Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Person

Calle Schlettwein

Also known as: Schlettwein · former finance minister Calle Schlettwein · Former MP Calle Schlettwein · former Cabinet minister

Former Cabinet minister who has criticized government policies on Sossusvlei access, mineral rights regulation, uranium exploration, and judicial delays.

Tourism & Environment

Former minister criticizes Sossusvlei shuttle restrictions from May 2026

The News

Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has opposed the government's decision to restrict access to Deadvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, saying the closure of Sossusvlei for self-drive visitors and requirement to use a single concessionaire robs Namibians of their right to free access. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced last week that only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia and registered tour guides employed by lodges—will be authorised to provide shuttle services to Deadvlei effective 1 May 2026, with self-driving beyond the 2×4 parking area no longer permitted for tourists.

21 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Former minister criticizes Sossusvlei shuttle restrictions from May 2026

    Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has opposed the government's decision to restrict access to Deadvlei in Namib-Naukluft Park, saying the closure of Sossusvlei for self-drive visitors and requirement to use a single concessionaire robs Namibians of their right to free access. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced last week that only two categories of operators—Grow Namibia and registered tour guides employed by lodges—will be authorised to provide shuttle services to Deadvlei effective 1 May 2026, with self-driving beyond the 2×4 parking area no longer permitted for tourists.

    21 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 17 April

  1. Government shuttle monopoly plan sparks tourism industry outcry

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has announced that driving between Sossusvlei's parking areas will be limited to a single operator (About Africa Co) from 1 May, restricting access for independent tour operators and self-drivers. Tour operators and industry figures warn the exclusive concession will harm competition, raise prices, create liability concerns, and damage the tourism sector despite ministry claims it will generate revenue and protect the environment.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Former governor James Uerikua dies in road accident

    Former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua died in a road accident on Friday, with his son Venturo also killed in the incident. Former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein paid tribute to Uerikua as a brilliant mind and kind-hearted person, while Swapo held a candlelit vigil in Windhoek.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. Budget balances fiscal discipline with oil investment decision

    Namibia's 2026/27 budget reflects finance minister Ericah Shafudah's fiscal caution as the country awaits a final investment decision on TotalEnergies' Venus oil project, expected mid-2026. Economist Robin Sherbourne described the budget as a "holding operation" in a constrained economic outlook, though he warned that reduced development spending may limit growth despite the budget's focus on "People, Productivity and Prudence."

    23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Namra convenes stakeholder meeting on mineral licence transfers

    The Namibia Revenue Agency has called a meeting at its Windhoek head office to address legal compliance and governance challenges in the transfer of mineral and petroleum licences and company shares, bringing together regulators, policymakers, tax officials, industry representatives and taxpayers. Former Cabinet minister Calle Schlettwein has criticised the regulatory framework, saying mineral rights are not adequately treated as state assets and arguing that many mineral companies employ tax avoidance schemes that result in profits leaving Namibia.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Parliamentary uranium project recommendation sparks heated controversy

    A parliamentary standing committee recommended allowing Rosatom to proceed with uranium exploration and mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, arguing the project could help gather scientific data on natural contamination. The recommendation has drawn criticism from former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein and farming groups, who warn the project could permanently damage the aquifer—Namibia's key drinking water source for the arid south—and lack scientific grounding, while supporters cite potential economic benefits and Rosatom's expertise.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Parliamentary committee endorses Rosatom uranium project in Leonardville

    Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has backed uranium exploration by Russian state-owned Rosatom in the Omaheke region, citing potential for billions in investment and thousands of jobs, though the project faces resistance from environmentalists and farmers concerned about groundwater contamination.

    5 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Itula attacks 2026/27 budget as wasteful, copy-paste spending

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has criticised the national budget for maintaining high operational spending while cutting development allocation, specifically flagging N$244 million spent on 243 workshops and excessive travel allowances, which he says could instead fund promised pensioner allowances and infrastructure. Other political parties and analysts dispute whether all workshop and travel spending is wasteful, noting that some supports essential government functions.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 March

  1. Namibia's N$104 billion budget prioritises operations over development spending

    Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah tabled a N$104 billion budget for 2026/27 with N$81.3 billion allocated to operations and only N$6.5 billion to development, drawing criticism from economists and opposition figures who warn this allocation will constrain economic growth. The government collected N$89.8 billion in revenue and plans to borrow N$15 billion, while interest payments of N$16.2 billion now exceed the development budget.

    1 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Minute