Namibia Minute

Saturday, 29 August 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Saturday, 29 August 2026

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Politics

Parliamentary committee identifies livestock, B1 road safety gaps

The News

Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has highlighted roaming livestock and inadequate traffic capacity as major contributors to road accidents, with livestock accounting for nearly 51% of accidents in Kavango West. The B1 road, particularly between Mariental and Keetmanshoop, was identified as a major fatality corridor, with the Committee recommending stronger controls over livestock and enhanced enforcement measures.

29 August 2026 · Informanté →

Politics

Parliamentary committee identifies livestock, B1 road safety gaps
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure has highlighted roaming livestock and inadequate traffic capacity as major contributors to road accidents, with livestock accounting for nearly 51% of accidents in Kavango West. The B1 road, particularly between Mariental and Keetmanshoop, was identified as a major fatality corridor, with the Committee recommending stronger controls over livestock and enhanced enforcement measures.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
Prime Minister urges governors to deliver visible improvements
Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has called on Regional Governors to use newly available resources to address practical community needs and produce visible improvements to people's lives, emphasizing that governors serve as a critical link between central government and communities and must have sufficient human and financial resources to respond to local challenges.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
National Assembly resumes with bills on land, petroleum, taxation
The National Assembly is set to resume on Tuesday for a sitting scheduled at 14h30, with lawmakers expected to continue second-reading debate on six pieces of legislation including a land bill, petroleum amendment bill, regional councils amendment bill, public enterprises governance amendment bill, income tax amendment bill, and accountants and auditors regulatory authority bill, as well as consider reports and debate motions.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
APP supports crocodile attack victims' compensation protest
The All People's Party backs survivors and families protesting outside Mahango Game Park in Kavango East, who are calling for compensation from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for injuries and deaths from human-wildlife conflict. APP president Ambrosius Kumbwa said the ministry should address grievances with transparency and accountability, and called for a government mechanism to compensate and support victims.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Business

Germany withdraws N$200m grant for Windhoek mobility project
The German government has withdrawn an estimated N$200-million grant for Windhoek's sustainable urban mobility project after a feasibility study found that the anticipated increase in cycling and reduction in carbon dioxide emissions would not meet Germany's climate-financing requirements. The city had submitted an alternative electric bus project proposal in October 2025 for review.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Mining & Energy

IPC opposes Sandpiper phosphate mining project
The Independent Patriots for Change opposes the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, which received environmental clearance on 5 August, citing environmental, social and public health concerns and pointing to negative outcomes from phosphate mining in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

Regional forecast predicts below-normal rainfall for Namibia in 2026–27
According to the 33rd Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum in Swakopmund, Namibia is expected to experience below-normal rainfall during the October 2026 to March 2027 period, with high confidence in the forecast for much of the broader southern African region and generally above-normal temperatures.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →

Society

Nekundi plans testing mandate for all driving instructors
Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has proposed that every driving instructor in Namibia be tested on driving competence, teaching ability, defensive driving knowledge, and psychometric assessment before being allowed to continue teaching, regardless of years of experience.
29 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Shikwaya denied bail in prosecutor murder case
Petrus Shikwaya, accused of providing money for acid used in the fatal attack on Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, has been denied bail. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder in common purpose, murder in common purpose, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, and defrauding Sanlam Namibia of N$154,000.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC condemns killing of five-year-old in Omusati region
The Independent Patriots for Change has condemned the murder of a five-year-old child in Oshifo village, Ruacana constituency, allegedly by the child's father, calling for swift justice and stronger protections against domestic violence and child abuse in Namibia.
29 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Windhoek receives N$1.2 million for firefighter training
The City of Windhoek has received N$1.2 million from the Namibia Training Authority for firefighting and rescue operations training programmes covering 40 trainees enrolled at Windhoek's Emergency Management Training Centre. The grant will cover training costs and support the city's capacity development in emergency management.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council flags NUST infrastructure inadequacy amid student growth
The National Council Standing Committee on Education reports that NUST has not significantly expanded its physical infrastructure since 1991, despite student numbers growing from 7,000 to 25,000, creating severe capacity pressures and limiting the university's ability to deliver teaching and research effectively.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
Skills mismatch persists despite higher education growth
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has warned of a critical misalignment between skills produced by higher education institutions and labour market demands, citing high graduate unemployment in teaching and nursing alongside oversupply in other fields. The Committee also flagged funding constraints, infrastructure gaps, and rapid technological change as barriers to curriculum relevance.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
Erongo police seek public help finding missing man
Police in Erongo Region are seeking public assistance in locating Zachary Mannecky Enrico Anieb, aged 24, who went missing on 26 August 2026 at Kuisebmond. He has a mental health condition and was last seen in a cream hoodie, black tracksuit and sandals.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →

Culture

Photography exhibition documents drought and displacement in Namibia
An exhibition called 'Namibia – A Photographic View' features work by photographers Margaret Courtney-Clarke and Rachel Sakeus exploring drought, forced relocation, and life in Windhoek's informal settlements. The exhibition is part of cultural relations between Mannheim and Windhoek, and showcases portraiture and documentation of San and indigenous peoples navigating displacement and climate challenges across rural Namibian regions.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Documentary explores Bience Gawanas beyond institutional roles
A new documentary titled 'The Encapsulation of Bience Gawanas', directed by filmmaker Othilia Mungoba, presents an intimate audiovisual portrait of the liberation figure and human rights advocate using multi-sensory storytelling that blends conversations, archival footage, personal artefacts, photographs and music. The film will be screened on 28 August at a public event in Windhoek.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Comedy film 'Spa Weekend' explores wellness culture gone awry
'Spa Weekend' (2026), written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, stars Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau and Anna Faris as four friends whose midlife spa retreat at an elite beachfront resort descends into chaos when the group's wild Australian friend arrives, disrupting their plans for meditation and self-care.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Ma/gaisa musicians perform at Khorixas donkey meat festival
Close to 20 ma/gaisa artists are set to perform at the Ore-Aob Music //Khoab Donkey Meat Festival in Khorixas on Saturday at Herbert Conradie Stadium, described as the biggest edition of the event yet.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sport

Bayern Munich crushes Stuttgart 5-1 in Bundesliga season opener
Bayern Munich defeated Stuttgart 5-1 in Friday's Bundesliga opener, with Michael Olise and Luis Diaz among five goal scorers, extending the defending champions' unbeaten run in league openers to 15 seasons.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Pogacar withdraws from Vuelta after heavy fall in stage eight
Race leader Tadej Pogacar abandoned the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday after suffering shoulder and face injuries in a fall 31km from the stage-eight finish, handing overall lead to Spaniard Enric Mas. The Slovenian's withdrawal marks his first failure to finish a Grand Tour.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Manchester City beats Crystal Palace 4-1 in rout
Rayan Cherki scored a double as Manchester City defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 on Friday, with Erling Haaland also scoring in City's dominant display.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa beats New Zealand 33-26 to level series
South Africa defeated New Zealand 33-26 in the second of four Tests at Cape Town Stadium, levelling their series after losing the first Test. The Springboks dominated much of the match but had to withstand a fierce All Blacks comeback in the final 14 minutes.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Leknessund wins Vuelta stage, first Norwegian victory since 2005
Norwegian cyclist Andreas Leknessund won stage seven of the Vuelta a Espana on a day when Norway's King Harald died aged 89. Leknessund broke away with seven kilometres remaining to finish 31 seconds ahead of compatriot Tobias Johannessen, with both riders wearing black armbands in tribute.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia defeats South Africa by 18 runs in T20 tri-series
Namibia posted 163-9 with openers Jan Frylinck (60) and Louren Steenkamp (40) scoring, then restricted South Africa to 145-9 despite Dewald Brevis's 75. The T20 tri-series opening match was played in Windhoek with South Africa fielding an experimental squad.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Springboks recall Kolbe and Feinberg-Mngomezulu for All Blacks Test
South Africa has drafted wing Cheslin Kolbe and fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu into the team for the second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, with Kolbe replacing Kurt-Lee Arendse and Feinberg-Mngomezulu returning to the starting line-up after Handre Pollard sustained a "niggle" in training.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Runner completes 10km Husab Marathon despite physical struggle
A first-time runner participated in the 10km race at the Husab Marathon event and describes the physical and mental challenge of completing the distance, which felt far longer than it was.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa beats Zimbabwe in T20 cricket tri-series
South Africa won by seven wickets against Zimbabwe in the second match of the T20I Cricket Tri-Series in Windhoek, chasing down 145 with 38 balls remaining after Zimbabwe posted 144/8. Zimbabwe's early momentum was halted by South Africa's tight bowling in the middle overs, leading to a collapse from 76/1 to 94/5, before Tadiwanashe Marumani's 30 off 13 balls provided a late surge.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →

World & Region

//Kharas delegation visits Russia for technology partnerships
//Kharas Regional Council delegates visited Novosibirsk Region in Russia to explore cooperation in technology, science, education and energy. The two regions have established a sister-region relationship and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue joint projects and expertise exchange.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
Uefa threatens criminal lawsuit against Fifa president Infantino
Uefa has announced it is considering legal action against Fifa president Gianni Infantino and possibly other officials for "criminal mismanagement" over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the World Cup. The move is described as a "massive escalation" of their feud, with a legal document filed in a Florida court accusing Infantino of criminal mismanagement.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah mourns death of Norway's King Harald V
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended condolences on the death of Norway's King Harald V at age 89, recognising Norway's historic support for Namibia during its liberation struggle and affirming the two countries' continued commitment to promoting peace and democracy.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
SADC strengthens regional climate preparedness at SARCOF-33
The 33rd Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum, held in Swakopmund from 25 to 28 August 2026, brought together climate experts and sector specialists to review the 2025/26 rainfall season and prepare for the 2026/27 season through sector-specific planning and translation of climate forecasts into preparedness measures.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →
Minister Daniel urges global drought resilience framework action
At the UN Convention to Combat Desertification's COP17 in Mongolia, Environment Minister Indileni Daniel called for stronger international action on drought, warning that the failure to establish a robust global drought framework has severe consequences for drought-prone African countries including Namibia, as communities continue to lose livelihoods, livestock, and crops while negotiations continue.
29 August 2026 · Informanté →