Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa warned that local authorities will not receive budget allocations unless they can demonstrate audited financial statements.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa warned that local authorities will not receive budget allocations unless they can demonstrate audited financial statements.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on 17 July 2026, with discussions focused on trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and regional cooperation. The BNC serves as the highest permanent bilateral cooperation mechanism between the two countries, supported by more than 150 agreements covering political, diplomatic, economic, social, defence and security cooperation.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Western Cape High Court heard arguments from opposition parties who urged the court to reject President Ramaphosa's urgent interdict to prevent Parliament's impeachment committee from starting proceedings against him over the Phala Phala saga. The ATM, EFF, MK, and UAT parties argued that granting the interdict would encroach on Parliament's authority.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The High Court has postponed judgment in the Road Fund Administration's appeal against an arbitration award that ordered the reinstatement of two dismissed employees and awarded them more than N$1.47 million in compensation until 11 September 2026. The RFA is challenging an arbitration finding that the dismissal of Winfred Kabunga and Naomi Mathews on 31 August 2021 was substantively unfair, with the arbitrator concluding the RFA failed to prove allegations of dishonesty, misrepresentation and gross negligence.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Swapo Party's Walvis Bay Rural district coordinator Patrick Barthomeus has denied allegations that the party is managing the municipal housing beneficiary list for the Farm 37 housing project from its district office, calling such claims "malicious lies and propaganda." He stated that Swapo Party district offices are not government institutions and lack the mandate or authority to carry out government functions like housing allocation.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Christine ||Hoëbes as Namibia's new High Commissioner to Malaysia, directing her to pursue economic diplomacy focused on technology transfer, investment, and new markets for Namibian products, leveraging Malaysia's digital innovation strength.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
Jona Hangula, 32, accused of working with ISIS and Boko Haram to overthrow the Namibian government, has filed a motion opposing the State's request for "in camera" (private) court proceedings. His legal representative is asking the High Court to dismiss the application for closed hearings and requests that evidence from an alleged FBI agent be presented in open court.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Omaruru mayor Eberth Gariseb has warned that excessive bureaucracy and political interference are delaying development projects, citing the stalled Omaruru Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre as an example of administrative processes preventing initiatives that could address youth unemployment and stimulate local economic activity.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has postponed the Fishrot fraud, corruption and racketeering case—concerning alleged unlawful allocation of Namibian fishing quotas—to 19 October. Former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, one of ten charged, said a Supreme Court petition challenging the judge's refusal to step down from the case remains pending, and a related civil application by four of the accused is scheduled for hearing on 15 September.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Public Workers Union has concluded a wage agreement with the Namibia Qualifications Authority for the 2026/27 financial year, providing a 7% increase in basic salaries effective 1 April, and raising housing allowance from 31% to 33% of basic salaries.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Namibia has rejected the home affairs ministry's assertion regarding work permit applications from foreign pilots.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
South African companies invested approximately US$1.2 billion (about N$19.5 billion) in Namibia between 2023 and 2025, creating around 4,900 jobs, according to the South African Presidency ahead of a Bi-National Commission summit between the two countries.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Government of Namibia has agreed to settle a long-running dispute with consulting engineer Farhad Nadimi over unpaid professional fees for the Katima Magistrate's Court construction, paying N$767,457.92 inclusive of VAT plus 20 percent annual interest from 28 February 2022, down from Nadimi's original claim of N$900,776.15.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's building sector improved in the first half of 2026, with June delivering broad-based gains in approval volumes and values despite elevated borrowing costs and household affordability constraints. In Windhoek, June approvals rose 24.7% year-on-year to 197 plans, with the value of approved plans surging 50.7% year-on-year to N$197.8 million.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Mobile Telecommunications Limited has opened a mobile home at Okongo, its 40th retail store nationwide, offering customers access to SIM registration, contract applications, account payments and other services without travelling long distances. The expansion is part of MTC's efforts to improve telecommunications access across Namibia, with additional planned outlets in Walvis Bay, Okuryangava, Omaruru, Otjinene and potentially Outjio.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
OL Group has terminated the employment of group chief operating officer Wynand Oosthuizen effective immediately, following an internal process. Oosthuizen, who also served as a board member and acting managing director of Namibia Dairies, is no longer a member of any OL company directorships.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Municipal Council of Windhoek is suing Namibia Dairies for N$24.5 million over a February 2019 heavy fuel oil spill at the company's factory that contaminated the city's Gammams Water Care Works and caused damage to water treatment processes. The hearing before the Windhoek High Court began on Tuesday, with Namibia Dairies opposing the council's claim.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A phytosanitary agreement signed in July between Namibia and China opens export opportunities for table grapes, but growers warn that strict import requirements could delay shipments and the market may not open until after the 2026/27 season. Industry leaders note China offers fixed prices but demands strict compliance, with penalties for non-conforming goods.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Brazil's ambassador announced a N$1.9 million contribution to the World Food Programme and plans to expand a programme from supporting 300 families to 3 000 families, emphasizing building stronger food systems and helping communities become self-reliant instead of dependent on food aid.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Omaheke region recorded 85 child protection cases during the 2025/26 financial year, as authorities warn that abuse, neglect, and other forms of vulnerability persist in the region.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Erongo RED has launched a public awareness campaign to mobilise communities across the region to help combat copper cable theft, warning that the crime continues.
16 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
A mother has alleged that her six-year-old son's arm was amputated at Windhoek hospital following complications from a cast applied at Otjiwarongo State Hospital in April 2026. She claims the cast was applied too tightly, causing nerve damage and turning the child's arm blue, and says the hospital has not explained what led to the amputation.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia will send 17 young competitors across 16 skills fields to the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September, competing in trades ranging from Mechatronics and Welding to Cooking and Hairdressing against competitors from over 70 countries and regions.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Kadhikwa Tironenn Amutenya won an international science competition and earned a place on Rosatom's Icebreaker of Knowledge 2026 expedition, which will take her aboard a nuclear-powered icebreaker to the North Pole in August. Nearly 5,000 learners aged 14–16 from 23 countries competed for the opportunity.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Erongo Regional Council has issued an appeal for responsible fire management as active wildfires continue to threaten the Daures and Karibib Constituencies. The council warned of the devastating impact uncontrolled fires can have on communities, livestock, wildlife, grazing land, infrastructure, and the natural environment, and urged residents to refrain from burning vegetation without necessary precautions and to report fire outbreaks immediately.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Informal trading is essential to the Namibian economy and many depend on it for survival, but this does not justify suspending public health, environmental standards, urban planning or basic order, argues Windhoek Observer. Local and national authorities have failed both traders and the public by allowing informal trading spaces to develop without sufficient planning, infrastructure, regulation and enforcement.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A medical specialist calls for greater emphasis on informed consent and open communication between doctors and patients, noting that many medical-legal disputes arise from misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication rather than poor treatment. Records show the ministry of health and social services paid compensation in 45 medical negligence claims between 2019 and 2024, totaling almost N$14.7 million.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibia Statistics Agency released a report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census showing that marginalized communities—comprising San, Ovatue/Ovatwa, and Ovatjimba peoples (75,569 people, 2.5% of Namibia's population)—face significant challenges in education, employment, housing, and access to basic services. The data aims to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation to address inequalities.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The City of Windhoek has denied allegations that its CEO's office instructed officials to stop issuing new informal trading permits, saying applications continue to be processed under existing regulations. The denial follows complaints from traders and residents in Dorado Park about City Police preventing informal traders from operating and the City refusing to issue trading letters.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia is estimated to record 4,205 new cancer diagnoses annually according to the 2024 Global Cancer Observatory estimates, a substantial increase from approximately 3,700 cases previously. The three most diagnosed cancers are breast cancer (701 patients), cervical cancer (453 patients), and prostate cancer (440 patients), with Namibia maintaining one of Africa's highest age-standardised incidence rates at 202.2 per 100,000 population.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare identified 373 children living and working on the streets in 2023 and plans to conduct a regional study this year to determine actual numbers and social and economic factors driving children to street life. The Khomas region recorded the highest number of street-connected children.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
A new WHO Global Status Report on Cancer warns that cancer is an increasing global crisis with the greatest growth expected in low- and middle-income countries. In Namibia, the report's ABC-DO study found significant disparities in breast cancer survival rates across racial groups, with white women at 84%, mixed-race women at 69%, and black women at 45%, linked to delays in diagnosis and treatment access.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Jonah Home in Walvis Bay, which cares for twenty vulnerable children, faces a monthly funding shortfall exceeding N$43,000 that threatens its ability to provide basic necessities. The facility has become a de facto national repository for child protection cases from across Namibia, with children often lacking birth certificates and requiring intensive medical or psychological support.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibian Marshall Rangers Emergency Rescue Services have appealed to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene in concluding a search and recovery operation for a 15-year-old boy, Erwin Bezuidenhoudt, who drowned in the Atlantic Ocean in Swakopmund on July 2, 2026. The recovery effort has been hampered by legal and technical obstacles involving private entities, despite multi-agency collaboration including the Police, Navy, and Municipality.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Police in Omaheke arrested 189 drunk drivers between 2023 and 2026, with alcohol abuse identified as a leading cause of road crashes. Stakeholders met to address road safety challenges including roaming livestock, poor visibility on gravel roads, and increased heavy truck traffic.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Students awaiting NSFAF funding are expected to receive outstanding allowances by the end of July, after Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare conducted an oversight visit. Eligible continuing students will receive back-pay covering April to July, amounting to N$9 600 per student, with priority given to non-tuition allowances.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Trials in Uganda found that catnip lotion, made from the mint-family herb's nepetalactone chemical, proved just as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes. The finding is significant for malaria control in regions where commercial repellents are unaffordable, though the research raised no clarity on effects with local cats.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Tulihaleni Nghihalwa was convicted of 75 fraud charges and 24 money laundering counts for defrauding Komatsu Namibia of N$4.48 million through false invoices between 2014 and 2016, and received an effective 12-year prison sentence; three co-accused including her siblings were also convicted on money laundering charges.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of the San, Ovatue, and Ovatjimba communities have been removed from the Marginalised Communities Special Feeding Programme, which distributes quarterly food parcels including maize meal, beans, fish, beef and cooking oil. The Otjozondjupa Regional Council confirmed that vulnerable community members, including unemployed households with children, have lost access to this assistance introduced in 2005.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Road users in Windhoek report spending hours on the road during peak periods, with journey times significantly longer than before. An Elisenheim resident cited a morning trip that now takes 45 minutes to over an hour, compared to 30 minutes previously, and identified a bottleneck near the B1 and Namibia Breweries turnoff where traffic lights have not been functioning.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union has rejected plans for truck drivers to donate blood while on the road, citing concerns about road safety and driver health. The union supports a new agreement between the Walvis Bay Corridor Group and the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia to encourage voluntary donations in the transport sector, but says donations should not occur during work time without proper medical screening, recovery time, and schedule adjustments.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Veteran South African actor, director and theatre-maker Seputla Sebogodi has died following complications related to diabetes. His family confirmed he died on 15 July after a career spanning acting, directing, writing, singing and theatre work across television and stage productions.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
South African theatre and television actor Seputla Sebogodi, known for his role as Kenneth Mashaba in the soapie Generations and a career spanning over three decades, passed away on Wednesday following complications related to diabetes.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The ICC has announced a new format for the 2027 men's one-day international World Cup in southern Africa, featuring a preliminary round for the three lowest-ranked qualifiers with only one advancing to a 12-team main group stage. The restructure replaces the previous 'super six' with a 'super seven' round-robin and eliminates quarter-finals, designed to reduce dead-rubber matches and increase the potential for an additional India-Pakistan fixture.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, with Lionel Messi setting up both Argentina goals in a second-half turnaround after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead. Captain Harry Kane said the team were "gutted" after working hard to reach the semi-finals.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presented the Namibian flag to Team Namibia at State House, calling on the athletes to represent the country with pride, integrity and excellence at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, scheduled for 23 July to 2 August. This marks Namibia's eighth appearance at the games.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's men's squash side finished fourth in the C Division of the Jarvis Cup held in Mossel Bay, narrowly losing matches against strong regional teams. According to the former chairman of Wanderers Squash Club, the performances demonstrate steady improvement in Namibian squash over recent years.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice president Lucia Witbooi has praised Namibia's Special Olympics Unified Gladiators for winning gold at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup in Paris, France, becoming the first Namibian team to win gold at the tournament. Witbooi celebrated the team's courage, determination, and triumph during a welcoming ceremony at Old State House.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah pledged to accelerate government investment in sports infrastructure across all 14 regions and handed the national flag to Team Namibia ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The government has identified 28 sites for construction and upgrading of sports facilities as part of elevating sport to a top development priority.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Ireland coach Andy Farrell said his side were fortunate to have another opportunity to beat New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have not lost in the professional era and are seeking to extend their unbeaten run to 53 matches in Saturday's Nations Championship Test.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Commonwealth Games team received the national flag from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at an official ceremony ahead of the Games scheduled for 23 July to 2 August in Glasgow, Scotland. NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa praised the athletes' commitment and thanked the government's support for sport, while Chef de Mission Joseph Amakali emphasised the team's focus on discipline, professionalism, and representing the nation with integrity.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
Veteran forward Stella Williams has retired from football after a career marked by leadership and passion for the game. Her final playing chapter was with Mighty Gunners Ladies FC, where she guided younger players and provided stability to the team.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
Four Namibian gymnasts will compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 3 August, after qualifying at the African Championships in Cameroon. National head coach Petra Thorburn says the team was selected based on their performance at those championships and will train in Azerbaijan before the event.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
England coach Steve Borthwick kept the same starting team for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Argentina in Santiago del Estero, leaving Henry Pollock among the replacements despite his hat-trick in the previous week's win over Fiji. Bench changes include scrum-half Ben Spencer replacing the injured Alex Mitchell and Emmanuel Iyogun coming in for George Kloska.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Wales head coach Steve Tandy made six starting changes for the Nations Championship Test against world champions South Africa in Durban on Saturday, including a new centre partnership and alterations across the backline and forward pack. South Africa lead the table with 10 points from bonus-point victories over England and Scotland, while Wales have five points from two matches.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Lewis Hamilton returns to Spa for the 20th consecutive year, aiming to equal Michael Schumacher's record of six Belgian Grand Prix wins while racing for Ferrari. Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' title race on 179 points for Mercedes after nine races, but has failed to score in two of his last three races as Ferrari have found resurgent form.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has extinguished a wildfire in the Khorixas area of Kunene Region after several days of firefighting operations. The fire affected 19,353 hectares of land in the region this year, and the ministry is urging the public to handle fire responsibly and cooperate during firefighting operations.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
This year's IUCN red list reveals that despite evolving ingenious survival strategies, species are increasingly threatened by destructive human activities including deep-sea mining and diamond mining. While some species like the numbat have recovered through targeted protection, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warns that the biodiversity crisis can be reversed if nature is adequately protected.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Ocean Conservation Namibia reports that plastic pollution poses a serious threat to marine life along Namibia's coast. The organisation has rescued 265 entangled Cape fur seals by end of June, with most affected seals unable to survive without intervention.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the family of Vasilije Bošković, a Serbian engineer and diplomat who served as Honorary Consul of Namibia to Serbia for more than two decades and contributed to Namibia's liberation struggle and bilateral relations. The President conveyed condolences on behalf of the Namibian Government and people, honouring Bošković's role in strengthening ties between the two countries.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia University of Science and Technology and Angola's University of Namibe have formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding focused on joint research, capacity building and academic exchange in STEM fields including marine biology, fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, green hydrogen and mining.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has departed for Pretoria to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) Summit with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday, concluding a week of bilateral engagements between the two governments.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
SADC foreign ministers, senior officials and security chiefs met in Salima, Malawi, to review peace and security across the region, with the DRC conflict, terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime and governance on the agenda. SADC Executive Secretary Elias Magosi warned that peace and security in Southern Africa could not be taken for granted despite the region remaining one of the continent's most peaceful.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
Sierra Leone's government has dropped treason charges against ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was arrested in connection with a November 2023 attempted coup. Koroma, who has denied involvement, was allowed to seek medical treatment in Nigeria following an Ecowas-brokered deal and is now free to return to Sierra Leone.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A special police team has begun investigating the killing of Andile Mvuyelwa Somgxada, the Gauteng province leader of the anti-migrant group March and March, who was shot outside his home and died in hospital. The group's spokesperson attributed the killing to retaliation for its campaign against undocumented migrants, citing recent death threats against other leaders.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Ramaphosa are set to meet in Pretoria to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission, with directives expected to strengthen trade, investment, border management, infrastructure and energy cooperation between the two countries. Several new agreements and memoranda of understanding are also expected to be signed.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
Seventy-two Namibians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks say they hope to return once anti-immigrant violence subsides, as the government indicated it will assess future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis and that repatriated citizens remain free to decide where they live and work.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Thomas Tuchel came under fire from British media after England lost 2-1 to Argentina in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, with criticism focused on his defensive substitutions that replaced attacking players with a five-man defence after England took a 1-0 lead.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece in The Namibian argues that President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to repair South Africa's criminal justice system despite promising to do so, citing controversies including allegations against Investigative Directorate head Andrea Johnson and former NPA head Shamila Batohi's departure under disputed circumstances.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's social challenges require coordinated, evidence-led corporate social investment rather than fragmented goodwill efforts. The Capricorn Foundation backs the Mukopano initiative, a platform that convenes funders, implementers and communities to coordinate social investment across the country.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →