Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Denga Ndaitwah

Also known as: First gentleman Ndaitwah · Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah · lieutenant general Denga Ndaitwah · Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · His Excellency Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · President Ndaitwah · retired Lieutenant General Denga Ndaitwah · the former Chief of the Defence Force · Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah · lieutenant general (retired) Denga Ndaitwah · General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah

First Gentleman and retired Lieutenant General; addresses boys' education, mental health, strategic leadership, and substance abuse advocacy.

2023-04-212026-06-08
Share on WhatsApp

What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026

  2. New Era

    First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah accepted role of Patron for Namibia Youth Energy Forum

    Source

    “Reading from a dossier of evidence against the president, Itula further pointed out that her husband's decision to accept the role of Patron for the Namibia Youth Energy Forum (NYEF) presents a unique challenge as it borders on a serious conflict of interest.”

    NNN dares Itula … IPC holds 3rd oil presser in Feb

  3. New Era

    Ndaitwah was officially welcomed into the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development

    Source

    “History was made on Sunday as Namibia's First Gentleman Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah was officially welcomed into the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD.)”

    Ndaitwah enters Africa’s first spouses league

  4. New Era

    First Gentleman Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah called for stronger, people-centred institutions to build Africa's resilience

    Source

    “First Gentleman Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah has called for stronger, people-centred institutions to build Africa's resilience.”

    Africa's resilience…

  5. Informanté

    Denga Ndaitwah served as part-time lecturer at UNAM, HOD and senior lecturer at IUM

    Source

    “He was a part time lecturer at UNAM, served as HOD and senior lecturer at IUM.”

    DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH — TRIBALISM DESTROY

  6. New Era

    First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah warned that substance abuse derails young people's futures, affecting school performance and discipline

    Source

    “Addressing learners, Ndaitwah warned that substance abuse continues to derail young people's futures, affecting school performance, discipline and personal development.”

    Rehoboth  unites  against drugs

  7. The Namibian

    First gentleman lieutenant general Denga Ndaitwah urged pupils to reject drugs and alcohol

    Source

    “First gentleman lieutenant general Denga Ndaitwah on Friday urged pupils to reject drugs and alcohol, warning that substance abuse threatens their education.”

    Say no to drugs – Denga Ndaitwah
  8. November 2025

  9. The Namibian

    Lieutenant general (retired) Denga Ndaitwah was regular guest presenter on various areas of study

    Source

    “I understand that the two generals have been regular guest presenters on various areas of study.”

    Graduation Ceremony Address by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
  10. March 2025

  11. The Namibian

    Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has a journey of resilience, military valor, and historic legacy

    Source

    “Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah's journey of resilience, military valor, and historic legacy alongside President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.”

    From a young freedom fighter in Ohangwena to Namibia's First Gentleman
  12. April 2023

  13. The Namibian

    Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah served two years as Namibia's defence chief until his retirement in 2013

    Source

    “He eventually served two years as Namibia's defence chief until his retirement in 2013.”

    Nandi-Ndaitwah’s moment of truth
Politics

Itula questions transparency of N$612m solar project

The News

IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.

Why it matters

Panduleni Itula's direct challenge to transparency around a N$612m solar project linked to the President's family strikes at accountability and governance—core concerns for Namibian readers.

5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 5 June

  1. Itula questions transparency of N$612m solar project

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.

    5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 16 May

  1. First Gentleman calls for action on boys' education, mental health

    First Gentleman General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has urged urgent national action to address boys' disengagement from Namibia's education system and support their mental health, citing Ministry of Education data showing 8,720 boys dropped out of school in 2023 and a 2023 UNICEF report finding that only 76% of boys progressed from Grade 5 to Grade 6 compared to 85% of girls. Ndaitwah attributed the trend to absent fathers, lack of mentorship, substance abuse, violence, and gaps in sexual and reproductive health education, and announced that his office is developing national programmes targeting educational disengagement, mentorship, mental health, and father involvement.

    16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Swapo's authoritarian populism rooted in liberation struggle mentality

    An opinion piece argues that Swapo, like other former liberation movements in government, has failed to deliver on promises and uses patriotic narratives of its struggle history to justify remaining in state control, drawing parallels to critiques of post-colonial African governments by Frantz Fanon and Angolan author Pepetela.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. First gentleman urges leaders to be self-critical, forward-thinking

    First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called on leaders to adopt a self-critical and forward-thinking approach that reflects, adapts and focuses on present challenges rather than the past. Speaking at a public lecture on strategic leadership at the International University of Management, he distinguished leadership—getting people to want to do what needs to be done—from management, emphasizing that both are mutually inclusive.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 March

  1. Community engagement addresses boy child education and positive masculinity

    Hope Initiatives Southern Africa Namibia hosted an event where stakeholders, including the First Gentleman, discussed challenges facing boys in education and the promotion of positive masculinity rooted in responsibility, empathy, and accountable leadership. The First Gentleman cited 2023 data showing 8,720 boys dropped out of school and called for evidence-based interventions and strategic programs to support boys' holistic development.

    21 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Independence Day celebrations highlight unity across Namibia

    An opinion piece praises the 36th Namibian Independence Day celebrations held in all regions as a significant moment for national unity and a counter to factionalism and tribalism, noting that regional events reflect Namibian sovereignty and the freedom of movement that citizens have exercised since 1990.

    21 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia must prioritise domestic food production for food security

    Retired Lieutenant General Denga Ndaitwah has warned that Namibia's reliance on imported food leaves the country vulnerable to famine and economic manipulation, and urges the government to support commercial and emerging farmers through affordable loans and subsidies to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

    20 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 6 March

  1. Lt Gen Ndaitwah addresses military on strategic leadership

    Namibia's First Gentleman Lt Gen (rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah delivered a presentation to senior military officers at the Namibia Command and Staff College on strategic leadership, management, and elements of national power, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership, sound policy formulation, and implementation to achieve national objectives.

    6 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 2 March

  1. Opposition leader alleges presidential family controls petroleum value chain

    Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. President challenges Itula to prove oil sector family links

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.

    25 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    Liberation hero and former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials in attendance. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a courageous cadre who served the nation with selfless dedication.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Namibia's First Gentleman admitted to African first ladies body

    Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah became one of the few male spouses to join the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) during its 30th General Assembly in Addis Ababa, where he called for inclusive empowerment and practical action on climate change and social inequality.

    18 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 16 February

  1. First Gentleman calls for people-centred institutions for Africa

    Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah addressed the 30th session of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Addis Ababa, calling for stronger institutions to build Africa's resilience through community resources, early climate warning systems, and locally-driven solutions.

    16 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Former general warns against tribalism as political tool

    Lt Gen (rtd) Denga Ndaitwah argues that while tribes are sources of national power and identity, politicians must not exploit tribalism for electoral gain, warning that such divisive politics have destroyed many African nations and are beginning to surface in Namibia.

    12 February 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. President's family oil interests spark transparency calls, journalist escorted out

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.

    4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. Rehoboth community mobilises against rising drug abuse crisis

    Community members, learners and government officials gathered at Dr Lemmer High School in Rehoboth to address drug abuse affecting the town, with speakers including the First Gentleman warning that substance abuse derails young people's futures and noting Rehoboth records the highest crime rate in the Hardap region. Officials and church leaders called for early intervention, stronger parental accountability, police visibility around schools, and investment in mentorship and skills programmes to combat the crisis.

    3 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 February

  1. First gentleman urges pupils to reject drugs and alcohol

    At a substance abuse awareness campaign at Dr Lemmer Secondary School in Rehoboth, First Gentleman Denga Ndaitwah warned pupils that drug and alcohol use threatens their education and future, urging them to avoid peer pressure and prioritize discipline and academic progress. Hardap Governor Riaan McNab described substance abuse as a "silent and deceptive threat" destroying families and communities, cautioning that nations cannot progress when youth are destroyed.

    2 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Denga Ndaitwah — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute