increasing by N$900 million year-on-year. The company reported an operating profit of N$9.4 million and revenue from contracts with customers rising 16.3% to N$43.7 million in the six months ending 31 March.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Bank of Namibia holds repo rate at 6.50% until mid-June

    The Bank of Namibia announced its repo rate will remain at 6.50% until mid-June, keeping commercial bank prime lending rates at 10%. The central bank cited weak domestic economic activity, higher inflation forecasts for 2026, and the need to maintain the Namibia dollar's peg to the South African rand in its decision.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Vice President calls for local trade expos across Namibia

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi praised the 12th Oshakati Totem Expo as a driver of economic growth and called on local authorities to introduce similar trade fairs and expos. She said government recognizes expos and trade fairs as vital catalysts for economic growth and grassroots development, and emphasized that culture can serve as an economic resource through cultural tourism, heritage infrastructure, and creative industries.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

  5. Vitol to be Namibia's sole fuel importer July through September

    Namibia's minister of industries, mines and energy announced that fuel company Vitol will be the only fuel importer allowed to import fuel from July to September, after Vitol agreed to supply fuel without additional premiums that have cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars since March.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

Mining & Energy

  1. Andrada secures N$98m debt financing for Uis Mine expansion

    Andrada Mining Limited has secured N$98 million in conditional debt financing from Bank Windhoek and the Development Bank of Namibia to support expansion projects at Uis Mine in Erongo. The funds will be used for construction and commissioning of an ore-sorting circuit, increased crushing capacity, accelerated stripping activities, and resource estimates.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. President visits Etunda Green Scheme agricultural projects

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah toured the Etunda Green Scheme in Omusati Region to assess farming operations, value-addition projects, and expansion plans, including banana and grape plantations and a feedlot under construction. The visit forms part of an ongoing regional agricultural tour focused on productivity, rural development, and food security.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. Regional cooperation essential to combat FMD, LPO vice-chair says

    The Livestock Producers' Organisation vice-chairperson has called for stronger regional cooperation among Southern African countries to fight Foot and Mouth Disease, arguing no country can successfully combat the disease in isolation. He stressed that Namibia's FMD-free status brings responsibility to support neighbouring countries facing outbreaks, noting that disease does not recognise borders.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

Society

  1. Young hero's pond rescue highlights villages' quiet everyday heroism

    Cornelius Shimwaafeni's rescue of twin children from a pond in Omusati, recognised by the president with hero status, exemplifies the daily acts of quiet heroism that unfold across Namibia's rural communities—feeding hungry neighbours, caring for the sick, and supporting the elderly—without public recognition.

    30 May 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. More than 2,900 Nust graduates receive degrees at Windhoek ceremony

    More than 2,900 candidates from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) received their degrees at a Windhoek graduation ceremony, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in attendance. The President reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving access to higher education through a subsidised tertiary education funding model supporting students at public and private institutions and vocational training centres.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. 10-year-old drowns in Omusati region pond

    A 10-year-old boy drowned in a pond at Iihanguti village in the Omusati region on Friday afternoon while swimming with two other children. According to the regional police commander, the incident occurred at around 15h30, and the body was taken to a mortuary at Okahao.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Man arrested for rape and assault of wife in Omusati

    Police in Omusati Region arrested a man for allegedly raping his wife and beating her with a belt and knobkerrie on Thursday evening. He faces charges of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault by threat, and allegedly threatened to kill her with a panga.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

  5. NDF confirms deaths of two soldiers in separate incidents

    The Namibian Defence Force confirmed the deaths of two soldiers, Jonas Kambonde (27) and Patrick Kooper (30), in suspected suicides at Otjiwarongo and Otavi military bases on Thursday and Friday. Ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu called for members to use available support services when facing personal challenges.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Ten-year-old drowns in unsupervised pond swimming in Omusati

    A ten-year-old boy drowned on Friday while swimming with other children in a pond at Iihenguti village in the Omusati Region. Police and traditional leaders have urged parents and guardians to monitor children's water activities, citing ongoing risks from unsupervised swimming.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

Culture

  1. MN Creations launches OMBURA executive luxury wear line

    OMBURA is a contemporary executive luxury fashion collection developed by MN Creations to redefine modern African executive dressing through refined tailoring, structured silhouettes and signature design details. The collection draws inspiration from classic tailoring, ceremonial dressing and modern luxury minimalism, designed to communicate authority, sophistication and elevated self-expression for professionals and executives.

    30 May 2026 · Namibian Sun

Sport

  1. Ronaldo heads sixth World Cup with Portugal aiming first glory

    Cristiano Ronaldo is making a record sixth World Cup appearance with Portugal, who face DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K. At 41, Ronaldo has not scored in his last nine World Cup and Euro matches combined, though manager Roberto Martinez has kept faith in him after his recent success in the Nations League.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Canada names 26-player World Cup squad led by Davies and David

    Coach Jesse Marsch named Canada's 26-man roster for the World Cup, with Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies included despite a hamstring injury and Juventus forward Jonathan David leading the attack. Canada, a co-host along with the United States and Mexico, will play all three group games on home soil, beginning against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. PSG defend Champions League crown against Arsenal in Budapest

    Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain face Arsenal in Saturday's final in Budapest. Arsenal have never won the trophy but aim to add it to their first Premier League title in 22 years.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  4. England face Croatia, Panama, Ghana in World Cup Group L

    Thomas Tuchel's England, among the tournament favourites, will face Croatia, Panama and Ghana in the first round of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Tuchel has kept faith with players from England's perfect qualifying record while leaving out several star names to build a "brotherhood" in his squad.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  5. PSG retain Champions League after defeating Arsenal on penalties

    Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Champions League for a second consecutive year, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final on Saturday at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Coach Luis Enrique said the victory was "even bigger" than their maiden European title.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Vingegaard wins penultimate stage, set for Giro d'Italia victory

    Jonas Vingegaard won Saturday's penultimate mountain stage of the Giro d'Italia and holds a 5min 22sec lead over Felix Gall heading into Sunday's final stage around Rome, positioning him to claim his first Giro victory and join an exclusive group of eight men to win all three Grand Tours.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Sabalenka, Osaka advance to French Open last 16

    Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka advanced to a last-16 meeting at the French Open. Sabalenka defeated Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5, while Osaka progressed past Iva Jovic 7-6, 6-7, 6-4.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  8. Liverpool sack Slot; Andoni Iraola set to replace him

    Liverpool sacked manager Arne Slot on Saturday after the club finished fifth in the Premier League, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, despite spending nearly £450 million on new players. Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is reportedly set to take over at Anfield.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  9. PSG win second consecutive UEFA Champions League title

    Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal FC 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in Saturday's final in Budapest, securing back-to-back European titles.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

World & Region

  1. Namibia, Germany mark Genocide Remembrance Day 2026

    Namibia observed Genocide Remembrance Day on 28 May with commemorations across the country, including in Lüderitz, Swakopmund and Windhoek, paying tribute to victims of the 1904–1908 colonial war against Herero and Nama people. German Ambassador Thorsten Hutter attended the main commemoration at Shark Island and reaffirmed Germany's commitment to reconciliation and acknowledgement of historical responsibility.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

  2. National Assembly speaker emphasises deeper Namibia-China cooperation

    National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday emphasised the need to deepen Namibia-China cooperation during a visit by a Chinese parliamentary delegation headed by Zhu Yongxin, vice chairperson of China's national committee of the People's Political Consultative Conference. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia seeks to build on its longstanding relationship with China to advance mutual development, economic growth and prosperity for both nations.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Angola, Zambia listed among ten African nations at Ebola risk

    Two of Namibia's neighbours, Angola and Zambia, are among ten African countries at risk of Ebola exposure as an outbreak spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has recorded about 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths. The May 2026 outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine and mortality rates can reach up to 50 per cent.

    30 May 2026 · Informanté

Opinion

  1. Singapore's economic transformation offers lessons for Namibia

    The article compares Singapore's transformation from a poor, resource-scarce nation in 1965 to one of the world's wealthiest economies today, suggesting Namibia can learn from Singapore's approach to governance and development despite different challenges.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

Namibia Minute