Dino Ballotti

Also known as: Ballotti · Deputy minister Dino Ballotti · deputy minister · Deputy of minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture · Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture · Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture · the Deputy Minister · Deputy Minister Ballotti · Honourable Dino Ballotti · Steenkamp's deputy, Dino Ballotti · Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti · Education Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti · Linda Mbwale · Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti · Deputy Minister of Sport, Dino Ballotti · Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti

Deputy minister in Namibia's youth and sports portfolio, presented the 2026/27 budget to National Assembly.

Society

NCRST honours top researchers at annual excellence awards

The News

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.

30 March 2026 · New Era →

The Minute

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Namibia Minute

Monday 30 March
Wednesday 25 March
Friday 20 March
Tuesday 17 March
Monday 16 March
Sunday 15 March
Thursday 12 March

Monday 30 March

NCRST honours top researchers at annual excellence awards
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.
30 March 2026 · New Era →
National Research Excellence Awards return to honour Namibian scientists
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.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests
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.
25 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

Khomas hosts cultural festival ahead of Independence Day
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.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Khomas region hosts youth festival for 36th Independence Day
The Khomas governor's office will host NamFest@36, a youth-centred festival on Friday featuring cultural events, an innovation talent show, an Uhuru march with over 1,000 participants, and a music bash. The festival will showcase free acts in music, poetry, dance, painting, plays and inventions, with over 50 performances and 20 local exhibitors, celebrating Namibia's Independence Day under the theme "Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future."
20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

Oshikoto governor denies political bias in Independence Day speaker selection
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

Oshikoto Independence Day speakers defended as national, not partisan
Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Peter Kazongominja becomes Nudo president after Muinjangue's resignation
The National Unity Democratic Organisation's national executive committee has appointed Peter Kazongominja as party president following the resignation of former deputy health minister Utjiua Muinjangue. The party also retrenched all employees due to financial challenges from the loss of two parliamentary seats, and formally reprimanded MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu for his parliamentary conduct.
16 March 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 15 March

Kandorozu's parliamentary comedy routine falls flat with audience
Vetaruhe Kandorozu delivered an impromptu stand-up comedy special on the parliamentary floor titled 'Namibia Does Not Look Like That', featuring a joke about deputy minister Dino Ballotti that drew silence rather than laughs. The Namibian's opinion piece critiques the failed routine and suggests Kandorozu misunderstands both comedy and Namibia's multicultural identity.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

NUDO MP and deputy education minister resolve parliamentary dispute
NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu and deputy education minister Dino Ballotti have reconciled after Kandorozu made unparliamentary remarks telling Ballotti to "go back to Italy" during a National Assembly debate. The two lawmakers announced their peace on social media, with Kandorozu describing the incident as teasing and both committing to move forward.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →