Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Erastus Haitengela

Also known as: Mbumba Erastus Haitengela · Executive director Erastus Haitengela

2024-06-142026-09-06
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. New Era

    Erastus Haitengela said the pathway has not even been considered yet

    Source

    “The pathway has not even been considered yet, the ministry's executive director, Erastus Haitengela, said in a statement dated on Friday.”

    No PhDs for Grade 9s – Ministry

  3. New Era

    Erastus Haitengela said Grade 9 learners are first required to acquire foundational skills through community skills development centres

    Source

    “Furthermore, Haitengela said that grade 9 learners are first required to acquire foundational skills through community skills development centres such as COSDEC, KAYEC, and Youth Skills Training Centres, including Berg Aukas, Frans Dimbare, Okahao Youth Centre, and Kai //Ganaxab.”

    No PhDs for Grade 9s – Ministry

  4. Informanté

    Executive Director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela said the Ministry remains committed to safeguarding learners' right to education

    Source

    “"The Ministry remains committed to safeguarding learners' right to education and ensuring that no learner is disadvantaged due to administrative non-compliance," Executive Director Mbumba Erastus Haitengela said.”

    Ministry assures parents on free learning materials

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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
  8. November 2024

  9. 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
  10. June 2024

  11. 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
Politics

Swapo youth league seeks one-year delay for education points system

The News

The Swapo Party Youth League has welcomed the Ministry of Education's new standardised admission point scale for higher education but wants its implementation delayed by a year from 2027 to allow pupils, teachers and schools more time to adjust. The system will calculate admission points using a pupil's best five subjects with English compulsory and applies to multiple qualifications including Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate and International Baccalaureate.

23 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 23 August

  1. Swapo youth league seeks one-year delay for education points system

    The Swapo Party Youth League has welcomed the Ministry of Education's new standardised admission point scale for higher education but wants its implementation delayed by a year from 2027 to allow pupils, teachers and schools more time to adjust. The system will calculate admission points using a pupil's best five subjects with English compulsory and applies to multiple qualifications including Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate and International Baccalaureate.

    23 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Rural pupils account for 66% of teen pregnancies

    Pupils from rural areas make up about 66% of teenage pregnancies in Namibia, and rural young mothers are significantly less likely to return to school than their urban peers, according to a Ministry of Education report. Pupil pregnancy rates declined from 1.97% in 2022 to 1.34% in 2024, while the proportion of pupil mothers returning to school rose to 53.9% in 2024.

    19 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 14 August

  1. Flood-prone Muzii school to receive N$269m infrastructure upgrade

    The Central Procurement Board of Namibia has signed a N$268.7 million contract with Art Construction CC to transform Muzii Combined School in the Zambezi Region through embankment elevation and ground raising, aimed at protecting the school from recurring floods and improving learning conditions.

    14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Flood-affected Zambezi school elevation project costs N$268.7m

    The Central Procurement Board says it will cost N$268.7 million to elevate the grounds of the flood-affected Muzii Combined School in the Zambezi region over three years. The contract was awarded to Art Construction CC and will include elevated platforms, embankment protection, hostel blocks, and other school infrastructure to improve resilience and safety.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 30 July

  1. Caterer sues government over N$540m school hostel food tender

    Private caterer Pamo Trading Enterprises is challenging a N$540-million hostel food tender awarded to the Namibia Training Authority for supplying food to 239 government school hostels accommodating 77,281 pupils nationwide. The company filed an application at the Windhoek High Court on 20 July seeking to have the award set aside and any procurement contracts declared null and void.

    30 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Government launches implementation of National Work-Integrated Learning Policy

    Namibia has begun implementing its National Work-Integrated Learning Policy to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace skills, aiming to improve graduate employability. The implementation phase was launched during a two-day national working session in Okahandja, bringing together education institutions, employers, and state agencies to establish coordination mechanisms and monitoring systems for 2026/27.

    29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Education ministry exempted NTA from competitive bidding for hostel food

    The education ministry sought an exemption from finance to appoint the Namibia Training Authority to supply food to government school hostels outside open competitive bidding, citing the need to reduce litigation risks and ensure food security after prolonged court cases. The interim arrangement is budgeted at just over N$90 million per month for six months pending resolution of a Supreme Court case.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 12 July

  1. Cocoma school hostel blocks complete, await ablution facilities

    Beki-Kumata fishing company has completed two hostel blocks at Cocoma Primary School in Kavango East but says they cannot be occupied until the Ministry of Education completes ablution facilities. The company allocated N$350,000 towards the hostel construction.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Ministry warns public against unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged Namibians to avoid enrolling in unregistered or unaccredited higher education institutions, warning that their qualifications are not recognised for employment or further studies. The ministry stressed that all institutions must be registered with the National Council for Higher Education or the Namibia Training Authority, and all programmes must be accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

    2 July 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 25 June

  1. Ministry urges public to report unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged the public to report higher education institutions operating without registration or accreditation, warning that qualifications from unregistered and unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by employers or other learning institutions. The ministry advises prospective students to verify a college or university's registration with the NCHE or NTA before enrolling and to check that their course is accredited with the NQA before making payments.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. NSFAF rejects funding for medical students' overseas study

    More than 200 Namibian students accepted into medical and health-related programmes abroad had their NSFAF funding applications rejected on grounds that these fields do not appear on the agency's priority list. An affected student said the policy shift was not formally communicated beforehand and contradicts the historical treatment of medical fields as priority.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Education directors call for optional school admission fee

    Education directors have called for the N$10 school admission application fee to be made optional, warning that some parents may struggle to afford it despite the Ministry of Education permitting schools to charge up to N$10 to cover administrative costs.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Arts council chief targets doubling creative sector GDP share

    Newly appointed National Arts Council of Namibia chairperson Lot Ndamanomhata aims to increase the creative sector's contribution to GDP from 1.5% to 3% under the sixth National Development Plan, citing improvements in the industry's coordination and citing 327 local film productions between 2022 and 2024 that generated an average of N$122.5 million in spending and created over 2,400 jobs. He acknowledged that policy, infrastructure, and financial deficits continue to constrain the sector, with funding remaining the most pressing challenge as most creative projects are self-financed.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

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