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Wednesday, 21 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Dino Ballotti

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 who has addressed digital access challenges and sports development in Namibian schools and youth programs.

2024-08-142026-10-21
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News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. June 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti has apologised to students over remarks 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.”

    Ballotti apologises to students over social media remarks

  3. The Namibian

    Dino Ballotti said "What number constitutes a protest? Surely not seven or was it eight, maybe nine?"

    Source

    “The apology comes after Ballotti on Friday said: "What number constitutes a protest? Surely not seven or was it eight, maybe nine?"”

    Ballotti apologises to students over social media remarks

  4. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti will give the keynote address at NamFitness Expo

    Source

    “Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti will give the keynote address.”

    Fitness expo hits Windhoek
  5. May 2026

  6. New Era

    Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti led Namibian 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.”

    Namibia, Botswana strengthen sport cooperation … through landmark BNSC-NSC engagement

  7. New Era

    Deputy Minister Ballotti expressed admiration for Botswana'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."”

    Namibia, Botswana strengthen sport cooperation … through landmark BNSC-NSC engagement
  8. April 2026

  9. The Namibian

    Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti paid a visit to IOC 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.”

    Steenkamp, Ballotti courting Olympic committee

  10. New Era

    Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti criticised the 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.”

    Ballotti decries poor state of Nkurenkuru sports complex

  11. New Era

    Deputy Minister of Sport Dino Ballotti officially launched the exhibition match for the Polo match on Saturday

    Source

    “Deputy Minister of Sport, Dino Ballotti, officially launched the exhibition match for the Polo match on Saturday.”

    Equestrian skills take centre stage

  12. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti has backed NFA'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.”

    No money for 10 stadiums – NFA

  13. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti said he fully supports the 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.”

    Namibian athletics development platform launched
Sport

Deputy sport minister questions boxers' absence from awards finalists

The News

Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti has questioned the absence of boxers from the 2026 Namibia Annual Sport Awards finalists, noting the nominees represent the best of Namibian sport "minus our boxers." Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya also raised concerns that accomplished professional boxers were missing from nominations and called for greater accountability to ensure all eligible athletes have an opportunity for recognition.

16 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

  1. Deputy sport minister questions boxers' absence from awards finalists

    Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti has questioned the absence of boxers from the 2026 Namibia Annual Sport Awards finalists, noting the nominees represent the best of Namibian sport "minus our boxers." Namibia Sports Commission chief administrator Freddy Mwiya also raised concerns that accomplished professional boxers were missing from nominations and called for greater accountability to ensure all eligible athletes have an opportunity for recognition.

    16 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President calls for sustainable sporting system creating youth employment

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for a sustainable sporting system that creates employment and professional opportunities for young Namibians, moving beyond simply sending athletes to international competitions. She said sport should be recognised as a contributor to national development through employment, education, health and community building, and requires cooperation between government, sporting organisations, schools, families and the private sector.

    16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 15 October

  1. President flags off 12 athletes for Dakar Youth Olympics

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah handed over the national flag to Team Namibia's 12 athletes competing in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (31 October–13 November), urging them to represent the country with pride and discipline in seven sporting codes: athletics, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, boxing, cycling, swimming and triathlon.

    15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia plans 148 classrooms, 25 schools by 2027

    The education ministry plans to construct 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms across all 14 regions, and build 25 new schools in 10 regions, ahead of the 2027 academic year to address overcrowding and improve access to education. Implementation began in the 2025/26 financial year, with 22 of the new schools already at roof level.

    15 October 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. Tsumeb launches U-17 youth football league

    The Tsumeb Super 12 U-17 Youth Football League has officially launched to provide young footballers with a platform to develop talent, discipline and teamwork. Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti urged players to balance sports with academic performance, emphasising that education and sport development require equal commitment.

    14 October 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 13 October

  1. Education ministry identifies skills gaps in 2025–2030 plan

    Namibia's education ministry has identified learning outcome gaps and skills mismatches as key challenges in its new five-year strategic plan, pledging to address youth unemployment through a National Human Resources Development Strategy and better workforce preparation.

    13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Government targets 148 permanent classrooms by 2027

    Namibia's education ministry aims to complete 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms across all 14 regions before the 2027 academic year, as part of a 2025–2030 strategic plan to address overcrowding and improve access to education. The ministry is also constructing 25 new schools in 10 regions, with 22 already at roof level, though officials cautioned that these projects will not immediately resolve the country's classroom shortages.

    13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 12 October

  1. MEIYSAC unveils 2025–2030 strategic plan for classroom expansion

    The Ministry of Education plans to construct 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms across Namibia's 14 regions by 2027, with a further 25 schools planned across 10 regions. The ministry also aims to connect more than 300 schools to the internet and upgrade four vocational training centres into TVET colleges.

    12 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 9 October

  1. President welcomes Namport's N$90 million football and sport investment

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah praised Namport's N$90 million commitment over three years for sport and the announcement of a Namport–NFA football sponsorship, describing it as the largest annual sponsorship in Namibian football history at N$30 million per year.

    9 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. Deputy education minister warns against hasty digital learning expansion

    Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti has warned that Namibia's plans to expand digital learning face significant challenges including poor internet connectivity in remote schools, ageing ICT equipment, electricity shortages, and high data and maintenance costs. Ballotti cautioned that Namibia must not rush to introduce new technology while basic conditions for learning remain problematic in some schools.

    7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. Deputy Minister acknowledges digital divide in Namibian basic education

    Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti acknowledged that a digital divide persists in Namibia's basic education sector and said the Ministry is taking steps to improve digital access in government schools, providing connectivity, ICT infrastructure, devices and digital services.

    6 October 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Otjozondjupa governor urges larger education infrastructure budget

    Otjozondjupa governor John Julius //Khamuseb called for more money to be allocated to education infrastructure, saying the roughly 10% currently allocated for development is insufficient to meet schools' needs and enable the introduction of technology. He suggested the government should consider redirecting funding from other ministries to strengthen education.

    6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 5 October

  1. Karibib Junior Secondary School faces three-year classroom construction delay

    Karibib Junior Secondary School has been without a completed classroom block for about three years after contractor MRA Investments CC abandoned the N$523 000 project in November 2022 following partial payment, leaving the school of 300 pupils to teach in makeshift spaces and limiting their ability to accommodate four different language subjects.

    5 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 4 October

  1. Namibia invests heavily in education, but secondary school access lags

    UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report finds Namibia commits 9.1% of GDP to education with a highly qualified teaching workforce, but the country struggles to keep learners in school beyond primary level. Pre-primary access improved significantly, with 93% net enrolment of five-year-olds in 2024, up from 72% in 2015.

    4 October 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 3 October

  1. CAF inspector finds engineering flaws at Sam Nujoma Stadium

    A CAF inspector's assessment has identified significant construction problems at Namibia's Sam Nujoma Stadium, including concrete walls blocking spectator views and inadequate VIP facilities, raising questions about the readiness of the venue.

    3 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Namibia lacks over 1,900 pre-primary classrooms, official reports

    The Deputy Minister of Education reports an estimated shortage of 1,977 pre-primary classrooms in the country, affecting school readiness and early-grade repetition, particularly in rural areas and indigenous minority communities.

    1 October 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Government secures funding to revamp Sam Nujoma Stadium

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced that the government has mobilised funds to cover the financial shortfall for revamping Sam Nujoma Stadium. He also stated that ministers will soon announce successful funding mobilisation from state-owned enterprises towards all football leagues, which the Namibia Football Association indicates could provide job opportunities for over 20,000 people.

    1 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Julinho FC enters partnership with Millennium and Nasan Energies

    Julinho FC has partnered with Millennium and Nasan Energies, which have pledged support for the club and youth development. Club chairperson Miguel Hamutenya said the club's roots remain unchanged and called for more corporate involvement in football.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Namibia's netball team qualifies for 2027 World Cup

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti announced that Namibia's national netball team has qualified for the 2027 Netball World Cup. The Brave Warriors also won 1-0 against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with Bethuel Muzeu scoring after half-time.

    24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Steenkamp urges sport sector professionalization and commercialization

    At the launch of the Namibia Country Sport Profile research publication and sports seminar, Education Minister Dr. Sanet L. Steenkamp called for professionalisation and commercialisation of Namibia's sport sector, describing the profile as a reflective document for the nation's sporting development.

    17 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. Namibia sends 17 competitors to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah officially sent off Team Namibia—17 young vocational professionals—to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai. The President described the competition as a global vocational skills event often called the Skills Olympics.

    15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

  1. Namibia sends 17 competitors to WorldSkills Shanghai

    Namibia will send 17 young competitors to the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September, competing across 16 skills against participants from more than 70 countries and regions. The event aims to give Namibia's professionals an opportunity to demonstrate expertise, exchange knowledge, and gain exposure to international standards.

    14 September 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 31 August

  1. Deputy minister urges Namibian entrepreneurs to pursue regional markets

    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.

    31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Deputy Minister Ballotti urges creative entrepreneurship for economic diversification

    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.

    31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Deputy Minister urges Namibian entrepreneurs to expand regionally

    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.

    25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Deputy minister urges entrepreneurs to expand regionally via digital

    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.

    25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 23 August

  1. Education ministry launches school and hostel standards framework

    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.

    23 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Metropolitan launches campaign featuring real Namibian client stories

    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.

    20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 14 August

  1. Creative Industry Institute shifts focus to economic opportunity

    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.

    14 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Witbooi Legacy Project launches in Gibeon to preserve heritage

    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.

    11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Dino Ballotti — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute