Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs

Also known as: MODVA

Namibian government ministry overseeing the Namibian Defence Force, military training, veterans affairs, and regional defence cooperation.

2023-08-272026-07-23

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. July 2026
  2. Informanté

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs assured public that no live ammunition or live firing will be used during the exercise

    Source

    The ministry assured the public that no live ammunition or live firing will be used during the exercise.

    NDF to conduct training exercises near Okahandja today
  3. The Namibian

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs is part of the Namibian delegation mission to South Africa

    Source

    Officials from the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the Museums Association of Namibia and the National Heritage Council of Namibia are also part of the mission.

    Remains of Namibian Robben Island prisoners to be repatriated
  4. June 2026
  5. Informanté

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs requested shortlisted NDF candidates to report to NDF Training Establishment at Osona Military Base for military training

    Source

    The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has requested shortlisted candidates who applied for opportunities in the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) to report to the NDF Training Establishment at Osona Military Base for military training.

    Shortlisted NDF candidates to report for training in July
  6. Informanté

    The ministry said shortlisted candidates are expected to undergo military training from 7 to 9 July 2026

    Source

    The ministry said the shortlisted candidates are expected to undergo military training from 7 to 9 July 2026.

    Shortlisted NDF candidates to report for training in July
  7. The Namibian

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs employs Kamberipa as a geographic information science specialist

    Source

    The single mother of one is currently employed as a geographic information science specialist by the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

    ‘Silent killer’ Kamberipa nets top coaching job
  8. Windhoek Observer

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has not been the subject of veterans' fight according to minister's statement

    Source

    They are there, and they have stated very clearly that they are there, but they have clearly made it open that their fight is not with the veteran ministry or any of the GRN.

    ‘Veterans camped outside Swapo HQ are receiving their benefits’ – Kapofi
  9. May 2026
  10. The Namibian

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs intercepted a 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.

    Experts push for stronger penalties as illegal fishing drains marine resources
  11. April 2026
  12. Informanté

    The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs stated that the lecture was part of the 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.

    Zimbabwean ambassador outlines SADC security architecture at NDF college
  13. The Namibian

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs confirmed USS 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.

    US nuclear super carrier transits Namibia’s waters: What to know
  14. New Era

    Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spent N$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.

    N$2.5m spent on veterans’ funerals in 2025
Politics

NDF conducts training exercises near Okahandja today

The News

The Namibian Defence Force will conduct training exercises in the Oser-Kari area near Okahandja in Otjozondjupa Region from 08:00 to 17:00. The ministry said no live ammunition will be used and the activity poses no threat to public safety.

13 July 2026 · Informanté

Monday 13 July

  1. NDF conducts training exercises near Okahandja today

    The Namibian Defence Force will conduct training exercises in the Oser-Kari area near Okahandja in Otjozondjupa Region from 08:00 to 17:00. The ministry said no live ammunition will be used and the activity poses no threat to public safety.

    13 July 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 12 July

  1. Namibian delegation begins mission to repatriate Robben Island prisoners' remains

    A Namibian delegation has begun a five-day mission to South Africa to arrange the exhumation and repatriation of two former Robben Island prisoners buried in Cape Town. The delegation, which includes traditional authorities, former prisoners, family members, and government officials, is meeting South African counterparts to discuss legal, cultural, technical and logistical arrangements.

    12 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 8 July

  1. President tours NDF brigade, emphasises discipline and professionalism

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade in Windhoek and emphasised discipline as the cornerstone of military professionalism, while calling for coordinated response to substance abuse within the Namibian Defence Force. She reminded troops of their responsibility to protect the Central Region, including the capital city and key institutions.

    8 July 2026 · Informanté

Monday 29 June

  1. 26 military officers graduate from Namibia Command and Staff College

    Twenty-six student officers, including three foreign officers from Botswana and Zambia, graduated from Junior Command and Staff Course No. 21/2026 at the Namibia Command and Staff College in Okahandja. Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Martin Kambulu Pinehas urged the newly qualified officers to become agents of positive change and apply their learning to remain combat-ready.

    29 June 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 27 June

  1. Namibia Defence Force shortlisted candidates report for training

    The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has asked shortlisted NDF candidates to report to the NDF Training Establishment at Osona Military Base for military training from 7 to 9 July 2026. Candidates must bring original educational certificates, national identity cards, birth certificates, and supporting documents, and are required to open bank accounts and obtain Tax Certificates.

    27 June 2026 · Informanté

Friday 26 June

  1. Retired netball player Kamberipa appointed under-19 national coach

    Former Desert Jewels and Unam attacking player Vijanda Kamberipa has been appointed head coach of the national under-19 netball team. Kamberipa, who played for junior national teams that defeated South Africa, said she was groomed for senior national play from her under-19 days and credits her game intelligence for her success.

    26 June 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Defence minister denies rift with protesting veterans

    Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Frans Kapofi told Parliament that veterans camped outside Swapo Party headquarters continue to receive all benefits and support due to them despite their protest, saying they have clarified their concerns are not directed at the government or ministry.

    26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Monday 15 June

  1. Ex-apartheid soldiers plan N$5.7b lawsuit against government

    Over 22,000 former South West Africa Territory Force (SWATF) soldiers plan to sue the government for N$5.7 billion in unpaid veteran benefits and compensation, claiming they have not received benefits due to them since independence. The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs questioned the origin of the funds being claimed.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 2 June

  1. IPC calls for stronger mental health support for soldiers

    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.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Saturday 30 May

  1. NDF confirms deaths of two soldiers in separate incidents

    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.

    30 May 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 22 May

  1. NDF modernising training to include drone warfare systems

    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.

    22 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 21 May

  1. Experts call for stronger illegal fishing penalties in SADC region

    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.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Parliamentary committee visits Command and Staff College

    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.

    19 May 2026 · Informanté

Monday 4 May

  1. Namibian Air Force reinforces civil-military aviation cooperation

    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.

    4 May 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Zimbabwean ambassador outlines SADC security framework at college

    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.

    28 April 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 26 April

  1. Minister orders inquiry into tribal bias at Roads Authority

    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.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 22 April

  1. US nuclear aircraft carrier transits Namibia's exclusive economic zone

    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.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 9 April

  1. Lake Liambezi farmers harvest crops before advancing floodwaters

    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.

    9 April 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Ministry of Defence allocates N$1.5 billion for veterans welfare

    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.

    7 April 2026 · New Era

  2. President appoints new ministerial and deputy ministerial officials

    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.

    7 April 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 2 April

  1. Swapo MP proposes sovereign fund to support veterans sustainably

    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.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Defence ministry tables N$1.52 billion veterans welfare budget

    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.

    31 March 2026 · Informanté

Friday 27 March

  1. Minister orders old TB hospital tenants to vacate by April 1

    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.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 6 March

  1. Lt Gen Ndaitwah addresses military on strategic leadership

    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.

    6 March 2026 · Informanté

Monday 16 February

  1. Foreign military attachés reaffirm defence cooperation with Namibia

    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.

    16 February 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Army opens leadership courses at Nehale Lyampingana Battle School

    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.

    11 February 2026 · Informanté

Friday 6 February

  1. NDF conducts nationwide fitness tests for officer and recruit candidates

    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.

    6 February 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 24 January

  1. Namibia failing to honour war veterans, says opinion writer

    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.

    24 January 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Defence Ministry releases shortlisted candidates for recruitment testing

    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.

    24 January 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 15 January

  1. 36 military officers begin senior command training at Okahandja

    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.

    15 January 2026 · Informanté

Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute