Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Eneas Emvula

Also known as: Emvula · Dr Simon Emvula · Simon Emvula · Wilfried Emvula · former ambassador Emvula · Ambassador Wilfried Emvula · Ambassador Emvula · Wilfred Emvula

Former ambassador appointed chairperson of Namibia's National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism, serving until January 2030.

Politics

LPM demands SOEs end reliance on government bailouts

The News

The Landless People's Movement is calling for state-owned enterprises to become financially independent and end their dependence on public funds, arguing that since 1999 most SOEs have underperformed and failed to innovate. LPM leaders attribute poor performance to politically motivated appointments and said limited public resources should instead address urgent socio-economic needs.

Why it matters

LPM's demand for SOE financial independence highlights accountability crisis in state enterprises draining public resources since 1999.

11 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. LPM demands SOEs end reliance on government bailouts

    The Landless People's Movement is calling for state-owned enterprises to become financially independent and end their dependence on public funds, arguing that since 1999 most SOEs have underperformed and failed to innovate. LPM leaders attribute poor performance to politically motivated appointments and said limited public resources should instead address urgent socio-economic needs.

    11 hours ago · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia leads continental efforts addressing youth unemployment

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah commissioned a new National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism, with Namibia tasked to spearhead efforts tackling youth unemployment across Africa. The country's approach involves youth development funding, apprenticeships and education support, though Namibia itself faces a youth unemployment rate of around 44.4% according to census-based figures.

    22 hours ago · New Era →

Monday 20 April

  1. Former ambassador Emvula chairs Namibia's peer review council

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed former ambassador Wilfried Emvula as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, with ten members inaugurated for a term to January 2030. The council, established under the APRM Statute, will provide strategic oversight and ensure transparency in governance reforms aligned with Namibia's development plan and Africa's Agenda 2063.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President inaugurates third APRM council for governance oversight

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially inaugurated the Third National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, reaffirming the country's commitment to strengthening governance systems and aligning with national development priorities. The council will oversee key governance areas and lead Namibia's second-generation country review process.

    20 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. Political leaders unite at memorial for late MP James Uerikua

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and leaders from across Namibia's political spectrum paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua at a Wednesday memorial service, celebrating his legacy as a bridge-builder who commanded respect across party lines. Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April along with his 14-year-old son Venturo, was praised for his dedication to inclusive development and democratic dialogue.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 4 April

  1. MP James Uerikua dies in road accident, tributes pour in

    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.

    4 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Safety ministry to accelerate human trafficking action plan

    Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the ministry will fast-track its human trafficking action plan (2023–2027) in response to parliamentary questions about the rising issue. Between June 2024 and June 2025, six cases were recorded, with five Namibian victims repatriated from Myanmar and one from Laos, while perpetrators often target vulnerable children from rural areas.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. LPM questions green hydrogen project as political vote-winning tool

    An LPM parliamentarian has criticized the green hydrogen project as a political campaign tool rather than a genuine development plan, citing the lack of a dedicated legislative framework. The government's press secretary defended the project as part of Namibia's development vision alongside oil and gas initiatives, while the minister acknowledged no standalone green hydrogen act exists but said the sector is governed by existing environmental and energy legislation.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Woman speaks out about 15-year obstetric fistula struggle

    Hilaria Shikongo from Karibib has revealed for the first time that she has lived with obstetric fistula — a preventable childbirth injury creating a hole between the birth canal and rectum — since 2011, when she gave birth at age 16. Despite repeated trauma including surgical repair failure, she went on to have three more children and has now begun nursing studies, hoping to raise awareness so other women recognise symptoms early and seek help.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Namibian MPs push to review former presidents' retirement benefits

    Members of parliament have called for a review of benefits provided to former presidents under the 2004 Former Presidents' Pension and Other Benefits Act, citing concerns over wealth accumulation and state-funded property renovations amid high poverty levels. Lawmakers and analysts debate whether the current law reasonably balances the need to secure former heads of state's living standards against public interests.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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