Thursday, 23 July 2026

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

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Namibian press · Organization

Independent Patriots for Change

Also known as: IPC

Namibian opposition political party with 267 mentions in coverage; reported N$1.8 million deficit in 2025/26 financial year.

2021-08-192026-07-23

What’s been said

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

March 2026
3 MarThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of international relations Rodney Cloete called for de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of international relations Rodney Cloete has called for de-escalation and diplomacy in the Middle East, following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran.”
IPC calls for de-escalation, diplomacy in Iran war
2 MarThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change opposes petroleum amendment bill in its entirety
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change opposes the petroleum amendment bill in its entirety.”
Panduleni Itula at Windhoek Media Briefing on Petroleum Amendment Bill
2 MarThe Namibian
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) raised alarm over the condition of Namibia's railway infrastructure after Rovos Rail derailment
Source
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has raised alarm over the condition of Namibia's railway infrastructure after a luxury Rovos Rail passenger train derailed near Keetmanshoop on Sunday.”
IPC raises concerns about railway infrastructure after Rovos train derailment
1 MarThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mwashindage describes the N$100 old-age grant increase as unacceptable
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mwashindage describes the increase as unacceptable and a drop in the ocean.”
Namibia tables N$104 billion budget with focus on operations over development
1 MarThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) named Tradeport Namibia as company used by first family to control oil sector
Source
“It entered the spotlight this week when Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula named it as one of the companies used by the first family to control the oil sector.”
Nekundi tells Namport not to take business from company belonging to president’s son
February 2026
26 FebThe Namibian
IPC leader Panduleni Itula publicly linked Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons to the oil sector
Source
“Itula yesterday publicly linked Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons to the oil sector through their private business interests.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sons reject IPC claims of oil industry involvement
25 FebThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula alleged that the president's sons are involved in the oil and gas sector
Source
“This is contained in a statement released on Tuesday evening by the Presidency in response to allegations made by Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula at a press briefing in Windhoek.”
President challenges Itula to prove her oil involvement
25 FebInformanté
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has president Dr. Panduleni Itula
Source
“The Presidency has taken note of the media statement issued by Dr. Panduleni Itula, President of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and Leader of the Official Opposition in the Republic of Namibia, containing allegations relating to purported business interests connected to Namibia's petroleum sector.”
Ndaitwah demands proof NOW!
24 FebThe Namibian
IPC leader Imms Nashinge rejected temporary government vehicle, citing disrespect and procurement delays
Source
“Official opposition leader Imms Nashinge has rejected a temporary government vehicle for his use, citing disrespect and procurement delays as he awaits a new fleet alongside other officials.”
Used Govt car disrespects the masses – Nashinge
22 FebThe Namibian
The IPC will fight authoritarianism
Source
“He said the IPC will fight it because others, including those affected, are silent.”
IPC's Itula says no to authoritarians

Politics

Lutuhezi urges flexibility on social grant verification deadline

The News

The Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of gender equality has called on the gender ministry to ensure vulnerable social grant beneficiaries do not lose their income during verification, after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare set a July end-of-month deadline for verification or risk losing payments. Lutuhezi said suspension of grant payments before verification is completed will cause unnecessary hardship and asked what measures would protect beneficiaries unable to meet the deadline due to illness, disability, old age or lack of transport.

21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 July

Lutuhezi urges flexibility on social grant verification deadline
The Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of gender equality has called on the gender ministry to ensure vulnerable social grant beneficiaries do not lose their income during verification, after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare set a July end-of-month deadline for verification or risk losing payments. Lutuhezi said suspension of grant payments before verification is completed will cause unnecessary hardship and asked what measures would protect beneficiaries unable to meet the deadline due to illness, disability, old age or lack of transport.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 July

IPC urges members to focus on poverty and unemployment challenges
Independent Patriots for Change's Erongo chairperson Aloisius Kangulu called on party members to remain focused on addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality facing ordinary Namibians, rather than allowing internal differences and political speculation to distract them during the party's restructuring process.
20 July 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 19 July

IPC accuses Swapo of exploiting poverty to weaken opposition
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused Swapo of exploiting poverty and people's personal circumstances to weaken opposition parties, following the defection of former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga and others to the ruling party.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 July

IPC withdraws Keetmanshoop councillor for party directive violations
The Independent Patriots for Change has withdrawn councillor Pieter Skeyer from the Keetmanshoop Town Council, citing alleged violations of party directives. Skeyer, who served six months, said his decisions were based on personal conviction and will now focus on his role as school principal.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 July

Welfare ministry says social workers under unsustainable pressure
The welfare ministry has acknowledged mounting pressure on social workers due to staff shortages and case complexity, with Minister Emma Kantema noting that repeated exposure to severe cases involving child abuse, trafficking and family disputes leads to secondary trauma and burnout. The ministry has implemented wellness programmes, supportive supervision and debriefing sessions to support workers' mental health.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Welfare ministry reports social workers losing more than 20 annually
Namibia's welfare ministry has warned that social workers face mounting pressure and unsustainable workloads due to staff shortages and the increasing complexity of cases involving child abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and family disputes. Minister Emma Kantema told Parliament that social workers are exposed to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and occupational burnout, and the ministry has implemented wellness programmes and supportive supervision to support their mental well-being.
17 July 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 July

Namibians repatriated from South Africa eye return
Seventy-two Namibians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks say they hope to return once anti-immigrant violence subsides, as the government indicated it will assess future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis and that repatriated citizens remain free to decide where they live and work.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Ministry identifies 373 street-connected children in 2023
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare identified 373 children living and working on the streets in 2023 and plans to conduct a regional study this year to determine actual numbers and social and economic factors driving children to street life. The Khomas region recorded the highest number of street-connected children.
16 July 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 July

NFA needs government backing for 2028 Afcon co-hosting bid
Namibia's Football Association is seeking formal government commitment to pursue a regional bid to co-host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations alongside South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The NFA says its main infrastructure challenge is ensuring a CAF-compliant stadium is ready by 2028.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

Alweendo calls for implementation plan for China mining deals
Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has called on the government to publish a clear implementation plan for Namibia's nine cooperation agreements with China signed during a presidential state visit in July, saying the country must move from diplomatic agreements to concrete industrial planning with measurable economic benefits and identify priority minerals, processing stages, infrastructure gaps, and annual targets for investment and exports.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namfisa investigates financial advisory firm over N$250 million client losses
The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority is investigating Wealth Management Solutions, owned by Hanjo Schlabitz, over losses of at least N$250 million belonging to clients, mostly pensioners and families. The liquidator estimates total losses may reach N$350 million, with 87 people and two organisations claiming as creditors, after Schlabitz allegedly used money market funds to cover failed foreign exchange investments.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo's assets more than double; opposition IPC faces deficit
Ruling party Swapo ended the 2025/26 financial year with more than N$7 million in assets and a surplus of nearly N$4 million, while official opposition party IPC reported total liabilities of N$1.8 million and a deficit of N$777 217. Swapo recorded political funding income of N$107.7 million against spending of N$104.5 million; its asset base more than doubled from N$3.1 million the previous year.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
NFA's 2028 Afcon co-hosting bid needs government backing
The Namibian Football Association's hopes of co-hosting the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe depend on government formal commitment and ensuring stadiums are ready by 2028. The NFA secretary general said Namibia meets several CAF infrastructure requirements but its main challenge is having a CAF-compliant stadium available.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC dismisses resignation claims as fake news
The Independent Patriots for Change has rejected allegations from former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga that the party suffers from centralised decision-making and that some branches may boycott upcoming regional elections, with IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge dismissing his claims as "fake news." Kahingunga resigned from the IPC on 7 July and subsequently joined Swapo Party alongside former Swakopmund mayor Blasius Goraseb and 15 members of the IPC's Otjimbingwe branch.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 13 July

Parliament approves Eiseb as ACC director general
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah nominated Bryan Eiseb as the new Anti-Corruption Commission director general following a prime ministerial motion; Parliament approved without objection. During the Assembly debate, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa urged Eiseb to lead the institution "like a wolf and not a donkey," warning against allowing the ACC to be weaponised for political or tribal agendas and stressing the need for independent operation.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament approves ACC chief, warns against selective justice
The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Erongo IPC regional mobiliser resigns, joins ruling SWAPO
Rudolf Kahingunga, Erongo regional mobiliser for the Independent Patriots for Change, resigned and joined SWAPO, citing the IPC's departure from founding principles of democracy and transparency toward centralized decision-making. His departure follows that of Ohangwena regional counterpart Erastus Mwahafa a month prior.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
IPC Engela leader resigns from party post
Immanuel Heita Mweshinyona has resigned as Independent Patriots for Change vice chairperson for Engela Constituency and terminated his party membership.
13 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 10 July

Itula threatens court action over ECN commissioner appointments
Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula has threatened legal action against the president's appointment of Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioners, arguing the process is unconstitutional because the president nominated rather than appointed candidates as required under Article 94B of the Constitution. Itula also raised concerns about incomplete documentation, including missing sworn declarations on political affiliations and unclear term duration for ECN chairperson Gerson Sindano.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Government to upgrade biometric system for conduct certificates
Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu announced that the government will upgrade the Automatic Biometric Information System (ABIS) following technical failures since 2025 that disrupted the processing of certificates of conduct required for employment. The ministry has entered an agreement with a supplier for a software upgrade aimed at improving stability, modernising the platform and reducing delays.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
High Court sets aside Keetmanshoop council no-confidence vote as unlawful
The High Court declared that Keetmanshoop municipal council meetings held on 7 May and 4 June 2026, at which councillors Easter Isaak and Anneliza Knaus were removed from the management committee, violated the law, standing rules, and the Constitution. The court ruled the no-confidence motion procedurally defective and ordered that Isaak and Knaus be restored to their positions.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 9 July

IPC demands accountability for stalled TransNamib fraud referral
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of inaction on a March 2022 Ernst & Young investigation that found prima facie evidence of fraud and theft at TransNamib, after the report was referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission in March 2022 with no subsequent prosecution or recovery of funds. The party says TransNamib fell over N$23 million behind on employee contributions during the investigation period.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

Speaker's office denies fault in parliamentary question backlog
The Office of the Speaker has rejected claims that National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is responsible for a growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary questions, stating the delays lie with the executive. Of 550 National Assembly questions tabled since the eighth parliament began, 166 have been disposed of and one was withdrawn for a ministerial statement.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC challenges government lifting of Vitol fuel restrictions
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of weakening fuel-sector competition by suspending restrictions on Nasan Energies sourcing fuel from Vitol. The restrictions were imposed by the Namibian Competition Commission in April over concerns the deal would substantially lessen competition, but line minister Modestus Amutse suspended them under Section 49 of the Competition Act; IPC claims Vitol already controls between 75% and 85% of Namibia's wholesale fuel market.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 July

Namibian delegation seeks mining, agriculture partnerships in China
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah led a delegation of six ministers and more than 200 businesspeople to China to pursue partnerships in mining, agriculture, and logistics. China was Namibia's second-largest trading partner last year, with trade reaching N$40 billion.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 5 July

RFA says toll gates remain viable option for road funding
The Road Fund Administration's chief executive says toll gates could still help fund road infrastructure, despite the works and transport minister's statement that the government rejected the proposal. The RFA proposed installing between 21 and 23 toll gates that could generate between N$500 million and N$750 million annually, according to a feasibility study.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 3 July

Education ministry will investigate UNAM allegations if formal complaint submitted
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp told Parliament that the ministry has not been made aware of maladministration, corruption or recruitment irregularities at UNAM, but will investigate should a formal complaint supported by evidence be submitted. Steenkamp distinguished between interference and intervention, noting that UNAM has its own council and senate.
3 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 1 July

Task force review of SOE salaries risks failure without implementation
Former finance minister Calle Schlettwein has warned that a new 11-member task force appointed to review state-owned enterprise salaries over three months will fail without strict implementation and broader structural reforms. He cited previous attempts that failed because SOEs regraded themselves to higher categories and a commission recommendation that was approved but never implemented.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 100 Namibians seek repatriation from South Africa
More than 100 Namibians living in South Africa are voluntarily seeking repatriation to Namibia amid rising xenophobic tensions; Namibian authorities are arranging repatriation and verification processes following reports of attacks on foreign nationals.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 30 June

Defence minister rejects calls to meet protesting veterans
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi has rejected calls to visit liberation struggle veterans protesting outside Swapo Party headquarters, saying their grievances fall outside his ministerial mandate and that they raise issues beyond his responsibility.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →