Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

McHenry Venaani

Also known as: Venaani · McHenry Veenani · Popular Democratic Movement president · Veenani

PDM party leader who appears in parliament on budget, economic reforms, education, health spending, and political party funding matters.

Politics

PDM leader calls for structural economic reforms in budget debate

The News

PDM leader McHenry Venaani told the National Assembly that Namibia must pursue fundamental economic reforms to expand productive capacity, including industrial transformation, agricultural development through irrigation, infrastructure investment, and improved project planning. He argued that the country needs capable state institutions, stronger education outcomes tied to labour market needs, and mobilisation of domestic capital for development priorities.

18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. PDM leader calls for structural economic reforms in budget debate

    PDM leader McHenry Venaani told the National Assembly that Namibia must pursue fundamental economic reforms to expand productive capacity, including industrial transformation, agricultural development through irrigation, infrastructure investment, and improved project planning. He argued that the country needs capable state institutions, stronger education outcomes tied to labour market needs, and mobilisation of domestic capital for development priorities.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Windhoek encourages cremation as five cemeteries reach capacity

    The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Venaani calls for education, health budget measured by output

    PDM president McHenry Venaani told Parliament that education and health, which receive the largest budget shares, should be evaluated on results rather than spending levels, arguing the country spends heavily on education but lacks measurable output. He also urged civil service salary reforms and called for clarity on the country's industrialisation strategy.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Government deploys taskforce as fuel reserves face three-month strain

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told Parliament that Namibia's fuel reserves will last approximately three months amid global supply disruptions caused by Middle East conflict, and that government has established a taskforce and is consulting stakeholders to develop contingency measures to avert a national crisis.

    12 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia faces potential N$4.50 per litre fuel price hike in April

    Soaring international oil prices and Middle East tensions threaten to drive Namibian fuel prices to unprecedented heights in April, with the country's three-month fuel reserves and limited storage capacity posing supply challenges. Government officials and industry experts warn that while Namibia has sufficient reserves for 2–3 months, the country's infrastructure constraints and reliance on Middle Eastern oil through the Strait of Hormuz leave it vulnerable to supply disruptions, prompting authorities to explore alternative fuel sources and taxi associations to plan 10–12% fare increases.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. PM assures parliament of adequate oil supply for three months

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare told Parliament that Namibia has sufficient oil reserves for the next three months and confirmed a task force has been assembled to monitor the Iran-US-Israel conflict and explore alternative supply options.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President hosts De Beers, political parties, sports champions

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with multiple delegations at State House over the past week, including a De Beers delegation led by CEO Al Cook, the PDM party led by McHenry Venaani, NEFF and Nudo delegations, the Brave Gladiators after their 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship victory, and Namibia International Energy Conference founder Selma Shimutwikeni.

    11 March 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Namibia should slow petroleum bill to ensure fair governance

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's proposed petroleum amendment bill requires deeper public consultation and clearer justification before passage, raising questions about investment returns, Namibian participation, environmental safeguards, and long-term revenue management—citing lessons from resource governance failures elsewhere and the need to balance investor confidence with fairness to citizens.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. Opposition walkout halts parliament vote on commissioners

    Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Thursday when the government sought urgent approval of four Public Service Commission commissioners, citing concerns about their age, qualifications, ethnic representation, and lack of adequate debate. The walkout left no quorum for the vote to proceed.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 1 March

  1. PDM leader urges government to declare youth unemployment national disaster

    PDM president McHenry Venaani called on the government to declare youth unemployment a national disaster and establish a dedicated task force, following a meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Venaani warned that rising youth joblessness poses a serious risk to national stability and proposed expanding agriculture, enforcing stricter parliamentary oversight of the petroleum bill, and reducing bureaucratic barriers to investment as key solutions.

    1 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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