Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Mariental Sport Club

Also known as: Zebaldt Ngaruka Mariental Sport Club

Mariental Sport Club — football club competing in Namibia's first division promotion race for the southern stream.

2019-08-092026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Mariental Sport Club appears in article as local authority owing N$265.2 million

    Source

    “The local authorities in breach listed by the power utility include Mariental, which owes N$265.2 million, Gobabis (N$70 million), Karasburg (N$66.7 million), and Aranos (N$63.9 million).”

    Shock as NamPower sparks N$1bn debt row
  3. April 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Mariental Sport Club are locked with Young Brazilians FC on 38 points at the top of the southern stream table

    Source

    “In the southern stream, the title race remains finely balanced, with Mariental Sport Club and Young Brazilians FC locked on 38 points at the top of the table.”

    Promotion race tightens across first division streams

  5. The Namibian

    Mariental Sport Club will host Jomo Sono during fixtures against Friends FC and City Boys FC

    Source

    “Mariental Sport Club will host South African football legend Jomo Sono during their crucial fixtures against Friends FC and City Boys FC this weekend.”

    SA football legend Sono to visit Mariental

  6. New Era

    Mariental Sport Club was beaten for the first time this season 2-1 by Try Again FC

    Source

    “Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) outfit Mariental Sport Club (SC) was beaten for the first time this season when Try Again FC thrashed them 2-1 at Keetmanshoop's J Stephanus Stadium last weekend.”

    Mariental SC tastes first defeat in SSFD

  7. The Namibian

    Mariental Sport Club lead division with 38 points

    Source

    “Log leaders Mariental Sport Club (SC) are comfortably leading the pack on 38 points – four points clear of second-placed Young Brazilians FC on 34 points.”

    Orlando Pirates face downgrade
  8. March 2026

  9. New Era

    Mariental SC finished first leg of SSFD as leaders with 23 points from 11 matches

    Source

    “Mariental SC finished the first leg of SSFD as leaders with 23 points from 11 matches, closely challenged by Quiver FC with 22 points, while Try FC again holds third place with 19 points.”

    Mbakera attributes success to resilience, character
  10. January 2026

  11. New Era

    Mariental Sport Club lead the Southern Stream First Division table on 14 points from six games

    Source

    “The standings remain tightly contested, with Mariental Sport Club leading the table on 14 points from six games.”

    Young Brazilians appoint Afrikaner …race to top of the log intensifies

  12. The Namibian

    Mariental Sport Club had teams travel from to participate in the event

    Source

    “Teams travelled from as far as Mariental, Windhoek, and Otjiwarongo to participate.”

    Weskus 4×4 Vasbyt wraps up 2025 motorsport season

  13. Informanté

    Mariental is expected to reach highs of around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius

    Source

    “Maximum temperatures across the country reflect the heatwave conditions in the interior, with highs of around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius expected in towns such as Aranos, Aroab, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop and Mariental.”

    Strong winds and isolated rain accompany soaring temperatures nationwide
  14. September 2025

  15. The Namibian

    A guy at Mariental shouted political views at a bar supporting another party

    Source

    “A guy at Mariental decided he was going to express his God-given right to shout his political views at a bar where everyone else supported another party.”

    You Have Rights and Sometimes Consequences
Politics

President, VP attend burial of Swapo regional coordinator

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Lucia Witbooi attended the burial service of Joplin Pagley !Gontes, Swapo's Hardap regional coordinator, on Saturday at Pioneerspark cemetery in Windhoek. !Gontes died on 4 May in Mariental after a short illness.

Why it matters

High-level attendance at the funeral of a regional party coordinator underscores Swapo's internal cohesion and respect for regional leadership.

16 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 16 May

  1. President, VP attend burial of Swapo regional coordinator

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Lucia Witbooi attended the burial service of Joplin Pagley !Gontes, Swapo's Hardap regional coordinator, on Saturday at Pioneerspark cemetery in Windhoek. !Gontes died on 4 May in Mariental after a short illness.

    16 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 15 May

  1. NHE targets 905 houses for 2025/2026 financial year

    The National Housing Enterprise plans to construct 905 houses across Namibia during the 2025/2026 financial year as part of efforts to reduce the country's housing backlog. Since its establishment in 1993, NHE has constructed more than 21 545 housing units nationwide.

    15 May 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. NamPower seeks ECB intervention on N$1bn debt crisis

    Namibia Power Corporation has asked the Electricity Control Board to intervene in efforts to recover N$1 billion owed by local state entities and Angola's power utility for electricity. NamPower says 14 local authorities have breached repayment arrangements totalling about N$635.3 million, and prolonged non-payment could undermine the security of the country's electricity supply.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Young goalkeeper Leo Scholz debuts for Namibia U/17 team

    Leo Scholz, a 7-year-old who started playing football at DTS in 2016, has developed into a goalkeeper and shot-stopper. He recently made his Namibia U/17 national team debut, fulfilling a long-held dream to represent his country.

    7 May 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 30 April

  1. Rainfall across southern Namibia, flooding risk as long weekend begins

    Consistent showers are expected across several areas of Namibia during the long weekend, with the southern parts of the country—particularly Hardap and //Kharas regions—most affected and at risk of localised flooding. Areas including Aus (50 mm), Grunau (26–30 mm), and Keetmanshoop (20 mm) have already received substantial rainfall between Wednesday and Thursday morning.

    30 April 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 25 April

  1. National Theatre collaborates to bring 'Bang Bang' to Grade 8 pupils

    The National Theatre of Namibia and City of Windhoek transported more than 1,700 Grade 8 pupils to see 'Bang Bang', a play about school violence and youth challenges, directed by local theatremaker Veronique Kuchekana-Chirau. The production uses the 'Kilanova Method' to help pupils engage with their prescribed text while exploring issues such as bullying, trauma, criminal violence and teen pregnancy.

    25 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 24 April

  1. Government commits N$137 million to build 3,106 low-income houses

    The government has committed N$137 million to building 3,106 low-income houses through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, implemented by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, to address the country's housing backlog. The project is part of broader efforts to formalise informal settlements and prioritise completing stalled units under the Mass Housing Development Programme, though the ministry's 2026/27 budget has been reduced from N$2.67 billion to N$1.95 billion.

    24 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. First division promotion race enters decisive stage

    The race for promotion to the Namibia Premier Football League is tightening across the three first division streams, with Mariental Sport Club and Young Brazilians FC level on points in the southern stream, KK United FC leading a tightly contested north-eastern stream, and Eleven Warriors FC establishing control in the north-western stream. Football analysts note that momentum and margin for error will be decisive in the final rounds.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Lutheran Church donates 65ha to Mariental for housing

    The Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia has handed over a letter of transfer for 65 hectares of church-owned land to Mariental Municipality, which has been illegally occupied by residents since 2012. The donation aims to enable the municipality to service the land, regularise the informal settlement, and provide residents with legal tenure and title deeds.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. South African football legend Sono visits Mariental this weekend

    Mariental Sport Club will host former South African footballer Jomo Sono during their fixtures against Friends FC and City Boys FC this weekend, aiming to inspire local talent and uplift the community's football scene.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Mariental SC suffers first SSFD defeats after weekend losses

    Southern Stream First Division leaders Mariental SC lost twice in one weekend—2-1 to Try Again FC and 1-0 to Dates Eleven—but remain top of the log with 38 points. Head coach Marvin Mbakera said the defeats test the team's character but the club will respond positively, emphasizing that the title race is far from over.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Southern Namibia dams rise to 90% capacity after rainfall

    Recent rainfall in catchment areas has boosted southern Namibian dams to a combined 90.8% storage capacity, up from 88.7% the previous week, with Hardap Dam receiving the largest inflow of 13.7 million cubic metres. However, dams supplying Windhoek remain significantly depleted at 58.2% capacity, down sharply from 88.4% a year ago.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. Justice essential for meaningful genocide remembrance – Minnie

    LPM councillor William Minnie says the annual Genocide Remembrance Walk in Lüderitz (10–12 April) must advance calls for justice, reparations and full recognition of the 1904–1908 Nama and Herero genocide, not merely ceremonial remembrance. He argues government must support institutionalising genocide education and inclusive reparations processes led by affected communities.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

  1. Old-age pension sustains rural elderly in Gibeon village

    In Gibeon, a remote village 100km south of Mariental, elderly residents like Welhimina Boois depend entirely on the government old-age pension grant (currently N$1 700 per month) to survive, often supporting extended family members as well. Over 250 000 elderly Namibians rely on this social grant as their primary income source, though many face severe hardship including food insecurity and inadequate housing.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Retired fullback Uushona Hiskia: from football to media

    Uushona Hiskia, a former Tigers fullback and member of the club's golden generation, left professional football while still in his prime to pursue a career in media, working 13 years at Namibia Press Agency and 21 years at NBC before retiring to livestock farming. He expressed concern about Tigers' current relegation struggles, lamenting the decline of the historic club.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

  3. Orlando Pirates FC faces demotion to second division

    Orlando Pirates FC, a formerly well-supported Namibian football club, now face potential demotion to the NFA's second division after poor performance in the Southern Stream Division's first division, where they sit at the bottom with 13 points.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. City Boys captain Mbaire's rise from street football to leadership

    Usuta Mbaire, City Boys FC captain, traces his football journey from street games in Okuryangava through Fortis Football Academy to leading his team to second-division promotion and now competing in the first division. A central midfielder who credits his mother's support, faith, and a return from setbacks in South Africa with shaping his character, Mbaire emphasizes patience and continuous improvement as keys to his career.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Namibia mourns parliamentarian James Uerikua, aged 43

    Swapo parliamentarian and former Otjozondhupa governor James Uerikua died aged 43 in a car accident on Friday, along with one of his sons. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described him as a "young and promising leader" whose loss comes at a time when the country needs clarity and commitment on complex challenges.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Communities urged to help rehabilitate offenders in Namibia

    Namibia Correctional Service commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela said the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders is a shared responsibility requiring active community involvement. At a community advisory committee meeting in Omaruru, he highlighted the committees' roles in monitoring facilities, advising on operations, and connecting offenders with employers and support services, citing successes including securing funding for inmates, paying fines to enable release, and facilitating training programmes.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Mariental man acquitted of 2019 murder due to weak evidence

    Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen acquitted Adam Isaack of murdering Eldin Fransman in 2019, finding the State's case rife with contradictions and unreliable witness testimony, with no eyewitnesses or forensic evidence linking him to the fatal stabbing. The judge noted that another State witness, Beneg Jossop, who owned the knife used in the killing, had provided inconsistent accounts of his location during the incident.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Two women missing after boarding long-haul taxis

    A 16-year-old girl from Mariental and a 23-year-old woman from Otjiwarongo have gone missing after boarding long-haul taxis in separate incidents on 31 March and 30 March respectively. Their families are appealing for public assistance in locating them.

    2 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Continued rainfall across Namibia raises flood warnings

    Heavy rain has persisted across multiple regions including Hardap, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, and Khomas, with areas such as Welbedacht recording up to 50 mm. The public is cautioned to avoid flooded areas and exercise care while travelling, with further rainfall expected.

    31 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 30 March

  1. Mariental dance club seeks support to expand youth programmes

    The Dynamic South Dancing Club, founded by Brenden Bongo, has spent two years providing dance, music and creative arts to young people in Mariental to build confidence and skills, but the organisation lacks a permanent office, equipment and administrative tools needed to expand and apply for formal funding.

    30 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Old Mutual launches 311-plot housing project in Mariental

    Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia has joined government and private partners to launch the Mariental Extension 6 Affordable Housing Development, which will deliver 311 serviced residential plots with 87 already completed. The project, officially launched by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, aims to ease pressure on housing demand in the town and is supported by the Tunga Fund, developers, and end-user financiers.

    24 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Vice President honors liberation veteran Reverend Willem Konjore

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi delivered a tribute at the graveside of Reverend Willem Konjore in ǂGabes on the eve of Namibia's 36th independence anniversary, highlighting his role as a founding father, liberation struggle participant, and senior government minister who died in June 2021.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Old Mutual invests N$12.75m in Mariental affordable housing

    Old Mutual Investment Group has committed N$12.75 million to the Mariental Extension 6 Affordable Housing Development in Hardap region, which includes servicing of 311 residential plots with 87 already completed. The project aims to expand access to affordable, serviced housing and contributes to job creation and community stability in the town.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. NFA spent over N$1.1m on funerals without formal policy

    The Namibia Football Association spent approximately N$700,000 on the funeral of former secretary general Charles Siyauya and N$400,000 on that of executive member Michael Situde, raising concerns among insiders about the lack of a formal funeral policy and alignment with the organisation's development mandate. NFA officials disputed some details but acknowledged the absence of clear guidelines, while former leadership and current executives questioned whether such expenditure was justified given underfunding of youth football programmes.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Vice president launches GIPF pension-backed home loan scheme

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi launched the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) pension-backed home loan scheme in Mariental, allowing GIPF members to access pension savings for acquiring, building, or improving homes, including in rural areas. The scheme is intended to address Namibia's housing backlog and support inclusive development, with Mariental Extension 6 featuring 311 planned affordable houses in the Hardap region.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Hardap football team aims to reclaim Nedbank Cup glory

    Hardap region's football team is preparing with a new generation of players to compete in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, their first major tournament push since finishing runners-up in past competitions. Coach Christi Guruseb says the team is training intensively and focused on improving their own performance despite facing tough opponents in group A.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Vice President launches GIPF pension-backed home loan scheme

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi officially launched the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme in Mariental, allowing active pension fund members to access a portion of their savings to acquire, build, or improve homes, including in unproclaimed rural areas. The initiative aims to reduce the national housing backlog, stimulate the construction sector, and create employment opportunities.

    19 March 2026 · Informanté →

Mariental Sport Club — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute