Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Home All stories from today — updates as new items land

Politics

  1. Swapo councillor Blaauw elected Keetmanshoop mayor

    The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.

    10 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. IPC withdraws Keetmanshoop councillor for party directive violations

    The Independent Patriots for Change has withdrawn councillor Pieter Skeyer from the Keetmanshoop Town Council, citing alleged violations of party directives. Skeyer, who served six months, said his decisions were based on personal conviction and will now focus on his role as school principal.

    12 hours ago · The Namibian

Business

  1. Namibia's trade deficit with South Africa totals N$28.63 billion

    Namibia's total trade with South Africa reached N$86 billion in 2025, with imports of N$57.84 billion against exports of N$29.21 billion, reflecting a persistent trade deficit driven by structural industrial gaps, according to the Minister of International Relations and Trade at the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission meeting.

    8 hours ago · Informanté

Mining & Energy

  1. Daures Green Hydrogen Village advances carbon-free fertiliser production

    The Daures Green Hydrogen Village is progressing toward producing Namibia's first carbon-free ammonium sulphate fertiliser using green hydrogen technology, with government and international partners including UNIDO and the United Kingdom Government reviewing the project's development in the Erongo Region.

    16 hours ago · Informanté

Agriculture & Land

  1. Kavango East blueberry farm reaches 136 hectares, plans expansion

    Blueberry Namibia has expanded to 136 hectares under cultivation with N$400 million invested, creating 195 permanent and 750 seasonal jobs. The project is set for further expansion with an additional N$1.5 billion investment planned over the next seven years.

    13 hours ago · Informanté

  2. UNAM and Katima Mulilo Council plan N$26 million agro-processing plant

    The University of Namibia and Katima Mulilo Town Council discussed plans for a proposed N$26 million agro-processing plant that would add value to locally grown mangoes and indigenous resources, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen regional supply chains and commercialisation.

    19 hours ago · Informanté

Society

  1. Windhoek housing backlog exceeds 60,000 units amid growth

    The City of Windhoek faces a housing backlog of 60,000 units and needs N$1 billion annually to close it, but has received less than a third of that this year. The city hosts 150 of Namibia's 419 informal settlements, housing 213,000 people in over 67,000 households without secure tenure, while population growth and insufficient land servicing compound the crisis.

    22 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. Jonah Home provides safe care for Namibia's vulnerable children

    Jonah Home in Walvis Bay has cared for abandoned and vulnerable children for 15 years, currently housing about 14 children with capacity for up to 20. The facility accepts children from difficult circumstances including neglect, abuse, and families affected by substance addiction.

    22 hours ago · Namibian Sun

  3. Youth unemployment and crime linked in Namibia's social crisis

    With youth unemployment around 38%, criminal syndicates are exploiting young people's desperation by offering quick cash through illegal activities like cellphone theft and drug dealing. The article argues that social media celebration of criminal acts, absent male role models, and erosion of Namibia's social fabric are worsening the trend of youth turning to crime.

    10 hours ago · The Namibian

  4. Seventh accused in Shiweda murder case denied bail

    Matatias Ndengu, the seventh accused in the killing of Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, was denied bail in the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Friday. According to a source, Ndengu allegedly travelled from Windhoek to Ondangwa with fellow accused Johannes Nghilifavali on 16 October and brought acid used in the attack on Shiweda on 17 October 2026, and faces six charges including murder under the doctrine of common purpose.

    12 hours ago · The Namibian

Culture

  1. Bastille Day celebration at French ambassador's residence in Windhoek

    A writer reflects on Windhoek's cultural calendar, highlighting the annual Bastille Day garden party at the French ambassador's house, where short speeches, quality charcuterie, and champagne celebrate 14 July and France's art de vivre. The article notes that Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, a key event of the French Revolution that ended the French monarchy.

    9 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. Namibian traditional musicians exploited, excluded from commercial gains

    The Namibian reports that Namibia's traditional music communities are systematically excluded from commercial benefits when their ancestral songs and rituals are recorded and licensed by outsiders, receiving minimal compensation while those with recording equipment profit from their heritage.

    9 hours ago · The Namibian

  3. Jaliza rises from backup singer to ma /gaisa music star

    Windhoek-born artist Jaliza Utsile has become one of ma /gaisa's brightest female artists, beginning her solo career in 2013 after performing as a backup singer-cum-dancer for her uncle. Her songs, which include hits like "Lau Lau" and "Ti Tsatara," draw inspiration from her two children and convey themes of hope, strength, and resilience.

    9 hours ago · The Namibian

  4. Namibian musicians welcome global AI music labelling system

    Namibian musicians have welcomed a new global labelling system introduced by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry to classify sound recordings as either "AI-generated" or "AI-assisted", saying it could improve transparency, strengthen copyright protection, and help listeners distinguish between human-created and AI-generated music.

    9 hours ago · The Namibian

Sport

  1. All Blacks beat Ireland 40-21, extend Eden Park winning streak

    New Zealand defeated Ireland 40-21 in a Test match on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 53 matches. The All Blacks scored four of their six tries in the first half to lead 28-7 at the interval, securing a third win in the Nations Championship.

    10 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. President hands flag to Team Namibia for Glasgow Commonwealth Games

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially handed over the Namibian flag to Team Namibia at a State House ceremony, marking the country's ninth participation in the Commonwealth Games scheduled for July–August 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. She urged athletes to represent the nation with pride, discipline and sportsmanship, and praised the Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association for their preparation efforts.

    11 hours ago · Informanté

World & Region

  1. France, Namibia mark Bastille Day with diplomatic celebration

    France's ambassador to Namibia hosted a Bastille Day event at her residence in Windhoek, attended by the minister of international relations and trade. Both nations reaffirmed their long-standing friendship, with Namibia's minister noting France was among the first European countries to recognize Swapo and highlighting shared commitment to economic cooperation and sustainable development.

    9 hours ago · The Namibian

  2. PM reiterates call for lifting US embargo on Cuba

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has reiterated Namibia's call for the lifting of the United States embargo on Cuba, stating the Cuban people deserve to live in peace, harmony and with human dignity. He also reaffirmed Namibia's support for the self-determination of Palestinian and Western Saharan peoples.

    5 hours ago · Informanté

Opinion

  1. Opinion: Anti-Corruption Commission leadership compared to biblical Noah

    A Namibian Sun opinion column draws parallels between Paulus Noa's twenty-year tenure leading the Anti-Corruption Commission and the biblical Noah, comparing the building's ark-like appearance and the challenge of warning society about corruption that many refuse to acknowledge.

    22 hours ago · Namibian Sun

  2. Opinion: Botswana school feeding programmes outpace Namibia's capacity

    An opinion piece compares school feeding programmes in Botswana—which provide balanced, consistent meals throughout the day—with Namibia's struggling feeding programmes, and calls on the Namibian education minister to study Botswana's system.

    10 hours ago · The Namibian

Namibia Minute