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Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Elijah Ngurare

Also known as: Prime minister Ngurare · Prime minister Elijah Ngurare · Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Dr Elijah Ngurare · Dr. Elijah Ngurare · Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare · Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Dr Ngurare · Dr. Ngurare · Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare · Prime Minister Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · Elijah T. Ngurare · Elijiah Ngurare · prime minister of Namibia · Rt.-Hon.-Prime-Minister-H.E.-Dr-Elijah-Ngurare · PM Eliah Ngurare · Premier · Right Honourable Dr. Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare · the Prime Minister

Prime Minister of Namibia who has prioritized economic liberation, youth empowerment, and government accountability since July 2026.

2023-04-212026-07-23

What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026
  2. New Era

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare disclosed government offices employed 111,535 employees by end of 2024

    Source

    This was disclosed by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare on Monday, while addressing staff of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

    Civil servants hit 119 000 …wage bill at N$36b
  3. New Era

    Ngurare demanded that increased workforce translate into improved service delivery

    Source

    Ngurare was cognisant of the expanded public service workforce but demanded that the increased workforce should translate into improved and accelerated service delivery to Namibians.

    Civil servants hit 119 000 …wage bill at N$36b
  4. The Namibian

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced at a staff meeting public service workforce increased to 118,936 employees as at 31 December

    Source

    This follows prime minister Elijah Ngurare on Monday at a staff meeting announcing that the public service workforce has increased to 118 936 employees as at 31 December.

    Govt's bloated wage bill spent on ‘unproductive' workers
  5. The Namibian

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare rejected the claim and said the matter was misrepresented

    Source

    In response, prime minister Elijah Ngurare rejected the claim and said the matter was misrepresented.

    Amupanda accuses president of drinking during working hours
  6. The Namibian

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says absenteeism and slow execution of capital projects by public servants will not be tolerated

    Source

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare says absenteeism and slow execution of capital projects by public servants will not be tolerated.

    Ngurare warns staff against absenteeism, slow capital project execution
  7. The Namibian

    Ngurare spoke at a staff meeting of the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday

    Source

    He was speaking at a staff meeting of the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday.

    Ngurare warns staff against absenteeism, slow capital project execution
  8. The Namibian

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare said governance, coordination and national leadership remain central to building resilience

    Source

    Prime minister Elijah Ngurare at the event said Namibia faces significant challenges but stresses that governance, coordination and national leadership remain central to building resilience.

    Drought costing Namibia billions annually
  9. New Era

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called for science-based approaches, increased investment in research and innovation, and integration of resilience education

    Source

    During his keynote address, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called for science-based approaches, increased investment in research and innovation, and the integration of resilience education across all levels of learning, from primary to tertiary education.

    Stakeholders  discuss disaster   mitigation
  10. New Era

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says the dream of free education is a step closer after decades of struggle

    Source

    Rudolf Gaiseb Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says the dream of free education is a step closer after decades of struggle.

    Free education closer now – Ngurare
  11. Informanté

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare urged schools to refrain from suspending students and adopt approaches focused on rehabilitation and guidance

    Source

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has urged schools across the nation to refrain from suspending students for misbehaviour and, instead, adopt approaches focused on rehabilitation and guidance.

    Ngurare urges schools to focus on rehabilitation, not student suspensions
Politics

Africa must move beyond political independence to economic freedom

The News

Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, speaking after the UN Alliance of Civilizations Summit in Angola, called for Africa to achieve economic liberation so that the continent's resources create jobs and opportunities for its people, particularly youth. He stressed that lasting peace is the foundation for economic growth and that young Africans must lead efforts to transform the continent's economies.

22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Yesterday

  1. Africa must move beyond political independence to economic freedom

    Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare, speaking after the UN Alliance of Civilizations Summit in Angola, called for Africa to achieve economic liberation so that the continent's resources create jobs and opportunities for its people, particularly youth. He stressed that lasting peace is the foundation for economic growth and that young Africans must lead efforts to transform the continent's economies.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 21 July

  1. PM Ngurare revives 'Question Time' TV programme for public engagement

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced plans to revive 'The Prime Minister's Question Time', a television call-in programme that allows citizens to question the prime minister directly on government policies and service delivery. He also announced a new platform for social media and community activists to periodically meet with the prime minister to discuss governance issues.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. PM Ngurare highlights reconciliation, youth empowerment from UNAOC Summit

    Prime Minister Ngurare represented President Nandi-Ndaitwah at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Summit in Angola, emphasizing reconciliation, youth empowerment, and economic cooperation as key outcomes. Ngurare cited examples of religious leaders who overcame past violence to become peace advocates, arguing that African countries must prioritize unity to enable development.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia lags on sanitation target within Sustainable Development Goals

    Namibia is falling behind on the sixth Sustainable Development Goal, which aims to ensure access to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, about 40% of households lack adequate sanitation, with the situation worse in marginalised communities where nearly seven out of every ten households do not have a toilet.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Enrolled nurses seek upgrade from grade 10 salary scale

    Enrolled nurses have submitted to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare a request for salary scale promotion from grade 10, arguing their qualifications, responsibilities, and workplace risks are not reflected in their current pay, particularly compared to other civil servants with similar training.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 18 July

  1. PM reiterates call for lifting US embargo on Cuba

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has reiterated Namibia's call for the lifting of the United States embargo on Cuba, stating the Cuban people deserve to live in peace, harmony and with human dignity. He also reaffirmed Namibia's support for the self-determination of Palestinian and Western Saharan peoples.

    18 July 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 16 July

  1. NSFAF to clear student funding backlog by month-end

    Students awaiting NSFAF funding are expected to receive outstanding allowances by the end of July, after Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare conducted an oversight visit. Eligible continuing students will receive back-pay covering April to July, amounting to N$9 600 per student, with priority given to non-tuition allowances.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Oshakati market traders cite N$3 toilet fee as driver of open defecation

    Vendors at Oshakati open market say a N$3 toilet fee is pushing people to relieve themselves in the open behind a sand embankment, with traders arguing that many customers and workers cannot afford to pay each time they need to use the facilities.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 14 July

  1. MPs warn ACC leadership must ensure impartial corruption investigations

    Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.

    14 July 2026 · New Era

Monday 13 July

  1. Parliament approves Eiseb as ACC director general

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah nominated Bryan Eiseb as the new Anti-Corruption Commission director general following a prime ministerial motion; Parliament approved without objection. During the Assembly debate, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa urged Eiseb to lead the institution "like a wolf and not a donkey," warning against allowing the ACC to be weaponised for political or tribal agendas and stressing the need for independent operation.

    13 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 2 July

  1. PM urges public institutions to employ TVET graduates

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has urged public institutions to use TVET graduates for minor maintenance work, saying it will address unemployment, harness local skills, and keep public funds within the economy. He also called for stronger synergy between executive directors and political heads to improve governance and service delivery.

    2 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. N$3 million investment revitalizes Farm Nuwehoop agricultural project

    The Swakop Uranium Foundation invested N$3 million to rehabilitate Farm Nuwehoop in Omaheke Region, upgrading infrastructure with boreholes, water tanks, livestock facilities, and greenhouses to improve food security for vulnerable populations while generating income through surplus sales.

    2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. PM Ngurare demands better implementation and accountability in government

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told executive directors to end poor implementation, weak accountability, and wasteful spending, warning that government success will be measured by ability to implement policies and improve people's lives, not by the number of policies produced. He expressed concern over abandoned capital projects across the country and urged alignment of procurement plans with seven priority areas: agriculture, water infrastructure, housing, education, healthcare, energy, and economic development.

    2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 1 July

  1. Task force review of SOE salaries risks failure without implementation

    Former finance minister Calle Schlettwein has warned that a new 11-member task force appointed to review state-owned enterprise salaries over three months will fail without strict implementation and broader structural reforms. He cited previous attempts that failed because SOEs regraded themselves to higher categories and a commission recommendation that was approved but never implemented.

    1 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. PM dismisses salary delay claims as technical matter

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has apologised to Kunene Region public servants over delayed salary payments and rejected claims by PDM leader McHenry Venaani that the delay was politically motivated. Venaani alleged that the Minister of Urban and Rural Development had stopped regional employees' salaries over a dispute with the former Chief Regional Officer, questioning the legal basis for withholding public servants' pay.

    1 July 2026 · Informanté

  3. PM urges councils to prioritise youth-owned business tenders

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on local authorities and regional councils to adopt deliberate policies that create opportunities for youth-owned businesses, including awarding government tenders to young entrepreneurs. He stated that youth empowerment should go beyond rhetoric and cited the formalisation of informal settlements in Oshakati as an example of how local authorities can support young entrepreneurs.

