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February 2026
The Namibian
Job Amupandaquestioned prime minister on whypresident was served 10 glasses of wine during diplomatic ceremony
Source
“Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda has questioned prime minister Elijah Ngurare on why president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was served 10 glasses of wine during a diplomatic ceremony held at State House on Monday.”
Job Amupandawrote thatsix Namibian youth were taken from country and trafficked to Asia, to Myanmar
Source
“Initial reports that emanated prior to the statement were a social media post by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, who on Monday wrote that six Namibian youth were taken "from our country and trafficked to Asia, to Myanmar."”
Job Amupandarevealedsix Namibian youths were taken to Asia and trafficked to Myanmar
Source
“The update comes amidst revelations by local politician Job Amupanda that six Namibian youths were taken to Asia and trafficked to Myanmar, where they are being held by the Myanmar military near Shwe Kokko Park, close to the Thailand border, an area widely known as a hub for organised crime.”
Job Amupandareceived the same treatment at the request ofcurrent speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Source
“More recently, when Affirmative Repositioning (AR) members of parliament (MPs) Job Amupanda, Tuhafeni Kalola and Vaino Hangula received the same treatment at the request of current speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, memories of the 2021 incident immediately came flooding back – but with a more serious question: Is our democracy under threat?”
The Ministry of Works and Transport launched a pilot electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, with Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi describing it as a strategic pilot project intended to inform the expansion of an EV charging network across the country. The ministry, which manages government-owned infrastructure, plans to eventually serve both government fleet vehicles and the public.
The Ministry of Works and Transport launched a pilot electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, with Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi describing it as a strategic pilot project intended to inform the expansion of an EV charging network across the country. The ministry, which manages government-owned infrastructure, plans to eventually serve both government fleet vehicles and the public.
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse denied that Vitol Bahrain's appointment as sole fuel supplier to Namibia for three months was illegal, responding to AR leader Job Amupanda's claim that the arrangement violates the Petroleum Products and Energy Act, which requires fuel importers to hold a wholesale licence and be registered in Namibia.
With Anti-Corruption Commission Director-General Paulus Noa's tenure ending this month after leading the agency since its 2006 inception, voices including former parliament member Hidipo Hamata are calling for new leadership and endorsing candidates like legal practitioner Norman Tjombe. Affirmative Repositioning MP Job Amupanda confirmed his party is engaging government to ensure the ACC director-general and deputy director-general positions are advertised before their June/July expiry.
Two senior TransNamib Holdings executives suspended in February over allegations of property mismanagement and statutory breaches returned to work on Tuesday following a directive from the works and transport minister. Their disciplinary hearing is continuing.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the constitutional authority to dismiss senior officials without necessarily giving public explanations, in response to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo. Venaani argued that leaders make key decisions based on sensitive information unavailable to the public.
The Supreme Court of Namibia ruled that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia did not meet the legal standard to claim "wasted costs" in a dispute linked to the veterinary cordon fence. The court found that the Board's claim that changes to court papers caused it to incur unnecessary legal costs did not meet the threshold for wasted costs.
The Namibian health ministry has launched an investigation into alleged fraud and theft within its pharmaceutical supply chain, including stock data manipulation and diversion of medicines. Executive director Penda Ithindi said implicated Central Medical Stores staff have been reassigned pending investigation, with criminal proceedings possible if guilt is established.
Student unions have called on the government to establish an equitable funding model after the suspension of funding to the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) amid allegations of misuse and favouritism. While some unions welcome the halt to Nanso's exclusive funding, they oppose complete removal of financial support to student bodies and instead urge the Ministry of Education to distribute budgets fairly among all three student organisations in Namibia.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and leaders from across Namibia's political spectrum paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua at a Wednesday memorial service, celebrating his legacy as a bridge-builder who commanded respect across party lines. Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April along with his 14-year-old son Venturo, was praised for his dedication to inclusive development and democratic dialogue.
Opposition and ruling party figures paid tribute to late Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua at his memorial service at Parliament Gardens in Windhoek, describing him as a skilled strategist and "people's person" whose work should be continued in his honour.
Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has suspended all elective surgical procedures after running out of critical anaesthetic agents required for general anaesthesia, with similar supply constraints affecting the Central Medical Stores. The suspension is intended to prioritize limited supplies for emergency cases, and has raised parliamentary concerns about patient safety and operational stability at public health facilities.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed concern that reportedly disappearing funds at the Government Institutions Pension Fund and losses at the Bank of Namibia "smell of corruption" and called for investigation. She emphasized that fighting corruption is a collective responsibility for all Namibians and must be treated as seriously as treason.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that Norway's government has agreed to provide technical support for developing Namibia's oil and gas sectors, citing Norway's international leadership in accountability and effective use of oil revenue. The President also defended her decision to place oil and gas supervision under the Presidency as a guard against the resource curse and urged Parliament to urgently pass the petroleum amendment bill to enable her oversight of upstream oil and gas activities.
Activist Job Amupanda has donated equipment to construct a school hall and renovate a playground at Omaalala Primary School in Oshana, and recently built classrooms and administrative blocks at two other schools in Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions. Amupanda, now a parliamentarian and patron of Omaalala Primary School, stressed the importance of providing conducive learning environments for learners.
Namibian pension funds are seeking clarity on how the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima) will affect retirement payouts, with a leaked memo suggesting the act could prohibit members from taking their full savings as a single cash payment and instead require monthly annuity payments. Industry players and Namfisa are meeting to discuss the interpretation of the new law and its potential consequences for retirees.
The Affirmative Repositioning party said independence is "incomplete" due to persistent poverty, inequality and unemployment, arguing that since 1990 freedom fighters compromised with former colonisers who retained economic control while surrendering only political institutions.
Oshakati State Hospital is struggling with patient record storage due to space shortages and budget constraints, with files stored on floors and unusable beds in non-compliant temporary facilities. The hospital has begun relocating some records to an external warehouse, while government officials call for urgent revision of the Archives Act and improved data governance standards.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda tabled a motion in the National Assembly opposing the use of chief mourners at state funerals, arguing the practice is a foreign concept that disregards indigenous burial customs and creates cultural confusion. Amupanda cited examples from various Namibian traditions, including orientation of graves and gender-specific burial practices, and contended that state funerals fail to observe rituals that hold spiritual significance.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah held substantive talks with the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement at State House, covering economic development, governance reforms, land delivery and housing finance. AR leader Job Amupanda said the delegation presented detailed written proposals and described the engagement as the beginning of further discussions to ensure implementation of policy commitments.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah held consultations with the Affirmative Repositioning Movement at State House, part of her broader engagement with opposition parties on matters including economic development, governance, and institutional accountability. Both the President and AR leader Job Shipululo Amupanda characterised the dialogue as constructive and focused on strengthening governance and national progress.
The Namibian editorial criticizes NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu for making racial remarks in parliament, calling such divisive statements inappropriate and unworthy of lawmakers sworn to uphold the Constitution. The piece also faults parliament's poor legislative record and calls for accountability, noting that no non-budget law has passed since members were sworn in last year.
An opinion piece argues that political leaders should be judged by service and integrity rather than English proficiency, responding to criticism of Windhoek Mayor Sacky Uunona's language skills. The author contends that reducing political debate to ridicule over fluency undermines democratic discourse and risks reinforcing elitism in societies where English is a second language.
The National Assembly approved the appointment of Patrick Nandago, Linda Scott, Lidwina Shapwa and Gerson Kamatuka as Public Service Commission commissioners for five years beginning March 2026, with 48 Swapo votes securing approval despite opposition parties boycotting the vote and challenging the process.
The Deputy Speaker adjourned the National Assembly session after AR leader Job Amupanda and Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti engaged in a verbal confrontation. Ballotti later apologized to Amupanda, acknowledging that MPs should treat each other with respect.
Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Thursday when the government sought urgent approval of four Public Service Commission commissioners, citing concerns about their age, qualifications, ethnic representation, and lack of adequate debate. The walkout left no quorum for the vote to proceed.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah tabled a N$104 billion budget for 2026/27 with N$81.3 billion allocated to operations and only N$6.5 billion to development, drawing criticism from economists and opposition figures who warn this allocation will constrain economic growth. The government collected N$89.8 billion in revenue and plans to borrow N$15 billion, while interest payments of N$16.2 billion now exceed the development budget.