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Sunday, 9 August 2026
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Archive Minute from Sunday, 9 August 2026
Politics

Fired NAC board members appeal to president over minister dismissal

The News

Five Namibia Airports Company board members, dismissed by the minister of works and transport over an N$5,000 vehicle buyout, plan to appeal to the president, claiming the minister's action was unauthorised interference. The board argues the buyout was justified as employees forfeited their vehicle scheme, saving the parastatal over N$40 million, and the company has since become profitable.

9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Politics

  1. Fired NAC board members appeal to president over minister dismissal

    Five Namibia Airports Company board members, dismissed by the minister of works and transport over an N$5,000 vehicle buyout, plan to appeal to the president, claiming the minister's action was unauthorised interference. The board argues the buyout was justified as employees forfeited their vehicle scheme, saving the parastatal over N$40 million, and the company has since become profitable.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Businessman says young ministers asserting authority over parastatal CEOs

    Businessman Leake Hangala told public enterprise chief executives that Namibia's new Cabinet ministers, while young and well-educated, often remind board chairpersons and parastatal leaders of their ministerial authority. Hangala said personality clashes between officials have hindered constructive discussions and called for institutional approaches that do not depend on personalities.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Tsumeb Municipality warns against illegal municipal land use

    Tsumeb Municipality has warned residents against fencing, occupying, or conducting business on municipal land without prior written council approval, stating it will enforce rules by removing unauthorised structures and confiscating materials where necessary.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  4. Magistrate warns prosecutors on vague "public interest" bail opposition

    Magistrate Bornface Konga cautioned public prosecutors against relying on vague references to "public interest" and "administration of justice" when opposing bail without substantiating evidence, in a ruling on the bail application of five accused persons facing fraud charges relating to an alleged N$1.2 million claim.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Business

  1. Social activist launches 10,528-plot private housing estate

    Social activist Michael Amushelelo launched the Amushelelo Hosea Kutako Airport Estate, a private housing development of up to 10,528 plots near Windhoek, in partnership with businessman Harvey Boulter and lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, offering three plot sizes priced from N$40,000 to N$60,000 with monthly payments from about N$1,500.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Capricorn Group marks four decades building diversified financial services

    Capricorn Group, listed on the Namibia Securities Exchange, has grown as a diversified financial services group over more than four decades with operations across Namibia and Botswana, including Bank Windhoek, Bank Gaborone, Capricorn Asset Management, and Capricorn Private Wealth.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Namibia Air receives air service licences for national carrier

    The Transportation Commission of Namibia has approved Namibia Air's applications for scheduled and non-scheduled air service licences, formally handing them over to the Ministry of Works and Transport. The approval clears a critical path toward establishing the country's new national carrier.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  4. Finance minister urges state enterprises to manage resources better

    Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah told state-owned enterprises to stop relying on increased state funding and instead make effective use of already-allocated resources, saying some SOEs receive funding running into more than N$1 billion. She urged them to end narratives of limited funding and focus on improving management of public financial resources, with the Namibia Ports Authority chief executive also recommending SOEs explore private-sector partnerships for financial sustainability.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Mining & Energy

  1. President calls for mineral beneficiation to create shared prosperity

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for Namibia to move beyond raw material extraction and invest in domestic value addition and industrial expansion. At the Mining Expo and Conference, she emphasized that the nation's mineral wealth must drive local employment and prosperity, noting that macro-fiscal growth alone cannot remedy structural inequality.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Namibian energy executive nominated for Africa's top infrastructure list

    Shiwana Ndeunyema has been nominated for the 2026 Top 100 Influential Africans in Infrastructure by Powered by Africa, recognised for his leadership in energy, infrastructure governance and national policy. The nomination highlights his 15 years of professional experience and 10-month tenure as Interim Managing Director of NAMCOR amid Namibia's major offshore oil discoveries.

    9 August 2026 · Namibian Sun

Society

  1. Ministry urges stronger support systems for breastfeeding mothers

    During World Breastfeeding Week 2026, Namibia's Deputy Minister of Health called for expanded counselling services, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, and shared responsibility among families, communities, employers and government to support mothers. Breastfeeding should be exclusive for the first six months and continue alongside complementary foods thereafter.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  2. Police investigate housebreakings across four Namibian towns

    Police are investigating multiple housebreaking and theft cases reported in Windhoek, Rehoboth, Henties Bay and Katima Mulilo, with stolen property collectively valued at more than N$180,000. Most incidents remain unsolved, though one suspect has been arrested in Rehoboth.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  3. Police arrest suspects in three violent incidents across Namibia

    Police arrested suspects in three serious violent incidents over the weekend: a 27-year-old man in Onayena for alleged attempted murder of three domestic violence victims; a 26-year-old man in Outapi for the alleged murder of 44-year-old Teofilus Kapilu with an Okapi knife; and a separate murder case in Karasburg where a 27-year-old man died after allegedly being stabbed during a fight.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  4. Police investigate fraudulent banking transactions in two towns

    Police are investigating two separate fraud cases in Tsumeb and Katima Mulilo involving unauthorised transactions totalling nearly N$100,000. In Tsumeb, N$60,900 was transferred from an FNB account without authorisation; in Katima Mulilo, an unknown suspect used a bank card to make an unauthorised online purchase of N$39,040.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  5. Deputy minister calls for breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies

    Deputy minister of health and social services Suzan Ndjaleka has called for employers to introduce breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, arguing mothers should not have to choose between their careers and their children's well-being. Some companies, including banks, have already implemented such policies, and the civil service should follow suit.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  6. Malnourished Okahandja girl buried after mother's struggle

    A five-year-old girl who died of severe malnutrition in Okahandja was laid to rest, with her mother having pushed the child's body to town in a cart after police assistance did not materialize. August 26 Logistics donated groceries and household essentials to the family as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  7. Deputy Minister cites low exclusive breastfeeding rates in Namibia

    Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Hambelela Ndjaleka reported that less than half of Namibian infants are exclusively breastfed in the first six months of life, citing the 2024 SMART Nutrition Survey which found only 49 percent of children aged 0–5 months are exclusively breastfed. Ndjaleka called for stronger workplace, community, and health facility support for mothers, including implementation of "Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding" in maternity wards and provision of robust maternity leave and breastfeeding facilities by both public and private sectors.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  8. PNWA, RFA deliver 400+ shoes in 2026 winter charity drive

    Project Never Walk Alone and the Road Fund Administration concluded their 2026 Winter Drive by distributing over 400 pairs of shoes to barefoot children, elderly residents, and adults across three communities, while Kasi Socks donated over 400 pairs of socks and more than 1,500 people received meals and drinks.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  9. Oshakati Town Council posts signs to stop public urination at market

    Oshakati Town Council has erected 'No Urination/Defecation' signs at the open space adjacent to the Dr Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market to address a long-standing hygiene problem. Violators face a N$100 fine, and private security guards have been deployed to enforce the rules, though enforcement has led to clashes between guards and the public.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  10. Nine-month-old dies in house fire in Ondobe Constituency

    A nine-month-old baby boy died in a house fire at Onanghulo village in the Ondobe Constituency on Saturday after two young children allegedly started a fire while playing with matches. The fire spread from one traditional thatched room to four others, trapping the sleeping infant.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  11. Two workers die in Windhoek wastewater plant maintenance incident

    Two employees of Cape Advanced Engineering Namibia died following suspected toxic gas exposure at the Gammams Water Care Works in Windhoek on 7 August 2026 while conducting routine maintenance inside a manhole; a third worker survived and was hospitalized.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

  12. Man arrested for violent housebreaking in Oniimwandi

    Police in Oshikoto Region arrested a 27-year-old man following a violent housebreaking at Oniimwandi Village on Friday morning, during which he allegedly forced open a bedroom door and assaulted three sleeping occupants aged between 1 and 62 years, causing minor to serious injuries.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  13. Man arrested in Rosh Pinah for alleged rape of ex-girlfriend

    A 29-year-old man was arrested in Rosh Pinah following an allegation that he raped his 35-year-old ex-girlfriend on Friday, 7 August. He remains in custody pending police investigation.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  14. Police investigate N$60 900 unauthorized bank transfer in Tsumeb

    Tsumeb police are investigating a suspected fraud case after N$60 900 was allegedly transferred from a complainant's FNB account without permission while he slept on the night of 6–7 August. The complainant reported receiving no requests for banking details, card numbers, or one-time passwords.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  15. Suspect breaks into Thorn Valley Estate home, steals goods

    Police are investigating a housebreak at a residence in Katutura's Thorn Valley Estate on Friday, 7 August 2026, in which a suspect forced open a bathroom window and stole items valued at about N$12,000. No arrest or recovery has been made yet.

    9 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Sport

  1. Iraola's Liverpool loses 3-2 to Monaco in first Anfield friendly

    Andoni Iraola's first Anfield match as Liverpool manager ended in a 3-2 friendly defeat by Monaco on Sunday after Liverpool squandered a two-goal lead, with Paris Brunner heading in a late winner. Iraola made 11 changes in the second half and gave a first Liverpool appearance to new signing Victor Munoz, while captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker, and winger Cody Gakpo all made their first appearances since the World Cup.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Tourism & Environment

  1. Namibia launches environmental data platform for planning

    Environment Minister Indileni Daniel launched a Multilateral Environmental Agreements Monitoring and Reporting Platform at the University of Namibia to improve access to environmental information and support national planning, research and decision-making. The platform, developed with technical support from UNAM, serves as a central repository for environmental data for government, researchers and development partners.

    9 August 2026 · Informanté

World & Region

  1. Pitso Mosimane to become South Africa football coach

    Pitso Mosimane is set to succeed Hugo Broos as coach of South Africa's national football team, pending salary negotiations. The 62-year-old South African, previously fired from the role in 2012, has since coached Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly in Egypt, and clubs in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. US Embassy in Windhoek stops visa processing from August

    From 1 August, Namibians seeking US visas must travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town for interviews and processing, rather than applying at the US Embassy in Windhoek. The move is part of a US State Department restructuring reducing the number of African embassies and consulates authorised to process visas from almost 50 to 20 'hubs', framed as part of an immigration crackdown.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  3. PM Ngurare invites Cuban youth to visit Namibia

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare met with the first secretary of Cuba's Young Communist League and encouraged Cuban youth to visit Namibia for business, arts, cultural and educational exchanges. He praised Cuba's historical support for Namibia's liberation and urged both countries' youth to advance economic development.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Opinion

  1. AU ministers pledge social protection, columnist questions delivery

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel, addressing an African Union technical committee meeting in Windhoek on behalf of the president, declared that ministers have agreed to accelerate social protection systems for informal workers, rural and migrant communities, defining social protection as a fundamental human right. The Namibian's columnist is sceptical, suggesting the commitments amount to "bureaucratic poetry" with limited practical impact.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Budget criticized for minimal elderly pension increase

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's proposed budget betrays former President Geingob's commitment to elderly citizens by raising pensions only N$100 to N$1,700, while parliamentarians seek higher salaries and perks. The writer calls for bi-partisan action on pensions as a matter of national interest.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Namibia should demand reciprocal benefits in EU and China partnerships

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's strategic partnerships with the European Union and China should be built on the plover-and-crocodile principle: mutual honesty about needs and measurable benefits for both parties, with the smaller partner's gains as visible as the larger one's.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

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