Hidipo Hamata

Also known as: Hidopo Hamata

Former Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian who resigned from the party in May 2026 and is calling for new Anti-Corruption Commission leadership.

2023-04-192026-10-06

What’s been said

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

September 2026
6 SeptThe Namibian
Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata says money for guest house should be redirected to establishing hospitals
Source
“Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata says the money the government is spending on the presidential guest house should be redirected towards establishing hospitals.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah backer gets Oshakati guest house job
June 2026
23 JunThe Namibian
Hidipo Hamata proposes amending the NYC Act of 2009 to allow chairperson position to be openly advertised
Source
“Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata proposes amending the NYC Act of 2009 to allow the chairperson position to be openly advertised, enabling qualified young people to apply through a transparent process.”
Calls grow to scrap NYC endorsements
23 JunNew Era
Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata condemned the violent activities from the NYC gathering
Source
“Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata equally condemned the violent activities that ensued from the NYC's gathering, saying it is high time for the NYC's Act to be amended to allow for the chairperson position to be openly advertised and not voted on.”
‘NYC no shortcut to political stardom’ … PM enters youth council fray
May 2026
19 MayNew Era
Hidipo Hamata is not joining the ruling Swapo party
Source
“Otniel Hembapu Edward Mumbuu Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata is not joining the ruling Swapo party, at least not now.”
I’m not joining Swapo – Hamata … ex-MP quits PDM
19 MayNew Era
Hidipo Hamata announced his departure from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM)
Source
“Hamata revealed this in an interview with this publication, shortly after announcing his departure from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the country's former official opposition party.”
I’m not joining Swapo – Hamata … ex-MP quits PDM
18 MayWindhoek Observer
Hidipo Hamata has formally resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement
Source
“Hidipo Hamata, a longstanding member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), has formally resigned from the party effective today.”
Hamata resigns from PDM
18 MayThe Namibian
Hidipo Hamata has resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement
Source
“Former parliamentarian Hidipo Hamata has resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement.”
Hamata dumps PDM, rules out joining another party
18 MayThe Namibian
Hidipo Hamata served as a National Assembly member from 2020 to 2025
Source
“He served as a National Assembly member from 2020 to 2025 and was also the party's youth leader.”
Hamata dumps PDM, rules out joining another party
March 2026
20 MarNew Era
Hidipo Hamata is a former member of parliament and social commentator
Source
“Former member of parliament and social commentator Hidipo Hamata said Namibia's continued peace and democratic stability remain among the country's greatest achievements as the nation marks 36 years of independence.”
Independence through a villager’s lenses …Namibians wax lyrical about freedom
February 2026
13 FebNew Era
Hidipo Hamata is writing from Omafo in Helao Nafidi
Source
“*Hidipo Hamata is writing from Omafo in Helao Nafidi.”
Opinion – Namibia’s health insurance demands justice, transparency, trust

Politics

Six ex-MPs sue for N$9.4m in lost salaries after 2020 exclusion

The News

Six former Members of Parliament have sued the Popular Democratic Movement, National Assembly and Electoral Commission of Namibia, claiming N$1.5 million each in lost salaries, allowances and other benefits after they were allegedly unlawfully excluded from Parliament in 2020. The group, known as PDM6, argues they were duly nominated and elected to the National Assembly but were subsequently removed.

11 September 2026 · New Era →

Friday 11 September

Six ex-MPs sue for N$9.4m in lost salaries after 2020 exclusion
Six former Members of Parliament have sued the Popular Democratic Movement, National Assembly and Electoral Commission of Namibia, claiming N$1.5 million each in lost salaries, allowances and other benefits after they were allegedly unlawfully excluded from Parliament in 2020. The group, known as PDM6, argues they were duly nominated and elected to the National Assembly but were subsequently removed.
11 September 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 6 September

Political donor awarded Oshakati guest house contract
A businessman who campaigned for President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been awarded a contract for the first phase of a presidential guest house renovation at Oshakati. The Presidency confirmed that Emirates Trading CC, led by Josua Haimbodi, will undertake the work, though details of costs remain undisclosed and procurement is still ongoing.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

Youth leaders call for NYC to end candidate endorsements
Youth leaders and political commentators are calling for the National Youth Council to abandon candidate endorsements, following violence at a general assembly in Swakopmund that led to postponement of elections and resignation of the electoral committee.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
PM warns NYC not a shortcut to political stardom
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has cautioned that the National Youth Council should not be used as a stepping stone to political stardom, but instead serve as a platform for youth empowerment and nation-building. His warning follows a chaotic elective assembly over the weekend that descended into violence, injuring nine delegates and forcing the ministry to halt proceedings indefinitely.
23 June 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 3 June

ACC director-general tenure ending, calls for new leadership
With Anti-Corruption Commission Director-General Paulus Noa's tenure ending this month after leading the agency since its 2006 inception, voices including former parliament member Hidipo Hamata are calling for new leadership and endorsing candidates like legal practitioner Norman Tjombe. Affirmative Repositioning MP Job Amupanda confirmed his party is engaging government to ensure the ACC director-general and deputy director-general positions are advertised before their June/July expiry.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 19 May

Former PDM MP Hamata denies plans to join Swapo
Hidipo Hamata, who recently quit the Popular Democratic Movement, has clarified he is not joining the ruling Swapo party and may take time to reflect and pursue other work instead.
19 May 2026 · New Era →

Monday 18 May

Hidipo Hamata resigns from Popular Democratic Movement
Hidipo Hamata, a longstanding PDM member, has formally resigned from the party effective immediately, describing the decision as personal after careful reflection. He ruled out immediately joining another party or forming a new political entity, saying Namibia already has many political parties.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former PDM parliamentarian Hamata resigns, rules out new party
Former National Assembly member Hidipo Hamata has resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement, saying he will not join another political party. He indicated he prefers to explore opportunities beyond politics and described leaving one party as not automatically meaning joining another.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

Namibians reflect on 36 years of independence, hard-won freedoms
As Namibia marks 36 years of independence, citizens including academics and community voices are urging the country not to take its hard-won freedom and democratic stability for granted, while highlighting ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment, healthcare gaps, and water scarcity in rural areas that require urgent government attention.
20 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 March

Namibia must address unresolved land question through national dialogue
An op-ed argues that Namibia's post-independence policy of national reconciliation, while avoiding violence, was never meant to end conversation about justice and land dispossession. The author contends that unresolved historical grievances—exemplified by a 4 March parliamentary incident—risk weakening democracy unless confronted honestly, citing scholarship on how democracies decline when internal tensions remain unaddressed.
6 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 13 February

Health insurers failing Namibians through unfair claim denials
According to an opinion piece, Namibian health insurance policies fail policyholders when claims are rejected on technical grounds that were never clearly disclosed, disproportionately affecting women's medical procedures and leaving families in financial hardship. The author calls for Parliament and regulators to strengthen consumer protections, require plain-language policy explanations, and establish binding dispute mechanisms that align with constitutional values of fairness and dignity.
13 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 7 February

Law students could ease Namibia's pre-trial detention crisis
Namibia's justice system faces a constitutional crisis with pre-trial detentions at 185 per 100,000 citizens—far above Africa's 33.7 average—and nearly 43% of Windhoek detentions deemed unnecessary. An opinion piece proposes deploying supervised law students and recent graduates to assist with bail applications and early court matters, drawing on existing legal-aid provisions and clinical legal education models from South Africa and elsewhere.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 30 January

Opinion: National focus needed on marriage and family stability
A former MP and bishop argue that rising divorce rates in Namibia—including 111 cases listed on one court day—demand national reflection and stronger support systems. They call for marriage preparation as a cultural norm, investment in counselling and family education, and renewed emphasis on understanding marriage as a life-long commitment rooted in emotional maturity and mutual respect.
30 January 2026 · New Era →

Friday 23 January

Grade 11 exit policy lacks clarity, leaves learners stranded
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's Grade 11 exit policy, while well-intentioned, has created uncertainty because multiple educational pathways are not adequately aligned—universities, funding, and vocational institutions lack coordination, leaving learners with certificates but no clear destinations. The author calls for urgent action including a 90-day government initiative, a national education alignment summit, transitional protections for affected learners, and clear public communication on available pathways.
23 January 2026 · New Era →

Friday 16 January

Opinion: Double-shift schooling proposed to cut class sizes
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should introduce a double-shift school system (07:00–13:00 and 13:30–19:00) with class sizes capped at 35 learners to address overcrowding, maximise existing infrastructure, create employment for graduate teachers, and fulfil constitutional education rights. The author contends this reform is rational, economically sound, and internationally practised, and would particularly benefit disadvantaged students while reducing off-school risks for youth.
16 January 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 11 January

Free tertiary education must include dropout returnees
An opinion piece argues that while Namibia's new free tertiary education policy is welcome, it should extend to students who dropped out due to financial hardship and those seeking postgraduate qualifications, noting that 42% of youth aged 15–24 are not in employment, education, or training.
11 January 2026 · The Namibian →