Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
May 2026
The Namibian
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairsintercepteda fishing vessel operating illegally in Namibian waters
Source
“The concerns follow the interception of a fishing vessel by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs through the navy during a routine patrol near the northern maritime border with Angola on Sunday.”
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairsstated that the lecture was part ofthe college's ongoing commitment to enriching its academic programme through high-level engagements
Source
“According to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Zimbabwean ambassador's lecture was part of the college's ongoing commitment to enriching its academic programme through high-level engagements on contemporary national and international issues.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans AffairsconfirmedUSS George HW Bush nuclear carrier transiting Namibia's exclusive economic zone
Source
“The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has confirmed that a United States nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier is currently transiting offf-shore of Namibia's exclusive economic zone under international maritime law.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans AffairsspentN$2.5 million on funeral assistance for 363 veterans in 2025/2026
Source
“The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spent N$2.5 million on funeral assistance for 363 veterans during the 2025/2026 financial year, minister Frans Kapofi told Parliament last week.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairstabledproposed budget of N$1.52 billion for 2026/2027 financial year
Source
“THE Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has tabled a proposed budget of N$1.52 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year under Vote 31 in the National Assembly, aimed at improving the welfare of liberation struggle veterans while preserving Namibia's liberation history.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairstoldresidents to vacate the building in 2015
Source
“The Namibian in 2015 reported that the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs told residents, including soldiers and police officers, to vacate the building, which they have not done.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairsstated that applicants achieving high scores will progress tonext recruitment phase including fingerprinting and medical examinations
Source
“According to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, applicants who achieve high scores across all four assessment categories will progress to the next phase of the recruitment process, which includes fingerprinting and medical examinations to be conducted in their respective regions.”
The government, under the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairshas dismally failed totake care of its people while alive or after death
Source
“The government, under the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, has dismally failed to take care of its people while they are alive or even after they are no longer with us on this earth.”
Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairshas releasedthe list of shortlisted candidates
Source
“THE Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has released the list of shortlisted candidates, who are required to report to their respective regional centres on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, to undergo Pre-Entry and Physical Fitness Tests.”
Following the deaths of two Namibian Defence Force members at military bases in Otjiwarongo and Otavi, the Independent Patriots for Change have urged the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to strengthen mental health support, housing and welfare programmes for soldiers, citing emotional and psychological challenges soldiers face due to separation from families and financial pressures.
Following the deaths of two Namibian Defence Force members at military bases in Otjiwarongo and Otavi, the Independent Patriots for Change have urged the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to strengthen mental health support, housing and welfare programmes for soldiers, citing emotional and psychological challenges soldiers face due to separation from families and financial pressures.
The Namibian Defence Force confirmed the deaths of two soldiers, Jonas Kambonde (27) and Patrick Kooper (30), in suspected suicides at Otjiwarongo and Otavi military bases on Thursday and Friday. Ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu called for members to use available support services when facing personal challenges.
The Ministry of Defence says the Namibian Defence Force is modernising operations to include drone warfare and technology-driven military systems, as militaries worldwide increasingly rely on drones and cyber-based operations. Defence Minister Frans Kapofi said Namibia needs technologically skilled recruits adaptable to intelligence-based warfare, following the graduation of 1,703 recruits at Osona Military Base.
Stakeholders warn that existing penalties are failing to deter illegal fishing in Namibian waters, following the interception of a vessel with 22 crew members and amid concerns over losses from bycatch, which increased sharply since 2020 despite monitoring systems in place.
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Relations, Defence and Security conducted an oversight visit to the Namibia Command and Staff College to assess operational, academic and infrastructural developments. The committee toured facilities, received briefings on the college's mandate and programmes, and commended its efforts in professional military education.
The Namibian Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civil-military cooperation in Africa's aviation sector at the Aviation Week Africa Summit held in Windhoek from 22 to 24 April 2026, emphasizing innovation, training, technological modernisation, and regional partnerships to enhance air connectivity and security across the continent.
The Zimbabwean Ambassador to Namibia outlined SADC's regional security architecture at the Namibia Command and Staff College, covering the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, the Mutual Defence Pact, and the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. The lecture addressed conflict prevention, collective defence, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding, as well as integrating human security with traditional state security approaches.
Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority, finding it employs about 74 people from the Zambezi region compared to more than 300 from northern Namibia. The probe has revived broader allegations of tribalism in hiring practices across Namibian state-owned enterprises and government offices.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs confirmed that the USS George HW Bush, a US nuclear-powered super aircraft carrier, is transiting in Namibia's exclusive economic zone under international maritime law without entering territorial waters. The vessel is sailing under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation, and is en route around the African continent to avoid heightened activity in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
Farmers around Lake Liambezi are rushing to harvest maize, sorghum and other crops weeks early as floodwaters advance from Angola through the Zambezi Region. The premature harvesting follows earlier locust damage, and officials warn more severe flooding is expected in coming weeks, with water levels potentially rising above seven metres and affecting multiple constituencies including Kabbe South, Sibbinda and Katima Rural.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spent N$2.5 million on funeral assistance for 363 veterans in 2025/2026, with minister Frans Kapofi reporting that 94% of the department's N$1.5 billion allocation went toward veterans' welfare and preserving liberation struggle history. For 2026/2027, the ministry is requesting a similar N$1.5 billion budget, primarily for monthly grants benefiting nearly 24,000 veterans.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed several new officials to ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, including Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency, Hambeleleni Ndjaleka as deputy minister of health and social services, and others to various portfolio positions across government departments.
Swapo parliamentarian Tobie Aupindi has proposed establishing a sovereign fund for veterans to reduce dependence on annual treasury allocations. He argues that investing part of the roughly N$1 billion annual veterans allocation could generate self-sustaining income over time rather than relying solely on government budgets.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has proposed a N$1.52 billion budget for 2026/2027 to improve welfare for liberation struggle veterans, including monthly grants, medical support, and heritage preservation. Deputy Minister Charles Mubita said the allocation will support about 23,694 veterans receiving monthly grants and address socio-economic challenges through medical care, psychosocial support, and settlement of outstanding Individual Veterans Projects.
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has ordered all occupants of the old tuberculosis hospital building in Windhoek to leave by 1 April, citing the building's unsuitability for occupation and illegal tenancy. The 25-room building houses both government and non-government employees, with tenants complaining that non-government occupants have damaged property, stolen materials, and sold illegal substances.
Namibia's First Gentleman Lt Gen (rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah delivered a presentation to senior military officers at the Namibia Command and Staff College on strategic leadership, management, and elements of national power, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership, sound policy formulation, and implementation to achieve national objectives.
Military attachés accredited to Namibia from nine countries paid a New Year courtesy call on the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, promoting diplomacy and advancing peace and security in the region.
Deputy Army Commander Brigadier General Andreas Diyeve Diyeve has officially opened the 15th Company Group Commanders Course and 18th Platoon Commanders Course at the Nehale Lyampingana Army Battle School, emphasising the importance of acquiring new military skills and cautioning officers against using social media to air grievances.
The Namibian Defence Force is conducting pre-entry physical fitness and aptitude assessments across all 14 regions for applicants seeking to join as Officer Cadets and Recruits. Successful candidates will progress to fingerprinting and medical examinations in their respective regions.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's government is disrespecting war veterans through inadequate burial rites, citing the case of Swapo founding member Kanana Hishoono who is being buried at Eenhana shrine rather than Heroes Acre, and raising questions about who decides burial status for liberation struggle fighters.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has announced shortlisted candidates for Officer Cadets, Recruits, and National Youth Service positions, who must report to regional centres on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, for Pre-Entry and Physical Fitness Tests. Only successful candidates will proceed to the next phase, with the entire process expected to be finalised by 3 March 2026.
The Namibia Command and Staff College has commenced its 6th Senior Command and Staff Course with 36 student military officers from Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania, reflecting regional defence cooperation. The year-long course emphasises leadership, professionalism and analytical skills in the evolving security environment.