Tuesday, 6 October 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Tuesday, 6 October 2026

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Namibian press · Person

Iipumbu Shiimi

Also known as: erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi · Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi · Shiiimi · finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi · former minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimi

Chairperson of Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning, overseeing government project implementation and accountability.

2020-04-232026-10-06

What’s been said

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

February 2023
7 FebThe Namibian
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi warned against abusing government policies to benefit briefcase companies.
Source
“Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi this week warned against abusing government policies to benefit briefcase companies.”
Business with one employee wins N$141m medical tenders
October 2022
26 OctThe Namibian
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi revealed Namcor generated N$3.3 billion from facility since January
Source
“This was recently revealed by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, who was responding to parliament questions regarding the spending of N$5,8 billion to construct the facility.”
Namcor targets 100% use of N$5,8b oil storage facility
3 OctThe Namibian
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi said during his budget statement this would adversely impact allocations to key programmes in furthering Namibia's national development objectives
Source
“Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi during his budget statement clearly said this would adversely impact allocations to key programmes in furthering Namibia's national development objectives.”
The Fatal Error of Over-Borrowing
3 OctThe Namibian
Shiimi advised Namibians to continue with concerted efforts to live within their means and stem the pace of debt accumulation
Source
“In light of this, Shiimi advised Namibians to continue with concerted efforts to live within their means and stem the pace of debt accumulation.”
The Fatal Error of Over-Borrowing
October 2021
17 OctThe Namibian
Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi said Namibia was marketed as favourable film-making destination during visit to America
Source
“It was marketed as such during a visit to America, said finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi at a recent State House briefing.”
Lionsgate Eyes Namibia
17 OctThe Namibian
Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi met with Lionsgate Entertainment to discuss shooting movies in Namibia
Source
“We had a meeting facilitated through congress members and we met Lions Gate Entertainment, a film, motion picture and studio platform which is a big competitor of Netflix.”
Lionsgate Eyes Namibia
February 2021
12 FebThe Namibian
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi announced taxpayers have spent N$8,4 billion over the past 10 years to rescue Air Namibia
Source
“Last week, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi announced taxpayers have spent N$8,4 billion over the past 10 years to rescue the airline from unmitigated bankruptcy.”
Air Namibia: It's Now or Never
April 2020
23 AprThe Namibian
Iipumbu Shiimi rejected new Mercedes-Benz and travel allowances as Bank governor
Source
“Shiimi rejected a new Mercedes-Benz and claiming travel allowances when he was governor of the Bank of Namibia, an indication of his belief in backing words with actions, a former colleague says.”
Shiimi’s road to treasury

Society

Parliamentary committee finds informal traders lacking sanitation infrastructure

The News

A parliamentary standing committee report finds that informal traders in Okahandja, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop lack basic sanitation, secure storage and adequate trading space, with some forced to pay for toilet access or resort to using bushes. The committee conducted visits between October 2025 and January 2026 and documented significant water, sanitation and ablution challenges across all four towns.

21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

Parliamentary committee finds informal traders lacking sanitation infrastructure
A parliamentary standing committee report finds that informal traders in Okahandja, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop lack basic sanitation, secure storage and adequate trading space, with some forced to pay for toilet access or resort to using bushes. The committee conducted visits between October 2025 and January 2026 and documented significant water, sanitation and ablution challenges across all four towns.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 18 August

Workers change shifts to evade debt collectors at workplaces
A public servant told a parliamentary committee that workers struggling to repay loans are allegedly reporting for duty as early as 03h00 to avoid being confronted by unregistered lenders at their workplaces, with the pressure of indebtedness affecting their normal functioning.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
MPs investigate cash loans' impact on Namibians
A National Assembly committee held public hearings in Oshakati to examine whether existing laws protect Namibians from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. Lawmakers expressed concern that mushrooming cash loans have pushed many into financial distress, with some suicides linked to high debt levels.
18 August 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 5 August

Magistrates seek to overturn government pay and transfer decisions
The Magistrates' and Judges' Association of Namibia has asked the High Court to declare parts of the Magistrates Act unconstitutional, arguing that executive provisions give ministers controlling power over magistrate transfers, discipline, remuneration and conditions of service, contrary to the Constitution. The application challenges two government decisions on magistrate grading and benefits, including linking housing and transport allowances to public service salary grades, which the association says were made without proper consultation and violate judicial independence.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

Stadium consultant fee far exceeds government budget
A consultant hired to advise on renovating Windhoek's Independence Stadium is set to earn about N$337 million – more than three times the government's budgeted amount – through a 17.5% fee on the estimated N$2 billion project cost, which industry experts say is unusually high.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

Microlenders deny responsibility for Namibia's debt crisis
The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 22 June

Parliamentary committee examines lending practices amid debt crisis
Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy and Industry held a public hearing to investigate whether existing laws adequately protect borrowers from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. Committee leaders said household debt is a serious concern among civil servants, some of whom take home very low net pay due to multiple loan deductions from their salaries.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 16 June

Parliamentary committee probes predatory lending to civil servants
A parliamentary standing committee on economics has heard that low salaries, predatory microlenders, and gaps in the law are driving public servants into crippling debt cycles, with some earning as low as N$3,000 a month while facing exorbitant interest rates. The committee is investigating whether existing laws adequately protect Namibians against lending institutions and reviewing the deduction payroll system that allows loan repayments to be taken directly from civil servants' salaries.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 15 June

Parliament examines household debt crisis among civil servants
A parliamentary standing committee has launched public hearings on whether existing laws adequately protect citizens from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders, prompted by rising indebtedness among households, particularly civil servants. The inquiry focuses on payday loans, which account for 82% of new loans issued by microlenders, and the payroll deduction system used in the public service, which may encourage excessive borrowing despite Labour Act provisions limiting total deductions to one-third of remuneration.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 14 June

Economist says high house prices, not loan terms, block affordability
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu argues the government should reduce house prices rather than target mortgage repayment periods, which typically range from 20 to 30 years. He says longer loan terms make expensive houses affordable for first-time buyers and borrowers can pay off mortgages early if they choose.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 2 May

Namibia completes repayment of N$3.9 billion IMF emergency loan
Namibia has fully repaid its N$3.9-billion emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund, with the final payment made on 15 April, closing the Rapid Financing Instrument facility approved in April 2021. The loan was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to stabilise the economy, support vaccine procurement and rollout, and address fiscal pressures from declining export revenues and external account strain.
2 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

New deputy minister posts draw criticism over budget costs
Political analysts have criticised president Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment of seven deputy ministers, saying the move will cost the government nearly N$1.7 million annually and reverses earlier cost-saving pledges. Critics including analyst Henning Melber argue the appointments signal inadequate planning and a centralisation of power, while raising concerns about the appointees' ability to effectively balance parliamentary, executive, and regional council duties.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests
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.
25 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 March

Oshikoto governor denies political bias in Independence Day speaker selection
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

Oshikoto Independence Day speakers defended as national, not partisan
Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

TransNamib suspends two executives over property contract irregularities
TransNamib has suspended executives Webster Gonzo (human capital) and Alynsia Platt (properties) following an internal investigation into property contracts allegedly concluded without proper procurement procedures while Gonzo was acting CEO. The suspensions stem from findings in a 2022 Ernst and Young forensic audit that identified numerous irregularities in TransNamib's property management, including inadequate oversight, manipulated lease agreements, and N$700 000 in performance bonuses paid to executives while the company recorded monthly losses.
16 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 February

Parliamentary committee flags slow project execution in ||Kharas region
A parliamentary standing committee has identified poor execution and delays in government-funded projects across the ||Kharas region, with committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi calling for officials to take project implementation more seriously and improve accountability to parliament.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

Parliament's economy committee inspects regional projects
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning completed an oversight visit to the //Kharas region to monitor capital projects including airport infrastructure, hospital renovations, and the railway line. Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to track government investments to ensure effective use of public funds and tangible benefits to citizens, though some concerns were raised about slow implementation and official absenteeism.
2 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 →