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
Deputy Minister of Education and Sport who addressed school admissions and apologised for dismissive remarks on student protests in 2026.
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June 2026
The Namibian
Deputy minister Dino Ballottihas apologised to students overremarks made during a protest on student funding crisis
Source
“Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti has apologised to students over remarks he made during a protest on the ongoing student funding crisis.”
Deputy Minister Dino BallottiledNamibian delegation to bilateral BNSC-NSC engagement
Source
“The Namibian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner of the Namibian High Commission and NSC Chief Administrator Freddy Mwiya.”
Deputy Minister Ballottiexpressed admiration forBotswana's grassroots development initiative 'Re Ba Bona Ha'
Source
“Deputy Minister Ballotti expressed admiration for the programme, noting that "Namibia would like to benchmark and potentially replicate aspects of the model to strengthen grassroots sport structures back home."”
Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballottipaid a visit toIOC president in Lausanne, Switzerland
Source
“Steenkamp and deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti paid the IOC president a visit, along with executive members of the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland.”
Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotticriticisedthe state of the Nkurenkuru Youth Sport Complex
Source
“Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti has criticised the state of the Nkurenkuru Youth Sport Complex, saying he is "truly not happy" that athletes are still playing on gravel instead of a grass field.”
Deputy minister Dino Ballottihas backedNFA's initiative to build stadiums
Source
“Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti has backed the NFA's initiative, describing it as an ambitious undertaking.”
Deputy minister Dino Ballottisaid he fully supportsthe initiative
Source
“Present during the official launch, deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti said he fully supports the initiative.”
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 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.
Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti expressed displeasure that the Nkurenkuru Youth Sport Complex remains a gravel field rather than grass, despite sustained engagement. The condition threatens local football progress, including KK United's potential promotion in the First Division, and affects youth development and regional entrepreneurs who must travel to Rundu for games.
The La Muela Polo Exhibition took place outside Windhoek this weekend, marking the first full-time polo match played in Namibia on a regulation field. Organisers imported horses from Argentina for the event and breeding with Namibian mares.
The Namibia Football Association has secured more than 10 land sites countrywide to build stadiums but lacks the financial resources to develop them, instead seeking external and local investment. The NFA's projects are separate from the government's plan to build 28 stadiums across regions, though the association will provide technical advisory support to ensure compliance with international football standards.
The Collective, a new structured athletics development platform, has been launched in Windhoek to nurture talent and improve performance standards by connecting coaching, performance data, and competitive exposure for Namibian athletes. The platform operates through a three-tier model serving elite athletes and developing competitors across four regions, with support from qualified coaches and a focus on athletes in the under-15, 17 and 19 age categories.
Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti presented the N$35.104 million youth and sports budget for the 2026/2027 financial year to the National Assembly, framing it as a strategic investment in Namibia's future given that 71.1% of the population is under 35. The budget allocates funds for youth skills training and entrepreneurship, the National Youth Service, sports development and infrastructure including N$140 million for basic sporting facilities across regions.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture has sponsored N$400,000 to support the Namibian choir Collective Singers for a singing tour in Canada from 11 to 25 April, representing the country alongside choirs from around the world. Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti said the financial support reflects the government's commitment to investing in talent and enabling Namibian artists to perform on global stages.
Erongo ended their 14-year trophy drought by winning the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup 2026, defeating defending champions Kunene 2–1 in extra time at Keetmanshoop. Centre-back Shahid Naoebeb scored twice in the match and was named player of the tournament.
Member of parliament James Uerikua died in a road accident on Friday. Colleagues from across the political spectrum paid tribute to him, describing him as a unifier and noting that his son also died in the same accident and his wife is in critical condition.
Metropolitan Namibia has committed N$140,000 to support young athletes from all 14 regions to participate in the 2026 Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, a youth football and netball tournament to be held in Keetmanshoop from 3 to 6 April. The contribution aims to remove barriers of distance and limited resources that prevent talented young athletes from competing.
The National Commission on Research Science and Technology held its 2026 National Research Excellence Awards ceremony in Windhoek to recognise and celebrate contributions of researchers to Namibia's socio-economic development. Award winners across twelve categories—including lifetime achievement, student researchers, mid-career and senior researchers—received certificates, trophies, and prize money of N$10,000–N$20,000.
Namibia's National Research Excellence Awards ceremony returned after a lengthy break, with visiting South African scientist Bavesh Kana urging the country to strengthen its research systems through sustained funding, functional infrastructure, and supportive policies to match its scientific potential. The awards recognised researchers, innovators and emerging scholars across various disciplines, including student, early-career, mid-career, senior, and lifetime achievement categories.
At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.
Windhoek will host the Khomas Uhuru march and Namfest@36, featuring a 1,000-person parade, innovation talent shows, and music performances by local artists, to celebrate national unity before the official Independence Day celebrations at Sam Nujoma Stadium tomorrow.