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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Martin Lukato

National Democratic Party leader who advocates for a non-partisan National Assembly speaker and challenges government budget priorities on pensions and infrastructure.

2024-09-192026-10-22
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News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. October 2024

  2. The Namibian

    NDP leader Martin Lukato accused other two parties of copying his party's manifesto

    Source

    “NDP leader Martin Lukato has accused the other two parties of copying his party's manifesto.”

    Storm over NDP, PDM, and BCP manifestos showing identical health education proposals

  3. The Namibian

    Martin Lukato accused Swapo of copying his manifesto

    Source

    “While speaking on Desert Radio on Friday, he accused the ruling party of copying his manifesto.”

    Swapo denies copying Lukato’s manifesto amid copygate scandal

  4. The Namibian

    NDP leader Martin Lukato says if elected his government will ensure adequate, equitable domestic funding for health

    Source

    “NDP leader Martin Lukato says if elected his government will ensure adequate, equitable domestic funding for health and will proactively ensure sustainability.”

    Namibia's election manifestos focus on universal healthcare, post-sexual trauma care, rehabilitation and mental health
  5. September 2024

  6. The Namibian

    Martin Lukato said the party would criminalize parents for school absenteeism

    Source

    “Namibia Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato says if elected to power, the party would make not sending children to school a crime.”

    NDP to criminalise parents for school absenteeism

  7. The Namibian

    Martin Lukato said the party will implement free education from pre-primary to tertiary level

    Source

    “He said the party will implement free education for all from pre-primary to tertiary level.”

    NDP to criminalise parents for school absenteeism
Culture

Namibian musician Chicco Black releases 14-track album

The News

Musician Chicco Black released his 14-track album 'Rise of the Machine' on 23 August, using it to address poverty, limited healthcare services and development concerns, particularly in the Zambezi region. The album draws on his personal experiences growing up in Choi village in the Kongola constituency with limited access to electricity, and includes songs about his move to Windhoek and challenges facing residents of Katima Mulilo.

15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 15 October

  1. Namibian musician Chicco Black releases 14-track album

    Musician Chicco Black released his 14-track album 'Rise of the Machine' on 23 August, using it to address poverty, limited healthcare services and development concerns, particularly in the Zambezi region. The album draws on his personal experiences growing up in Choi village in the Kongola constituency with limited access to electricity, and includes songs about his move to Windhoek and challenges facing residents of Katima Mulilo.

    15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Swapo Youth League supports compulsory national youth service

    Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo has backed a government proposal for compulsory national service, arguing it could promote discipline, patriotism, and practical skills to combat youth unemployment. He notes the programme would require additional government funding to expand effectively.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 6 September

  1. Swapo vows to block removal of National Assembly speaker

    Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.

    6 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 5 September

  1. Opinion: Parliament livestream turned into entertainment spectacle

    A Namibian Sun columnist argues that since parliament went live, it has become a soap opera focused on theatrics rather than lawmaking, with MPs performing for cameras instead of conducting legislative business.

    5 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 3 September

  1. NDP leader calls for non-partisan National Assembly speaker

    Martin Lukato argues that Namibia needs a speaker of the National Assembly who is neutral and free from political party affiliations, rather than replacing the current speaker with another Swapo member. He proposes constitutional and electoral amendments to allow thorough screening of candidates and a rotation system where the speaker and deputy speaker would come from opposing political sides.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Opposition urges broadening of national honours beyond liberation struggle

    Opposition leaders say Namibia should expand its national honours criteria to recognise contributions of ordinary citizens and diverse leaders beyond those from the liberation struggle, 36 years after independence.

    30 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 27 August

  1. NDP expels three members over Lukato finance criticism

    The National Democratic Party has expelled three senior members who publicly questioned the party's handling of finances and accused NDP leader Martin Lukato of mismanagement.

    27 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. NDP fires three leaders over dictatorship allegations against Lukato

    The National Democratic Party has dismissed secretary general Alex Linyando, regional coordinator Allen Mwilima, and presidential affairs manager Obrien Lisulo following their public accusations that party president Martin Lukato runs the party as a one-man operation, misuses funds, and creates a hostile environment for dissenting members. NDP deputy president David Mwilima rejected the allegations as false and intended to tarnish the party's reputation.

    25 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 17 August

  1. NDP calls for transparency on 2024 delimitation commission findings

    The National Democratic Party has renewed calls for clarity on the outcome of the 2024 Delimitation Commission, saying Namibians who participated in consultations deserve to know what became of their recommendations. NDP leader Martin Lukato said the party received a response from the Presidency following a petition submitted to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

    17 August 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 30 July

  1. IPC backs longer Parliament sittings; NDP opposes plan

    The Independent Patriots for Change support calls by the Institute for Public Policy Research to extend Parliament's sitting hours and days to address the backlog of bills, while the National Democratic Party rejects the proposal. IPC previously tabled a motion to have the National Assembly sit Monday to Friday, which was rejected by Swapo, and argues that systemic parliamentary changes beyond just extended hours are needed.

    30 July 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties

    Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. MPs warn ACC leadership must ensure impartial corruption investigations

    Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.

    14 July 2026 · New Era →

Monday 13 July

  1. Parliament approves ACC chief, warns against selective justice

    The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.

    13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 25 April

  1. Namibian opinion: 16-year-olds mature enough for parenthood, voting

    An opinion piece argues the contradiction in Namibian law: 16-year-olds are allowed to become parents and enter relationships, yet must wait until 18 to vote. The author contends that if maturity is the standard, the current voting age threshold is arbitrary, particularly since young people are most affected by policies on education, healthcare, and employment.

    25 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 17 April

  1. Political leaders unite at memorial for late MP James Uerikua

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and leaders from across Namibia's political spectrum paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua at a Wednesday memorial service, celebrating his legacy as a bridge-builder who commanded respect across party lines. Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April along with his 14-year-old son Venturo, was praised for his dedication to inclusive development and democratic dialogue.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. MPs warn persistent agriculture ministry underfunding threatens food security

    Members of parliament have expressed concern over the continued underfunding of the agriculture ministry, with lawmakers warning that declining allocations for land distribution, drought support, and veterinary services risk compromising national food security and employment. The ministry received N$1.8 billion for the current financial year, with over N$1.4 billion allocated to operations and over N$300 million to development.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. National Assembly adjourns to honour deceased Swapo parliamentarian Uerikua

    The National Assembly adjourned on Tuesday following the death of Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, who died on Friday. The Speaker announced the adjournment after consultation with party chief whips, and President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited Uerikua's family.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

  1. National Assembly budget cuts risk crippling parliamentary work

    Parliament members say the National Assembly's budget allocation of N$410.7 million for 2026/27 is inadequate, with only 1% allocated to development and 19% to core NA activities. MPs warn the underfunding threatens the institution's capacity for lawmaking and public outreach.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Eastern Zambezi communities still use Botswana pula currency illegally

    Political leaders including National Democratic Party chief Martin Lukato are blaming past corruption and poor planning for Impalila and Kasika islands' continued illegal use of Botswana pula 36 years after Namibia's independence, and are calling for government action to build a delayed bridge linking the islands and addressing transport challenges in the flood-prone region.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Lukato criticises unfulfilled pension increase promise

    National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato has criticised the government's 2026/2027 budget for failing to fulfil President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's promise to increase senior citizens' monthly old-age pensions from N$1,600 to N$3,000, noting that the budget contains only a N$100 increase and citing instead a shift in priorities toward youth development.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

  1. LPM proposes labour export to address Namibia's unemployment crisis

    Landless People's Movement leader Bernardus Swartbooi has called on the government to consider exporting labour to address Namibia's 36.9% unemployment rate, citing examples from Kenya, Uganda and Ghana that place workers in Gulf Cooperation Council states. He criticised the government's emphasis on education without corresponding job creation and argued that investment in productive sectors like agriculture and energy should be prioritised over social spending.

    16 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. NDP honours 25 members for election campaign contributions

    The National Democratic Party held a recognition ceremony in Katima Mulilo to honour 25 members for their contributions to the party's performance in the 2024 national elections and 2025 regional and local elections. Party president Martin Lukato praised their dedication and commitment to advancing the party's mission of economic emancipation, job creation, and youth empowerment.

    4 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 March

  1. NDP honours 25 members for election campaign contributions

    The National Democratic Party held a recognition ceremony to honour 25 members for their contributions to the party's performance in the 2024 presidential and National Assembly elections, where it secured one National Assembly seat, and the 2025 regional and local elections, where it won seats on the Bukalo Village Council and Katima Mulilo Town Council.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Labour rights body blames govt inaction for rental crisis

    The African Labour and Human Rights Centre accuses the government of failing to enforce existing rental laws under the Rental Ordinance No 13 of 1977, leaving tenants vulnerable to exploitation. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is drafting a new bill and reviving a rent control board, but the Centre's director argues the government should immediately enforce the laws already in place while rental prices surge in urban areas.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Minister rejects claims president will issue petroleum licences

    Environment Minister Indileni Daniel said the president will not be issuing petroleum licences, contrary to opposition claims, as this is an administrative duty. The amendment bill to place the petroleum sector under the Presidency requires oversight by the highest executive level for strategic national resources, though opposition parliamentarians dispute the move on constitutional and accountability grounds.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 February

  1. Parliamentary debate on presidential power over petroleum industry bill

    The Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would vest petroleum sector oversight powers in the Office of the President rather than the Ministry of Mines and Energy, faced mixed scrutiny in the National Assembly. Critics including Bernadus Swartbooi raised concerns about the legal doctrine of functus officio limiting presidential review powers and complicating court challenges, while others questioned whether oil advisors at State House are already performing duties that legally belong to the ministry.

    19 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 20 January

  1. Parliamentarians divided over Venaani's early recall proposal

    Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to recall parliament early to address youth unemployment and other national issues, but lawmakers are divided on the proposal, with some opposing it as a breach of agreed standing rules while others support early resumption to hold government accountable.

    20 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Martin Lukato — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute