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May 2026
Namibian Sun
Cabinetraised alarm overinflated executive salaries and member benefits at SSC
Source
“The hunt for the next chief executive of the Social Security Commission (SSC) has been abruptly suspended after Cabinet raised alarm over what it views as inflated executive salari...”
Cabinethas reducedthe benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, including staff and vehicles allocated to her
Source
“The Cabinet has reduced the benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, including the number of staff attached to her residence and the vehicles allocated to her, State House executive director Matheus Kaholongo confirmed yesterday.”
Cabinetapprovedtemporary relaxation of trawling restrictions for wet-landed horse mackerel subsector
Source
“The clarification follows Cabinet's approval to allow trawling in waters shallower than the 200-meter Isobath, up to the 150-meter Isobath, for a period of 12 months from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.”
Cabinetapprovedtemporary change allowing trawling within 200-metre isobath for wet-landed horse mackerel
Source
“Cabinet recently approved a temporary change allowing trawling within the 200-metre isobath up to a depth of 150 metres (and not shallower) for wet-landed horse mackerel fishing vessels.”
Cabinetapprovedtemporary relaxation for wet-landed horse mackerel subsector
Source
“Cabinet recently approved the temporary relaxation for the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector, allowing vessels to fish up to 150 metres deep from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027.”
Cabinetdirectedministries to intensify nationwide sensitisation and awareness campaigns responding to murders
Source
“The Cabinet has directed the ministries of gender equality and child welfare and of home affairs, safety and security to urgently intensify nationwide sensitisation and awareness campaigns to respond to a "disturbing rise" in murders across the country.”
CabinetdirectedMinistry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and Social Services to develop mental health support strategies for inmates
Source
“The Cabinet directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security together with the Ministry of Health and Social Services to develop strategies to provide medical and psychological support to inmates suffering from mental health conditions.”
Cabinetmust undertakecomprehensive re-evaluation of current remuneration structures
Source
“It is imperative that the Cabinet, the government, and labour unions representing public servants undertake a comprehensive re-evaluation of current remuneration structures.”
Cabinetresolved to temporarily reducenumber of levies imposed on fuel by 50% for three months, April to June 2026
Source
“Furthermore, the Cabinet has resolved to temporarily reduce the number of levies imposed on fuel by 50% for three months, with effect from April to June 2026.”
An opinion article argues that Namibia should not rush to formalize a more centralized petroleum governance structure that would shift authority to the Office of the President and the Upstream Petroleum Unit before parliament and the public fully consider the constitutional and accountability consequences.
An opinion article argues that Namibia should not rush to formalize a more centralized petroleum governance structure that would shift authority to the Office of the President and the Upstream Petroleum Unit before parliament and the public fully consider the constitutional and accountability consequences.
The search for a new Social Security Commission chief executive has been halted after Cabinet raised concerns about what it views as inflated executive salaries relative to member benefits.
The Cabinet has reduced the benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, limiting her to three household staff members and two state-sponsored vehicles effective 1 June, down from her current seven employees. The new policy applies to former first ladies whose husbands die before them, but does not affect founding first lady Kovambo Nujoma.
Pilchard bycatch has risen sharply from 608 tonnes in 2020 to more than 11,000 tonnes in both 2024 and 2025, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform warning that increasing bycatch could threaten marine biodiversity and fish stocks if not properly managed.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has clarified that a temporary relaxation of trawling restrictions for wet-landed horse mackerel applies only between latitudes 22° South and 24° South, allowing trawling in waters shallower than 200 meters down to 150 meters from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. The ministry said exclusive offshore areas for the subsector south of latitude 22° South have not yet been finalised and will be identified after consultations with the fishing industry.
Namibia's Cabinet has approved a temporary 12-month change allowing wet-landed horse mackerel trawling within shallower waters (down to 150 metres depth) between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, effective May 2026. The Ministry of Fisheries will identify exclusive fishing zones for the subsector after consulting the industry and stakeholders.
The Ministry of Fisheries has restricted a temporary relaxation of trawling in waters shallower than the 200-metre isobath to a defined zone between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, applying only to the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector. The clarification was issued to address confusion about how Cabinet's decision would be applied, with further zone specifications and consultations to follow.
Namibia and Angola have signed binding agreements to jointly develop a cross-border power interconnector (ANNA), featuring a 166-kilometre transmission line linking the Kunene region to Cahama and a further 270-kilometre line between Omatando and Otjikoto. The project, estimated at N$941 million for the interconnector component and set for completion by 2029, aims to enhance regional energy security, diversify Namibia's electricity supply, and enable Angola to leverage its renewable and hydro resources across the Southern African region.
