Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 6 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 6 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Saturday, 6 June 2026
Politics

NALAO questions fairness of Omaruru CEO's suspension

The News

The Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials has raised concerns that the suspension of Omaruru municipality CEO Valentinus Sindongo may violate fair labour practices and due process, warning that procedurally flawed disciplinary measures undermine good governance and public confidence in local authorities.

6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Politics

  1. NALAO questions fairness of Omaruru CEO's suspension

    The Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials has raised concerns that the suspension of Omaruru municipality CEO Valentinus Sindongo may violate fair labour practices and due process, warning that procedurally flawed disciplinary measures undermine good governance and public confidence in local authorities.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. LPM withdraws Melody Swartbooi as Keetmanshoop mayor

    The Landless People's Movement has withdrawn Melody Swartbooi as Mayor of Keetmanshoop with immediate effect, revoking her party representation on the town council in accordance with the Local Authorities Act.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  3. High Court rejects Dippenaar bid to appeal murder conviction

    Jandré Lodewyk Dippenaar, the first person in Namibia convicted of murder with direct intent from a car accident, has had his application to seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court dismissed by the High Court. Dippenaar was sentenced in August 2024 to 15 years' imprisonment after being convicted on six counts of murder and other charges relating to a December 2014 car crash in Henties Bay that killed six people.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. LPM withdraws Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi

    The Landless People's Movement has withdrawn Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and revoked her council representation with immediate effect, six months after her election in December 2025. The party cited internal processes and strategic redeployment of talent but provided no specific reasons for the removal.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Speaker urges media to portray women leaders more fairly

    Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called on media institutions to improve coverage of women in leadership positions, saying disproportionate focus on controversy and personal conduct over professional achievements erodes public confidence in women leaders and discourages their participation in public life.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. Namibian business urged to use African free trade area

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibian business leaders to familiarise themselves with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to expand trade beyond Namibia's borders. The Invest in Africa Trade Expo and Business Summit, held in Swakopmund from 28 to 30 May, brought together over 200 policymakers, investors, and enterprise delegates to promote intra-African trade and unlock AfCFTA opportunities, amid concerns that Africa currently conducts only 16% of its trade within itself.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. South African entrepreneurs to speak at 2026 Windhoek business summit

    DJ Sbu and Sheldon Tatchell, South African entrepreneurs, will be guest speakers at the 2026 Business Summit Namibia in Windhoek on 25 July. The summit, one of Namibia's leading entrepreneurship and networking platforms, is expected to attract approximately 1,000 attendees.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Windhoek brewery wins gold, silver at African Beer Cup

    Roof of Africa Craft Brewery secured gold and silver medals at the 2026 African Beer Cup, with its Roof Draught winning gold and Dark Lager taking silver. The competition featured 243 beers from 16 African countries, with the brewery reinforcing its status as one of Africa's most consistently awarded breweries.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. President opens Goreangab Mall, praises economic transformation

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened the Goreangab Mall in Katutura, Windhoek, describing it as a symbol of efforts to reverse apartheid spatial planning inequality and bring investment and opportunities to previously excluded areas. The mall is expected to generate nearly 400 jobs and expose young people to wider economic opportunities.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  5. Goreangab Mall marks economic progress in Katutura, president says

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday described the newly opened Goreangab Mall in Katutura as a symbol of economic transformation and confidence, noting it created about 300 construction jobs and is expected to sustain nearly 400 permanent jobs while offering over 40 stores providing banking, pharmacies, and restaurants.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. LPO urges Namibian farmers to strengthen biosecurity against foot-and-mouth disease

    The Livestock Producers Organisation has called on Namibian farmers to tighten biosecurity measures and comply with animal health regulations to protect against foot-and-mouth disease, which poses a threat to the country's livestock sector and export markets. The LPO chairperson warned that the disease remains an immediate threat at Namibia's borders and that maintaining access to international markets depends on farmers' adherence to strict farming practices and biosecurity protocols.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

Society

  1. New state dialysis unit opens at Walvis Bay hospital

    A new dialysis unit inaugurated at Walvis Bay District Hospital is expected to serve 54 state patients in the Erongo region, reducing their need to travel for treatment and lowering costs to the state.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Windhoek council moves to tackle street children at traffic intersections

    The City of Windhoek has adopted a motion to address the estimated 150 young children, believed to be of Angolan origin, who are seen begging and selling goods at major traffic intersections. The council has referred the matter to the Office of the Mayor to engage government institutions and stakeholders on finding sustainable interventions to protect the children's welfare and public safety.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. School discipline crises prompt calls for stronger enforcement

    An opinion piece expresses concern about rising misconduct in Namibian schools, citing recent incidents including substance abuse, violence, and disrespect toward teachers, and argues that current disciplinary measures are inadequate and teacher authority has been weakened.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Boys in Namibia trailing girls academically, facing discipline challenges

    Namibian girls have recently outperformed boys in Senior Secondary Certificate exams and increasingly dominate tertiary institutions and graduation figures, while teachers report boys struggle with discipline, concentration, substance abuse, absenteeism and motivation. In Kavango West alone, boys accounted for 785 dropouts compared to 675 girls, reflecting a broader trend driven by challenges including unemployment, poverty and alcohol abuse.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. UNAM enrolment rises sixfold to nearly 30,000 students

    University of Namibia enrolment has grown from less than 5,000 students in 2000 to just under 30,000 in 2024. Female enrolment has consistently exceeded male enrolment, rising from 57.7% in 2000 to 62.7% in 2024.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Mobile eyewear programme serves nearly 500 in Kunene Region

    Ultimate.earth, in partnership with T-UP Vision and the Conservation Travel Foundation, provided corrective glasses to nearly 500 residents and conservancy members across remote communities in Kunene Region, addressing limited healthcare access in the area.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  7. NCS chief visits Gobabis facility to strengthen operations

    Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela visited the Gobabis Correctional Facility to focus on operational efficiency, staff welfare, and administrative matters, engaging with officers on challenges affecting service delivery as part of the NCS's effort to elevate standards across all correctional facilities.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  8. NSFAF clearing outstanding student payments weekly from June

    The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is processing institutional invoices since April 2026 for tuition and non-tuition support, with advance payments already made to institutions. Non-tuition fee payments will now be processed weekly starting the second week of June 2026.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

  9. Kavango West's Rupara development centre opening delayed to July

    The Rupara Rural Community Development Centre in Musese, Kavango West, is expected to open by the end of July after construction delays since 2020. The N$141 million facility will include a guesthouse, VIP units, restaurant, conference facilities and welding workshop, designed to support skills development and entrepreneurship in the region.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  10. Windhoek murders and robberies decline in first five months

    Murders in Windhoek dropped 14% and robberies fell 22% during January–May 2026 compared to the same period last year, according to the mayor, though motor vehicle theft rose 4% and armed robbery increased 10%.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Culture

  1. Culture strengthens youth identity and should be taught in schools

    Culture, including language, food, music, and traditions, is vital to Namibian youth identity and understanding their roots. The author calls for the education ministry to integrate cultural elements into school subjects like biology and agriculture to keep traditions alive and build students' confidence and respect for elders.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sport

  1. 19-year-old Andreeva wins first Grand Slam at French Open

    Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva defeated Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open women's singles final to win her first Grand Slam title at age 19, becoming the youngest Roland Garros champion since Monica Seles in 1992. Chwalinska, the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open era, saw her career boost despite the loss, rising to world number 21.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Knicks win 105-104, take 2-0 NBA Finals lead over Spurs

    The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 on Friday to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Jalen Brunson made the go-ahead free throw as the Knicks withstood a fourth-quarter rally, with Victor Wembanyama missing a potential game-winner with two seconds remaining.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Six CONCACAF teams qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

    Six teams from CONCACAF have secured places at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup: co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, plus Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama. The tournament will be held from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and be hosted by three countries.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

Tourism & Environment

  1. Antarctic blue and fin whales show recovery in South-East Atlantic

    Research from the University of Cape Town spanning over 60 years of sightings and strandings in Namibia and South Africa's West Coast shows increasing sightings of Antarctic blue whales and fin whales, suggesting slow recovery from industrial whaling. Though sightings remain rare, Antarctic blue whales—currently at around 3% of pre-whaling populations—are increasing at about 5–8% per year with sustained protection.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté

World & Region

  1. Iran's World Cup squad departs for Mexico amid US visa dispute

    Iran's World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday ahead of the June 11 tournament start, days after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team's support staff. Iran's embassy said a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were denied visas and called for FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it termed discriminatory treatment.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Apple removes Russian state-backed Max messenger from App Store

    Apple has removed Russia's state-backed Max messenger from its App Store. Moscow has promoted Max, which lacks encryption, while throttling WhatsApp and Telegram, and forcing state institutions to use it for communications.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Opinion

  1. Opinion: Modern generation neglects health through convenience culture

    A satirical commentary contrasts the physically active lifestyle and discipline of the 1970s–80s generation with today's sedentary, fast-food-dependent young people, arguing that ease of access to food delivery and entertainment has undermined exercise and reflection.

    6 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

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