    1 July 2026 · New Era

  4. NIPAM launches PM's Charity Foundation implementation with workshops

    The Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management has officially begun implementing the Prime Minister's Charity Foundation, which raised N$4.2 million through a gala dinner and is supporting local authorities through strategic planning and capacity-building initiatives. Seven selected local authorities and village councils are participating in a five-day Strategic Plan Development Workshop to develop plans that strengthen governance and improve service delivery.

    1 July 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 30 June

  1. PDM leader accuses Swapo of delaying Kunene council salaries

    PDM leader McHenry Venaani accused Swapo of political retaliation over delayed salary payments to 94 employees of the Kunene Regional Council, including four councillors, whose June salaries were blocked following intervention by the urban and rural development minister. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare denied deliberate withholding and attributed the delays to administrative and technical issues.

    30 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 29 June

  1. Communal land custodianship debate reignites in Namibia

    Recent remarks by Rural and Urban Development Minister James Sankwasa reminding traditional leaders that communal land is state property and that chiefs are custodians rather than owners have revived discussion about land governance and economic development in Namibia. The article examines the historical colonial origins of the communal land system and the balance between customary authority and national constitutional principles.

    29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  2. Minister reiterates communal land is state property, not chiefs'

    Rural and urban development minister James Sankwasa told traditional leaders at a coronation ceremony that communal land across Namibia remains state property and chiefs are only custodians on behalf of the government. Sankwasa stressed that communal land cannot be sold and must be managed within established legal procedures, warning against illegal transactions.

    29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Diescho chairs new public enterprises review task force

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has appointed an 11-member task force chaired by Professor Joseph Diescho to review Namibia's public enterprises, with focus on salary structures, board remuneration, and executive recruitment over three months from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

    29 June 2026 · Namibian Sun

Saturday 27 June

  1. PM appoints 11-member task force to review public enterprise salaries

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has appointed an 11-member task force, including former Namibian editor Tangeni Amupadhi, to review salary structures at public enterprises and recommend new pay structures for board members and committees. The task force, chaired by Joseph Diescho, will operate from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

    27 June 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 26 June

  1. Kunene Regional Council salaries unpaid due to minister suspension

    Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.

    26 June 2026 · New Era

  2. MP Eigub demands action on government contractor payment delays

    Landless People's Movement MP Dawid Eigub has called on Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare to address persistent delays in government payments to contractors and service providers, noting that some contractors have waited more than six months for payment and that the situation is threatening businesses and driving up public project costs.

    26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 25 June

  1. Parliamentarian seeks grain storage plans ahead of bumper harvest

    Affirmative Repositioning MP Vaino Hangula is asking the government to explain its plans to procure and store locally produced maize, citing projections that white maize production will exceed 100,000 tonnes this year following good rainfall. He also raised concerns about poor-quality imported rice distributed through government aid programmes and reports of spoilage at the Namibia Correctional Service farm at Divundu due to inadequate storage facilities.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Bryan Eiseb nominated to lead Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Bryan Eiseb, currently head of the Financial Intelligence Centre, to lead the Anti-Corruption Commission, with Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare tabling a motion in the National Assembly for parliamentary approval. Eiseb, 55, would succeed Paulus Noa, whose term as director general ends this month.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian

  3. SUNAM desalination project launched with government and Chinese backing

    Dr. Benonia Rafael delivered a vote of thanks at the launch of the ERONGO SUNAM Desalination project, commending the Prime Minister and other government officials for their support. The project involves Chinese partners and is positioned as part of Namibia's water security and infrastructure-led growth priorities.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 24 June

  1. PM Ngurare says government has capacity to address Angolan child begging

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare responded to opposition criticism about unhoused Angolan children visible at traffic lights across Namibia, stating the government has capacity to resolve the issue and noting that bilateral discussions are underway with the Angolan government.

    24 June 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Eiseb nominated as next Anti-Corruption Commission director

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Financial Intelligence Centre director Bryan Eiseb as the new director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, to succeed Paulus Noa whose term ends this month. If approved by parliament, Eiseb will serve a five-year term.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. PM seeks parliamentary approval for ACC director general appointment

    Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare has given notice that he will ask the National Assembly to approve the presidential appointment of Bryan Eiseb as Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission for a five-year term, and the one-year extension of Advocate Erna van der Merwe's tenure. Eiseb currently serves as Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre at the Bank of Namibia.

    23 June 2026 · Informanté

Elijah Ngurare — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute