Also known as: Deputy minister Dino Ballotti · Deputy Minister Ballotti · Honourable Dino Ballotti · Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti · Education Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti · Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti · Deputy Minister of Sport, Dino Ballotti · Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti · Hon. Dino Ballotti
Dino Ballotti — Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture; advocates for entrepreneurship and regional economic expansion.
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August 2026
Windhoek Observer
Deputy minister Dino Ballottiurgedentrepreneurs to pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa
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“Speaking at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship Breakfast in Oshakati, Ballotti urged entrepreneurs to use technology to pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
Dino Ballotticalled forentrepreneurship to take centre stage in Namibia's economic agenda
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“Dino Ballotti has called for entrepreneurship to take centre stage in Namibia's economic agenda, saying the country cannot achieve meaningful economic diversification by relying solely on traditional industries.”
Dino Ballottisaidgovernment was committed to working closely with creative industry to create enabling environment
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“Ballotti said the government was committed to working closely with the creative industry to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and creative businesses to grow.”
Deputy Minister Dino Ballottiurgedentrepreneurs to use digital technology to pursue customers in regional markets
Source
“Speaking at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's (CRAN) Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship Breakfast in Oshakati, Ballotti urged entrepreneurs to use digital technology to pursue customers in markets such as Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
Dino BallottichallengedNamibian entrepreneurs to look beyond the country's small domestic market and use digital technology
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“Dino Ballotti has challenged Namibian entrepreneurs to look beyond the country's small domestic market and use digital technology to target customers across the region.”
“Edda Bohn, the Ministry's Deputy Executive Director for schools and formal education, said while speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Education, Dino Ballotti.”
Dino Ballotti, Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culturehighlightedthe economic potential of the country's cultural and creative industries
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“Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti, who delivered the keynote address at the launch, highlighted the economic potential of the country's cultural and creative industries.”
Dino BallottisaidWitbooi's life was characterised by extraordinary courage and unwavering commitment to justice
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“Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti said Witbooi's life was characterised by extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and an unwavering commitment to justice and human dignity.”
Dino Ballottisaidyoung men's mental health should receive greater attention
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“Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti at the event said young men's mental health should receive greater attention.”
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti challenged Namibian entrepreneurs to expand beyond the domestic market of three million people and pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa using technology. The article's author, while agreeing with the ambition, questions whether Namibia has the foundational business infrastructure—competitive companies, proper capitalization, technological capability, and consistent delivery—necessary for successful regional expansion.
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti challenged Namibian entrepreneurs to expand beyond the domestic market of three million people and pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa using technology. The article's author, while agreeing with the ambition, questions whether Namibia has the foundational business infrastructure—competitive companies, proper capitalization, technological capability, and consistent delivery—necessary for successful regional expansion.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Ballotti called for entrepreneurship to take centre stage in Namibia's economic agenda, arguing that the country cannot achieve meaningful economic diversification by relying solely on traditional industries. He said Namibia must identify new opportunities and create pathways for young people to participate in the economy.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Ballotti told entrepreneurs at a CRAN breakfast in Oshakati that Namibia's small population should not limit business ambitions, urging them to use digital technology to pursue customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Digital platforms and services now allow businesses to serve clients beyond their physical location, though regional expansion requires capital, market knowledge, logistics, payment systems and regulatory compliance.
Deputy minister Dino Ballotti told entrepreneurs in Oshakati that Namibia's three-million population should not limit ambitions, and urged them to use digital platforms and technology to target customers in Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
The Ministry of Education has launched the Norms and Standards Framework for Schools and the National Minimum Standards for the Operation of Hostels in Namibia. The new framework replaces the long-standing National Standards and Performance Indicators and is designed to address changing global conditions, including the influence of artificial intelligence.
Metropolitan Namibia has launched a campaign called "The Story Of" built around real-life experiences of its clients, featuring authentic stories from across the country that showcase the role of financial planning and insurance in helping Namibians protect families and achieve financial goals.
The Creative Industry Institute Africa, a Namibian non-profit established to map and develop the creative sector, wants Namibia's creative industries treated as a source of businesses, jobs, intellectual property and trade rather than merely as culture. The institute works to connect fragmented parts of the creative economy and strengthen the case for investment and development.
The Witbooi Legacy Project was launched at Gibeon in the Hardap region to preserve the heritage, values and legacy of the Witbooi family and provide community outreach programmes. The project, founded by Olga Witbooi, Faith Witbooi-Olibile and Petra Peterson, seeks to honour Captain Hendrik Witbooi, a Nama chief who led resistance against German colonial rule and is regarded as one of Namibia's national heroes.
A Windhoek conference highlighted how post-graduation unemployment and societal expectations to provide for families are causing rising anxiety and depression among young men in Namibia, with male students in their third and fourth academic years experiencing particularly high anxiety levels.
Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti commended Namibia's 23-member team for their performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the country finished 29th overall and second in southern Africa. Ballotti said the medal haul could have been greater with more athletes competing and pledged preparations for future international events including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Namibia's boxing team delivered medal success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Tryagain Morning Ndevelo winning silver and Mischa Monique Araes and Philip Pumulo Mutakela Haoseb each claiming bronze. The athletes received a heroes' welcome at Hosea Kutako International Airport and were recognised with monetary rewards totalling N$195 000 under the government's sports reward policy.
Team Namibia received a heroes' welcome at Hosea Kutako International Airport after the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where the country won three boxing medals: Tryagain Morning Ndevelo took silver, and Mischa Monique Araes and Philip Pumulo Mutakela Haoseb each claimed bronze. The three medal-winning boxers received cash rewards totalling N$195 000.
The Whoos Nextt Festival will take place at Hage Geingob Stadium on 8 August, featuring local and regional performers, DJs and digital content creators. The festival will be accompanied by a creative industry masterclass on 9 August themed around unlocking growth in Namibia's creative economy.
The Namibia Training Authority has committed N$1.05 million to strengthen pre-vocational education at seven secondary schools, with each school receiving N$150,000 to improve technical and vocational subjects, procure training equipment, and expose learners to vocational opportunities. The initiative is part of the government's effort to address the mismatch between education and labour market demands.
The Namibia Training Authority has invested N$1.05 million to strengthen pre-vocational education at seven secondary schools across the country, with each school receiving N$150,000 to improve the delivery of technical and vocational subjects. The funding supports the government's efforts to expand access to quality education and skills development in line with the Sixth National Development Plan.
The Namibia Training Authority has invested N$1.1 million across seven secondary schools to strengthen pre-vocational subject teaching and prepare learners with practical skills for the labour market. Each school received N$150,000 for equipment procurement and enhanced teaching and learning delivery.
Namibia will hold the 2026 International Youth Day national commemorations in Keetmanshoop on 12 August 2026, with the theme "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships." The annual UN-observed day recognises young people's contributions and addresses challenges including unemployment, education access, health and civic participation.
The grave of six-year-old Roswinds Fabianu, who was murdered in Okahandja in April 2025, was vandalized on the death anniversary when unidentified people allegedly burned a snake on her tombstone, scorching it and devastating the family.
The state-funded National Youth Council's general assembly in Swakopmund was postponed after violence erupted during the election of a new executive chairperson, injuring nine delegates. The education minister condemned the incident as "unacceptable, unruly conduct and violence," and critics are calling for the institution to be dismantled.
A National Youth Council elective general assembly that began Friday descended into chaos on Saturday, injuring nine delegates and prompting education minister Sanet Steenkamp to postpone the assembly indefinitely. The disruption involved disputes over the electoral process, with disagreements over delegate allocations and factional tensions.
Minister of Education Dino Ballotti delivered a ministerial statement to the National Assembly on learner admissions to schools for the 2027 academic year.
Nine delegates were injured during violent disruptions at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday, prompting the Electoral Committee to resign and the Ministry of Education to postpone proceedings citing safety and order concerns.
The Ministry of Education indefinitely postponed the National Youth Council general assembly in Swakopmund following an outbreak of violence on Saturday that injured nine delegates. The Electoral Committee has resigned citing safety concerns, and the ministry has received petitions from affiliates raising compliance and verification issues; Youth Minister Steenkamp says the interim board will address outstanding matters and communicate next steps.
The Top Score National Elite Championships, a new premier schools sport tournament run under the Namibia Schools Sport Union, was launched in Windhoek on Wednesday. The championship aims to bring together elite schools from across Namibia to compete across multiple disciplines for the title of ultimate champion sports school, while promoting academic excellence and school pride.
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has injected N$247 million into NSFAF to expedite outstanding student payments, with disbursement commencing this week and non-tuition payments expected to be finalised by mid-July 2026.
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti apologised to students after his Friday comments questioning the numbers at a protest over delayed non-tuition fees sparked backlash. He acknowledged his choice of words was inappropriate and insensitive to students' challenges.
The NamFitness Expo and Conference, hosted by Aura Concept Events, will take place at Windhoek Country Club on 3–4 July, featuring fitness activations, wellness talks, health screenings, and exhibitions aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and community development.
Vice president Lucia Witbooi has urged stronger support for vocational education, calling it one of Namibia's most important tools in fighting unemployment and creating opportunities for young people with disabilities. She made the remarks during the graduation ceremony of 443 learners enrolled in the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills programme at Augustineum Secondary School in Windhoek.
Namibia and Botswana held a high-level bilateral engagement between their sports commissions in Gaborone to review progress under a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding and map a stronger path for regional sport development. The partnership has yielded results in athlete support, high-performance preparation, sport governance and regional cooperation through athlete exchanges, joint training camps, and event hosting.