Namibia Minute.
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Lot Ndamanomhata

Lot Ndamanomhata — Newly appointed National Arts Council of Namibia chairperson targeting doubling creative sector GDP contribution.

2024-08-122026-09-06

What’s been said

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

  1. June 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Lot Ndamanomhata aims to double the creative sector's GDP contribution from 1.5% to 3%

    Source

    He says he's aiming to double the sector's contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP) from 1.5% to 3% under the sixth National Development Plan.

    New arts council boss aims for 3% GDP contribution
  3. The Namibian

    Lot Ndamanomhata acknowledged severe policy, infrastructure, and financial deficits restrict the industry's capacity

    Source

    Ndamanomhata, however, acknowledged that severe policy, infrastructure, and financial deficits continue to restrict the industry's real capacity.

    New arts council boss aims for 3% GDP contribution
  4. The Namibian

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata says pump stations will be unable to transfer water during power outage

    Source

    "Consequently, the pump stations will be unable to transfer water for the duration of the power outage and until power supply is fully restored," he says.

    Planned water supply interruption set for Friday
  5. May 2026
  6. The Namibian

    Lot Ndamanomhata announced the change in a notice issued Thursday evening

    Source

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata announced the change in a notice issued Thursday evening.

    NamWater reverses Friday water interruption plan
  7. The Namibian

    Lot Ndamanomhata says pipeline was damaged during utility works to extend busbar connections

    Source

    In a statement issued on Thursday, NamWater head of communications Lot Ndamanomhata says the pipeline transporting water from the Von Bach Water Treatment Plant to Windhoek was damaged during works carried out by the utility to extend 11kV and 66kV busbar connections to a mobile substation.

    Windhoek hit by 24-hour water interruption
  8. Informanté

    Lot Ndamanomhata said outage scheduled according to NamPower maintenance works on Ruby 11kV network and Sekelduin 2 line

    Source

    Lot Ndamanomhata, public relations officer at NamWater, said that the outage is scheduled in accordance with maintenance works to be undertaken by NamPower on the Ruby 11kV network and the Sekelduin 2 line.

    NamWater announces water supply interruptions for Walvis Bay
  9. April 2026
  10. The Namibian

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the works will include chlorination extraction and installation of chlorine dosing points

    Source

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the works will also include chlorination extraction and the installation of chlorine dosing points on pipelines supplying the Opuwo reservoir.

    Opuwo to face 10-hour water cut amid NamWater upgrades
  11. March 2026
  12. New Era

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata acknowledged their water contains limescale

    Source

    Responding to the issues, NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata acknowledged their water contains limescale.

    Okatjoruu water woes persist … Covid-19 blamed for N$10m NamWater debt
  13. The Namibian

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata says NamWater has communicated with all clients and customers concerning their debts

    Source

    NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata says the company has communicated with all its clients and customers concerning their debts.

    Rehoboth water crisis: 10 000 pupils and 200 inmates face supply cuts over N$100m debt
  14. The Namibian

    Lot Ndamanomhata said local authorities owe NamWater N$2.8 billion in total, threatening water provision security

    Source

    The spokesperson said local authorities, town councils, and rural communities owe NamWater N$2.8 billion in total, threatening the security of water provision.

    Rehoboth water cuts halted – for now
Society

NamWater warns of critical Omatako Dam water depletion

The News

NamWater has issued an urgent water shortage alert for Omatako Dam, which supplies central areas including Windhoek and Okahandja, warning that the water level has reached critically low levels with available abstraction nearing depletion and only one to two weeks of remaining supply at current conditions.

4 September 2026 · Informanté

Friday 4 September

  1. NamWater warns of critical Omatako Dam water depletion

    NamWater has issued an urgent water shortage alert for Omatako Dam, which supplies central areas including Windhoek and Okahandja, warning that the water level has reached critically low levels with available abstraction nearing depletion and only one to two weeks of remaining supply at current conditions.

    4 September 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 23 August

  1. IMF warns Namibia on debt and fiscal adjustment post-pandemic

    The IMF advised Namibia in August to tighten fiscal policy, cut the public wage bill, and pursue structural reforms to address rising public debt and borrowing costs. The article notes that Namibia had repaid its pandemic-era IMF loan in April and retired a major Eurobond in October, with 88% of its debt now domestic.

    23 August 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 17 August

  1. NamWater halts Ogongo-Oshakati pipeline for system upgrade

    NamWater will shut the Ogongo-Oshakati water pipeline for 11 hours on Wednesday to connect a new pipeline at Oshikuku and Oshuungu, affecting residents, schools and businesses in the area. The work is expected to take 18 hours, and some areas may receive water later than others once supply resumes depending on their distance from the main supply line.

    17 August 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 9 August

  1. US Embassy in Windhoek stops visa processing from August

    From 1 August, Namibians seeking US visas must travel to Johannesburg or Cape Town for interviews and processing, rather than applying at the US Embassy in Windhoek. The move is part of a US State Department restructuring reducing the number of African embassies and consulates authorised to process visas from almost 50 to 20 'hubs', framed as part of an immigration crackdown.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 26 July

  1. Walvis Bay water supply restored after power line damage

    Power was restored late Friday following a power line failure at Rooibank that had restricted water supply to Walvis Bay. NamWater said all boreholes are operational and water supply is expected to normalise by Monday.

    26 July 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 25 July

  1. Burst pipeline disrupts water supply to Otjituuo region

    A pipeline between Otjituuo and Elandspan burst on Friday, interrupting water supply to Otjituuo and customers served by NamWater branches 7, 1, and 4. NamWater is carrying out repairs expected to take some time, with normal supply targeted for Monday; a water tanker is being dispatched to affected areas as an interim measure.

    25 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 22 July

  1. NamWater defends unchanged tariffs since 2019 amid affordability concerns

    NamWater defended its pricing model, stating that its tariffs have remained unchanged since 2019 despite rising operational costs, and argued that increases on household municipal accounts are largely the responsibility of local authorities rather than the state-owned utility. The corporation warned that supplying water below cost indefinitely would threaten its financial sustainability.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 21 July

  1. NamWater says tariffs unchanged since 2019 despite rising costs

    NamWater's Head of Public Relations argued the corporation has been considerate with water pricing, noting that tariffs have not been adjusted for more than five years despite operating on 2019 costs, while acknowledging the corporation has applied for tariff adjustments.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Mariental Municipality and NamWater dispute water supply crisis

    The Mariental Municipality blamed NamWater for a water supply crisis that left parts of the town without reliable water last week, saying the sudden suspension without notice compromised public health and damaged the local economy. NamWater attributed the interruption to a pipeline failure at the Hardap Water Treatment Plant that required nearly 48 hours of repairs, and said it had notified the municipality's CEO about the breakdown.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 22 June

  1. Kavango leaders oppose N$7bn Windhoek water pipeline

    Kavango East and West traditional leaders and community members are opposing NamWater's proposed N$7-billion pipeline to Windhoek, demanding an audit of the Kavango River first and citing inadequate consultation during the planning stages.

    22 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Arts council chief targets doubling creative sector GDP share

    Newly appointed National Arts Council of Namibia chairperson Lot Ndamanomhata aims to increase the creative sector's contribution to GDP from 1.5% to 3% under the sixth National Development Plan, citing improvements in the industry's coordination and citing 327 local film productions between 2022 and 2024 that generated an average of N$122.5 million in spending and created over 2,400 jobs. He acknowledged that policy, infrastructure, and financial deficits continue to constrain the sector, with funding remaining the most pressing challenge as most creative projects are self-financed.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Scheduled water supply interruption planned for Friday in Windhoek area

    NamWater has scheduled a power outage at its Von Bach Treatment Plant from 07h00 to 18h00 on Friday to extend electrical busbars, which will affect water supply to Windhoek, Okahandja, and surrounding areas including Hosea Kutako International Airport. The Windhoek municipality says it will fill reservoirs beforehand to minimise disruption.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 22 May

  1. NamWater postpones water interruption to 5 June

    NamWater has postponed a planned 24-hour water supply interruption from Friday to 5 June following a request from NamPower. The outage will affect the City of Windhoek, Okahandja municipality and surrounding areas due to a scheduled NamPower power outage at the Von Bach treatment plant.

    22 May 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 21 May

  1. NamWater pipeline damage causes 24-hour Windhoek water interruption

    NamWater reported that a pipeline from Von Bach Water Treatment Plant to Windhoek was damaged Thursday morning during utility works to extend electrical busbar connections, causing an estimated 24-hour water supply interruption for Windhoek and surrounding areas.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 13 May

  1. NamWater announces planned water supply interruptions for Walvis Bay

    The Namibia Water Corporation has announced planned power outages on 21 May 2026 (08:30–17:30) and 1 June 2026 (08:00–17:00) due to NamPower maintenance work on the Ruby 11kV network and Sekelduin 2 line, which will suspend water supply operations at the Ruby Intake Station for approximately eight hours each day. NamWater and Walvis Bay Municipality are working to keep reservoirs at full supply to mitigate the impact, and residents are urged to use water sparingly.

    13 May 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 18 April

  1. Opuwo faces 10-hour water outage for NamWater infrastructure work

    Namibia Water Corporation will suspend water supply in Opuwo from 08h00 to 18h00 next Thursday to upgrade booster pumps, install pipelines, and carry out chlorination work on the reservoir system. Residents have been advised to store sufficient water for the duration of the shutdown.

    18 April 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 15 March

  1. Political backlash over Chinese majority stake in desalination plant

    Opposition MPs and analysts have criticized the government's agreement to give China General Nuclear Power Group a 70% controlling stake in a N$3-billion coastal desalination plant while the state retains only 30%, raising concerns about water sovereignty and affordability for poor Namibians. NamWater and Swakop Uranium defended the joint venture structure as necessary to finance critical infrastructure while maintaining public sector participation.

    15 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 6 March

  1. Okatjoruu residents face high water debts and service challenges

    Water-related challenges persist in Okatjoruu village despite recent restoration of supply, with residents struggling with high debts, water hardness, faulty meters, and high bills attributed to Covid-19-era free water directives. The Otjozondjupa Regional Council owes NamWater N$34 million, with Okatjoruu owing N$10 million, though the government agreed to cover half under a Covid-19 agreement.

    6 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 5 March

  1. Rehoboth risks water suspension over N$100m municipal debt

    Rehoboth Town Council faces a possible bulk water supply cut by Namibia Water Corporation due to the municipality's outstanding N$100 million debt, which would close schools affecting over 10,000 pupils and disrupt operations at a police holding facility with about 200 inmates.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian

  2. NamWater halts Rehoboth water cuts amid debt negotiations

    NamWater has suspended planned bulk water supply cuts to Rehoboth following negotiations with the town council over an outstanding debt of N$150 million. Negotiations now involve the Hardap governor's office and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with water services remaining operational pending further discussions.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 4 March

  1. NamWater warns of water suspension to Rehoboth over debt

    NamWater has issued notice of possible bulk water suspension to Rehoboth following the town council's unpaid debts exceeding N$100 million. The water utility faces N$2.8 billion in outstanding payments from local authorities and rural water communities, straining long-term water supply security.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 19 February

  1. Rundu Bulk Water Project progresses to 79% completion

    The N$665 million Rundu Bulk Water Supply project is approaching completion with 79% progress and expected commissioning in August. Critical pipeline extensions to surrounding communities are 94% complete, though concerns remain about the Rundu Town Council's internal reticulation infrastructure readiness.

    19 February 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 3 February

  1. Okahao water shutdown scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday

    NamWater will shut off water to Okahao and parts of Tsandi and Oshuukwa village for 24 to 48 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday to fill and test a ground reservoir after liner replacement.

    3 February 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 26 January

  1. NBC denies plans to re-interview director general candidates

    The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation has denied allegations that it intends to conduct re-interviews for the director general position, a role vacant since outgoing chief Stanley Similo's contract expired last year. NBC board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs said the recruitment process remains incomplete and that any claims about re-interviews are "speculation, innuendo and rumour mongering."

    26 January 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 25 January

  1. Minister Sankwasa owes NamWater N$174,000 amid debt criticism

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa owes N$174,000 to NamWater, drawing accusations of hypocrisy after he recently pressured councillors to settle outstanding bills. Sankwasa attributed the debt to an account inherited from his late mother and said he is attending to its settlement, while critics argue he should have led by example.

    25 January 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 22 January

  1. Theft of equipment disrupts Usakos water supply

    Residents of Usakos are experiencing a water shortage after critical equipment was stolen from one of the town's main boreholes, with Erongosig and Hakhaseb areas most affected. NamWater says repairs to the vandalised borehole infrastructure are scheduled for completion this week, and water distribution measures are being implemented for affected areas.

    22 January 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Karibib faces water cuts until January pump replacement

    NamWater announced a water supply interruption affecting Karibib and surrounding areas due to a faulty abstraction pump at Swakoppoort Dam. The technical team is installing a replacement pump, with work scheduled for completion on 20 January 2026, and customers are asked to use water sparingly until supply is restored.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté

Friday 16 January

  1. Erongo chairperson prioritises lasting solution to Otjimbingwe water crisis

    Erongo Regional Council chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe has pledged to work with NamWater to resolve the water crisis in Otjimbingwe and surrounding areas, where residents currently pay N$152 per tanker delivery. Community leaders say the shortage has lasted for years, schools have been suspended due to lack of water, and residents are preparing to submit a petition as diplomatic efforts have not yielded lasting solutions.

    16 January 2026 · New Era

Lot Ndamanomhata — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute