Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Event

Environmental Management Act

Society

Walvis Bay dumpsite becomes informal settlement amid health risks

The News

A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.

9 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Walvis Bay dumpsite becomes informal settlement amid health risks

    A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Windhoek plans over 11,000 erven to formalise informal settlements

    The City of Windhoek plans to formalise informal settlements by creating approximately 11,226 erven, with 3,587 in the first phase. The city is fast-tracking land-use planning, completing environmental assessments, and launching an electrification project to expand basic services in informal areas within one to two months.

    14 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 →

Thursday 19 February

  1. Namibia opens first fully compliant hazardous waste facility

    The Namwaste Management Facility near Arandis has begun operations as Namibia's first fully compliant general and hazardous waste management site, serving the industrial, mining and emerging oil and gas sectors. The N$200 million facility, covering 177 hectares, will collect a minimum of 60,000 tonnes of waste annually and create approximately 40 permanent jobs.

    19 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Revised Environmental Act expands ecosystem protection measures

    Namibia's amended Environmental Management Act will extend legal protections to ecosystems like natural springs and habitats previously unprotected, and set standards for noise, smell, water and air quality. The ministry is consulting on proposed sand and gravel mining regulations and has flagged unprecedented illegal sand mining as a major environmental concern, attributing it to weak management, corruption, and insufficient enforcement.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 January

  1. Environment ministry calls for end to illegal sand and gravel mining

    Environment Minister Indileni Daniel has urged an end to illegal sand and gravel mining across Namibia, noting that such activities lack required Environmental Clearance Certificates and pose serious risks including land degradation, riverbank erosion, and threats to water and food security. The ministry plans regional stakeholder engagements on new Sand and Gravel Mining Regulations to balance development with environmental protection.

    19 January 2026 · New Era →

Namibia Minute