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Sunday, 28 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 28 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Marius Kudumo

Also known as: Political analyst Marius Kudumo

2026-01-092026-06-28
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What’s been said

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

  1. June 2026

  2. Windhoek Observer

    Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo views disclosure requirement as practical mechanism

    Source

    “Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo views this disclosure requirement as a practical mechanism.”

    Men must declare customary wives under new Marriage Act

  3. Windhoek Observer

    Marius Kudumo warned restriction may perpetuate colonial-era discriminatory practices

    Source

    “"Prohibiting customary marriages to civilly marry in community of property might perpetuate the discriminatory colonial practice of marriage beyond the Redline as per the provisions of the Native Administration Proclamation 1928 and might be discriminatory," Kudumo warned.”

    Men must declare customary wives under new Marriage Act

  4. The Namibian

    Marius Kudumo says the parliament has become distracted from its primary role of law making

    Source

    “Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo says the parliament has become distracted from its primary role of law making.”

    Lawmakers criticised for bills gathering dust
  5. April 2026

  6. The Namibian

    Political analyst Marius Kudumo says the Icelandic minister's statement is ill-informed

    Source

    “Political analyst Marius Kudumo says the Icelandic minister's statement is ill-informed.”

    Iceland finance minister faces backlash after blaming Namibia for Fishrot corruption
  7. February 2026

  8. New Era

    Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo said Parliament must prioritise passing laws improving material conditions of citizens

    Source

    “Public policy analyst Marius Kudumo said Parliament, as the legislative authority under the Namibian Constitution, must prioritise passing laws that improve the material conditions of citizens and address the country's pressing challenges.”

    Hengari agitates political solutions, not blame …analysts weigh in
  9. January 2026

  10. The Namibian

    Marius Kudumo highlights the importance of documentation in preserving traditional music

    Source

    “Cultural researcher Marius Kudumo highlights the importance of documentation in preserving traditional music.”

    Thimbukushu women and the art of the Ngoma

  11. The Namibian

    Marius Kudumo highlights the importance of documentation in preserving traditional music

    Source

    “Cultural researcher Marius Kudumo highlights the importance of documentation in preserving traditional music.”

    Thimbukushu women and the art of the Ngoma
Politics

New Marriage Act requires disclosure of existing customary unions

The News

Namibia's new Marriage Act of 2024, which repealed the colonial 1961 Act, requires men to declare all existing customary wives before entering a civil marriage. The legislation introduces formal recognition and regulation of customary marriages through the ministry of home affairs, though customary unions are still celebrated according to community traditions and registering them requires a separate dedicated law.

Why it matters

The new Marriage Act's requirement for disclosure of customary unions represents a significant legal and constitutional change affecting marriage registration nationwide.

23 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. New Marriage Act requires disclosure of existing customary unions

    Namibia's new Marriage Act of 2024, which repealed the colonial 1961 Act, requires men to declare all existing customary wives before entering a civil marriage. The legislation introduces formal recognition and regulation of customary marriages through the ministry of home affairs, though customary unions are still celebrated according to community traditions and registering them requires a separate dedicated law.

    23 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. National Assembly criticized for slow progress on major bills

    The National Assembly faces criticism over legislative effectiveness as the annual budget remains the only bill to make significant progress in 2024; major legislation including the land bill and regional councils bill failed to pass and remain under discussion. Political analysts and former lawmakers attribute the slow pace to institutional, procedural and political challenges including poorly prepared draft legislation, extensive public consultations, limited sitting days, and capacity constraints within sponsoring ministries.

    9 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Finance ministry rejects SSC procurement exemption request

    The Ministry of Finance has rejected the Social Security Commission's request for a procurement exemption to fast-track a N$43.8-million fund management system project. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the SSC did not sufficiently justify why the entire Public Procurement Act should be set aside, and noted that the law already provides procurement options such as restricted bidding for specialized services.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Iceland finance minister attributes Fishrot corruption to Namibia alone

    Iceland's finance minister Daði Már Kristófersson has said corruption in the Fishrot case reflects Namibia and not Iceland, following media coverage of Icelandic fishing company Samherji's operations. Namibian MP Rodney Cloete rejected the statement, arguing it ignores the role of foreign companies involved in the scandal.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. President Nandi-Ndaitwah faces pressure on jobs, housing, fuel ahead of Sona

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to address employment creation, housing affordability, fuel prices, and service delivery in today's state of the nation address. Politicians, businesses, civil society, and economists are calling for practical solutions and progress reports on previous commitments, including the 500,000 jobs target and structural economic reforms.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 5 April

  1. Namibian retailers warn of imminent food price hikes from fuel costs

    Rising fuel costs are expected to drive up distribution and import expenses, prompting major retailers and suppliers to increase prices over coming months. Economists warn that Namibia's heavy reliance on food imports from South Africa, combined with higher transport and production costs, will push inflation higher and hit low-income households hardest.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Analysts warn against panic buying amid global fuel supply fears

    Global conflict and shipping disruptions threaten fuel supply and prices, prompting analysts and government officials to warn Namibians against panic buying and illegal fuel storage, which could create fire hazards, environmental damage and market distortions. Namibia is particularly vulnerable as it imports all refined petroleum products, and rising fuel costs are expected to increase transport, food and operating costs across the economy.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 March

  1. Namcor board appoints new MD despite minister's opposition

    Namcor's board has appointed Mtundeni Ndafyaalako as interim managing director, replacing Maureen Hinda-Mbuende, reportedly without approval from the Mines Minister Modestus Amutse, who says he will meet with the board to understand the decision and address Hinda-Mbuende's grievances.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Namibians stranded in Dubai amid Iran-US conflict escalation

    An unspecified number of Namibians are stranded at Dubai International Airport following airspace closure due to escalating conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel, with at least 80 Namibians known to be working in Dubai. Analysts warn Namibia could face rising fuel, food, and import prices if tensions continue, with broader economic impacts expected within weeks as disruptions to global oil supply and shipping lanes drive up costs.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Lawmaker urges Parliament to focus on solutions, not blame

    Auleria Wakudumo Lawmaker Inna Hengari has called on her colleagues to move beyond political affiliations and serve all Namibians, cautioning against the "politics of diagnosis and blame" that distract from solving challenges. Analysts echoed her concerns, urging MPs to prioritise passing laws that improve material conditions, strengthen governance, and address pressing issues including land disputes and unemployment.

    4 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 10 January

  1. Thimbukushu women preserve traditional Ngoma drum culture

    Thimbukushu women along the Kavango River maintain the tradition of playing the Ngoma, a traditional drum that comes in different forms for rituals, dances and celebrations, learning the skill through observation and practice. While some experts worry younger generations may not understand its significance as interest shifts toward piano and other instruments, the women assert that drumming remains deeply rooted in their culture and continues to echo through the Kavango East region.

    10 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 9 January

  1. Thimbukushu women preserve ngoma drumming tradition

    Traditional drum playing—the ngoma—remains vital to Thimbukushu culture along the Kavango River, with women like Angelika Nduva keeping the self-taught skill alive through practice and community participation. While educators note declining interest among younger generations, cultural practitioners and researchers emphasize that documentation and continued performance are essential to preserving the tradition's rhythms and meanings.

    9 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Marius Kudumo — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute