Namibia Minute.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 10 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Politics

  1. Swakopmund Residents Association focuses on youth voter engagement

    The Swakopmund Residents Association has prioritized voter education and youth mobilization, citing concern that low participation in local authority elections weakens engagement.

    10 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Kavango East governor defends N$968k cemetery fence spending

    Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka defended the N$968,861 spent on construction of a cemetery fence at Omega 1 village.

    10 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  3. Omusati police chief urges professionalism from 86 new constables

    Omusati Regional Commander Commissioner Ismael Basson addressed 86 newly trained police constables deployed to the region, reminding them to conduct themselves professionally both on and off duty and to detain suspects lawfully without resorting to assault or abuse. Basson also called on senior officers to mentor and support the recruits.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. All eight prosecutor general candidates fail assessment standards

    The Judicial Service Commission found that none of the eight shortlisted candidates for prosecutor general met the required standard in a written assessment, forcing the commission to restart the recruitment process. The candidates achieved scores between 30% and 49%, failing to demonstrate the level of legal knowledge and competency expected for the position.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Ministry's terminology shift fails to clarify Dempers role dispute

    The controversy over Uhuru Dempers' position at the National Youth Council has become a broader question of transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture. While attendance records confirm Dempers attended NYC meetings and exercised influence on behalf of Minister Sanet Steenkamp, the ministry insists he is merely an independent temporary consultant rather than a special advisor, but this terminological distinction does not address underlying concerns about his involvement in strategic meetings and policy discussions.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  6. Mariental Residents Association withdraws councillor after swearing-in

    The Mariental Residents Association has withdrawn Daniel Dawid Gariseb as a local authority councillor hours after he was sworn in, citing his expulsion from the association and asserting he was not the rightful candidate on its gazetted list. The association's chairman claims Gariseb was suspended in January and was not supposed to be sworn in, following a disciplinary hearing at which Gariseb did not attend.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  7. Minister Steenkamp accused of irregular special advisor appointment

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has been accused of irregularly appointing Uhuru Dempers as her special advisor on youth matters and paying him without following proper recruitment procedures. Sources claim Dempers has been attending meetings on the minister's behalf since October 2025 and allegedly lobbied on behalf of an interim board at a National Youth Council meeting in ways not provided for by the NYC Act.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  8. Activists win unlawful arrest, detention case against police

    Activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma won a case against the minister of safety and security, inspector general, and prosecutor general over their 2023 arrest and detention. Amushelelo was awarded N$300,000 and Nauyoma N$80,000 after they were found not guilty of charges related to being prevented from staging a protest about unemployment.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  9. President meets former Swapo refugees camping since October

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited former Swapo refugees who have been camped outside Swapo headquarters in Windhoek since October, demanding promised repatriation benefits and financial assistance. Spokesperson Mathues Nangolo said the group felt betrayed and would not leave until their grievances are addressed.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  10. Traditional leaders say new no-fault divorce law aligns with customary practices

    Traditional leaders have responded to Namibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024, which replaced the fault-based divorce system with a no-fault regime based on irretrievable breakdown and came into operation on 3 June. Ondonga Traditional Authority spokesperson Frans Enkali says customary authorities traditionally did not focus on blame in marriage endings and already distinguished between jointly acquired assets and inherited property, practices that align with the law's aims to move away from adversarial proceedings.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  11. B1 speed reducers trigger crashes, congestion and parliamentary concern

    Speed reducers installed on the B1 highway last week have caused accidents within 24 hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages, while contradicting Namibia's Road Traffic and Transport Act that designates the B1 as a freeway where pedestrians are prohibited. The Transport Minister is requesting time to address public concerns about the hastily implemented safety measure.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  12. Court orders N$380,000 compensation for unlawful arrest

    High Court judge Natasha Bassingthwaighte ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs, Safety and Security to compensate social activists Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma for damages from their alleged unlawful arrest following a youth unemployment protest on 21 March 2023. Amushelelo was ordered N$300,000 and Nauyoma N$80,000.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  13. Prosecutor-General recruitment restarts after candidates fail assessment

    The Judicial Commission is relaunching its search for a new Prosecutor-General after eight shortlisted candidates failed a written assessment in May 2026, with scores ranging from 30 to 49 marks out of 100. The new recruitment process will conduct the written assessment on an open-book basis.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

Business

  1. Namibia's trade deficit widened to N$4.4 billion in April

    Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion in April 2026, with exports at N$9.8 billion and imports at N$14.2 billion, marking a deterioration from the N$2.1 billion deficit in April 2025. Mining commodities, including gold, uranium, diamonds and petroleum oils, drove the export basket, while South Africa remained the largest trading partner.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Letshego Holdings' staff costs jump to N$147 million in 2025

    Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Limited's employee benefit expenses rose to N$147 million in 2025 from N$116.2 million in 2024, with salaries increasing to N$79.6 million and incentive bonuses more than doubling to N$26.6 million. The group recorded strong financial performance, with net interest income rising by nearly 32% despite higher operating costs.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Bank Windhoek opens Digital Banking Hub at Goreangab Mall

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened Goreangab Mall in Windhoek, where Bank Windhoek opened a Digital Banking Hub as an extension of its Katutura Branch. The hub provides in-person and self-service banking to residents of Goreangab, Katutura and surrounding areas.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  4. MTC opens first retail outlet in Okongo in August 2026

    Mobile Telecommunications Limited is opening its first retail store in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, bringing its countrywide total to 40 stores. The new Mobile Home will offer SIM card replacements, contract applications, account payments, and other services to residents who currently travel nearly 100 kilometres to Eenhana.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  5. OL Group closes Hartlief Shop & Bistro in Windhoek

    The OL Group has announced the permanent closure of the Hartlief Shop & Bistro in Windhoek's northern industrial area, effective 15 July, following a review that determined the outlet operates outside Hartlief's core meat processing and distribution competency and has not achieved required financial sustainability.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  6. Hodago Fishing's N$65 million trawler heads to auction for unpaid debts

    Hodago Fishing, a company 45% owned by Gendev Fishing Resources (which has links to Swapo business interests), faces financial pressure as its flagship freezer trawler, Venus 1, is set for auction in Walvis Bay on 30 June following unpaid debts to Standard Bank Namibia of N$18.4 million and N$17.6 million.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  7. African Aquaculture Company secures N$40 million Namibian investment

    The African Aquaculture Company has welcomed Omankete Investment as the first Namibian private investor in its offshore salmon farming project, in a deal valued at N$40 million. The company says the investment demonstrates local private sector readiness to contribute to the emergence of salmon farming and reflects market confidence in the project.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  8. Government bypasses Namcor for N$7.2 billion Vitol fuel contract

    The government faced criticism in the National Assembly for awarding Vitol Bahrain a N$7.2-billion emergency fuel contract while bypassing Namcor. Opposition and former officials raised concerns that the arrangement could jeopardise fuel security and undermine the downstream fuel sector's competitiveness, while the prime minister said Cabinet discussions on the matter are ongoing.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  9. OL Group closes Hartlief Shop and Bistro on July 15

    OL Group has announced the closure of Hartlief Shop and Bistro in Windhoek on 15 July as part of a strategic review to cut costs and focus on its core meat-processing and distribution operations. Affected workers will remain permanently employed and the company will discuss redeployment opportunities with staff.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  10. Telecom Namibia appoints Synercap to lead strategic transformation

    Telecom Namibia has appointed Synercap Capital to lead a strategic transformation and restructuring programme aimed at repositioning the state-owned company in the digital economy. The programme will assess the company's organisational structure, infrastructure, operations and finances, and develop a strategy focused on improving customer experience, introducing new products and services, and identifying new revenue opportunities.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  11. NAC: regional airports operating at loss despite investment

    Namibia Airports Company says Ondangwa, Rundu, Lüderitz, Keetmanshoop and Katima Mulilo airports remain unprofitable, with only Hosea Kutako International Airport operating at a profit and Walvis Bay closest to breaking even. NAC spent N$13.2 million on airport maintenance in 2024/25 and increased its budget to N$20 million for 2025/26, though a spokesperson says this remains insufficient as underlying assets depreciate at around 7.2% annually.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Mining & Energy

  1. Andrada Mining confirms high-grade lithium at Ridge Project

    Andrada Mining has announced high-grade lithium mineralisation results from six diamond drill holes at its Lithium Ridge Project in Namibia, with results including 9.05 metres at 2.28% lithium oxide and 13.27 metres at 1.42% lithium oxide. The company said the results confirm consistent mineralisation across multiple holes and note the presence of tin and tantalum in all drill holes as additional revenue potential.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. ReconAfrica begins production testing at Kavango West well

    Canadian oil and gas company ReconAfrica has commenced production testing at its Kavango West 1X discovery well in Namibia's Damara Fold Belt, in partnership with NAMCOR and BW Energy. The programme will test six intervals across two formations covering approximately 420 metres of hydrocarbon-bearing section to assess commercial viability.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Shell and QatarEnergy announce oil discovery offshore Namibia

    Shell, alongside partners QatarEnergy and Namcor, announced an oil discovery from the Merlin-1X exploration well in PEL 39 in the Orange Basin. Namcor said the well has delivered good reservoir quality, light oil and limited associated gas, making it the best result of ten wells drilled in the licence so far.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Minister Amutse defends fuel import overhaul to reduce consumer costs

    Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse told Parliament that ongoing fuel reforms aim to eliminate additional "premium" charges paid by consumers and reduce fuel costs through a coordinated import framework. He clarified that the fuel supply chain involves international suppliers, licensed wholesalers, and retailers, and that "premium" charges have arisen from wholesalers' claims about securing fuel and supply security concerns.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  5. Vitol awarded fuel supply tender over Namcor due to guarantee requirements

    Energy minister Modestus Amutse told parliament that international oil trader Vitol was selected to supply fuel to Namibia for three months because it required no government guarantees, whereas state oil company Namcor and other bidders needed guarantees the government was unwilling to provide. Vitol will supply fuel at the basic fuel price the government calculates monthly.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Oil companies assess government stability before Orange Basin investment

    Before investing in Namibia's Orange Basin, international oil companies assess not just geology but also government factors, with fiscal stability—assurance that tax rates and cost-recovery rules will not change—being the single most important requirement.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Society

  1. Public transport sector urged to pioneer passenger protection insurance

    The article argues that Namibia's public transport sector should adopt passenger protection insurance, noting that thousands of Namibians daily rely on buses, taxis, and shuttles for work, school, healthcare, and business.

    10 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. 670 police cadets graduate with female majority for first time

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged newly graduated cadet constables from the Namibian Police Force to uphold integrity, professionalism and respect for human rights. The cohort of 670 comprised 382 women and 288 men, marking the first time female graduates outnumbered male counterparts in the training programme's history.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  3. Government injects N$247 million to clear student funding backlog

    Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has injected N$247 million into NSFAF to expedite outstanding student payments, with disbursement commencing this week and non-tuition payments expected to be finalised by mid-July 2026.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. Government advances N$247m to NSFAF for faster student payments

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has provided an additional N$247 million to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to accelerate student allowance payments, with disbursements expected to begin this week, as NSFAF continues to face criticism over payment delays.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Deputy minister apologises for dismissive remarks on student protest

    Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti apologised to students after his Friday comments questioning the numbers at a protest over delayed non-tuition fees sparked backlash. He acknowledged his choice of words was inappropriate and insensitive to students' challenges.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Inaugural NamFitness Expo and Conference comes to Windhoek

    The NamFitness Expo and Conference, hosted by Aura Concept Events, will take place at Windhoek Country Club on 3–4 July, featuring fitness activations, wellness talks, health screenings, and exhibitions aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and community development.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Stigma and unequal access worsen Namibian mental health crisis

    Clinical psychologist Ceaseria Mutau and activist Fillemon Amoolongo warn that stigma and limited healthcare access force many Namibians to suffer mental distress in silence, with emotional exhaustion becoming normalized in everyday life and specialized services concentrated in urban areas.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  8. High Court child-rape trial verdict postponed to September

    Two Noordoewer men, Dirk von Weidts (75) and Jors Arrie (49), accused of raping a girl aged 10–11 between October 2020 and January 2021, will receive the verdict in their Windhoek High Court trial on 14 September. Judge Naomi Shivute postponed delivery of judgement after hearing closing arguments.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  9. NAMPOL seizes drugs, arrests 143 suspects in May operations

    Namibian Police seized 223,194.55 kilograms of cannabis, 917.75 Mandrax tablets, 579 units of crack cocaine, 19 grams of cocaine powder, and 44 abortion tablets, and arrested 143 suspects (134 Namibian nationals and nine foreign nationals) between 1 and 31 May 2026 as part of drug-combating operations.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  10. Man remanded in custody over N$264,650 drug seizure

    A 37-year-old Namibian man was arrested in Walvis Bay on 3 June during an intelligence-led operation and recovered with Mandrax and crack cocaine tablets valued at N$264,650. He appeared before the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on 5 June and was remanded without bail, with his case postponed to 15 September for further police investigation.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  11. Ex-G4S guard admits taking diamonds from Namdia robbery

    Former G4S security guard Samuel Shipanga has admitted to police that he took four plastic bags of diamonds from Namdia during a robbery in January, later giving them to his cousin Immanuel Iipinge at his garage in Windhoek. Shipanga said one bag contained six diamonds while the other three held approximately eight diamonds each in different shapes.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  12. Minor offenders seek criminal record expungement after serving sentences

    People convicted of minor offences in Namibia are calling for amendments to laws allowing petty convictions to be removed from criminal records, arguing that permanent criminal histories prevent them from rebuilding their lives. The current Criminal Procedure Act of 1997 makes no statutory provision for expungement, leaving individuals barred from decent employment unless directly pardoned by the president.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Culture

  1. Rapids FM provides platform for Kavango community engagement

    Rapids FM, a local radio station that began in a shopping mall in 2016, has grown into a vital platform for information sharing, skills development, and community engagement across the Kavango region.

    10 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Bank Windhoek hosts inaugural coffee festival in Windhoek

    Bank Windhoek and Visa held the inaugural Bank Windhoek Coffee Extravaganza on Saturday, drawing 1,284 attendees and 20 vendor stalls with live roasting, barista demonstrations, and tastings. Bank Windhoek's head of strategic communication said the event's success demonstrated strong appetite for lifestyle experiences that celebrate local community and creative talent.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sport

  1. Windhoek academy sends 50 young footballers to Spain

    Athletic Club Football Academy will send 50 young footballers and eight officials to Spain next week to compete in the Mad Cup 2026 in Madrid, which runs from 18 to 25 June and is expected to attract more than 800 teams from around the world. The Windhoek-based academy will be represented by its under-12, under-14 and under-15 teams.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. NCS extends netball league lead with weekend victories

    Namibia Correctional Service won twice over the weekend in the MTC Netball Premier League, beating Tigers 52-34 and Wanderers 64-34 to move 24 points clear at the top of the log.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Namibian junior athletes win 17 medals in Mauritius

    Namibia's 13-strong junior athletics team won six gold, 10 silver and one bronze medal at the Southern African Confederation Athletics Championships in Mauritius, the country's best ever performance at the junior championships. The team finished fourth overall out of 12 competing nations, with Maria Kanyange winning two gold medals in the women's u20 middle distance events.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  4. FIFA World Cup begins in North America with 48 teams

    The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. 2026 FIFA World Cup set for record 48 teams, three nations

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams and be co-hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 104 matches over five weeks beginning 11 June 2026. The tournament will be the first World Cup staged across three nations, with 16 host cities, and the final scheduled for 19 July at New York New Jersey Stadium.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  6. Third national enduro championship leg tests riders in Omaruru

    The third leg of the national enduro championship took place in Omaruru on soft, sandy terrain with savannah and grasslands, featuring an 85km track with about 1,000 turns and an optional obstacle course with a 20-minute penalty for avoidance. Several riders fell in the river section, though no serious incidents were reported.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Second leg of National Circuit Racing Championship marked by incidents

    The second leg of the National Circuit Racing Championship featured low entry numbers, mechanical failures, and an accident in which driver Horazio Rietz's Volkswagen Golf crashed into safety barriers after developing braking problems. Of eight entries, two competitors failed to finish due to mechanical issues.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tourism & Environment

  1. Namibia has protected only 1.69% of marine territory

    Namibia has protected only 1.69% of its marine territory despite committing to place at least 30% of its oceans under conservation by 2030, according to agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani. The disclosure highlights a growing challenge for a country dependent on the ocean for jobs, food security and economic growth.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Trip cancellation insurance protects non-refundable travel costs

    Trip cancellation insurance provides financial protection against the loss of prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your trip. The insurance reimburses costs such as flights, accommodation, tours, and activities that cannot otherwise be recovered from travel providers.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

World & Region

  1. IOC chief sees LA Olympics succeeding despite World Cup visa issues

    Olympic chief Kirsty Coventry expressed confidence in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games despite "challenges" affecting the 2026 World Cup in North America, including the US refusal of entry to African referee Omar Artan and other visa-related disruptions.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. China's foreign minister calls for dialogue-based understanding

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for improving understanding and fostering mutual trust through dialogue while addressing an event observing the International Day.

    10 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  3. South Africa's conference reflects deeper structural crisis in Southern Africa

    The recent Conference of the Left in South Africa represents a symptom of a deeper structural transition across Southern Africa, where the historical legitimacy of liberation movements is weakening while no new political paradigm has emerged with sufficient credibility to replace it, leaving a vacuum of authority that breeds chaos, inequality, and extreme political shifts.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  4. Messi scores on Argentina return before World Cup

    Lionel Messi scored off the bench as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in a warm-up match, allaying injury concerns ahead of their World Cup title defence. Somali referee Omar Artan said his dream was ended after being refused entry at the US border.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Namibian ambassador tours Angola's Cunene on economic cooperation

    Ambassador Leonard Iipumbu is visiting Angola's Cunene Province to explore cross-border cooperation opportunities, including a planned Cafu Canal water transfer project for Namibia's northern regions and a N$941 million power interconnection agreement signed in April.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté

  6. US bars Somali referee, Iranian staff from World Cup entry

    The White House Task Force for the World Cup defended denying visas to a Somali referee and some Iranian team support staff, with a US State Department official saying the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations." The decision means Somali referee Omar Artan, named men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, will miss the opportunity to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Namibia delays accession to UN High Seas Treaty pending capacity

    Namibia will not accede to the United Nations High Seas Treaty until it has the capacity to implement its provisions and fully benefit from marine biodiversity protections beyond national jurisdiction. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the country recognises the importance of ocean sustainability but wants to ensure it can meet treaty obligations before joining.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian

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