Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Saturday, 13 June 2026
Politics

Black empowerment laws insufficient for lasting business success

The News

Lawyer Sisa Namandje argues that despite years of empowerment interventions in Namibia—including affirmative action, SME financing, and procurement preferences—many black-owned businesses still struggle to survive beyond founders and political cycles. He highlights how ongoing social pressures, including requests for donations and support from extended networks, undermine the sustainability of black entrepreneurship.

13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

Politics

  1. Black empowerment laws insufficient for lasting business success

    Lawyer Sisa Namandje argues that despite years of empowerment interventions in Namibia—including affirmative action, SME financing, and procurement preferences—many black-owned businesses still struggle to survive beyond founders and political cycles. He highlights how ongoing social pressures, including requests for donations and support from extended networks, undermine the sustainability of black entrepreneurship.

    13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Murder accused testifies in nephew's bail hearing

    Abner Mateus, accused of masterminding a fatal attack on prosecutor Justine Shiweda, testified in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court that it would be unfair to keep his nephew and co-accused Petrus Shikwaya in custody. Mateus disputed the state's assertion that it has a strong case against Shikwaya, arguing that Shikwaya's alleged involvement is based only on sending N$1 200 that was purportedly used to buy acid.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. MPs demand tighter controls on microlender salary deductions

    Members of parliament have called for stricter controls on microlenders' direct access to civil servants' salaries, arguing that such deductions worsen financial strain on public servants. The parliamentary economics committee heard concerns about excessive deductions and their effects on disposable income and mental health, with plans to meet with the Microlenders Association next week.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Bellatrix denies involvement in Keetmanshoop municipal contract under ACC investigation

    Bellatrix SME Finance has stated that its role in a N$3.4-million service level agreement involving Keetmanshoop Municipality and JJF Investments CC was limited to financing JJF after the municipality had already awarded it a purchase order, and that it did not participate in municipal procurement processes or receive a direct contract from the municipality.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. Windhoek expands cashless bus payment via PayPulse partnership

    The City of Windhoek has partnered with Standard Bank's PayPulse platform to enhance its cashless municipal bus payment system, launched in August 2025, allowing commuters to register, manage accounts, and top up funds remotely via mobile phones or at Woermann Brock supermarkets. The system accommodates both smartphone and non-smartphone users.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  2. PM urges GIPF to invest more funds domestically

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on the Government Institutions Pension Fund to invest more of its funds in Namibia to protect its reputation, citing past investment losses outside the country that have damaged public confidence. The GIPF reported an impairment loss of N$815 million from a South African investment in November and faced earlier concerns about untraceable losses exceeding N$600 million.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Cable theft and infrastructure vandalism disrupt telecommunications in Namibia

    Repeated theft of copper cables and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure have caused service disruptions and network outages across Namibia, affecting businesses, institutions, and communities and hindering digital transformation efforts. The problem persists due to legacy copper infrastructure that is easily removable and valuable, combined with remote, poorly-surveilled routes that allow thieves to cut and remove cables faster than operators can detect and respond.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  4. PM urges youth entrepreneurs to tap N$500m development fund

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told "order with me" operators that uptake of the National Youth Development Fund remains low and encouraged them to apply. He said young entrepreneurs should capitalise on business opportunities such as supplying school uniforms locally rather than importing them.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  5. NAMCOR defends fuel procurement deal amid public scrutiny

    NAMCOR has defended its coordinated fuel procurement arrangement as commercially beneficial and aligned with national objectives, citing the need to balance affordability, security of supply, and sustainability while rebuilding financial strength after recent difficulties.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

Mining & Energy

  1. Petroleum oils topped Namibia's April imports at 18.1%

    Petroleum oils, including diesel and petrol, accounted for 18.1% of Namibia's goods imports in April, the highest share of any product. The country imported goods worth N$14.2 billion but exported only N$9.8 billion, creating a N$4.4 billion trade deficit, with petroleum mainly sourced from Nigeria, Oman and Sweden.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

Agriculture & Land

  1. FMD movement restrictions lifted in Ohangwena and Kavango West

    Movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and animal products in Oshikunde, Okongo, and Mpungu constituencies have been lifted following a buffalo sighting in May that tested negative for Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  2. Minister urges new NamWater board to complete water infrastructure projects

    Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani has urged the newly appointed NamWater Board of Directors to prioritize completion of key water infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation of canals, replacement of critical pipelines in northern regions, and strengthening pipeline infrastructure in Central Coastal Areas.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  3. 253 sheep redistributed to Hardap farmers under revolving scheme

    The Small Stock Revolving Scheme redistributed 253 sheep (13 rams and 240 ewes) to farmers in Hardap Region during 2025/26, with a further 168 animals planned for 2026/27. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Investment Fund initiative aims to provide vulnerable communal farmers with breeding flocks for sustainable income and food security.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. Government lifts livestock movement ban after buffalo tests negative for FMD

    The Directorate of Veterinary Services has lifted restrictions on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals in parts of Ohangwena and Kavango West regions after a buffalo spotted in June tested negative for foot and mouth disease and was euthanised.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

Society

  1. Hadino Hishongwa residents support informal settlement formalisation

    Residents of Hadino Hishongwa C and D informal settlements in Samora Machel Constituency have expressed support for a formalisation plan approved by the City of Windhoek, with community members agreeing to relocate structures within planned road reserves to enable infrastructure development including access roads and electricity.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  2. Murder accused admits concealing arrest from nephew during custody

    Abner Mateus, a former police officer accused in the murder of Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, testified that he deliberately hid from his nephew and co-accused Petrus Shikwaya that he had been arrested and held in police custody since November 2022. Mateus and Shikwaya are among six men accused of orchestrating last October's attack on Shiweda, who was shot seven times and treated with corrosive acid before dying in February.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

Culture

  1. FNCC hosts Savanna Comedy Hour with veteran and rising comedians

    The Franco Namibian Cultural Centre hosted Savanna Comedy Hour on Thursday, featuring veteran comedians and rising stars performing personal stories, social commentary and everyday experiences turned into humour. The event included performances from comedians including Funny Jones, Dangote, Jar Jar and Courage the Comedian.

    13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Crown & Glory Hair Salon opens at Windhoek MegaCentre

    Crown & Glory Hair & Beauty Salon held its official launch on 7 June at Windhoek's revamped MegaCentre in Kleine Kuppe, bringing together consumers, business partners, sponsors, pageant representatives and community leaders. The salon's vision focuses on the connection between inner and outer beauty and the importance of partnerships in empowering individuals and communities.

    13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  3. Namibian musician Jackson Wahengo charts path from exile to Europe

    Jackson Wahengo, a guitarist born in Swapo exile camps in Angola and Zambia, developed his Afropop-folk style by blending African traditions with jazz, zouk and reggae influences. Now based in Copenhagen, he has performed on European stages after learning guitar at age 14 and initially performing traditional songs and covers before joining Mighty Dreads in Windhoek.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

Sport

  1. USA defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opening game

    The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in the first World Cup game on US soil, with a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna goal leading the co-hosts to a dominant victory in Los Angeles. The win puts the US in a favorable position to progress from Group D alongside Australia and Turkey.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Pochettino credits team effort after US beats Paraguay 4-1

    United States coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the collective performance following the US's 4-1 World Cup opening victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Gio Reyna adding a late goal plus an own goal.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Hurricanes defeat Blues to advance to Super Rugby final

    The Wellington Hurricanes defeated the Auckland Blues 57-21 on Saturday to reach the Super Rugby final against the Waikato Chiefs, scoring nine tries and dominating the second half. The Hurricanes will play their first final since 2016, when they won their only title.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

World & Region

  1. Qatar earns first World Cup point with Switzerland draw

    Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi scored a late header to earn the side their first ever World Cup point in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, after Breel Embolo had opened the scoring with a penalty in the first half.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Nandi-Ndaitwah, Ramaphosa reaffirm Namibia-South Africa ties

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed strong bilateral ties during talks in Johannesburg, with both leaders emphasizing shared liberation history and commitment to deepening cooperation across political, economic, and social sectors through over 150 agreements covering trade, defence, education, infrastructure, energy, and diplomacy.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Namibia and South Africa reaffirm bilateral ties, regional cooperation

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, where both leaders reaffirmed longstanding fraternal relations rooted in shared liberation history and committed to expanding cooperation across trade, defence, education, infrastructure, and energy through frameworks including SADC and SACU.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

  4. Minister welcomes GWPO Secretariat relocation to Windhoek

    Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has expressed support for deepening cooperation between her ministry and the Global Water Partnership Organisation following the GWPO's relocation of its Secretariat to Windhoek, which she described as recognition of Namibia's commitment to water cooperation and sustainable development.

    13 June 2026 · Informanté

Opinion

  1. Winter loneliness drives temporary relationships in Namibia

    A Namibian Sun opinion column argues that winter's greatest social threat is loneliness, which drives people into temporary relationships based on survival and proximity rather than genuine connection or love.

    13 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

  2. Dance as resistance in contexts of inequality

    An editorial reflects on dance as more than aesthetic expression, arguing that in contexts shaped by inequality and gender-based violence, the act of dancing—particularly for women—represents a practice of resistance and insistence on visible presence and freedom of movement.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian

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