The Cabinet has instructed the ministries of gender equality and home affairs to urgently intensify nationwide awareness campaigns addressing a "disturbing rise" in murders, which are allegedly linked to insurance schemes, land disputes, and religious beliefs. The government also plans to provide mental health support to inmates and scale up nation-building campaigns to promote social cohesion.
A 5% salary increment for Namibian civil servants has failed to improve their financial situation as rising commodity and fuel prices, increased medical aid contributions, and reduced remoteness allowances have eliminated the real value of the increase. Teachers in remote northern regions face particular hardship despite delivering essential services.
The Minister of Mines and Energy announced fuel price increases effective April 1, 2026, citing sharp rises in international crude oil prices driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions and the weakening Namibian dollar. The Cabinet has temporarily reduced fuel levies by 50% for three months to April–June 2026, with the National Energy Fund absorbing an under-recovery of approximately N$500 million.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has launched the Government Stores Local Manufacturers Registration Initiative to expand Namibia's manufacturing capacity by requiring government offices, ministries, state-owned enterprises and local authorities to prioritise locally produced goods in procurement. The initiative involves registering manufacturers on an eligibility list for preferential procurement through restrictive bidding, with site inspections to verify operational capacity, though items that cannot be produced domestically will remain open to standard national bidding.
The government is facilitating the re-employment of 222 former Walu Fishing workers through a redress programme involving four companies following a labour dispute. Walu Fishing lost its 2026 fishing quota after disputes with workers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.
As the world's third-largest uranium producer, Namibia is advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity and support its Vision 2030 development goals, backed by international partnerships with Russia and China. The project faces significant capital costs and requires imported technical expertise, but recent cabinet approval of Namibia's Nuclear Industry Strategy signals sustained government commitment.
Namibia has officially submitted a nomination dossier for the Dâures/Brandberg national monument area to be added to UNESCO's world heritage list, with the committee's decision expected by July 2027. The site, located in the Erongo region, is an ecological 'sky island' with over 900 rock art sites spanning 5,000 years of cultural history and featuring endemic species found nowhere else on earth.
Namibia's visa-on-arrival system, launched on 3 March 2025, generated N$413.4 million in revenue by 31 January, with 289,510 visas issued. The Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship also issued 51,285 travel documents during the period, reflecting improved service delivery and administrative efficiency.
Namibia's visa-on-arrival system, launched on 3 March 2025, generated N$413 million in revenue and issued 289,510 visas by 31 January. The government is advancing digital transformation in immigration services, including planned electronic and digital ID launches in the 2026/27 financial year, while implementing further visa reforms by 1 April.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened Namibia's legal year at the Supreme Court today, marking the start of a year the justice ministry hopes will bring meaningful reform, improved efficiency, and strengthened public confidence. The judiciary has established a Safety and Security Task Force to address concerns following recent attacks on prosecutors, while legal professionals advocate for plea bargaining reforms and amendments to obsolete laws.
Parliament's second session approved the Appropriation Bill and advanced key legislative reforms including the Land Bill, Mental Health Bill, and public enterprise governance amendments, according to National Assembly Speaker Dr Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The Speaker said the session strengthened parliamentary oversight, public participation and democratic debate while addressing pressing national challenges such as health care, land reform, unemployment and economic growth.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah told Cabinet that Namibia faces increasing global uncertainty marked by shifting alliances, conflicts and selective enforcement of international norms, urging the administration to remain principled and united in upholding sovereignty, equality among nations and peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue and respect for international law.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has set aside nearly 70 000 tonnes of the 197 000 tonne horse mackerel total-allowable catch for governmental objectives including food security, health, housing, youth development and employment programmes. The 2026 TAC was reduced by 5% from 2025 levels as a precautionary measure based on recent stock decline, though biomass remains within sustainable limits.
The Ministry of Agriculture has reduced the Total Allowable Catch for horse mackerel to 197,000 metric tonnes in 2026, a 5% decrease from 2025, citing science-based management and the stock's long-term health. The Ministry also confirmed that overfishing companies were penalised and that quota allocations have been aligned with companies' actual investments in freezer or wet fish facilities.
Namibia's fisheries ministry has defended the 2026 horse mackerel Total Allowable Catch of 197,000 metric tonnes—a 5% reduction from 2025—as a science-based and consultative decision aimed at ensuring long-term stock sustainability. The ministry dismissed claims of secretive cuts, stating the process followed statutory requirements and industry consultation, with quota allocations aligned to investors' operational choices.
Namibia's education ministry dismissed claims that Grade 9 learners can progress through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training system to obtain doctoral degrees, describing the assertion as misleading. The ministry clarified that Cabinet has not approved any pathway allowing direct progression from Grade 9 to university-level qualifications, and that current entry to TVET requires NSSCO (Grade 11) or Grade 12 qualifications.