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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.