Jemima Beukes

Also known as: journalist Jemima Beukes

Journalist removed from State House in April 2026 after questioning President Nandi-Ndaitwah about her family's alleged oil industry interests.

2025-03-072026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Jemima Beukes

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

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

September 2026
17 SeptWindhoek Observer
Jemima Beukes said that labour and editorial violations at The Namibian were not new developments
Source
“NAMPU Secretary General Jemima Beukes told the Windhoek Observer that the labour and editorial violations at The Namibian were not new developments and that attempts by the union to engage the publication in good faith were turned down on numerous occasions.”
Tjombe warns The Namibian risks losing its identity amid labour, editorial concerns
May 2026
23 MayThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes retained her position as secretary general
Source
“The newly elected officials are Shelleygan Petersen who was elected president, Gordon Joseph as vice president, Jemima Beukes who retained her position as secretary general and Charmaine Ngatjiheue who was elected to serve as deputy secretary general.”
Media union elects new leadership
March 2026
9 MarThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes said leadership of women journalists is overshadowed by men
Source
“In a statement released on International Women's Day, union secretary general Jemima Beukes said the leadership of women journalists in newsrooms is overshadowed by men, despite the growing number of women entering the field.”
Women journalists must lead, not just assist – Nampu
9 MarThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes called on media houses to strengthen protections against online abuse
Source
“Beukes called on media houses to strengthen protections against online abuse without bias, saying journalists are not assistants in the profession, but talented storytellers, experienced editors, investigators and competent leaders.”
Women journalists must lead, not just assist – Nampu
February 2026
7 FebThe Namibian
Journalist Jemima Beukes was reportedly harassed by the president's security detail for asking an impromptu question
Source
“She was responding to media reports and an incident involving independent journalist Jemima Beukes reportedly being harassed by the president's security detail for asking an impromptu question at the wrong time.”
Oil is Slippery, Dear President
7 FebThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes reported that security officers grabbed her by the elbow and followed her for at least a kilometre on public roads
Source
“Beukes afterwards said security officers grabbed her by the elbow, forcing her out of the building while she was interviewing a minister.”
Oil is Slippery, Dear President
4 FebNew Era
Jemima Beukes was removed from State House after questioning purported ties the First Family has to oil and gas sector
Source
“The Head of State was responding to an recent incident in which journalist and founder of The Whistle, an online media outlet, Jemima Beukes, was removed from State House after questioning the purported ties the First Family has to the oil and gas sector.”
NNN dismisses family oil ties
4 FebThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes was escorted outside by security guards after pressing the president on her family's alleged interests in the oil industry
Source
“This follows an incident at State House yesterday, where The Whistle Namibia founder and reporter Jemima Beukes was escorted outside by security guards after pressing the president on her family's alleged interests in the oil industry.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah family oil interest allegations spark transparency row and State House media scuffle
3 FebNew Era
Jemima Beukes was removed from State House by security officials
Source
“The President's security officials then intervened, escorting Beukes out of State House.”
Journalist’s State House removal causes stir
3 FebThe Namibian
Jemima Beukes questioned the president about concerns that the president's family is allegedly making moves to control the oil industry
Source
“The allegations surfaced after journalist Jemima Beukes questioned the president after the opening of the Cabinet meeting.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah denies allegations of family involvement in oil industry

Society

Human rights lawyer warns Namibian newspaper risks losing identity

The News

Norman Tjombe, a human rights lawyer and former director of the Free Press of Namibia, warned that The Namibian newspaper risks losing its character and values amid allegations of union-busting and concerns over editorial independence, including claims that journalists were required to resign from their union to qualify for promotion and directives against reporting unfavourably on large businesses for fear of losing advertising revenue.

17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 17 September

Human rights lawyer warns Namibian newspaper risks losing identity
Norman Tjombe, a human rights lawyer and former director of the Free Press of Namibia, warned that The Namibian newspaper risks losing its character and values amid allegations of union-busting and concerns over editorial independence, including claims that journalists were required to resign from their union to qualify for promotion and directives against reporting unfavourably on large businesses for fear of losing advertising revenue.
17 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 26 May

New union leader pledges to defend Namibian media workers' rights
The newly elected president of Namibia Media Professionals Union, Shelleygan Petersen, has pledged to defend media workers' rights and ensure employers comply with labour laws, citing long-standing exploitation in the industry. The union plans to establish branches across the country and organize its first congress.
26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 23 May

Namibia Media Professionals Union elects new leadership team
The Namibia Media Professionals Union elected new leadership following a general meeting in Windhoek, with Shelleygan Petersen chosen as president. Petersen said the union will fight to protect journalists' rights and ensure media houses adhere to labour laws.
23 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 9 March

Women journalists deserve newsroom leadership, not support roles
The Namibia Media Professionals Union has called on media organisations to promote women into leadership positions in newsrooms, noting that despite growing numbers of women in journalism, decision-making roles remain male-dominated. The union cited research showing women journalists face job stagnation, salary discrepancies, and barriers to advancement, and called for media houses to protect journalists against online abuse.
9 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

Opposition leader alleges presidential family controls petroleum value chain
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 February

Editorial: President's direct control of oil sector raises governance concerns
The Namibian editorial accepts President Nandi-Ndaitwah's denial that her children have interests in the oil and gas sector, but argues her decision to control the upstream oil business herself contradicts her stated belief in separation of powers and risks creating conditions for nepotism and cronyism. The editorial also criticizes the incident in which security officers reportedly intimidated journalist Jemima Beukes for asking an impromptu question about the president's family oil interests, contending that such conduct undermines press freedom despite the president's claims to be "a friend of the media."
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

President dismisses family oil sector ties, demands retraction
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has categorically denied that her relatives have interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector and demanded a public retraction and apology or credible evidence from those making the allegations, particularly after journalist Jemima Beukes was removed from State House for questioning such purported ties.
4 February 2026 · New Era →
President removes journalist from State House for unauthorized question
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah forcefully removed journalist Jemima Beukes from State House after she posed an unauthorized question about her family's alleged interest in the oil industry. The incident has drawn criticism from media watchdogs, opposition parties, and journalists' unions, who say it violates press freedom and constitutional values.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President's family oil interests spark transparency calls, journalist escorted out
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.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 February

Journalist removed from State House during Cabinet opening
Journalist Jemima Beukes was escorted out of State House after persistently questioning President Nandi-Ndaitwah about family involvement in the oil industry, despite the President indicating the time was inappropriate and directing her to submit questions through official channels. The Presidency cited security protocols and professional conduct standards, while the Namibia Media Professionals' Union and opposition parties condemned the removal as intimidation and an erosion of press freedom.
3 February 2026 · New Era →
President denies family stake in Namibia oil and gas
President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah categorically denies that she or her family members have any stake or interest in the Namibian oil and gas sector, and calls on journalists to retract allegations published in The Namibian or provide credible evidence to support them.
3 February 2026 · Informanté →
President denies family involvement in Namibian oil industry
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has categorically denied allegations that her family has interests in the oil and gas sector, and has demanded a retraction and public apology from The Namibian newspaper or credible evidence to support the claims. She stated that like any Namibian citizens, her children have the right to participate in the economy within the confines of the law.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Presidency defends removal of journalist from State House event
The Presidency defended its removal of journalist Jemima Beukes from State House, citing protocol violations after she posed a question to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah about concerns regarding her family and the oil industry. Namibia Media Professionals Union condemned the incident as state-sponsored intimidation, citing attempts to intimidate the journalist and noting the Presidency has not regularly hosted briefings for nearly a year.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Journalist ejected from State House after pressing president
Journalist Jemima Beukes was escorted out of State House on Monday after asking President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah a question about concerns that her family is moving into controlling the oil industry, despite the president declining to take questions. Beukes says she was manhandled, had a colleague's phone confiscated that was recording the incident, and was threatened with arrest.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 28 January

Minister Sankwasa criticised for xenophobic remarks against journalist
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa faced backlash after making xenophobic comments about journalist Tracy Tafirenyika, who is Zimbabwean-born, following her article reporting that he owed NamWater N$174,000 in bills. Media bodies, civil society, and opposition politicians condemned Sankwasa's remarks as discriminatory attacks on a journalist doing her job, with calls for him to retract and apologise.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →