Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 11 July 2026
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Archive Minute from Saturday, 11 July 2026
Politics

Opposition blocks vote on ECN chairperson without documentation

The News

Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.

11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Opposition blocks vote on ECN chairperson without documentation

    Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Parliament backs Eiseb as Anti-Corruption Commission director general

    Members of the National Assembly unanimously endorsed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's nomination of Bryan Eiseb as the next director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, with MPs across party lines calling for stronger action against corruption and urging the commission to pursue cases without fear or favor.

    11 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Business

  1. Walvis Bay municipality enforces permit requirements for real estate advertising boards

    The Municipality of Walvis Bay is requiring estate agents to obtain an annual outdoor advertising permit costing N$1,602.42 for property advertising boards. Estate agents warn the enforcement could increase operating costs and say they were not consulted beforehand.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Mining & Energy

  1. Namdia selects five Namibian firms for 2026-2029 diamond cycle

    Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) defended selecting five Namibian companies for its new diamond sales cycle out of 11 applicants, saying the selection balanced local participation with achieving optimal price discovery and maximising value for government. The decision has drawn complaints from unsuccessful applicants, who claim it has led to factory closures and job losses in the diamond cutting and polishing industry.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Strong El Niño threatens severe drought for Namibia in 2025

    Namibia faces a high probability of severe drought from a forecasted strong El Niño event lasting October 2025 to March 2027, comparable to the 2024 drought described as "the worst Namibia has faced in 100 years." Water security and crop production are at risk, with dam levels already critically low.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Society

  1. Dozens of flood-displaced pupils absent from Zambezi schools

    Dozens of pupils from three flood-affected schools in Zambezi have not returned to class since the term began after schools were relocated to higher ground in March. Parents have kept pupils home, citing inadequate conditions and lack of teaching at the relocation sites.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. South Africa recalls Spar yoghurt products for health risks

    South Africa's National Consumer Commissioner has announced a recall of specific Spar yoghurt products—fat free, low fat, double cream, Indulge double cream, and active drinking yoghurt—due to a machine malfunction during production that may cause changes in taste, smell, appearance, and potential stomach upset. Consumers are urged to return affected products sold nationally from 15 June with a 9 August sell-by date for a full refund or exchange.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Katima Mulilo town council donates land for two new schools

    Katima Mulilo Town Council has resolved to donate two plots in Extension 27 and Townlands no 1328, measuring 2.52 hectares and 6 hectares respectively, to the Ministry of Education to address classroom overcrowding in the town, where most schools have more than 1,000 pupils enrolled.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Teachers' union warns of debt crisis among Namibian teachers

    The Teachers Union of Namibia says many teachers are trapped in high-interest debt from loan companies, with some left with as little as N$500 after payroll deductions, in violation of Labour Act provisions capping deductions at one-third of remuneration. The union is calling for stricter enforcement of existing legislation and financial literacy programmes to address the crisis.

    11 July 2026 · Informanté →

Culture

  1. Namibian web series explores youth challenges, premieres July 17

    'Eros Academy Secrets', directed by Elisabeth Hamukwaya, premieres on 17 July on Tukaleni Visuals YouTube channel. The series explores the realities, pressures, dreams and challenges that young Namibians face, featuring drama, mystery and complexities of student life.

    11 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

  2. Christ Laolange Shameulu releases debut memoir on perseverance

    Namibian entrepreneur and Swakopmund Fashion Week founder Christ Laolange Shameulu has released her debut memoir, "The Power of Perseverance," which draws on her experience of losing her business and stability at 19 and rebuilding from that loss. Through the book, launched in July, she aims to inspire readers that purpose can come from pain and that "your current chapter is not your final chapter."

    11 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

  3. Namibian theatremaker Ndayola Ulenga wins directing award

    Award-winning theatremaker Ndayola Ulenga has recently won the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards' best directing honour for her adaptation of Morgan Lloyd Malcom's 'The Wasp', and has returned from an acclaimed showing of her solo 'Koko' at Theatertreffen in Berlin.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Nascam board confirms plans to boost royalties and cut costs

    The newly confirmed board of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has outlined plans to increase revenue to N$15 million, reduce administrative costs from 62% to 30%, and improve member benefits over the next three years. Joseph Ailonga was confirmed as board chairperson.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Namibian artist Nambinga returns with solo exhibition after eighteen years

    Frans Nambinga, who last held a solo show in 2008, is currently displaying abstract acrylic paintings inspired by African wisdom, culture and peoples at the Namibian Arts Association. The artist credits his long absence from solo exhibitions to fully booked galleries and time spent working as a DJ and running an arts training school in Katutura.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Homemade pepper steak pie recipe beats garage versions

    A recipe article argues that homemade pepper steak pie offers advantages over convenience garage versions: you control ingredients, beef quality, and seasoning levels. The filling can be prepared ahead, and using store-bought puff pastry simplifies preparation while maintaining a golden, crisp finish.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Pre-independence musicians receive no royalties from NBC recordings

    A musician argues that Namibian performers recorded by the South West African Broadcasting Corporation before independence received no payment for their work and continue to receive nothing, since the broadcaster failed to properly document their names and details, leaving royalties uncollected when recordings are logged as 'unknown' in the Nascam system.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sport

  1. England face Norway, Argentina face Switzerland in World Cup quarters

    England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Will Jordan breaks All Blacks try-scoring record

    Will Jordan scored a hat-trick to become New Zealand's record try-scorer as the All Blacks defeated Italy 47-17 in a Nations Championship Test, improving their record to two wins from two under new coach Dave Rennie.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Ireland defeats Japan 36-20, extends winning streak to six

    Ireland beat Japan 36-20 in the Nations Championship on Saturday to stretch their win streak to six, with five Irish players scoring tries on neutral territory at Newcastle, north of Sydney.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. France defeats Australia 42-26 in Nations Championship rugby

    France came back from a 21-12 half-time deficit to beat Australia 42-26 in the Nations Championship in Brisbane, scoring four second-half tries for their first win in Brisbane over Australia since 1972.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. South Africa beats Scotland 42-28 in Nations Championship

    Jesse Kriel's 78th-minute try secured a 42-28 victory for South Africa over Scotland in Pretoria on Saturday. The win kept South Africa top of the southern hemisphere standings after two bonus-point victories.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Czech player Noskova wins first Wimbledon title in dramatic final

    Linda Noskova won her first Wimbledon title by defeating Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in a Centre Court final, recovering after wasting five match points and breaking down in tears before regaining composure to claim her maiden Grand Slam crown.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Tour de France stage shortened for first time due to heatwave

    Tour de France organisers have shortened the ninth stage by 30km for the first time in the race's history due to an intense heatwave in central France, following Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier's victory in the eighth stage.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

World & Region

  1. Okahandja and China's Maqiao revive sister-city partnership

    Okahandja Municipality and Maqiao Town in Shanghai are reviving their sister-town partnership, with both sides expected to review their cooperation agreement in September. The partnership, which dates back to December 1998, will focus on infrastructure development, smart-city innovation, food security and economic transformation.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia and China elevate bilateral relations partnership framework

    Namibia and China have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a 'Namibia-China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era' following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China. The two countries pledged to strengthen trade, investment and cooperation across sectors including oil and gas, mining, green energy, agriculture, digital technology, infrastructure and tourism, with China reaffirming its zero-tariff policy for Namibian exports and supporting beneficiation of critical minerals including uranium, lithium and rare earth elements.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia and China elevate bilateral ties to shared future partnership

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded a week-long state visit to China, with both nations agreeing to elevate bilateral relations to a "Namibia–China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era" and expanding cooperation across trade, investment, industrialisation, infrastructure, security and people-to-people exchanges.

    11 July 2026 · Informanté →

  4. African teams justified World Cup expansion with 90% knockout qualification rate

    Nine of ten African representatives at the 2026 World Cup reached the knockout stage, with nine reaching at least the round of 32, demonstrating competitive performance despite criticism over the continent's expanded allocation from five to nine automatic qualifying slots.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Klopp reaches understanding with DFB over Germany coaching role

    The German Football Federation announced it has reached an understanding with Jurgen Klopp on key contract points for him to become the new Germany national team coach, pending approval from his current employer, the Red Bull Group.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. South African footballer Jayden Adams dies at 25

    South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who played in all three of South Africa's group-stage matches at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at age 25. Police opened an investigation after his body was found at a house in Cape Town; the cause of death was not disclosed.

    11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

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