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Sunday, 6 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture

Also known as: MEIYSAC · Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture · Ministry of Youth

Namibian government ministry overseeing education, youth sports, arts and culture initiatives including school reforms, digital learning platforms, and sports development programmes.

2026-01-072026-09-06
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    MEIYSAC made every effort to provide team with necessary logistical assistance

    Source

    “She said MEIYSAC had made every effort to provide the team with the necessary logistical assistance to ensure a smooth campaign.”

    Junior tennis teams represent Namibia at regional championships
Society

National research commission battles funding and staffing gaps

The News

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology faces significant institutional and financial challenges, including heavy reliance on external funding, insufficient staffing, and limited specialist research capacity, according to a National Council Standing Committee report. The NCRST is considering a research and development levy and incentives for companies to establish R&D capacity as potential solutions.

31 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 31 August

  1. National research commission battles funding and staffing gaps

    The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology faces significant institutional and financial challenges, including heavy reliance on external funding, insufficient staffing, and limited specialist research capacity, according to a National Council Standing Committee report. The NCRST is considering a research and development levy and incentives for companies to establish R&D capacity as potential solutions.

    31 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 21 August

  1. President receives repatriated Namibian ancestral remains from South Africa

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described the repatriation of 84 ancestral remains, casts, and cultural artefacts from Iziko Museum in South Africa, along with the mortal remains of two liberation struggle figures, Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge, as a significant milestone in restoring dignity and identity. The ceremony took place at Hosea Kutako International Airport.

    21 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Namibia launches N$17.5m creative sector plan for 470 jobs

    Namibia's government has formalised a N$17.5 million Local Content Plan expected to create approximately 470 direct jobs and support film production across all 14 regions through a memorandum of understanding between the ministries of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture and information and communication technology. The funding will finance a national soap opera, two limited television series, 14 regional short films, and a film production equipment access programme, as part of a broader N$50 million government allocation to creative industries programmes.

    18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 15 August

  1. Namibia launches digital learning platform for rural youth

    The Namibia Learning Passport, launched by the ministry of education in partnership with UNICEF, provides digital and offline access to learning materials for young people in rural and underserved communities to develop skills relevant to education, employment and entrepreneurship.

    15 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Flood-affected Zambezi school elevation project costs N$268.7m

    The Central Procurement Board says it will cost N$268.7 million to elevate the grounds of the flood-affected Muzii Combined School in the Zambezi region over three years. The contract was awarded to Art Construction CC and will include elevated platforms, embankment protection, hostel blocks, and other school infrastructure to improve resilience and safety.

    13 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Education ministry warns funding crisis threatens school reforms

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has warned that inadequate funding and ageing infrastructure threaten schools and free tertiary education goals.

    6 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Education ministry exempted NTA from competitive bidding for hostel food

    The education ministry sought an exemption from finance to appoint the Namibia Training Authority to supply food to government school hostels outside open competitive bidding, citing the need to reduce litigation risks and ensure food security after prolonged court cases. The interim arrangement is budgeted at just over N$90 million per month for six months pending resolution of a Supreme Court case.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Namibia declares end of cholera outbreak after 28 days

    Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.

    15 July 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Namibia could raise sports investment to N$68.5 million

    An additional N$50 million earmarked in the national budget could lift Namibia's sports investment to N$68.5 million this year, with funding directed towards elite athlete development, international competition preparation, and the Podium Performance Programme targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

    7 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. Keetmanshoop to host Namibia's 2026 International Youth Day

    Namibia will hold the 2026 International Youth Day national commemorations in Keetmanshoop on 12 August 2026, with the theme "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships." The annual UN-observed day recognises young people's contributions and addresses challenges including unemployment, education access, health and civic participation.

    7 July 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 2 July

  1. President visits China space tracking station in Namibia

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the China Tracking, Telemetry and Command Station, where she was briefed on its space operations capabilities and highlighted Namibia's commitment to advancing scientific training and international technological cooperation.

    2 July 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Ministry warns public against unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged Namibians to avoid enrolling in unregistered or unaccredited higher education institutions, warning that their qualifications are not recognised for employment or further studies. The ministry stressed that all institutions must be registered with the National Council for Higher Education or the Namibia Training Authority, and all programmes must be accredited by the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

    2 July 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 28 June

  1. Namibia launches school sports development programme for youth

    Namibia has launched the School Sports for Development (SS4D) Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture in collaboration with UNICEF Namibia, to use sport as a tool for promoting education, social inclusion and life skills development among learners. Vice President Lucia Witbooi said the initiative represents a national commitment to developing young Namibians with the skills, values and resilience needed to contribute to the country's future.

    28 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 25 June

  1. Ministry urges public to report unregistered higher education institutions

    The Ministry of Education has urged the public to report higher education institutions operating without registration or accreditation, warning that qualifications from unregistered and unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by employers or other learning institutions. The ministry advises prospective students to verify a college or university's registration with the NCHE or NTA before enrolling and to check that their course is accredited with the NQA before making payments.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

  1. Violence erupts at National Youth Council assembly in Swakopmund

    Nine delegates were injured during violent disruptions at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday, prompting the Electoral Committee to resign and the Ministry of Education to postpone proceedings citing safety and order concerns.

    21 June 2026 · Informanté →

  2. National Youth Council assembly postponed after Saturday violence

    The Ministry of Education indefinitely postponed the National Youth Council general assembly in Swakopmund following an outbreak of violence on Saturday that injured nine delegates. The Electoral Committee has resigned citing safety concerns, and the ministry has received petitions from affiliates raising compliance and verification issues; Youth Minister Steenkamp says the interim board will address outstanding matters and communicate next steps.

    21 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Minister Steenkamp appoints Boxing and Wrestling Control Board

    The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has officially appointed the members of the Boxing and Wrestling Control Board for a three-year term, mandated to oversee development, promotion and regulation of boxing and wrestling in Namibia. The Board is chaired by Ronald Patrick Kurtz and includes Dr Naftal Natanael, Anita Tjombe Gawanas, Monalisa Molebugi and Kaura Tjimuine.

    21 June 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Real Madrid Foundation football clinic opens in Oshakati

    The 2026 Real Madrid Foundation Football Clinic has opened in Oshakati, providing primary school learners with football training and life-skills development through a partnership between the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, the Namibia School Sport Union, Cadilu Fishing Pty Ltd and the Real Madrid Foundation to promote youth empowerment, discipline and talent development.

    21 June 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 19 June

  1. Education Ministry clarifies 2027 school admissions not first-come basis

    Namibia's Ministry of Education has urged parents not to camp outside schools to secure admission for 2027, clarifying that the admission process is not based on first-come, first-served. The ministry stressed that no parent is required to sleep outside school gates, and that admissions are guided by the Constitution, the Education Act 2020, and Circular 3 of 2026.

    19 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Nedbank Citi Dash targets 5,000 runners in 2026

    Organisers of the 2026 Nedbank Citi Dash aim to attract 5,000 participants when the running event returns to Windhoek on 5 and 6 September at Vegkop Stadium. The event has grown from a city race into a platform promoting health, fitness and community engagement, with participation rising to over 3,000 in recent years.

    18 June 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 6 June

  1. NSFAF clearing outstanding student payments weekly from June

    The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is processing institutional invoices since April 2026 for tuition and non-tuition support, with advance payments already made to institutions. Non-tuition fee payments will now be processed weekly starting the second week of June 2026.

    6 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Nanso, NSFAF reach deadlock over student fund delays

    The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) walked out of talks with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) over delayed disbursement of tuition and non-tuition funds, rejecting proposed timelines and calling for a protest at Government Park on Friday after the fund failed to meet previous commitments to release funds in April.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government orders universities to permit NSFAF-funded student exams

    The Ministry of Education has directed higher education institutions to allow NSFAF-funded students to write examinations and access results while funding payments are being finalised. The ministry is processing about 100,000 student funding records; delays stem from a high volume of applications, implementation of a new tertiary education funding model, and NSFAF integration.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 29 May

  1. Ministry hosts EU funding session for universities and researchers

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture and UNAM hosted a hybrid information session on European Union funding opportunities through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programmes for higher education institutions. The session highlighted how these programmes support research collaboration, innovation, international partnerships, and institutional capacity building aligned with national priorities.

    29 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Youth centres to become multi-purpose hubs for skills

    Twamanguluka youth organisation and the ministry of youth have launched a national Youth Centre Revitalisation Project to transform youth centres into integrated hubs offering education, healthcare, enterprise development, sports, technology and employment pathways. Pilot programmes will begin in Katima Mulilo, Rundu and Gobabis.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Vice President praises inclusive vocational education programme milestone

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi commended Namibia's inclusive education efforts at a graduation ceremony where 696 learners with special educational needs and disabilities received Certificates in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills, the programme's second cohort since its 2019 introduction. The NQA-accredited programme prepares graduates for vocational training, entrepreneurship, employment, and further education opportunities.

    20 May 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. CBPVS graduation highlights shift toward inclusive vocational training

    The Ministry of Education will host a graduation ceremony for the Certificate in Basic Pre-Vocational Skills (CBPVS), a two-year programme designed to strengthen inclusive education and equip learners with special educational needs and disabilities with foundational vocational and life skills while bridging skills gaps and responding to labour market demands.

    19 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 11 May

  1. Education ministry seeks to cancel costly empty building lease

    The Ministry of Education has sought legal advice to cancel a lease agreement for an unoccupied Independence Avenue building that has cost the state N$1.1 million monthly since 2024. The building, leased from northern businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba since December 2023, was found unsuitable for office use and remains empty.

    11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Government plans N$5 million sports facility for Rehoboth

    Government will build a N$5 million sports facility in Rehoboth with a gravel athletics track, ablution facilities, and a pavilion seating approximately 350 spectators as part of the Basic Constituency Sport Infrastructure Facilities programme allocating N$10 million per region for 28 facilities nationwide. Residents have raised concerns about the location near an oxidation pond and cemetery, and questioned why a new facility is being pursued while an older stadium remains incomplete.

    21 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

  1. Government funds Collective Singers' international tour to Canada

    The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture has sponsored N$400,000 to support the Namibian choir Collective Singers for a singing tour in Canada from 11 to 25 April, representing the country alongside choirs from around the world. Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti said the financial support reflects the government's commitment to investing in talent and enabling Namibian artists to perform on global stages.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute