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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Affirmative Repositioning

Also known as: Affirmative Repositioning Movement

Opposition political movement led by Job Amupanda, whose MPs have been accused of disruptive conduct in parliament since 2026.

2022-10-022026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. September 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning made claims about security personnel assigned to speaker

    Source

    “The clarification comes after claims from Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda about security personnel assigned to the speaker.”

    National Assembly clarifies speaker’s security costs

  3. Informanté

    Affirmative Repositioning was accused of treating Parliament as a platform for disruption rather than a forum for debate

    Source

    “SWAPO further accused the AR of treating Parliament as a platform for disruption rather than a forum for the contestation of ideas and policy through debate.”

    SWAPO condemns disruptive conduct by AR MPs in National Assembly

  4. Windhoek Observer

    Affirmative Repositioning members accused of hooliganism and anarchy in the National Assembly

    Source

    “Swapo Party Secretary for Information and Mobilization, Hilma Nicanor, has accused Affirmative Repositioning (AR) members of "hooliganism and anarchy" in the National Assembly, condemning what she described as deliberate and politically motivated disruptions of parliamentary proceedings.”

    SWAPO accuses AR of ‘hooliganism’ in parliament
  5. August 2026

  6. Windhoek Observer

    AR Movement called on residents of Otavi and surrounding farms to exercise extreme caution following the truck accident.

    Source

    “The AR Movement in the Otavi District has also called on residents of Otavi and surrounding farms to exercise extreme caution following reports that the truck carrying the vodka-based mixed alcoholic drinks was involved in an accident near the town.”

    Otavi children hospitalised after vodka alert

  7. New Era

    Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement has condemned and demanded immediate release of the Environmental Impact Assessment following ECC granting

    Source

    “Meanwhile, the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement also condemned the granting of the ECC and demanded the immediate release of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).”

    Industry enlists Namandje in anti-phosphate fight …our ocean isn’t for sale, says AR

  8. Informanté

    Affirmative Repositioning has criticised Namibian government's decision to nominate Judge Petrus Damaseb to Tanzanian commission

    Source

    “THE Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has criticised the Namibian government's decision to nominate a senior Namibian judge to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry into violence that followed the country's October 2025 general election, in which the commission reported approximately 518 deaths, more than 2,390 injuries and property damage estimated at over TZS125 billion.”

    AR accuses Namibia of compromising judiciary over Tanzania inquiry nomination

  9. Informanté

    AR accused authorities of compromising judicial independence

    Source

    “AR is accusing authorities of compromising judicial independence and enabling what it describes as a political whitewash.”

    AR accuses Namibia of compromising judiciary over Tanzania inquiry nomination

  10. Windhoek Observer

    Affirmative Repositioning described the nomination as a political act of complicity

    Source

    “AR on Thursday described the nomination as a "political act of complicity" rather than judicial cooperation, arguing that Namibia's judiciary should not be used to legitimize Tanzania's handling of the violence that followed its October 2025 general elections.”

    Opposition slam Damaseb’s Tanzania inquiry nomination

  11. Windhoek Observer

    Affirmative Repositioning demanded that the Judicial Service Commission explain the legal and ethical basis for the nomination

    Source

    “The movement demanded that the Judicial Service Commission publicly explain the legal and ethical basis for approving the nomination and called on Damaseb to decline the appointment.”

    Opposition slam Damaseb’s Tanzania inquiry nomination

  12. New Era

    Affirmative Repositioning councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu lauded the decision to end external debt collection

    Source

    “Similarly, Affirmative Repositioning movement City councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu lauded the decision.”

    Windhoek divorces RedForce but political interference could backfire
Politics

Swapo condemns AR MPs for disruptive conduct in parliament

The News

Swapo has accused the Affirmative Repositioning movement of "deliberate and politically motivated disruptive conduct" in the National Assembly, citing incidents in which AR members were removed after allegedly wearing jeans and using cellphones in the chamber. AR leader Job Amupanda dismissed the allegations as "cheap, frivolous and intellectually bankrupt," defending his MPs' parliamentary contributions.

4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

  1. Swapo condemns AR MPs for disruptive conduct in parliament

    Swapo has accused the Affirmative Repositioning movement of "deliberate and politically motivated disruptive conduct" in the National Assembly, citing incidents in which AR members were removed after allegedly wearing jeans and using cellphones in the chamber. AR leader Job Amupanda dismissed the allegations as "cheap, frivolous and intellectually bankrupt," defending his MPs' parliamentary contributions.

    4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. National Assembly clarifies speaker's security personnel are police

    The National Assembly clarified that police officers protecting speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila are employed by the police, not parliament, following claims from Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda. Police command, deployment, and pay remain under the police establishment, though the National Assembly may cover travel-related security expenses authorised under the State Finance Act.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. SWAPO condemns disruptive conduct by AR MPs in parliament

    The SWAPO Party has condemned what it describes as deliberate and politically motivated disruptions by members of the Affirmative Repositioning party and opposition MPs in the National Assembly, calling for sanctions. The party alleges that AR members under Job Amupanda's leadership have repeatedly disrupted parliamentary proceedings on more than three occasions, including recent incidents where members were forcibly removed and the Speaker adjourned the sitting.

    3 September 2026 · Informanté →

  3. SWAPO accuses AR of disruption and anarchy in parliament

    SWAPO's Hilma Nicanor has accused Affirmative Repositioning members under Job Amupanda of deliberate disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, citing incidents including attempting to speak in jeans and using a cellphone in the chamber, which forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. Opposition moves to remove Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office

    The Independent Patriots for Change tabled a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling for the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion triggered disorder in the chamber, and the Speaker questioned her procedural ability to rule on a matter directly concerning her own position.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Geingos denies housing promise to 2020 assault victim family

    Former First Lady Monica Geingos has clarified that her documented response to the 2020 killing of Andy Kazekondjo and assault of his sister involved psychological and emotional support, not a commitment to build the family a house. An activist recently sought an update on what she described as a housing pledge made by Geingos' office, noting the family had reportedly returned to the original house where the assault occurred.

    2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 31 August

  1. Windhoek withdraws president's private Auasblick land application

    The City of Windhoek has withdrawn all land applications from its council agenda following opposition over president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's private land purchase request for municipal land at Auasblick. Opposition councillors questioned why the president's application was treated differently from other private applications and kept from public discussion.

    31 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 28 August

  1. Windhoek councillors demand clarity on President's land application

    City of Windhoek councillors have questioned why President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's private application to acquire municipal land in Auasblick is being treated differently from other applications, demanding legal clarification on whether such matters should be discussed publicly or in camera.

    28 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Minors hospitalised after consuming recovered vodka drinks

    Several minors were taken to Otavi Clinic after consuming vodka-based mixed alcoholic beverages recovered from a truck accident near Otavi on Tuesday. The Otavi Town Council warned residents against consuming, selling or distributing the products, citing concerns they were not intended for the Namibian market, contain high alcohol concentration, and may have been contaminated during the accident.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Amupanda withdraws court bid for ECN nomination records

    Job Amupanda, leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement, has withdrawn his court application seeking disclosure of documents related to the nomination of the Electoral Commission of Namibia's Chairperson and Commissioners by the President. Amupanda had argued that Parliament could not meaningfully assess the nominees without access to records of the selection process, including interview minutes and candidate scoresheets.

    18 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Skrywer chairs merged Windhoek land and housing committee

    City of Windhoek councillor Ivan Skrywer has been elected chairperson of a newly merged council advisory committee on informal settlements, land delivery, affordable housing and peri-urban integration, serving until 2030. The committee will advise the council on formalisation of informal settlements and housing matters in Windhoek and the Khomas region.

    18 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Fishing industry challenges phosphate project environmental clearance

    The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has enlisted lawyer Sisa Namandje to challenge the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, citing the Environmental Commissioner's lack of transparency and failure to address the industry's repeated concerns since 2022.

    11 August 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 8 August

  1. Political parties oppose Damaseb's nomination to Tanzania inquiry

    Political parties have called on deputy chief justice and judge president Petrus Damaseb to reject his nomination to serve on Tanzania's post-election violence commission of inquiry. Job Amupanda and the Independent Patriots for Change cite concerns over the process, Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses, and international criticism of previous Tanzanian inquiries, arguing that Damaseb's participation could lend credibility to a commission of uncertain independence.

    8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 6 August

  1. AR criticises nomination of judge to Tanzania inquiry commission

    The Affirmative Repositioning movement has criticised the Namibian government's decision to nominate Judge President and Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry into violence following Tanzania's October 2025 general election. AR accuses the authorities of compromising judicial independence and enabling a political whitewash of alleged human rights abuses.

    6 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Opposition parties criticize deputy chief justice's Tanzania inquiry role

    Opposition parties AR and IPC have accused the Namibian government of compromising judicial independence by nominating deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating post-election violence. AR contends the nomination was a political act facilitated through government channels rather than proper judicial cooperation.

    6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 3 August

  1. City of Windhoek ends RedForce debt collection contract

    The City of Windhoek has ended its contract with RedForce Debt Management and will handle debt collection internally, resuming administration of accounts and charging 20% interest per annum on overdue accounts.

    3 August 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 26 July

  1. MPs reject Itula's call to dissolve parliament

    Opposition leader Panduleni Itula called on the president to dissolve the National Assembly, arguing parliament has been ineffective and slow in lawmaking since 2025; lawmakers rejected the proposal, saying parliament's shortcomings do not justify fresh elections.

    26 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 24 July

  1. AR student command opposes exclusion of Namcol learners from subsidies

    The Affirmative Repositioning student command has criticised the government's decision not to subsidise learners rewriting Grade 11 and 12 subjects at Namcol or other institutions, arguing that the move contradicts the constitutional right to education. The ministry has ruled out extending financial assistance to such learners, citing financial unsustainability and the measure's failure to improve academic outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties

    Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Plastic bag levy generates N$250 million since 2021/22

    Namibia's plastic bag levy has generated N$249 750 858.91 between the 2021/22 financial year and the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, with the revenue funding waste management, recycling and green economy projects. The levy, introduced under the Customs and Excise Act and expanded from 2018–2019, aims to reduce reliance on single-use plastic bags and promote environmentally responsible behaviour.

    14 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. MPs warn ACC leadership must ensure impartial corruption investigations

    Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.

    14 July 2026 · New Era →

Monday 13 July

  1. Parliament approves ACC chief, warns against selective justice

    The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 12 July

  1. ECN chairperson appointment criticized as institutional mismanagement

    An opinion piece in The Namibian criticizes the Electoral Commission of Namibia's endorsement of Gerson Sindano, a University of Namibia senior lecturer in language development, to replace Elsie Nghikembua as chairperson, arguing that his appointment is unsuitable given the ECN's history of logistical failures including ballot paper shortages and communication breakdowns.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 July

  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 →

Friday 10 July

  1. Itula threatens court action over ECN commissioner appointments

    Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula has threatened legal action against the president's appointment of Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioners, arguing the process is unconstitutional because the president nominated rather than appointed candidates as required under Article 94B of the Constitution. Itula also raised concerns about incomplete documentation, including missing sworn declarations on political affiliations and unclear term duration for ECN chairperson Gerson Sindano.

    10 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Opposition demands access to ECN selection records before vote

    The Electoral Commission of Namibia leadership appointments have sparked a constitutional debate over Parliament's oversight powers. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded postponement of the vote on the President's ECN nominees until lawmakers are provided with recruitment, interview, and selection committee records, arguing MPs cannot exercise informed judgment without them.

    10 July 2026 · New Era →

  3. AR supports ACC director general pick, pledges vigilant oversight

    Affirmative Repositioning MP Vaino Hangula backed the nomination of Bryan Eiseb as Anti-Corruption Commission director general and the extension of deputy director general Erna van der Merwe, but warned that public confidence in the ACC has eroded over two decades of unmet expectations, particularly following the Fishrot scandal, and pledged his party would subject the institution to close scrutiny.

    10 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Amupanda seeks court order to halt ECN appointment vote

    Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.

    10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 9 July

  1. ECN appointments dispute requires constitutionalism over politics

    An editorial argues that the disagreement over the Electoral Commission of Namibia's appointments process—specifically a dispute between the Attorney-General and the Affirmative Repositioning movement over access to documents related to the President's nominations—should be resolved through constitutional principle rather than partisan rivalry, given Namibia's reputation for rule of law.

    9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Speaker refuses delay on ECN vote, agrees to release documents

    The Office of the Attorney-General has rejected demands to postpone Parliament's vote on the Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson and commissioners, but agreed to make documents bearing President Nandi-Ndaitwah's signature available to MPs during the sitting. The legal challenge, filed on behalf of AR leader Job Amupanda, argued that MPs lacked critical documents needed for an informed constitutional decision.

    9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Affirmative Repositioning — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute