Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Erastus Haitengela

Also known as: Mbumba Erastus Haitengela

2024-06-142026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    Executive Director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela issued a media statement on behalf of the ministry

    Source

    “In a media statement issued by Executive Director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela on Friday, the ministry was responding to an article published in The Namibian on 09 January 2026, which suggested that Grade 9 holders could now advance through TVET to earn PhDs.”

    Education ministry dismisses claims that Grade 9 learners can earn PhDs through TVET

  3. New Era

    Erastus Haitengela warned will face serious disciplinary action any staff member caught soliciting or accepting gifts for learner placement

    Source

    “Any staff member caught at schools, circuits, or regional offices soliciting or accepting gifts, money, or favours in this regard will face serious disciplinary action.”

    Learner placement not for sale

  4. New Era

    Erastus Haitengela stated no learner may be subjected to screening tests for admission in state school

    Source

    “In addition, Haitengela said no learner may be subjected to any screening tests to be admitted in a state school.”

    Learner placement not for sale
  5. November 2024

  6. The Namibian

    Erastus Haitengela announced selection of Marley Tjitjo Architects as lead consultant

    Source

    “Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service executive director Erastus Haitengela announced the selection of Marley Tjitjo Architects in terms of the Public Procurement Act.”

    Architects selected for Independence Stadium upgrade
  7. June 2024

  8. The Namibian

    Erastus Haitengela refuted Negongo's assertion about lack of government support

    Source

    “Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Services executive director Erastus Haitengela refuted Negongo's assertion in an interview with Desert Radio on Wednesday.”

    Government denies neglecting Eagles
Society

NSFAF clearing outstanding student payments weekly from June

The News

The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is processing institutional invoices since April 2026 for tuition and non-tuition support, with advance payments already made to institutions. Non-tuition fee payments will now be processed weekly starting the second week of June 2026.

Why it matters

NSFAF clearing outstanding student payments weekly from June addresses delays affecting institutional operations and student support.

6 June 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 6 June

  1. NSFAF clearing outstanding student payments weekly from June

    The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is processing institutional invoices since April 2026 for tuition and non-tuition support, with advance payments already made to institutions. Non-tuition fee payments will now be processed weekly starting the second week of June 2026.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government orders universities to permit NSFAF-funded student exams

    The Ministry of Education has directed higher education institutions to allow NSFAF-funded students to write examinations and access results while funding payments are being finalised. The ministry is processing about 100,000 student funding records; delays stem from a high volume of applications, implementation of a new tertiary education funding model, and NSFAF integration.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 9 May

  1. Joint committee drafts revival strategy for Congo vocational institute

    A joint committee is drafting a strategy to revive the Loudima Institute for Technical and Vocational Training in the Republic of the Congo by July. The institute, which trained exiled Namibians during the liberation struggle and provided technical training in the 1980s, was suspended in 2021 due to poor living conditions and infrastructure challenges.

    9 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Education ministry backs school hostel food ban policy

    The Ministry of Education says the Basic Education Act allows individual schools to set their own rules, backing Leevi Hakusembe Secondary School's ban on pupils bringing food to hostels. The school cited low dining hall turnout and food waste, though parents have complained their children report hunger and say hostel meals are insufficient.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Advanced Subsidiary curriculum review planned as performance declines

    Five years after its rollout, Namibia's Advanced Subsidiary curriculum will undergo review as the percentage of candidates graded in at least three subjects fell to 70.30% in 2025 from a 2021 peak of 76.00%. The Ministry of Education cited performance data, monitoring visits, and examination analysis as informing potential revisions.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Government extends costly emergency school food contracts six months

    The government has cancelled a restricted bidding process for school hostel food procurement and extended costly interim emergency contracts for six months to avoid disruptions while a new tender is finalised. The extension follows legal procedures linked to the procurement process, though stakeholders raise concerns about transparency and the impact on vulnerable hostel pupils.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. Oshikoto school closed since 2018 due to low enrolment

    Oshanamutango Primary School in Olukonda constituency has remained closed since 2018 after enrolment fell below the Ministry of Education's minimum requirement of 50 learners. Community leaders have proposed repurposing the school infrastructure for a vocational training centre or police station, pending approval from regional authorities.

    27 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Ministry orders private schools to operate within approved grades

    The Ministry of Education has instructed private schools to operate only within their approved grades and programmes, following reports that Eileen Private School in Kavango East offered Grade 10 classes without authorisation. The school has been formally instructed to discontinue the grade and the ministry says it will continue monitoring to ensure compliance with the Education Act.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Ministry warns private schools IEB certificates unrecognised in Namibia

    The Ministry of Education has issued an urgent directive requiring private schools offering the IEB curriculum to register Grade 12 learners with recognised examining bodies, as the IEB International Secondary Certificate is not recognised by the Namibia Qualifications Authority and learners risk denial of university admission.

    14 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 February

  1. Education ministry prioritizes integrating disabled pupils into mainstream schools

    The education ministry is shifting focus toward inclusive education by integrating pupils with disabilities into mainstream schools rather than relying solely on special schools, citing improved access to education and proximity to family support. The move faces infrastructure and specialist training challenges, though the ministry plans feasibility studies and expanded facilities while disability advocates welcome the approach but emphasize the need for adequate support, smaller classes, and anti-bullying policies.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Education ministry paid N$27.5m for unoccupied building

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has paid an estimated N$27.5 million in rental fees over 25 months for a Windhoek office building owned by Erastus Shapumba that remains unoccupied since the lease was signed in December 2023. The Works and Transport Minister confirmed the government cannot easily terminate the contract despite ongoing construction delays and a subsequent ministry merger in March 2025 that contributed to the delayed relocation.

    17 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 26 January

  1. Namibian Annual Music Awards return after six-year break

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has announced the revival of the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) this year, following a six-year pause. The ministry aims to support the local music industry, encourage emerging artists, and reinforce music's role in nation-building and cultural identity.

    26 January 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 14 January

  1. Ministry releases 2025 NSSCO and NSSCAS examination results

    The Ministry of Education announced the official release of Namibia's 2025 national senior secondary examination results (NSSCO and NSSCAS). The executive director commended learners, teachers, and parents for their efforts and encouraged all stakeholders to support learners' continued academic progress and future development.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 13 January

  1. Ministry denies Grade 9 pathway to PhDs via TVET system

    The Ministry of Education has clarified that the Cabinet has not approved a national pathway allowing Grade 9 learners to progress directly through TVET to obtain university-level and doctoral qualifications. Grade 9 learners must first complete foundational skills training at community skills development centres before being considered for TVET programmes.

    13 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. Education Ministry: government funds cover core school stationery

    The Ministry of Education has clarified that government has already provided funds to cover basic stationery items for all learners, and parents must not be forced to purchase these core materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, and erasers. Schools may discuss supplementary items beyond the government-supplied minimum in consultation with parents, but any requests for core stationery are contrary to ministry guidelines.

    13 January 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 10 January

  1. Education ministry denies Grade 9 learners can earn PhDs via TVET

    Namibia's education ministry dismissed claims that Grade 9 learners can progress through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training system to obtain doctoral degrees, describing the assertion as misleading. The ministry clarified that Cabinet has not approved any pathway allowing direct progression from Grade 9 to university-level qualifications, and that current entry to TVET requires NSSCO (Grade 11) or Grade 12 qualifications.

    10 January 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 9 January

  1. Education ministry to discipline staff taking bribes for learner placement

    The education ministry has warned that staff members who solicit or accept bribes, gifts, or money in exchange for learner placement will face serious disciplinary action, and may face criminal charges. The ministry also reaffirmed that learner admission must be transparent and based on approved procedures, with no screening tests, compulsory tuition fees, or admission fees allowed at government schools.

    9 January 2026 · New Era →

Erastus Haitengela — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute