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Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 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

Dino Ballotti — Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture; advocates for entrepreneurship and regional economic expansion.

2024-08-142026-09-06
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What’s been said

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

  1. March 2026

  2. New Era

    Dino Ballotti attended the Omaheke Career Fair as deputy education minister

    Source

    “Wantenaar also commended the entire team for upholding professionalism, coordination and excellence in execution. "Together, we are shaping futures. Our political leadership in Omaheke is commendable and inspiring," she said, and appreciated the support from the region's governor, Pijoo Nganate, and the presence of deputy education minister Dino Ballotti at the event.”

    Omaheke career fair hailed a success

  3. New Era

    Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti announced launch of construction of 28 constituency sports facilities across 14 regions

    Source

    “The announcement was made in a media statement issued by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, who said the initiative fulfils commitments made in the SWAPO Party manifesto to strengthen sport infrastructure and expand opportunities for communities across the country.”

    Government launches construction of 28 constituency sports facilities

  4. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti announced construction of new sport infrastructure has officially commenced in three regions

    Source

    “Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti announced this in a statement on Friday, noting that other regions are expected to follow in the coming weeks.”

    Construction of new sport facilities begins in Oshana, Kunene and Kavango East
  5. February 2026

  6. The Namibian

    Deputy minister Dino Ballotti has pledged to personally visit schools across the country to ensure accountability and support

    Source

    “Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti has pledged to personally visit schools across the country to ensure and strengthen accountability and meaningful support for teachers.”

    Ballotti vows to make unannounced visits to schools countrywide

  7. The Namibian

    Ballotti said his visits will be unannounced and not ceremonial

    Source

    “Ballotti said his visits will be unannounced and would not be ceremonial, but aimed at adding value within schools and among teachers.”

    Ballotti vows to make unannounced visits to schools countrywide

  8. New Era

    Dino Ballotti gave ideas about what youth should become as businesspeople

    Source

    “The deputy minister gave us ideas about what we should become as businesspeople.”

    Youth inspired to turn creativity into careers

  9. The Namibian

    Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti said the platform was established to respond to persistent systemic challenges within Namibia's entrepreneurial landscape

    Source

    “Speaking at the launch last week, deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti said the platform was established to respond to persistent systemic challenges within Namibia's entrepreneurial landscape.”

    Platform launched to boost SME growth

  10. New Era

    Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti said the new coordinated platform will help address systemic challenges entrepreneurs face

    Source

    “Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti said entrepreneurs often face systemic challenges not because they lack talent or ambition, but because of fragmented support structures.”

    ScaleUp Namibia office opens to grow start-ups

  11. New Era

    Dino Ballotti said the government will start to 'name and shame' local authorities demanding compensation for school land

    Source

    “Dino Ballotti, said the government will start to 'name and shame' local authorities that are demanding compensation for land intended to build schools.”

    Gov slams local authorities over school land fees

  12. New Era

    Dino Ballotti said the government is still in a bind negotiating with some local authorities for land to build public schools

    Source

    “Speaking in parliament recently, Ballotti said the government is still in a bind, negotiating with some local authorities for land to build public schools.”

    Gov slams local authorities over school land fees
Business

Deputy minister urges Namibian entrepreneurs to pursue regional markets

The News

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 →

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 →

Monday 10 August

  1. Unemployment and societal pressure drive rising anxiety among male graduates

    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.

    10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 7 August

  1. Deputy sports minister praises Team Namibia's Commonwealth Games showing

    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.

    7 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Three Namibian boxers win medals at Glasgow Commonwealth 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.

    7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Team Namibia returns from Glasgow with three boxing medals

    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.

    6 August 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Whoos Nextt Festival returns to Windhoek on August 8

    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.

    5 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 July

  1. NTA allocates N$1.05m to strengthen pre-vocational education

    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.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 12 July

  1. NTA invests N$1.05 million in seven secondary schools' pre-vocational education

    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.

    12 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 10 July

  1. NTA invests N$1.1 million in seven secondary schools

    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.

    10 July 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Keetmanshoop to host Namibia's 2026 International Youth Day

    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.

    7 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Grave of Okahandja murder victim desecrated with burned snake

    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.

    30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 22 June

  1. Violence at National Youth Council election forces postponement

    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.

    22 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. National Youth Council assembly postponed after violent clashes

    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.

    22 June 2026 · New Era →

  3. Minister Ballotti addresses school admissions process for 2027

    Minister of Education Dino Ballotti delivered a ministerial statement to the National Assembly on learner admissions to schools for the 2027 academic year.

    22 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

  1. Violence erupts at National Youth Council assembly in Swakopmund

    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.

    21 June 2026 · Informanté →

  2. National Youth Council assembly postponed after Saturday violence

    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.

    21 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

  1. Top Score National Elite Championships launched for schools

    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.

    19 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Government injects N$247 million to clear student funding backlog

    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.

    10 June 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Deputy minister apologises for dismissive remarks on student protest

    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.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Inaugural NamFitness Expo and Conference comes to Windhoek

    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.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. VP calls for stronger support of vocational education

    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.

    21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Namibia, Botswana review sports partnership progress

    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.

    7 May 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 23 April

  1. Namibian ministers meet IOC president in Switzerland

    Sport minister Sanet Steenkamp and deputy minister Dino Ballotti met International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry in Lausanne to discuss strengthening Namibia's sport infrastructure, athlete empowerment, and Olympic collaboration with the Namibia National Olympic Committee.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Dino Ballotti — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute