Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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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 · Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First gentleman · Lieutenant General (Retired) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah · First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · General Denga Ndaitwah · First Gentleman General Denga Ndaitwah

First Gentleman Lieutenant General (Rtd) who established the DEN Impact Foundation to address youth education, sports, agriculture and vocational training challenges in Namibia.

2023-04-212026-09-06
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What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026

  2. 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

  3. 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…

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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
  7. November 2025

  8. 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
  9. March 2025

  10. 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
  11. April 2023

  12. 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
Sport

Chula Chula wins Denga Ndaitwah football tournament in Okongo

The News

Chula Chula FC were crowned champions of the First Gentleman Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Annual Sports Tournament after defeating DT Meds on penalties in the football final in Okongo. The three-day tournament from 20 to 23 August brought together about 23 teams competing in youth and legends football, netball and volleyball, with Namibia Correctional Services winning both netball and volleyball titles.

24 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 24 August

  1. Chula Chula wins Denga Ndaitwah football tournament in Okongo

    Chula Chula FC were crowned champions of the First Gentleman Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Annual Sports Tournament after defeating DT Meds on penalties in the football final in Okongo. The three-day tournament from 20 to 23 August brought together about 23 teams competing in youth and legends football, netball and volleyball, with Namibia Correctional Services winning both netball and volleyball titles.

    24 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 21 August

  1. Namibian boys show lower grades, higher dropout rates than girls

    Research by UNAM found that more Namibian boys than girls repeat grades and leave school early, while women have made up the majority of tertiary students and graduates for over three decades. Male learners had a promotion rate of 75.1% versus 78.4% for females, a repetition rate of 18.5% versus 14.7%, and a school-leaving rate of 6.3% versus 4.9%.

    21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. First Gentleman launches foundation for youth education, sports, agriculture

    The First Gentleman, Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, has launched the DEN Impact Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation aimed at addressing challenges facing Namibian youth through education, sports, agriculture and vocational training, operating under a four-year strategic plan with four strategic pillars.

    21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 20 August

  1. First Gentleman tournament draws 34 teams to Okongo

    The 2026 edition of First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah's Annual Sports Tournament began at Elia Weyulu Sports Field in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, with 24 youth soccer teams, 10 Legends teams, five netball teams, and two volleyball teams competing over four days through Sunday, with prize money across all codes.

    20 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. DEN Foundation launches to address boys' education gap in Namibia

    Research presented at the launch of the Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah Impact Foundation shows girls outnumber boys in secondary and tertiary enrolment, with boys experiencing higher repetition and school-leaving rates. The foundation aims to provide targeted interventions to address declining male participation and academic outcomes while complementing existing support for girls.

    20 August 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. First Gentleman launches DEN Impact Foundation for boys, young men

    The Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah (DEN) Impact Foundation, established by First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, was officially launched to empower Namibia's boys and young men through education, sport, agriculture, vocational training and mentorship. The foundation's four key pillars are agriculture, sport, education, and vocational and technical training.

    19 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Okongo sports tournament set for August 2026

    The First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Annual Sports Tournament will run 20–23 August 2026 in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, featuring youth soccer, legends soccer, netball and volleyball with prize money across the four codes. The tournament was initially launched in 2003, became inactive, and was revived in 2022 with Ndaitwah as patron, with its first major edition in 2023.

    18 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Ohangwena region records 1,750 school dropouts, mostly boys

    Ohangwena recorded about 1,750 school dropouts in 2025, with boys accounting for the majority, prompting the First Gentleman to call for coordinated community action. The region recorded the highest number of school dropouts among all regions visited during the First Gentleman's national consultations on the boy-child.

    11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 10 August

  1. First gentleman urges Kavango West boys to complete education

    First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah addressed boys in Kavango West, urging them not to abandon education despite peer pressure, embarrassment and financial hardship. Education director Pontianus Musore reported that 650 pupils dropped out of school during the first semester this year, with boys making up the majority, citing economic hardship, child-headed households, poor parental involvement, limited supervision and limited hostel facilities as factors.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 8 August

  1. Child welfare minister warns against neglecting boys

    Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema said Namibia cannot afford to leave boys behind, and that investing in boys leads to stronger families, safer communities and a brighter future for the country. She was speaking at an engagement session in Nkurenkuru themed on empowering the boy child and creating responsible men.

    8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 31 July

  1. First gentleman calls for gender equality inclusive of boys

    First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has advocated for an inclusive approach to gender equality, arguing that empowerment of women and girls and the well-being of boys are not competing priorities. Speaking at a fundraising gala of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Angola, he said men and women are mutually inclusive partners and cited global data showing boys lagging in education and facing crises in mental health and social development.

    31 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. First gentleman calls for inclusive gender equality approach

    First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called for an inclusive approach to gender equality, arguing that empowering women and girls and addressing the well-being of boys are complementary rather than competing priorities. He cited global data showing that 132 million primary and secondary age boys are out of school worldwide and proposed renaming the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development to include male spouses.

    31 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Nandi-Ndaitwah seeks uranium value addition ties with China

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited China General Nuclear Power Corporation during a state visit to China, calling for stronger cooperation on clean energy, uranium value addition, technology transfer and skills development. Namibia aims to move beyond exporting raw uranium and develop partnerships that support industrialisation and job creation in the clean energy sector.

    7 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. First Gentleman's Sports Tournament returns to Okongo this August

    The 11th edition of the First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Sports Tournament will be held at Elia Weyulu Sports Field in Okongo village, Ohangwena Region, from 20–23 August, featuring youth soccer, legends soccer, netball and volleyball with prize money across four categories.

    7 July 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 20 June

  1. President calls UN slave trade resolution start of justice journey

    At a high-level conference in Accra, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the UN resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade marks the beginning of a long journey toward truth, healing and restorative justice for Africans and the diaspora, linking it to Namibia's own pursuit of restorative justice.

    20 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 18 June

  1. President Nandi-Ndaitwah attends UN reparations conference in Ghana

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is participating in a high-level international conference in Accra, Ghana, from 17–19 June 2026, aimed at developing practical steps to implement a United Nations resolution on the trafficking and enslavement of Africans. The conference brings together heads of state, ministers, and civil society representatives to advance discussions on reparatory justice, historical recognition, and restitution.

    18 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. President honours Kahimemua Nguvauva at Battle anniversary

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to Ombara Kahimemua Nguvauva's legacy during the 130th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Otjunda in Okahandja, calling on Namibians to uphold unity and reject division as the country reflects on its liberation history.

    16 June 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 15 June

  1. Chief Nguvauva chose dignity over colonial surrender

    First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah praised anti-colonial Ovambanderu Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva at a 130-year commemoration, saying the chief chose dignity over surrender when confronted by colonial power and was executed on 12 June 1896 for his refusal to abandon his people's freedom and identity.

    15 June 2026 · New Era →

  2. President honours Kahimemua Nguvauva, urges national unity

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to Ombara Kahimemua Nguvauva at a commemoration of the 130th anniversary of his execution in Okahandja, calling on Namibians to uphold unity and reject division as the country reflects on its liberation history.

    15 June 2026 · Informanté →

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 →

Denga Ndaitwah — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute