Also known as: minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi · Minister Kapofi · Minister Frans Kapofi · Defence Minister Frans Kapofi · Veteran politician and defence minister Frans Kapofi · acting industries, mines and energy minister Frans Kapofi · Kafofi · Hon. Kapofi · Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister overseeing NDF modernization, security operations, and veterans welfare budgets.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
Informanté
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofilaunchedthe book Security, Resource Control and Democracy in Africa
Source
“DEFENCE and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi on Thursday launched the book, Security, Resource Control and Democracy in Africa, at the University of Namibia's School of Military Science.”
Defence Minister Frans Kapofitold1,703 new Namibian Defence Force graduates that indiscipline, drug abuse and irresponsible social media use would not be tolerated
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“Defence Minister Frans Kapofi last week told 1 703 new Namibian Defence Force graduates that indiscipline, drug abuse and irresponsible social media use would not be tolerated in t...”
Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Frans Kapofiwill officiatethe graduation ceremony
Source
“The graduation will be officiated by Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Frans Kapofi, and presided over by Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas.”
Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofisaidwars are now predominantly fought with drones and NDF is in modernisation process
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“"If you have been following current affairs, you would realise that wars are now predominantly fought with drones. As such, the NDF is in a modernisation process," said defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi in a speech delivered on his behalf by special advisor Hilma Nikanor on Thursday at a graduation ceremony.”
Frans Kapofihelda warm and constructive meeting with Namibia's German Ambassador and Chief of Defence
Source
“Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, held a warm and constructive meeting with Namibia's German Ambassador, Thorsten Hutter, and Chief of Defence, Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, where the parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding peace and stability in the region and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation in the future.”
Minister Frans Kapofiwas defrauded ofN$200,000 in 2022 by someone pretending to be Standard Bank employee
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“Minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi, who was defrauded of N$200 000 in 2022 by someone pretending to be an employee at Standard Bank, yesterday said a policy should be introduced to force banks to refund scammed clients.”
Frans Kapofidid not respond toletter about war veteran status
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“In 2024 I wrote to defence and veterans minister Frans Kapofi about my war veteran status. Up until now, I haven't received a response from that ministry.”
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi launched the book "Security, Resource Control and Democracy in Africa" at the University of Namibia's School of Military Science. The scholarly publication, which emerged from an international conference in November 2023, aims to contribute to discussions on governance, security and sustainable development across the continent.
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi launched the book "Security, Resource Control and Democracy in Africa" at the University of Namibia's School of Military Science. The scholarly publication, which emerged from an international conference in November 2023, aims to contribute to discussions on governance, security and sustainable development across the continent.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the opening of the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Ohangwena that development must not come at the expense of cultural identity. She noted the festival boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, and informal trade, and announced the government will focus on improving existing agricultural schemes rather than establishing new ones.
The Namibian Defence Force will on 21 May 2026 graduate its 18th Intake at Osona Military Base after 12 months of training, with recruits taking the oath of allegiance and being formally commissioned as soldiers. The ceremony will be officiated by the Defence Minister and presided over by the Chief of Defence Force.
The Ministry of Defence says the Namibian Defence Force is modernising operations to include drone warfare and technology-driven military systems, as militaries worldwide increasingly rely on drones and cyber-based operations. Defence Minister Frans Kapofi said Namibia needs technologically skilled recruits adaptable to intelligence-based warfare, following the graduation of 1,703 recruits at Osona Military Base.
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi denied reports that the Namibian Defence Force has assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying the military could step in only if required. The denial comes after an alleged security breach at State House on Thursday, when an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended, though details of how he gained access and whether he was arrested remain unclear.
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi held a meeting with Namibia's German Ambassador Thorsten Hutter and Chief of Defence Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, where the parties reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Namibian commercial banks have no policies to refund defrauded clients, even as the Bank of Namibia reports losses of over N$6 million monthly to fraud. Banks claim liability rests with customers who authorize transactions under deception, while victims say they have been denied compensation; international regulators in the UK and EU are moving to mandate refunds to fraud victims.
An opinion piece argues that appointing an information commissioner at N$1.4 million annually is unnecessary bureaucracy, asserting existing government institutions and online resources already provide public information. The author contends that inefficiency in government responsiveness, not lack of access, is the real problem Namibia should address.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spent N$2.5 million on funeral assistance for 363 veterans in 2025/2026, with minister Frans Kapofi reporting that 94% of the department's N$1.5 billion allocation went toward veterans' welfare and preserving liberation struggle history. For 2026/2027, the ministry is requesting a similar N$1.5 billion budget, primarily for monthly grants benefiting nearly 24,000 veterans.
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi presented the ministry's N$7,535,500,000 budget for 2026/27, a 0.7% increase from the previous year, aimed at improving security, defence capabilities, and socio-economic development through key focus areas including training, land operations, and offshore defence.
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi has ordered tighter spending and warned of growing non-traditional security threats including cross-border crime and cybersecurity risks, while directing the defence ministry to live within its means and prioritise efficiency. Kapofi also called for procurement reforms, stronger support for liberation war veterans, and plans to involve soldiers in agriculture to improve food security.
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi told ministry staff that Namibia's peace depends on the security cluster's daily work protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cited evolving risks including cross-border trafficking, organised crime, illegal fishing, and cybersecurity threats that require constant vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.
At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.
Namibia's 36th Independence Day celebrations across all 14 regions carried a unified message from political and community leaders to preserve the liberation legacy, strengthen unity, and address youth unemployment and economic inequality. While acknowledging democratic achievements and progress in service delivery, leaders emphasised that political independence must now be matched by economic emancipation and that youth must drive future development.
At a national Independence Day commemoration at Sam Nujoma Stadium on 21 March 2026, Frans Kapofi addressed Namibians 36 years after the country's sovereignty in 1990, honouring those who fought colonial rule and calling on citizens to contribute to national prosperity through active participation rather than passive expectation.
Minister of Defence Frans Kapofi called on Namibians to safeguard unity, strengthen democratic values, and actively contribute to national development during the country's 36th Independence Day celebrations at Sam Nujoma Stadium. He acknowledged persistent challenges including drought, unemployment, and economic constraints, emphasizing that prosperity requires collective citizen participation and warning against divisions based on ethnicity, regionalism, or political affiliation.
Minister Emma Theofelus drew criticism from consumer activists after stating that pensioners falling victim to online scams bear responsibility for protecting themselves, while activists argue the government should run awareness campaigns and opponents point to legislative gaps in data protection and cybercrime laws.
Two people, including the //Kharas Regional Council's acting chief regional officer Ralph Namiluko Sachika, have been arrested in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering involving N$3.9 million in payments to unauthorized bank accounts during construction of the //Kharas Regional Office Park.
Namibia has lost liberation fighter and former Minister Erkki Nghimtina, who died at his home in Edundja village at the age of 78. He served in multiple ministerial positions including Defence, Works and Transport, and Mines and Energy, and played a significant role in PLAN's military communications during the independence struggle.
Erkki Nghimtina, a former defence minister and liberation struggle veteran who served in the National Assembly and various cabinet roles, has died at Edundja village in Ohangwena region. Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi described him as an outstanding leader who played a key role in Namibia's independence.
The Namibia Correctional Service is reviewing its organisational structure to align with departmental strategy and improve efficiency. NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela stated the review aims to reduce bureaucracy, strengthen coordination across functions, ensure appropriate staffing capacity, and improve security and service delivery—framing it as continuous improvement rather than a fault-finding exercise.
Parliament will scrutinise the petroleum bill before passage, with MPs from multiple parties expressing concerns that it concentrates too much power in the presidency and calling for amendments before approval. The bill, to be tabled today, seeks to transfer certain powers from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the president.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah convened leaders from eight northern regions to discuss the 2026 work agenda, emphasizing collective responsibility and urging them to move away from perceptions of regional disparities. She also raised concerns about parliamentary inefficiency due to obstructions halting legislation and announced a state funeral for late liberation veteran Kanana Hishoono.
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi visited the Onambutu homestead to offer condolences to the family of Mathias Kanana Hishoono, a former SWAPO Party Elders Council secretary and political adviser to Founding President Sam Nujoma who died on 14 January at age 94, reflecting on his role in Namibia's independence struggle and service to the nation.