Also known as: Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani · shadow president Venaani
PDM leader who has called for dairy industry revival, uranium-driven economic growth, and resolution of the Orange River border dispute with South Africa.
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April 2026
New Era
McHenry VenaanidescribedUerikua as a flamboyant and cosmopolitan leader who fought for the plight of all Namibians
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“McHenry Venaani, Popular Democratic Movement's veteran leader, described Uerikua as a flamboyant and cosmopolitan leader, but one who loved and fought for the plight of all Namibians, especially those on the margins of mainstream economic activities.”
McHenry Venaaniquestioned why the government has notstood up for Namibia while being bullied by the US
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“Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani on Tuesday questioned why the government has not stood up for Namibia while it is being 'bullied' by the US.”
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaanicriticisedthe German government for practising 'apartheid atonement'
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“Venaani also criticised the German government for practising what he termed "apartheid atonement", noting they pay significantly more to Jewish victims than what is proposed for Namibians.”
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaanihas asked whya separate treatment facility exists when the government wants to create a fairer health system
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“Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has asked why a separate treatment facility exists when the government wants to create a fairer health system.”
McHenry Venaanicriticisedgovernment for unfair deal on 1904-1908 genocide
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“Her remarks come after McHenry Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement during the Sona criticised the government for an unfair deal on the 1904 to 1908 genocide on the Ovaherero-Nama people.”
McHenry Venaanisuggested that Namibia shouldmove away from "old ideological partners" and open missions in strategic locations such as Australia, Dubai, and Qatar
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“Furthermore, Venaani also suggested that Namibia should move away from purely "old ideological partners" and open missions in strategic locations such as Australia, Dubai, and Qatar.”
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaanisaid Uerikua wasa man of great promise and conviction, a capable and diligent MP, a committed nationalist
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“Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said Uerikua was a man of great promise and conviction, a capable and diligent MP, a committed nationalist, and a leader who approached the task of nation-building with seriousness, clarity, and purpose.”
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaanisaidit should take priority in government to empower Namibians through 10%
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“Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani last week said it should be something that takes priority in government to make sure that "we empower a number of Namibians through 10%."”
McHenry VenaanidescribedUerikua as a rare breed and young leader who touched countless lives
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“Both Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and the leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, described the late Uerikua as a rare breed and a young leader who touched countless lives with hope, passion, and unwavering dedication.”
Namibia and South Africa failed to resolve their decades-old dispute over the Orange River boundary during the fourth Binational Commission in Pretoria. Namibia contends the border should run through the middle of the river under modern international law, while South Africa maintains it follows the northern bank under the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty; President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the matter will now be handled directly with South African President Ramaphosa.
Namibia and South Africa failed to resolve their decades-old dispute over the Orange River boundary during the fourth Binational Commission in Pretoria. Namibia contends the border should run through the middle of the river under modern international law, while South Africa maintains it follows the northern bank under the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty; President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the matter will now be handled directly with South African President Ramaphosa.
PDM president McHenry Venaani has endorsed the draft Nuclear Bill, arguing that Namibia should use its uranium resources to drive economic growth and value addition rather than export raw minerals. The government has concluded nationwide public consultations on the proposed legislation, which seeks to modernise the nuclear regulatory framework and establish three specialised institutions to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani has urged President Nandi-Ndaitwah to use her visit to South Africa to push for resolution of the long-standing Orange River boundary dispute with South Africa. Venaani says the dispute has remained unresolved since independence and requires urgent political attention, and that he has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for the matter to be debated.
PDM president McHenry Venaani has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to procure 1,000 high-yield dairy cattle and launch a comprehensive national dairy revitalisation programme centred on the Vhungu Vhungu Dairy Farm in Kavango East, citing food security, reduced import dependence, and job creation as aims.
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.
Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia leadership appointments have sparked a constitutional debate over Parliament's oversight powers. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded postponement of the vote on the President's ECN nominees until lawmakers are provided with recruitment, interview, and selection committee records, arguing MPs cannot exercise informed judgment without them.
Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu said the government has dispatched two teams to South Africa and identified safety shelters as xenophobic violence rises and about 100 Namibians seek repatriation from the Namibian High Commission in Pretoria.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has apologised to Kunene Region public servants over delayed salary payments and rejected claims by PDM leader McHenry Venaani that the delay was politically motivated. Venaani alleged that the Minister of Urban and Rural Development had stopped regional employees' salaries over a dispute with the former Chief Regional Officer, questioning the legal basis for withholding public servants' pay.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani accused Swapo of political retaliation over delayed salary payments to 94 employees of the Kunene Regional Council, including four councillors, whose June salaries were blocked following intervention by the urban and rural development minister. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare denied deliberate withholding and attributed the delays to administrative and technical issues.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare responded to opposition criticism about unhoused Angolan children visible at traffic lights across Namibia, stating the government has capacity to resolve the issue and noting that bilateral discussions are underway with the Angolan government.
The national assembly adjourned Wednesday after opposition parliamentarians clashed with speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over her authorisation of the finance minister to speak on behalf of the prime minister. The editorial argues that repeated parliamentary disruptions reflect a failure of political leadership across parties and have prevented debate on critical legislation, including the petroleum bill.
Biggs van Wyk, who sat observing Windhoek's central business district for over two decades, has died at age 83. Politicians and residents paid tribute to the figure, whom many described as a guardian angel or watchman who had become part of the city's identity.
Opposition parliamentarians from the PDM, AR, and IPC challenged speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday over the manner in which she was conducting proceedings, with members arguing she was dismissing points of order without allowing them to be heard. The confrontation erupted after finance minister Ericah Shafudah was authorised to table and read a debate speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, a move strongly opposed by opposition parties.
Churches and analysts have welcomed Namibia's proposed housing state of emergency, but caution that declarations alone will not address a backlog of over 300,000 homes. The Council of Churches in Namibia says the move must be accompanied by concrete measures, adequate resources, and clear implementation timelines, and calls for faster implementation of free residential plots and increased investment in land servicing.
Members of parliament have called for stricter controls on microlenders' direct access to civil servants' salaries, arguing that such deductions worsen financial strain on public servants. The parliamentary economics committee heard concerns about excessive deductions and their effects on disposable income and mental health, with plans to meet with the Microlenders Association next week.
The Minister of Agriculture has expressed concern over non-response from Joachim Rust, owner of Okamuru Farm in Waterberg, who is allegedly harassing and threatening to evict fifth-generation farm workers. The farm workers, whose history on the land predates the colonial period, report facing pressure including livestock confiscation and restricted movement since the farm's sale from the previous Schneider family.
Martha Imalwa, the acting prosecutor general, says she is looking forward to leaving office at the end of the year. The Judicial Service Commission has restarted recruitment for a substantive prosecutor general after none of the eight shortlisted candidates met the required standard in a written assessment.
People convicted of minor offences in Namibia are calling for amendments to laws allowing petty convictions to be removed from criminal records, arguing that permanent criminal histories prevent them from rebuilding their lives. The current Criminal Procedure Act of 1997 makes no statutory provision for expungement, leaving individuals barred from decent employment unless directly pardoned by the president.
The government faced criticism in the National Assembly for awarding Vitol Bahrain a N$7.2-billion emergency fuel contract while bypassing Namcor. Opposition and former officials raised concerns that the arrangement could jeopardise fuel security and undermine the downstream fuel sector's competitiveness, while the prime minister said Cabinet discussions on the matter are ongoing.
Former Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu has defended President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment of her retired relative Chris Nghaamwa as adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka, saying there is nothing wrong with appointing a qualified individual regardless of family ties. The appointment has drawn criticism from opposition leader McHenry Venaani, who said it undermines confidence in governance.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, her relative, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka effective 1 June. State House defended the appointment, stating Nghaamwa's qualifications and experience in government legal roles made him suitable, and that family relationships do not render individuals unsuitable for public service.
Residents of Otjozondjupa will visit sacred gravesites of those who died in the 1904-1908 Ohamakari battle—a war of resistance by the Ovaherero against German imperial forces—with commemoration events hosted at the Okakarara Cultural Centre. The regional governor calls on residents, particularly youth, to attend and preserve the memory of the Ovaherero sacrifices.
The Okandjoze Chiefs' Assembly on Genocide has called on the Namibian government to adopt a "business unusual" approach to genocide apology and reparations, saying years of discussions have produced little action. The group urged the government to move away from symbolic discussions and engage descendants of Ovaherero, Ovambanderu and Nama communities differently on restorative justice.
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
PDM leader McHenry Venaani said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the constitutional authority to dismiss senior officials without necessarily giving public explanations, in response to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo. Venaani argued that leaders make key decisions based on sensitive information unavailable to the public.