Namibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Place

Lüderitz

Also known as: Lüderitz Bay · Lüderitzbucht · Lüderitz and Aus

2019-07-022026-05-11
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. January 2026

  2. … Through all of it, I showed up.” One of the most striking examples she remembers is when she travelled to Lüderitz just one week after undergoing surgery because she had committed to work and intended to honour it. …

    The Namibian

    Taimi Nuunyango On Why Discipline Outlasts Hype

  5. … The assessment is for petroleum exploration licence 56/Block 2913B, which is located 300km from Oranjemund, 320km from Lüderitz and 700km from the main port of Walvis Bay from where the oil will be exported. …

    The Namibian

    Venus promises work, not for locals

  11. … However, as international supermajors and global investors descend on Windhoek and Lüderitz, a critical question has emerged: Who owns the narrative and the data of this burgeoning industry,” asked Cobus Theyse, co-founder of Namibia Oil and Gas.com. …

    New Era

    Local website leverages data sovereignty in oil, gas
Agriculture & Land

Government accelerates Neckartal Dam irrigation phase launch

The News

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said the Namibian Government is accelerating efforts to move the Neckartal Dam project into Phase Two, which aims to unlock the irrigation component. The dam is currently at full capacity (857.781 million cubic metres), but the irrigation phase has yet to commence.

Why it matters

Development milestone: acceleration of Neckartal Dam irrigation phase unlocks agricultural potential and water security for rural Namibia.

8 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 8 May

  1. Government accelerates Neckartal Dam irrigation phase launch

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said the Namibian Government is accelerating efforts to move the Neckartal Dam project into Phase Two, which aims to unlock the irrigation component. The dam is currently at full capacity (857.781 million cubic metres), but the irrigation phase has yet to commence.

    8 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 7 May

  1. African penguin rehabilitation efforts amid critical species decline

    A female African penguin was successfully released back into the wild on Halifax Island near Lüderitz after 49 days of care by the Namibian Foundation for the Conservation of Seabirds. With fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs globally and the species listed as Critically Endangered in October 2024, Namibia's penguin population has declined more than 82% since 1979.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibian Navy adds pageantry to 2026 Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

    The Namibian Navy contributed ceremonial elements to the 2026 Lüderitz Crayfish Festival (28 April to 3 May), including Navy Brass Band parades, public ship tours of the NS Elephant, and a cocktail reception aboard the vessel attended by Vice President Lucia Witbooi and other dignitaries.

    7 May 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Namibia's creative economy requires inclusive support for all workers

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia must recognize and support its grassroots creative workers—photographers, filmmakers, and others working without formal employment—as essential to building a thriving creative economy, rather than waiting for individual talent to emerge.

    5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Hyphen hydrogen project offers water, farming opportunities for Aus

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project near Lüderitz could provide desalinated water to support farming in water-stressed Aus and enable a green scheme in the area, while also delivering wider economic benefits and requiring sector-wide adjustments.

    5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Vice President reaffirms support for Hyphen green hydrogen project

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi visited the Hyphen green hydrogen project in Lüderitz to reaffirm government support for the initiative and highlight its role in economic transformation, job creation, and sustainable development. The project is structured as a public-private partnership with government holding a 24% stake under a concession agreement signed in June 2023.

    5 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 4 May

  1. Namibian workers' labour movements powered independence struggle

    Namibia's labour movements were historically central to anti-colonial resistance through mass strikes and worker solidarity, with collective labour action having a long history in the country as a notable segment of resistance against settler colonialism and racial capitalism. Since independence in 1990, however, labour movements have operated with reduced influence and mobilisation.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 1 May

  1. Vice President opens 19th Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, calls for growth

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened the 19th Annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival on Friday, calling for inclusive economic growth and sustainable resource management. She highlighted Lüderitz's emerging role as a strategic growth hub in Namibia's blue economy and energy sector.

    1 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Lüderitz hosts 19th annual Crayfish Festival

    The 19th annual Lüderitz Crayfish Festival runs from 28 April to 3 May 2026, featuring a business forum, music performances by local and regional artists including Gazza, King Biko, and Sam Deep, and motorsport activities, with government participation.

    29 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. TransNamib reports 48 mainline derailments over five years

    The national rail operator TransNamib recorded 48 mainline derailments, 39 fatalities, and 45 level crossing incidents between 2020 and 2025, with an 87.5% decrease in derailments from 2021/22 to 2024/25. TransNamib attributes incidents to vandalism, theft, and flash floods, and says it uses patrols, awareness campaigns, and infrastructure investment to reduce them.

    28 April 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 27 April

  1. Man stabbed with pen in Otavi; police investigate attempted murder

    A 37-year-old man was found unconscious after allegedly being stabbed in the neck with a pen during an altercation in Harambee location, Otavi, on Saturday. He was transferred to Otjiwarongo District Hospital where his condition is critical; the suspected assailant was arrested.

    27 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Vice President to open Lüderitz Crayfish Festival

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi will officiate at the opening of the 19th Lüderitz Crayfish Festival on 1 May, where patrons will pay N$30 per crayfish.

    27 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Saturday 25 April

  1. President tours Walvis Bay fisheries firms

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited Pereira Fishing Co and Seawork Fish Processors at Walvis Bay, where she was briefed on operations from harvesting to processing and export. The visits included discussions of industry challenges, including reliable access to quotas and increased onshore value addition, with the government reaffirming its commitment to a sustainable and competitive fisheries sector.

    25 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 24 April

  1. Second Namibia–EU Business Forum planned for May 2026

    The Second Namibia–European Union Business Forum will take place in Windhoek from 11 to 13 May 2026, bringing together approximately 400 high-level participants to discuss trade and investment opportunities. The forum will focus on five priority sectors—green hydrogen and renewable energy, critical raw materials, agribusiness, cultural and creative industries, and the automotive industry—and will feature presentations of 30 bankable Namibian projects to prospective investors.

    24 April 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 23 April

  1. President convenes fishing sector dialogue amid worker crisis

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for open dialogue in Namibia's fishing industry as unions warn the sector is in crisis, with workers facing job insecurity, poor conditions, and limited benefits. The three-day consultation at Walvis Bay includes presentations from unions and employers, with government officials to discuss fish stocks, employment practices, and quota allocation reforms.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Lüderitz resident backs wind-tourism coexistence

    A Lüderitz resident argues that wind energy development and tourism can coexist, citing electricity security needs as InnoVent's Diaz wind farm—comprising 11 turbines generating 44 megawatts—begins testing near Kolmanskop. The farm is expected to produce over 230 gigawatt hours annually and supply about 5 to 6% of Namibia's electricity under a 25-year agreement with NamPower.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia-EU forum seeks N$390 billion for green energy and diversification

    The Namibia-European Union Business Forum, scheduled for 12–13 May in Windhoek, aims to secure N$390 billion in investment for green energy, logistics hubs, and sustainable economic diversification. The event will focus on green hydrogen, renewable energy, critical raw materials, agribusiness, cultural and creative industries, and the automotive sector, with Walvis Bay and Lüderitz positioned as key logistics hubs.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Lüderitz considers renaming street and airport after Lubowski

    The Lüderitz Town Council has received a proposal to rename the town's main street and Lüderitz Airport after late anti-apartheid activist and lawyer Anton Lubowski, who was assassinated in 1989. The proposal, backed by an endorsement from his widow, must be formally tabled before council for consultation before any decision can be made.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Namibia must build policy institutions before oil success hardens

    Namibia's emerging Orange Basin oil and gas discoveries require strong regulatory and policy frameworks before commercial development momentum becomes difficult to redirect. The country must develop technical regulatory strength, clarify its fiscal regime, and build credible local content systems before major projects are sanctioned, drawing lessons from Guyana, Trinidad, Mozambique and other petroleum states.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 April

  1. Namibia delegation visits China to advance renewable energy capacity

    A technical delegation comprising representatives from the Namibia Power Corporation, Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy is in China to study advanced renewable energy technologies, including wind energy, solar solutions, and battery storage, with engagements centered on scaling Namibia's infrastructure and supporting the country's goal to increase renewable energy's share in the national energy mix from 54% to 70% by 2040.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. Namibia sends delegation to China for renewable energy expertise

    A high-level Namibian delegation, led by the Green Hydrogen Programme and supported by the Global Wind Energy Council, is visiting China to study renewable energy solutions and industrial development, with focus on wind power, solar energy, battery storage, and fuel cells. The visit aims to help Namibia reduce electricity imports, build local energy supply, and eventually become a green energy exporter.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Lüderitz prepares 19th annual Crayfish Festival in April 2026

    The Lüderitz Crayfish Festival will run from 28 April to 3 May 2026 under the theme "Crayfish & Currents: Where Heritage Meets Innovation," blending the town's maritime traditions with its emerging status as an energy hub. The event will feature seafood, entertainment including musical performances and a beauty pageant, motor sports, and business networking opportunities.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Engela delegation studies Lüderitz waterfront model for local expo

    Regional councillor Immanuel Haixuxwa led a two-day study visit to Lüderitz to learn from the town's waterfront development ahead of a planned local expo later this year. The delegation aims to study operational structures, infrastructure setup and event hosting strategies from Lüderitz Waterfront development company.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Namibia urges Chinese investors to process minerals locally

    International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has called on Chinese investors to move beyond buying raw materials and instead invest in local industries such as minerals processing, agriculture, and manufacturing to help reduce Namibia's persistent trade deficit and create jobs. The minister noted that Namibia exports minerals including uranium and copper to China while importing manufactured goods, and stressed that adding value to resources locally is critical for closing the trade gap and creating economic benefits.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Minister emphasises sustainable fisheries at Lüderitz Crayfish Festival gala

    Minister Inge Zaamwani delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Lüderitz Crayfish Festival fundraising gala, emphasising Namibia's commitment to sustainable marine resource management and the festival's role in supporting local employment, tourism, and coastal community development.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Livestock sector generates N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange

    Namibia's livestock sector generated over N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025 and contributed 3.5% to GDP, supporting over 45,000 direct jobs and sustaining approximately 70% of the population's livelihoods. The sector maintains unique concurrent export access to the USA, China, Norway, and the EU.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Nama leaders oppose industrial development on Shark Island

    The Nama Traditional Leaders Association is calling on the government to block planned industrial activities on Shark Island in Lüderitz, a site where Nama and Herero people perished during the 1904-1908 German colonial genocide. The association argues that the site, which they describe as a "living cemetery," must be preserved with dignity and respect rather than disturbed by oil, gas, or green hydrogen projects.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

  3. Lüderitz mayor pursues development despite budget cuts

    Lüderitz mayor Brigitte Fredericks says central government budget cuts have slowed capital projects but the town remains committed to infrastructure expansion, including water systems, wastewater treatment, and land servicing to address a housing backlog of nearly 6,000 residents. The municipality has also prioritised social housing and is calling for investor interest.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 13 April

  1. Police report multiple rape cases, drug seizure nationwide

    Police reported three rape cases across Namibia: a nine-year-old girl assaulted in Eenhana, a 26-year-old woman raped in Lüderitz (suspect arrested), and a 48-year-old woman attacked in Dordabis (suspect at large). Police also seized cannabis valued at N$5.45 million at the Noordoewer border and recorded several suspected suicides.

    13 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Genocide remembrance week educates youth on colonial atrocities

    The Nama Traditional Leaders Association held a weeklong remembrance event at Lüderitz to educate Namibians about crimes committed against Nama and Ovaherero communities by the German colonial regime. The event brought together descendants and traditional leaders to transfer knowledge of the atrocities and their ongoing impact, with calls for the genocide to be integrated into formal education and for government action on historical injustices.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

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