Also known as: Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo · Press secretary Jonas Mbambo · State House press secretary Jonas Mbambo · presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo · Mr Jonas Mbambo
Presidential spokesperson addressing information leaks from State House amid concerns over sensitive decisions reaching media before official announcements.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo said the Presidency is committed to upholding press freedom and access to information
“In a statement yesterday, presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo said the Presidency is committed to upholding the principles of press freedom, access to information and open communication.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah family oil interest allegations spark transparency row and State House media scuffleNew Era
Jonas Mbambo stated that press freedom must be exercised within agreed rules in secure environments
“He stressed that press freedom must be exercised within agreed rules, particularly in sensitive and secure environments such as the State House.”
Journalist’s State House removal causes stirThe Namibian
Press secretary Jonas Mbambo said president must be afforded space to attend official duties without disruption
“State House says these include respect for institutional processes, observance of house rules, and professional conduct within sensitive and secure environments such as State House, "where the president must be afforded the space to attend to official duties without disruption," the statement reads.”
Presidency defends journalist Beukes' removal from State HouseThe Namibian
Presidency spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said Office acknowledges incident and remains committed to media freedom
“After drawing criticism from organisations such as the Editors' Forum of Namibia and the Namibia Media Professionals Union, Presidency spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the Office of the President acknowledges the incident and remains committed to media freedom, freedom of expression, and an inclusive and respectful environment for all journalists.”
Politicians slam Presidency for dodging accountability over minister James Sankwasa’s xenophobic attacks on journalistNew Era
Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the award represents personal recognition and celebration of national achievements
“In the statement, Mbambo said the award represents not only personal recognition for the President but also a celebration of the country's achievements in gender equality, youth empowerment and governance.”
NNN to receive award in GhanaInformanté
Jonas Mbambo said heads of mission may be redeployed from one posting to another, either directly or following administrative processes
“Jonas Mbambo, press secretary within the Namibian Presidency, said that, in line with established diplomatic practice, heads of mission are commissioned once, after which they may be redeployed from one posting to another, either directly or following administrative processes at home.”
Presidency sheds clarity on redeployment and appointment of heads of missionPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah directed the education ministry to use alternative procurement for a N$540-million school hostel food tender, with the Namibia Training Authority as lead service provider and other public entities, sparking court action from companies questioning the non-public tendering process.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and the US are negotiating new health sector funding to determine the future of HIV financing in the country, with negotiations intensifying since US President Donald Trump's return to power and the dismantling of USAID. The talks are contentious over data-sharing provisions, with recipient countries concerned that deals tie health aid to data access and critical minerals, though a US government source claims negotiations do not include sharing of personally identifiable data.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to China yielded announcements of grants, expanded market access, scholarships, and mining partnerships, but an editorial cautions that Namibia should approach these commitments with cautious optimism and insist on results rather than unquestioning celebration.
29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to Beijing, China has pledged additional grant funding, expanded market access for Namibian exports, and stronger investment cooperation. The countries have elevated bilateral relations to a "China-Namibia community with a shared future for the new era," with cooperation to deepen in agriculture, education, healthcare, trade, mining and industrialisation.
29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah led a delegation of six ministers and more than 200 businesspeople to China to pursue partnerships in mining, agriculture, and logistics. China was Namibia's second-largest trading partner last year, with trade reaching N$40 billion.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah travelled to Ghana to present the Ovaherero and Nama genocide at a High-Level Consultative Conference on slavery and colonial injustices, where Namibia advocated for a comprehensive framework to address colonial dispossession and genocide committed between 1904 and 1908.
18 June 2026 · New Era →
The founder of South Africa's March and March organisation, which focuses on illegal immigration, has said Namibians are "law-abiding citizens" and not targets of anti-immigrant sentiment, despite xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. She described Nigerians as the most problematic nationality, saying they enter without documentation and engage in criminal activity.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to conduct background checks on about 360 health ministry officials, mostly from the pharmaceutical services directorate at the Central Medical Stores, following allegations of fraud and corruption involving government employees and tenderpreneurs rigging medical tenders and manipulating orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Nearly two years after a technical committee reached agreement, the formalisation of the disputed Orange River border between Namibia and South Africa remains unresolved. The dispute centres on whether the boundary follows the high-water mark of the northern bank (South Africa's position based on the 1890 Helgoland-Zanzibar Treaty) or runs along the median line of the river (Namibia's constitutional position), with the river's diamonds, minerals, and water resources for agriculture at stake.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's newly appointed economic adviser Shali Shindume reportedly owes Agribank over N$15 million from a loan obtained while he was the bank's credit manager. Agribank sought High Court action in 2021 over breach of contract, with a settlement agreement requiring Shindume to subdivide his mortgaged farm property and make specified monthly payments.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, her relative, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka effective 1 June. State House defended the appointment, stating Nghaamwa's qualifications and experience in government legal roles made him suitable, and that family relationships do not render individuals unsuitable for public service.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Presidency has rejected allegations that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her family were involved in a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, stating the head of state played no role in negotiation, financing, approval or implementation. The denial comes after opposition leader Panduleni Itula questioned the ownership structure and alleged companies associated with the President's sons were involved.
8 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The president's son, Nande Ndaitwah, is rejecting accusations by IPC president Panduleni Itula that a N$612-million solar power plant deal with Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter benefited from family connections. Itula alleged the deal involved Farm Massaus, owned by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, but Ndaitwah told The Namibian that the solar plant is not going on the farm and that the location is clear from environmental clearance documentation.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah did not attend Genocide Remembrance Day events held at Shark Island and in six regions, drawing criticism from political and community leaders, though the vice president attended events in Ohangwena. The president's absence came despite an active public schedule that included attending agricultural and cultural festivals and other state events.
31 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered a forensic investigation into Gendev Fishing Resources and its sister company amid allegations of missing millions, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver fish worth over N$49 million to clients.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has not slept in her private residential wing at State House since a naked mental health patient broke into the premises nearly three weeks ago; she is staying at her private home in Hochland Park. The incident led to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo and raised questions about security, as CCTV cameras were allegedly switched off at the time.
18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi arrived in Nairobi to lead Namibia's delegation to the Africa Forward Summit, where African leaders and investors will discuss investment, innovation, and economic cooperation. Namibia is focusing on securing partnerships that support industrialisation and value addition rather than dependence on raw material exports.
11 May 2026 · New Era →
The family of Giano Seibeb, accused of trespassing at State House in Windhoek, is demanding to see closed-circuit television footage of the incident and wants answers on how he escaped Windhoek Central Hospital's mental health centre where he had been admitted. The incident led President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to suspend police inspector general Joseph Shikongo.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Presidency has acknowledged growing concern over sensitive presidential decisions and internal discussions appearing online ahead of formal announcements, with Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo attributing the trend to challenges of managing information in a fast-moving democratic society and saying the Presidency remains committed to using proper, authorised channels.
7 May 2026 · New Era →
President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Major General Anne-Marie Nainda as Acting Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, effective immediately, for a one-year term. She replaces Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo and is described as a seasoned law enforcement professional with extensive experience in senior command roles.
5 May 2026 · Informanté →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi denied reports that the Namibian Defence Force has assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying the military could step in only if required. The denial comes after an alleged security breach at State House on Thursday, when an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended, though details of how he gained access and whether he was arrested remain unclear.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A naked man allegedly breached State House security and reached the president's private floor on Thursday afternoon, with sources blaming police and presidential security for the failure. The incident has raised questions about police inspector general Joseph Shikongo's job security, though the Presidency denied dismissing him on Saturday.
3 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Oshana regional police commander Naftal Sakaria is set to lead the unit protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, replacing commissioner Andreas Nelumbu. The appointment follows a police reshuffle conducted by inspector general Joseph Shikongo.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Landless People's Movement boycotted President Nandi-Ndaitwah's State of the Nation Address, calling it political theatre that masks poor governance; the presidency responded that dialogue is essential in a democracy and that such absences represent a missed opportunity to raise concerns.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed National Council member Moses //Khumub as deputy minister in the Office of the Vice President, a move that lawmakers have criticised as unnecessary bureaucracy given the limited role of the office. The State House said the deputy minister will provide technical and professional support to Vice President Lucia Witbooi, particularly in overseeing marginalised communities and disability affairs divisions transferred from another ministry.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will deliver her Independence Day address live on NBC at midnight on 21 March instead of at a public event, prompting the IPC and analysts to question the decision's justification and appropriateness.
22 March 2026 · The Namibian →
As Namibia marks 36 years of independence, the government's priorities under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are guided by the Sixth National Development Plan and focus on accelerating inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, strengthening social services, and responsible natural resource management. Key areas include housing and land delivery, healthcare, education, green hydrogen development, and addressing unemployment through public-private sector cooperation and youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has rejected allegations reported by Forbidden Stories that the ruling party requested Russian support for its 2024 election campaign. The non-profit news organization reported leaked documents from Russian operatives allegedly showing requests for funding and involvement in disinformation operations, including a fabricated letter claiming UK financing of the opposition IPC.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →