Also known as: Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani · shadow president Venaani
McHenry Venaani — Popular Democratic Movement president who questions government policies and opposes opposition party impeachment actions.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on McHenry Venaani
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
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The Namibian
Opposition leader McHenry Venaani has condemned the handling of Mwilima's case as inhumane and harmful to his well-being
“This situation has drawn criticism from opposition leader McHenry Venaani, who has condemned the handling of Mwilima's case as inhumane and harmful to his well-being.”
Bail and Medical Parole: Namibia’s Legal Landscape Under ScrutinyThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani retained his position as party president for the next five years
“Party president McHenry Venaani retained his position for the next five years, along with his deputy, Jennifer van den Heever.”
PDM’s top six retain leadership positionsThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani said the party will set up green schemes in regions like the Zambezi region
“The party will do this by creating manufacturing factories in each constituency as well as setting up green schemes in regions like the Zambezi region.”
PDM manifesto promises manufacturing factories, green schemesThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani promised to decrease unemployment rate by 11% by 2029
“He added that by 2029, they will decrease the unemployment rate by 11%, as well as increase the budget allocation for agriculture to 10%.”
PDM manifesto promises manufacturing factories, green schemesThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani said their party manifesto will be a road map to address pressing challenges faced by Namibians
“PDM president McHenry Venaani says their party manifesto will be a road map to address the most pressing challenges faced by Namibians as well as to uplift everyone to foster economic development.”
PDM to launch party manifesto on SundayThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani claimed PDM will be the first party to launch its manifesto
“"We will make history as the first party to launch our manifesto, which will be our guiding star in the quest for a brighter tomorrow," he said.”
PDM to launch party manifesto on SundayThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani stated the PDM's goal is to bring Swapo's electoral vote under 40%
“"In light of these elections, the goal is clear: we must bring the ruling Swapo party's share of the electoral vote under 40%. This is an ambitious target and it demands that the PDM be firing on all cylinders," Venaani said.”
‘We must bring Swapo electoral vote under 40%’ – VenaaniThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani challenged as inaccurate Afrobarometer survey showing Swapo's Nandi-Ndaitwah with 50.8% lead
“"Furthermore, we are aware of the recent Afrobarometer survey giving Swapo's Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah a commanding lead of 50,8%, in the upcoming elections. We challenge this inaccurate and out-of-touch narrative, it does not accurately reflect what the masses feel," Venaani said.”
‘We must bring Swapo electoral vote under 40%’ – VenaaniThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani is exempt from paying land tax
“This includes opposition leader McHenry Venaani, deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb and the Roman Catholic Church.”
Politicians, business people exempted from land taxThe Namibian
McHenry Venaani reflects on president Hage Geingob's contributions to national unity and development
“Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani reflects on president Hage Geingob's contributions to national unity and development, acknowledging their occasional disagreements but maintaining mutual respect.”
We showed each other mutual respect – Venaani on GeingobThe National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Opposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
McHenry Venaani, PDM leader, challenged mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to explain what has happened to diamonds valued at approximately N$314 million stolen from Namibia Diamond Trading Company in January 2025, questioning whether they have entered international markets and criticizing the lack of progress in the investigation.
15 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former president Nangolo Mbumba claims he is unaware of reported construction of a new office for him in Windhoek, contradicting an earlier government statement that it had no plans to build one. An Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker questions whether Mbumba, who served in an acting capacity and was not directly elected, should receive the same post-presidential benefits as elected former presidents.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani has proposed that between 2% and 5% of mining royalties could be channelled directly to communities living around mining operations through community trusts to ensure local residents benefit from resource extraction.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM president McHenry Venaani says he and his father Mike Venaani are no longer speaking as often as they should amid an ongoing PDM Six compensation dispute.
12 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Informal meat traders selling kapana at Single Quarters in Katutura are calling for government financial assistance as business declines due to Namibia's Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak and resulting livestock movement restrictions. Some vendors have proposed a relief allowance of at least N$700 per month to help affected workers survive the outbreak.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
PDM president McHenry Venaani called on the government in Parliament to introduce an emergency relief package for farmers facing financial difficulties from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, citing movement restrictions and livestock market disruptions, and warned of wider consequences for the meat industry including Beefcor's consideration of about 393 worker retrenchments.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has rejected privatisation of communal land, saying it could lead to land concentration among wealthy individuals and increase poverty in rural communities. The agriculture minister said communal land is a state resource held for the benefit of traditional communities and supports procedural land allocation under the Communal Land Reform Act instead.
