Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Jemima Beukes

Also known as: journalist Jemima Beukes

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

2025-03-072026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026

  2. The 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
  3. March 2026

  4. The 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

  5. The 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
  6. February 2026

  7. The 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

  8. The 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

  9. New 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

  10. The 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

  11. New 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

  12. The 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

  13. The Namibian

    Journalist Jemima Beukes was removed from State House on Monday

    Source

    “The Presidency has defended the removal of journalist Jemima Beukes from State House on Monday, citing protocol violations, while a media union has condemned the incident as state-sponsored intimidation.”

    Presidency defends journalist Beukes' removal from State House
Society

New union leader pledges to defend Namibian media workers' rights

The News

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.

Why it matters

New union leader pledges to defend Namibian media workers' rights against long-standing exploitation in the industry.

26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. 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 →

  5. 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

  1. 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 →

Jemima Beukes — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute