Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Jonas Mbambo

Also known as: Mbambo · Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo · Press secretary Jonas Mbambo · presidential spokesperson

Politics

President challenges Itula to prove oil sector family links

The News

President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.

25 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 February

  1. President challenges Itula to prove oil sector family links

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.

    25 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. President to use public hospitals under new Psemas directive

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will use public health facilities after issuing a directive for state employees under the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to do the same as part of healthcare system reform. The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening medicine supply and staffing, though some civil servants question whether public hospitals are adequately resourced to handle increased patient loads.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Senior government officials to transition to public healthcare in April

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed senior government officials to move to public healthcare facilities from 1 April as part of a five-year development plan to upgrade public hospitals and clinics. The phased transition aims to secure high-level support for healthcare reforms, though civil servants have raised concerns about public facility overcrowding, staff shortages, and medication supply issues.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 February

  1. Three Bank of Namibia execs race for deputy governor post

    Three Bank of Namibia executives—Nicholas Mukasa, Emma Haiyambo, and Florette Nakusera—have been shortlisted to fill the vacant deputy governor position; according to sources, Mukasa is the front-runner after the Public Service Commission submitted him as the top contender.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 February

  1. Police chief urges officers to avoid Valentine's Day spending

    Police Commissioner Joseph Shikongo has advised officers to prioritize essential needs such as food, electricity and utilities over Valentine's Day spending, emphasizing that many Namibians are unemployed and officers should value their jobs. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah separately called on Namibians to mark the day with compassion and meaningful acts of kindness rather than material gifts.

    13 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 February

  1. President Nandi-Ndaitwah attends 39th African Union summit

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will attend the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa on 14–15 February, where she will focus on peace and security, Agenda 2063 progress, UN Security Council reform, and sustainable water and sanitation systems for 2030. She will also participate in a high-level discussion with Africa's female presidents and hold bilateral meetings with continental and regional leaders to advance Namibia's economic diplomacy and climate finance priorities.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. TotalEnergies and Petrobras challenge Namibia's oil approval process

    International oil giants TotalEnergies and Petrobras announced the acquisition of a stake in oil block PEL104 without prior ministerial approval, prompting the Namibian government to declare the move unlawful. Both companies have since denied wrongdoing and said the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

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