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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Affirmative Repositioning

Also known as: Affirmative Repositioning Movement

Opposition political party whose leader Job Amupanda tables constitutional papers and parliamentary motions on impeachment, livestock restrictions, and genocide negotiations.

2022-10-022026-10-22

News reports

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What’s been said

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

  1. July 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda approached High Court seeking release of interview minutes and score sheets

    Source

    “Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda approached the High Court seeking the release of the interview minutes and score sheets used by the selection committee.”

    ECN nominee Sindano faces opposition scrutiny over past Swapo ties
  3. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning demanded release of hidden scoresheets and nomination documents

    Source

    “This opacity finally provoked Job Amupanda and the Affirmative Repositioning movement to wield the legal hammer, demanding the immediate release of hidden scoresheets, minutes, and the president's signed nomination before a vote could be bulldozed through.”

    ECN a Pawn Again
  4. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning backed the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Commission incoming director general

    Source

    “Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament Vaino Hangula has backed the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) incoming director general while adding that Namibians will closely monitor the institution to ensure it delivers on its mandate.”

    AR backs ACC nominees, warns against another Fishrot
  5. Windhoek Observer

    Affirmative Repositioning movement is in dispute with Office of the Attorney-General over access to documents relating to President's nominations

    Source

    “The dispute between the Office of the Attorney-General and the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement over access to documents relating to the President's nominations should never be reduced to another contest between government and opposition.”

    ECN appointments: Rule of law must prevail above politics
  6. Windhoek Observer

    Affirmative Repositioning demanded immediate deferment of Parliament's vote on ECN leadership approval

    Source

    “In a letter dated 8 July 2026, the law firm demanded the immediate deferment of Parliament's vote on the approval of the ECN leadership, arguing that Members of Parliament had not been furnished with critical documents required to make an informed constitutional decision.”

    Speaker refuses ECN vote delay …agrees to release key documents
  7. Informanté

    Affirmative Repositioning demanded internal records on ECN nomination and selection process

    Source

    “The Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, has dismissed demands by Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement leader Dr Job Amupanda to provide internal records that led to the nomination of candidates for the position of Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), alongside the recommendation of two additional commissioners.”

    Speaker rejects Amupanda’s ECN records demand
  8. June 2026
  9. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning has parliamentarian Vaino Hangula

    Source

    “Affirmative Repositioning parliamentarian Vaino Hangula is seeking clarity from the government on plans to procure and store locally produced maize amid expectations of a bumper harvest this year.”

    Hangula pushes for strategic grain reserves amid bumper harvest prospects
  10. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning (AR) questioned remarks made by US ambassador to Namibia during meeting with chief justice

    Source

    “Affirmative Repositioning (AR) member of parliament Tuhafeni Kalola is questioning remarks made by United States (US) ambassador to Namibia John Giordano during a televised meeting with chief justice Peter Shivute.”

    AR questions US ambassador’s remarks to chief justice
  11. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning proposed creation of absentee urban landlord category with higher levies and possible land acquisition for public housing

    Source

    “Lawmakers have proposed the creation of an "absentee urban landlord" category that could lead to higher levies and possible acquisition of urban land for public housing.”

    AR proposes absentee landlord tax on urban land
  12. May 2026
  13. The Namibian

    Affirmative Repositioning Khomas regional chairperson Sem David commends the ECN for progress in improving its operations and responsiveness

    Source

    “Meanwhile, Affirmative Repositioning Khomas regional chairperson Sem David commends the ECN for what he describes as progress in improving its operations and responsiveness.”

    ECN asset declaration by commissioners welcomed

Yesterday

  1. Amupanda raises constitutional concerns with National Assembly

    Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has tabled a motion in the National Assembly challenging alleged constitutional violations, including the absence of a dedicated legislation committee, no legislation from the House passed in 36 years, and restrictions on private members' bills requiring authorization from an unelected official.

    5 hours ago · The Namibian →

  2. National Assembly approves petroleum amendment bill with 50 votes

    The National Assembly has approved the petroleum (exploration and production) amendment bill with 50 votes, backed by Swapo and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters, while opposition parties walked out in protest. The bill will proceed to committee stage for clause scrutiny before a third reading and presidential assent.

    6 hours ago · The Namibian →

Monday 19 October

  1. Two pedestrian bridges planned for Western Bypass

    Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi announced that two pedestrian bridges along the Western Bypass in Windhoek will cost N$70 million, with construction expected to begin in November. Nekundi defended speed humps on the road and said pedestrians have experienced zero crashes since their installation.

    19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Opposition divided over National Assembly speaker removal

    Opposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.

    19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 18 October

  1. Man apprehended after breaching Eros Airport security

    A 25-year-old Namibian described as a mental outpatient on medication unlawfully entered Eros Airport in Windhoek on 12 October and accessed its VIP terminal, prompting a trespassing investigation and internal security review. Police apprehended him; he was released into his parents' care and is scheduled to reappear in court on 7 April 2027.

    18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

  1. LPM demands government roadmap to resolve NYC leadership crisis

    The Landless People's Movement youth wing has called for urgent government action to resolve the National Youth Council's leadership crisis, which began after its June general assembly ended in chaos. The party is backing calls for the education minister to provide a public update on the council's status and a clear, time-bound plan to restore governance structures and legitimate leadership.

    8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. National Assembly resumes fourth session with multiple policy updates

    The National Assembly resumed its fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Tuesday, with updates on medical laboratory students receiving psychosocial support and alternative study options through NUST and NSFAF, discussion of judicial reforms including a proposed Constitutional Court, plans for South African experts to visit Namibia to discuss reopening livestock auctions suspended after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and the Speaker raising concerns about a growing backlog of parliamentary questions.

    8 October 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. EU backs northern Namibia beef export if disease-free

    The European Union says it supports efforts to allow Namibia's northern communal farmers to enter international markets if the regions attain disease-free status to export meat. This follows the EU's temporary suspension of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat imports from Namibia due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

    7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Speaker rejects apology call for removed MPs Amupanda, Haikola-Sakaria

    Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila rejected a call by Swanu president Evilastus Kaaronda to apologise to Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda and National Assembly member Ester Haikola-Sakaria, who were removed from the chamber during a protest last week. The speaker ruled that dissatisfaction with her ruling did not justify defying directives and warned that such conduct was dangerous in a country governed by the rule of law.

    7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Amupanda tables paper on presidential impeachment procedures

    Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has tabled a paper examining presidential impeachment and National Assembly dissolution under the Namibian Constitution, arguing that the reciprocal powers of both the president and Assembly create a constitutional paradox and that the 36-year-old Constitution lacks an enabling procedure for impeachment. Amupanda called for the National Assembly to debate the paper and enact a clear procedural framework for impeachment.

    7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Analysts warn parliament risks becoming political spectacle stage

    Political analysts have warned that growing confrontations in the National Assembly could shift parliamentary politics away from substantive policy debates towards political spectacle, weakening public confidence. The warning follows a heated exchange when AR members were ordered out after disrupting proceedings, and a minister made remarks about an IPC member during discussion of the Land Reform Advisory Commission nominations.

    1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Speaker recuses herself from N$579m DBN debt write-off query

    National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recused herself from presiding over questions about a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off, citing a conflict of interest because her husband is mentioned in the inquiry. AR leader Job Amupanda had sought to question the finance minister about the write-off and alleged preferential treatment of companies linked to businessman Onesmus Amadhila.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. Parliament disrupted after minister's "sister-in-law" remark

    A heated exchange erupted in the National Assembly after Minister Emma Theofilus referred to an Independent Patriots for Change member as a "SWAPO Party sister-in-law." Opposition members banged on desks in protest, leading Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to order two members to leave the chamber.

    29 September 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 25 September

  1. Amupanda demands explanation for nationwide FMD livestock restrictions

    Job Amupanda, an Affirmative Repositioning MP, has given acting agriculture minister Charles Mubita seven days to explain why nationwide livestock movement restrictions were imposed following detection of foot-and-mouth disease on a commercial farm in the ||Kharas region. Amupanda's lawyers question why the restrictions apply across the country when the disease was detected at a single farm near Karasburg, and warn that failure to respond in writing could lead to legal action or parliamentary intervention.

    25 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. FMD suspension affects kapana vendors and customary cattle slaughter

    A nationwide suspension of livestock movement, trade and slaughtering following Foot-and-Mouth Disease detection in the //Kharas Region has left kapana vendors and families preparing customary events uncertain about cattle slaughter for lobola and funerals. Lawyers representing Affirmative Repositioning's Job Amupanda have demanded clarification from the acting agriculture minister on the scope and legal basis of the restrictions.

    25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Namibia plans to divide FMD-free zone into smaller areas

    Namibia is developing a plan to divide its foot-and-mouth disease-free livestock zone into smaller zones following an FMD outbreak at a commercial farm in the ||Kharas region. Authorities are assessing costs and logistics, though some farmers worry stricter movement controls could create operational bottlenecks.

    24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Hyphen downplays 90% local employment target as flexible goal

    Hyphen Hydrogen Energy says its 90% local employment target is a flexible goal subject to skills assessments, not a firm commitment. The company is conducting a skills audit to determine whether Namibia has enough skilled workers to meet the target.

    24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. FMD outbreak confirmed in south; NAU seeks emergency declaration

    Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been confirmed in Namibia's FMD-free zone after 10 of 11 cattle samples from Karasburg tested positive, prompting the government to suspend all cloven-hoofed animal movement and trade. The Namibia Agricultural Union is preparing to call for a state of emergency, while activist Job Amupanda warns against meat movement from the FMD-affected south to the north and questions whether the outbreak should reinforce the veterinary cordon fence.

    24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. Unions call for statutory paternity leave in Namibia

    Workers' unions are demanding that the government introduce paternity leave to allow both parents to care for newborn babies. The justice and labour relations minister announced increases in maternity and other SSC benefits effective 1 October, but said Namibia currently has no statutory paternity leave provision, though employers may introduce it at their discretion.

    23 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister warns statutory paternity leave could limit workplace productivity

    Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told the Windhoek Observer that introducing statutory paternity leave in Namibia could see some fathers spending an entire year away from work if they have children with multiple partners, potentially affecting labour force productivity. Namibia currently has no law providing statutory paternity leave, though employers may offer it through workplace policies.

    23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 22 September

  1. Amupanda proposes Assembly committee on genocide

    Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has proposed that the National Assembly establish a dedicated Select Committee on Genocide to ensure thorough handling of negotiations between Namibia and Germany over the 1904–08 Ovaherero and Nama genocide, which killed an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Ovaherero and over 10,000 Nama.

    22 September 2026 · New Era →

  2. Opposition party demands transparency in Electoral Commission chairperson approval

    The Affirmative Repositioning Movement objected to the appointment of Gerson Sindano as Electoral Commission chairperson on procedural grounds, demanding access to the Selection Committee report, interview scores, and other documents to test the transparency required by the Electoral Act. The party's challenge signals a shift toward demanding legal accountability and checks and balances rather than accepting presidential nominations without scrutiny.

    22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Prime Minister pledges probe into Home Affairs research restrictions

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has undertaken to investigate concerns over a directive allegedly restricting research into the systems, processes and information held by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security. The issue was raised in the National Assembly by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who questioned whether the Ministry's reported position against permitting research—even by its own employees—was consistent with national research governance through the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology.

    17 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. Opposition rejects health directive requiring state hospital use

    A presidential directive requiring senior public servants to use state health facilities instead of private ones took effect 1 April, but several parliamentarians have opposed it, citing shortages of equipment, medicines, and staff in public hospitals. The president has not visited a hospital under the directive, saying she remains in good health.

    15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 10 September

  1. UDF defends vote backing Sindano for electoral commission chair

    The United Democratic Front has defended its decision to support Gerson Sindano's nomination as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson, citing nation-building and Sindano's experience, despite backlash and boycotts from other opposition parties. UDF vice president Nico Somaeb says the party is an alternative to Swapo and should not be bound by opposition party alignment on institutional decisions.

    10 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. National Assembly approves Sindano as Electoral Commission chairperson

    Parliament has approved the appointment of Gerson Sindano as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia after opposition MPs walked out. Swapo's 48 members and one vote from UDF deputy president Nico Somaeb secured the appointment despite walkouts by opposition parties including the IPC, LPM, AR, NEFF, Nudo, NDP, and PDM.

    10 September 2026 · New Era →

  3. Amupanda questions use of honorary doctorates by politicians

    Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has tabled a notice in the National Assembly questioning whether honorary PhDs are being used to reward political connections rather than recognise genuine contributions to society. Amupanda raised concerns that younger politicians may be lobbying university vice chancellors for honorary doctorates based on limited activities, and noted that several African countries have introduced restrictions on honorary degrees while Namibia currently has none.

    10 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. National Assembly approves Gerson Sindano as ECN chairperson

    The National Assembly approved Gerson Sindano's nomination as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, with members from Swapo and the United Democratic Front voting in favour. Opposition parliamentarians from the IPC, AR, LPM, and NEFF walked out during the election process, leaving 49 parliamentarians present to vote.

    9 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Ministry confirms US communication over ICC membership status

    Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade confirmed receiving communication from the United States regarding the country's position on the International Criminal Court, amid reports that the US is seeking to persuade African countries to withdraw from the ICC. The ministry reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to the Rome Statute and said differences relating to the ICC are best addressed through established legal, diplomatic and multilateral channels, without disclosing the contents of the US communication.

    8 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 6 September

  1. Swapo vows to block removal of National Assembly speaker

    Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.

    6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Affirmative Repositioning — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute