Frans Enkali

Also known as: Spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority Frans Enkali

Ondonga Traditional Authority spokesperson who commented on alignment between Namibia's new no-fault divorce law and customary practices regarding marriage dissolution.

2023-05-312026-09-20

What’s been said

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

January 2026
8 JanNew Era
Acting CEO Frans Enkali emphasised that all outdoor advertisements must be regulated in accordance with the council's advertising policy
Source
“In a media statement issued on Tuesday, acting CEO Frans Enkali emphasised that all outdoor advertisements within the council's jurisdiction must be regulated in accordance with the council's advertising policy.”
Tsumeb warns against illegal outdoor advertising … issues Valentine’s Day deadline
June 2024
27 JunThe Namibian
Frans Enkali said he was not informed of sponsorship of the outfit
Source
“Speaking on behalf of the Ondonga traditional king, spokesperson Frans Enkali said he was not aware of the sponsorship.”
NTB defends buying top brass N$60 000 outfits for carnival
May 2023
31 MayThe Namibian
Frans Enkali is Spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority
Source
“Spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority Frans Enkali speaks to Desert Radio on the recent supreme court decision recognising same sex marriages consummated outside the country.”
Spokesperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority Frans Enkali

Society

Namibia reports 11 489 mental health admissions in 2024/25

The News

The Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 11 489 people admitted for mental health treatment during the 2024/25 financial year, with 91 544 total mental health cases and 123 deaths. Chief health programme officer Magdalena Didalelwa attributed the burden to stigma, discrimination, family distress, and social ills, and called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration in schools to improve early identification and support.

20 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

Namibia reports 11 489 mental health admissions in 2024/25
The Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 11 489 people admitted for mental health treatment during the 2024/25 financial year, with 91 544 total mental health cases and 123 deaths. Chief health programme officer Magdalena Didalelwa attributed the burden to stigma, discrimination, family distress, and social ills, and called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration in schools to improve early identification and support.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 July

Tsumeb municipality appeals labour ruling for former firefighter
Tsumeb Municipality is challenging a Labour Commissioner's ruling that ordered it to reinstate a former firefighter assistant and pay him N$108 000 in outstanding wages. The arbitrator found the dismissal procedurally unfair and ordered reinstatement from 1 May 2026 and payment by 28 May, but the municipality has not complied and plans to appeal to the High Court.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 30 June

Church and traditional leaders oppose candle vigils as foreign practice
Church and traditional leaders in Namibia have rejected the growing practice of candle-lighting vigils to honour the deceased, arguing that the practice is foreign and has no basis in biblical teaching or customary law, with concerns raised that adopting such practices could erode Namibia's identity.
30 June 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 16 June

Tsumeb councillor denies N$80,000 bribery allegation
Tsumeb councillor Sem Nghuulikwa has denied soliciting N$80,000 from a tenderer in exchange for an N$800,000 housing contract, calling a leaked WhatsApp screenshot "AI-generated" and a politically motivated smear campaign. The alleged chat, posted by businessman Nico Kaiyamo, appears to show Nghuulikwa offering 10 houses and requesting a sum to share with town engineer Pedro Manuel.
16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 15 June

Tsumeb CEO appointment approved but not yet formally commenced
The Minister of urban and rural development approved Calista Schwartz-Gowases's appointment as Tsumeb municipality CEO effective 1 June 2026, but she has not yet received a formal letter of appointment and has not commenced work. The appointment faced internal council dispute over procedural irregularities, with some councillors raising concerns about deviation from the interview panel's recommendation.
15 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 14 June

Cultural norms and apartheid legacy force men to suffer silently
Traditional leaders say cultural norms, historical injustices, and societal expectations have contributed to many men remaining silent about abuse and emotional distress, citing apartheid-era labour systems that separated fathers from families and left boys without male role models.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

Traditional leaders say new no-fault divorce law aligns with customary practices
Traditional leaders have responded to Namibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024, which replaced the fault-based divorce system with a no-fault regime based on irretrievable breakdown and came into operation on 3 June. Ondonga Traditional Authority spokesperson Frans Enkali says customary authorities traditionally did not focus on blame in marriage endings and already distinguished between jointly acquired assets and inherited property, practices that align with the law's aims to move away from adversarial proceedings.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 4 June

Traditional Authorities Act permits community removal of chiefs
The Traditional Authorities Act allows community members to remove chiefs or heads from office if there is sufficient reason and the process follows customary law. This contradicts a recent statement by the minister of urban and rural development that chiefs can only be removed through royal family processes.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

Namibian communities shift from punishment to support for unwed pregnancies
A new Oshiwambo-language book explores how Aawambo and other communities have moved away from historical harsh penalties for out-of-wedlock pregnancies toward restorative approaches shaped by Christianity, legal systems, and evolving social norms. Church leaders and traditional authority representatives now advocate for compassion, education, and practical support rather than stigma, while acknowledging that traditional practices once required harsh discipline but have evolved to consider individual circumstances.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 February

Cremation debate divides Namibian religious and cultural leaders
Cremation proposals in Namibia have sparked sharp disagreement between those who see it as a practical and affordable alternative to rising funeral costs and those—including religious and traditional leaders—who reject it as culturally foreign and contrary to their beliefs. An undertaker acknowledged that widespread cremation would threaten the burial services industry, while some residents support it as a way to reduce funeral expenses and inequality.
13 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 21 January

Traditional leaders serve rural areas from Windhoek despite legal residency rules
Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 January

Tsumeb sets February deadline for illegal advertising removal
Tsumeb Municipality is urging all businesses, institutions, organisations and individuals to remove illegally displayed advertisements on council land or public spaces by 14 February 2026, warning that non-compliant signage will be removed without liability.
8 January 2026 · New Era →