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August 2026
Windhoek Observer
Independent Patriots for Changehas a shadow minister of environment, forestry and tourism whointensified opposition to the proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project
Source
“The IPC shadow minister of environment, forestry and tourism Rodrick Likando has intensified opposition to the proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, warning that Namibia could repeat the environmental and economic consequences experienced in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru if large-scale phosphate mining proceeds without independent oversight.”
Independent Patriots for Change leader Imms Nashingesaid the state should recognisecontributions of Namibians building the country 36 years after independence
Source
“Official opposition (Independent Patriots for Change) leader Imms Nashinge and National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato say the state should recognise the contributions of Namibians who continue to build the country 36 years after independence.”
Independent Patriots for Changehas condemnedthe brutal killing of a five-year-old child at Oshifo village in Omusati region
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has condemned the brutal killing of a five-year-old child at Oshifo village in the Ruacana constituency, Omusati region, calling for swift and uncompromising justice against those responsible for violence against children.”
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)says it is againstthe Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says it is against the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project due to environmental, social and public health concerns.”
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)has questionedhow government intends to deliver on president's promise to create 500,000 jobs
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has questioned how the government intends to deliver on president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's promise to create 500 000 jobs, saying jobs cannot be created through speeches, agreements and diplomatic ceremonies alone.”
The partyhas raised concerns overrail infrastructure and TransNamib's train movements
Source
“The party has also raised concerns over rail infrastructure, saying TransNamib's last recorded train movement between Ondangwa and Oshikango was on 12 July 2024, despite the railway reportedly being usable and maintained.”
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)has challengedgovernment to demonstrate how it intends to translate economic diplomacy initiatives into 500,000 jobs
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has challenged the government to demonstrate how it intends to translate its economic diplomacy initiatives, trade agreements and infrastructure investments into the 500 000 jobs promised by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.”
IPCsaid it would judgemajor economic diplomacy announcements by their contribution to real economic outcomes
Source
“The IPC said it would judge major economic diplomacy announcements by their contribution to real economic outcomes rather than the number of ceremonies or diplomatic engagements held.”
Independent Patriots for Change councillorssigned letter tominister James Sankwasa raising concerns over CEO's foreign trips
Source
“The letter, seen by The Namibian and signed by Independent Patriots for Change councillors Werner-Meck Tjihuiko, Jesaya Ikali and former mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja, claims that the councillors often learn about the CEO's trips through "social media".”
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentariansaiddisruptions to air transport could have significant effect on Namibia's economy
Source
“The effect on Namibia's economy of disruptions like this could be significant, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) parliamentarian Rodney Cloete said yesterday.”
Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mulunga has called for Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to be removed from her post, citing alleged failure to apply rules fairly.
Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mulunga has called for Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to be removed from her post, citing alleged failure to apply rules fairly.
The Independent Patriots for Change has tabled a motion to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, with opposition parties backing the bid, alleging she is ruling parliament with an "iron fist" and bias, and has repeatedly exercised powers that belong to parliament itself and failed to follow parliamentary procedures.
NEFF deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu has called on National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to voluntarily step aside for one month, citing recent parliamentary disorder and concerns about her impartiality toward opposition MPs. The call follows an IPC motion seeking the Speaker's removal and consecutive days of disorder in the chamber.
The Independent Patriots for Change tabled a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling for the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion triggered disorder in the chamber, and the Speaker questioned her procedural ability to rule on a matter directly concerning her own position.
IPC member Michael Mulunga filed a motion to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office, citing failures in her duty to act fairly and impartially and apply parliamentary rules. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila deferred ruling on whether the motion can be tabled, noting that Mulunga could not appeal to remove the same person he was appealing to.
The Independent Patriots for Change filed a motion in the National Assembly on Wednesday seeking the removal of speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, citing her failure to uphold the rules fairly and impartially and citing two incidents this year in which parliamentary proceedings were disrupted.
The Independent Patriots for Change tabled the first-ever motion in Namibian parliamentary history seeking a vote of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, citing her failure to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has rejected a leaked document circulating about Namibia Air's engagement with Ethiopian Airlines, stating it is not official or authorised and does not reflect any concluded agreement. The Ministry said discussions with Ethiopian Airlines and other stakeholders remain ongoing as Government assesses viable models for operationalising the proposed national airline.
The ministry of works and transport has distanced itself from a leaked document about proposed engagements between Namibia and Ethiopian Airlines over establishing a new national carrier, saying it does not recognise the document as an official or accurate reflection of its positions. The ministry confirmed discussions with Ethiopian Airlines are continuing alongside consultations with local aviation operators and other stakeholders.
Ethiopian Airlines has indicated that management control would be a condition for any equity partnership with Namibia's planned national airline, Namibia Air. The revelation raises concerns over aviation sovereignty and the financial viability of the carrier, which the government aims to launch in December 2026.
Namibia's government has rejected a US proposal for health data and specimen-sharing worth over N$145 million per year for HIV and tuberculosis programmes, citing sovereignty and privacy violations. The US withdrew the biological specimen component in November 2025, though data-sharing negotiations continue.
The City of Windhoek has withdrawn all land applications from its council agenda following opposition over president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's private land purchase request for municipal land at Auasblick. Opposition councillors questioned why the president's application was treated differently from other private applications and kept from public discussion.
IPC shadow minister Rodrick Likando has warned that Namibia could repeat the environmental and economic consequences experienced in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru if the proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project proceeds without independent oversight, citing phosphate mining's documented impacts on communities and ecosystems in those countries.
Opposition leaders say Namibia should expand its national honours criteria to recognise contributions of ordinary citizens and diverse leaders beyond those from the liberation struggle, 36 years after independence.
Namibia and the US are negotiating new health sector funding to determine the future of HIV financing in the country, with negotiations intensifying since US President Donald Trump's return to power and the dismantling of USAID. The talks are contentious over data-sharing provisions, with recipient countries concerned that deals tie health aid to data access and critical minerals, though a US government source claims negotiations do not include sharing of personally identifiable data.
The Independent Patriots for Change has condemned the murder of a five-year-old child in Oshifo village, Ruacana constituency, allegedly by the child's father, calling for swift justice and stronger protections against domestic violence and child abuse in Namibia.
The Independent Patriots for Change opposes the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, which received environmental clearance on 5 August, citing environmental, social and public health concerns and pointing to negative outcomes from phosphate mining in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru.
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned how the government will deliver on its promise to create 500,000 jobs, arguing that jobs require business expansion, factory processing, market access for farmers, and operating investments — not speeches and ceremonies alone. The party highlighted concerns including only nine certificates of origin issued under the African Continental Free Trade Area and rail infrastructure failures, citing TransNamib's last recorded train movement in July 2024.
The Independent Patriots for Change has challenged the government to explain how its economic diplomacy, trade agreements and infrastructure investments will deliver 500,000 jobs promised by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, arguing that jobs require increased business activity and production rather than speeches and memoranda of understanding.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy defended its three-month fuel supply deal with Vitol, stating the jet fuel shortage affecting the country since last week results from a failed quality inspection of a Puma-Vivo fuel shipment, not the government arrangement which covers only petrol and diesel.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's constitutional framework treats opposition parties as inferior and enables majority rule to suppress truth and facts in parliamentary and cabinet decisions, calling for amendment of Articles 32 and 35 to establish a consensus-based system of governance.
Windhoek city councillors have raised concerns over CEO Moses Matyayi's foreign trips, including an alleged N$300 000 spent on a trip to Harvard University, and are calling for removal of council resolutions that allow him to travel internationally without prior council approval. Matyayi has rejected the allegations as "speculative and unsupported by evidence" and calls the complaints a "clandestine witch-hunt."
A consignment of Jet A-1 aviation fuel that arrived at Walvis Bay failed routine testing, creating shortages at Windhoek airport. Passenger flights to Europe, including Discover Airlines services to Frankfurt and Munich, now require refueling stops in Luanda, Angola, under an emergency fuel supply arrangement with Vitol.
Namibia's Independent Patriots for Change has congratulated Zambia's re-elected president Hakainde Hichilema while urging full transparency in election management and raising concerns over ballot secrecy and incomplete reconciliation at polling stations.
Rundu residents and leaders have opposed a proposed N$100 300 trip for mayor Andreas Jikerwa to attend the 15th Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona from 3 to 5 November, arguing the funds should address the town's challenges instead. The Rundu chief executive said the submission remains under consideration by the management committee and full council before final approval is sought from the line minister.
The Swapo Party Youth League wants the Cabinet to oversee environmental clearance decisions, arguing that ministers must supervise decisions within their ministries. Critics including former Cabinet minister Helmut Angula warn that Cabinet involvement could politicise the process and that administrators should remain responsible for ECC applications.
The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.
The IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has raised governance and legal concerns over the government's establishment of the Public Assets Management Agency (Pama) as a profit-oriented entity before dedicated legislation governing public assets has been enacted. He argues that state properties should not be handed to a commercially driven entity without full parliamentary scrutiny and explicit legislative boundaries, and warns that interim board appointments could undermine corporate governance and be subject to political control.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly objects to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's approval of an environmental clearance certificate for Namibian Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper project to mine for fertilisers in the Atlantic Ocean, saying Namibia should not be used for an ocean experiment. The president held a meeting with senior government officials this week to express concerns about the decision made without apparent consultation on a matter of massive public interest.
Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi, an IPC member and National Assembly staff member, issued a public apology to High Court acting judge Gladice Pickering for defamatory and unverified statements about Pickering's conduct as executive director at the Ministry of Justice. Ya Shiindi retracted her allegations that Pickering had used her position for personal gain and selected her husband's company for ministry works.