Bernadus Swartbooi

Also known as: Swartbooi · Juvani Swartbooi · applicant · Johanna Swartbooi · Miss Namibia 2025 · Sixtus Swartbooi · Bernardus Swartbooi · Bernadus Clinton Swartbooi · Hannelie Swartbooi

Bernadus Swartbooi — leader of the Landless People's Movement, advocating budget reallocation toward agriculture and labor export policies.

Politics

Parliamentary debate on presidential power over petroleum industry bill

The News

The Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would vest petroleum sector oversight powers in the Office of the President rather than the Ministry of Mines and Energy, faced mixed scrutiny in the National Assembly. Critics including Bernadus Swartbooi raised concerns about the legal doctrine of functus officio limiting presidential review powers and complicating court challenges, while others questioned whether oil advisors at State House are already performing duties that legally belong to the ministry.

19 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 19 February

Parliamentary debate on presidential power over petroleum industry bill
The Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would vest petroleum sector oversight powers in the Office of the President rather than the Ministry of Mines and Energy, faced mixed scrutiny in the National Assembly. Critics including Bernadus Swartbooi raised concerns about the legal doctrine of functus officio limiting presidential review powers and complicating court challenges, while others questioned whether oil advisors at State House are already performing duties that legally belong to the ministry.
19 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 February

Swartbooi proposes petroleum unit as monitoring body, not presidential power
Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi told Parliament that instead of placing a petroleum products upstream unit under the president's office, it should be converted into a monitoring and evaluation component, citing concerns about recentralisation of power, accountability loopholes, and the inability to review presidential decisions without court involvement.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 February

Miss Namibia 2026 applications closed, competition enters selection phase
The Miss Namibia Organisation has closed applications for 2026 competitions and completed candidate screening. The pageant continues to position itself as a platform for leadership and social impact, with winners and finalists involved in charity work, mentorship, and national development initiatives.
7 February 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 February

LPM says Trump responded to Swartbooi letter; MPs praise presidential address
The Landless People's Movement confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump has responded to a letter from party leader Bernadus Clinton Swartbooi sent during last year's election claiming minority groups faced discrimination and pressure in Namibia. Meanwhile, several parliamentarians reacted positively to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent address, though some cautioned that scrutiny of pending bills—particularly the Petroleum Amendment Bill—is essential before passage.
6 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 3 February

High Court rejects challenge to cannabis possession law
The Windhoek High Court rejected an attempt to declare section 10 of the Abuse of Dependence-Producing Substances and Rehabilitation Centres Act unconstitutional, dismissing arguments that the provision infringed on the right to be presumed innocent. Deputy judge president Hannelie Prinsloo found the law justified and noted the applicant's own admissions of intent to deal in cannabis had established his guilt.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 28 January

Regional inequality and oil wealth spark south Namibia tensions
An opinion piece examines Bernadus Swartbooi's calls for southern Namibian independence in light of historical land dispossession and upcoming oil revenues, arguing that Nigeria's civil war over oil-driven regional wealth division offers cautionary lessons for resolving Namibia's north-south divide through fair resource sharing rather than armed conflict.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

Miss Namibia 2026 pageant opens entries for women and teens
The Miss Namibia Organisation has opened entries for the 2026 pageants, with applications closing 30 January. Reigning Miss Namibia Johanna Swartbooi describes the competition as a "starter pack for adulthood" requiring professional coaching in public speaking, interviews and presentation skills, while the winner receives a house, car, cash and scholarship plus the chance to represent Namibia at Miss Universe.
26 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 13 January

Officer testifies to gruesome details in alleged rape and murder trial
A Gibeon police officer testified that the accused, Isak Blockstaan, assaulted his then-girlfriend Hannelie Swartbooi (16) at a birthday party in May 2021, and that forensic evidence including a matching shoe print and medical findings support the State's prosecution. The accused claims he was attacked by unknown assailants and was unconscious during the alleged assault, and the officer observed him attempting suicide twice during the incident.
13 January 2026 · New Era →