7 October 2026 · New Era →
South African animal health experts will meet with Namibian officials on Friday to discuss protocols for resuming livestock auctions suspended after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said the government will focus on containing the outbreak in Karasburg before gradually reopening trade with South Africa.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told Parliament that auctions in Namibia could gradually resume once the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is contained within the Karasburg district. The ministry is assessing the situation, working to establish a containment zone, vaccinate animals, and consulting with South African authorities on protocols for resuming auction trading.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says Namibia is negotiating with trading partners over meat shipments affected by foot-and-mouth disease in //Kharas Region, with authorities checking whether consignments can move based on their origin. A shipment reported to be worth about N$400 million was said to be en route to Europe, though the minister did not confirm the value or whether it had been returned.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government is investigating a Namibian meat shipment returned from Europe following foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and is consulting European partners to establish whether the consignment originated from the affected area. Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said Namibia would notify the World Organisation for Animal Health to determine how affected consignments should be handled.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A heated exchange erupted in the National Assembly after Minister Emma Theofilus referred to an Independent Patriots for Change member as a "SWAPO Party sister-in-law." Opposition members banged on desks in protest, leading Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to order two members to leave the chamber.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told the National Assembly that the government is developing a plan to support farmers affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions, while consulting with international trading partners over meat shipments and new zoning measures. Opposition PDM leader McHenry Venaani questioned reports of a N$400 million meat shipment being returned from Europe and called for fuller National Assembly briefing on FMD developments.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani told Parliament that the government is developing a plan to support farmers affected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions while consulting with international trading partners over meat shipments and zoning measures. PDM leader McHenry Venaani questioned reports of a meat shipment worth about N$400 million being returned from Europe and called for Parliament to be briefed on the FMD outbreak.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
Justice and Labour Relations Minister Fillemon Immanuel has tabled the Ombudsman Bill 2026, which seeks to replace the 1990 Ombudsman Act and establish a modern legal framework that grants the Office of the Ombudsman full financial and administrative autonomy, separating it from the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations. The Bill aligns the office with the Constitution and UN Paris Principles, removes its budgetary dependence on the ministry, and broadens its powers to investigate systemic human rights violations and maladministration.
28 September 2026 · New Era →
The ombudsman bill 2026, tabled in the National Assembly, proposes fines up to N$20,000 or 12-month jail terms for obstructing investigations, intimidating complainants, or interfering with evidence. The bill grants the office expanded investigative powers including entering premises, accessing documents, seizing evidence, and compelling people to appear and answer questions, while providing additional protections for private homes and communications.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM president McHenry Venaani has called on the incoming land reform commission to reform Namibia's resettlement programme, arguing the current system fails to promote productivity. He proposed reallocating underperforming resettlement land to those capable of turning it into productive enterprises, and called for the commission to address corruption in land allocation and improve schemes' appeal to young people.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Youth leaders and marriage associations have urged the government to introduce a childbearing grant for mothers, following calls by a Swapo Party Women's Council official for Namibians to have more children. Political figures debate the proposal, with one youth leader saying such a grant could help low-income families but must be carefully designed, financially sustainable, and monitored to prevent misuse.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani questioned the government in parliament over its plans to acquire the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa's 10.2% shareholding in Rössing Uranium, asking whether a formal bid has been submitted, what the estimated cost is, and whether the government is aware of Chinese state-owned interests seeking the stake.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Six former Members of Parliament have sued the Popular Democratic Movement, National Assembly and Electoral Commission of Namibia, claiming N$1.5 million each in lost salaries, allowances and other benefits after they were allegedly unlawfully excluded from Parliament in 2020. The group, known as PDM6, argues they were duly nominated and elected to the National Assembly but were subsequently removed.
11 September 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Ministry of International Relations and Trade confirmed receiving communication from the United States regarding the country's position on the International Criminal Court, amid reports that the US is seeking to persuade African countries to withdraw from the ICC. The ministry reaffirmed Namibia's commitment to the Rome Statute and said differences relating to the ICC are best addressed through established legal, diplomatic and multilateral channels, without disclosing the contents of the US communication.
8 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Ngurare dismissed allegations that an 11-member task force chaired by Professor Joseph Diecho, appointed to review public enterprise salary structures from July to September, was dissolved after senior officials objected to its composition. Opposition MP McHenry Venaani claimed the body became defunct after being established, alleging members were removed because "the authority ahead of you was not happy with the name."
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
The PDM president McHenry Venaani has accused the government of poor coordination after the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform appealed an environmental clearance certificate granted to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project. Venaani said the appeal exposed shortcomings in how government ministries communicate and make decisions, noting the agriculture ministry only learned of the Environmental Commissioner's decision through social media two days after it was granted on 5 August 2026.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
PDM president McHenry Venaani is demanding the government disclose details about its plan to establish manufacturing and processing facilities across all 14 regions, including which projects have been identified, how they will be funded, and how many jobs are expected to be created.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
McHenry Venaani has paid tribute to Helao Shityuwete, a liberation struggle veteran and former Robben Island political prisoner who died at 92. Venaani described Shityuwete as a courageous and humble Namibian whose sacrifice for the country's freedom, from his work at Walvis Bay docks through military service and imprisonment, should be remembered as part of Namibia's history.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly objects to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's approval of an environmental clearance certificate for Namibian Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper project to mine for fertilisers in the Atlantic Ocean, saying Namibia should not be used for an ocean experiment. The president held a meeting with senior government officials this week to express concerns about the decision made without apparent consultation on a matter of massive public interest.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Confusion surrounds the status of an 11-member task force chaired by Joseph Diescho, established to review governance and human resource matters at state-owned enterprises. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare reportedly cancelled the task force after it found its mandate duplicated prior work, though task force member Conrad Lutombi says it was merely put on hold while the government reviews completed recommendations.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →