Thursday, 23 July 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Thursday, 23 July 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia National Students Organisation

Also known as: National Association of Namibian Students Organisations

Student advocacy organisation in Namibia that represents student interests and engages with education funding and policy matters.

2023-10-072026-07-23

What’s been said

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

March 2026
2 MarInformanté
Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO) had a SWAPO-affiliated faction formerly led by Abraham Ndumbu
Source
“ABRAHAM Ndumbu, the controversial former leader of the SWAPO-affiliated faction of the Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO), is behind bars.”
Former NEFF Commissar arrested for rape
February 2026
2 FebNew Era
Namibia National Students Organisation had as member and branch chairperson John Mwoonde during high school years
Source
“Mwoonde joined the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) during his high school years and served as a branch chairperson.”
Mwoonde steers development in John Pandeni
January 2026
29 JanNew Era
Namibia National Students Organisation said 2025 NSSCO and AS results exclude learners with disability
Source
“The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) said the 2025 results of Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary (NSSCO) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) national examination results exclude learners living with disability.”
Nanso decries exclusion … ‘disabled learners missing from national exams’
23 JanNew Era
Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) said government must establish clear timelines and monitoring systems for subsidy rollout
Source
“Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) spokesperson Jessy Abraham said this directive shows the government's willingness to hold institutions accountable in the rollout of fully subsidised tertiary education.”
Subsidised tertiary education draws mixed reactions
21 JanThe Namibian
Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) issued a strong warning to teachers and school sport officials on alcohol use and pupil safety
Source
“The National Association of Namibian Students Organisations (Nanso) in the Kunene region has issued a strong warning to teachers and school sport officials, urging them to uphold discipline and prioritise pupils' safety during school tournaments.”
Nanso warns teachers against alcohol use at school sport events
19 JanNew Era
Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) expressed satisfaction towards the subsidy's new arrangement
Source
“The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) expressed satisfaction towards the subsidy's new arrangement.”
Govt throws grade 11s a lifeline …NSFAF widens education access
February 2024
11 FebThe Namibian
Nanso had four or so youth leaders appointed to the legislature and executive by Swapo over the last decade
Source
“The appointment of four or so youth leaders from the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) to the legislature and executive by Swapo over the last decade highlights the importance of youth base consolidation.”
The Consolidation of Power in Namibia: Lessons for the Opposition
October 2023
7 OctThe Namibian
Samson Ndeikwila was instrumental in the formation of Namibia National Students Organisation
Source
“It appears the book is a self-cleansing ritual for Ndeikwila who, among others, was instrumental in the formation of Namibia National Students Organisation and 'Breaking the Wall of Silence', a pressure group that sought closure on detentions, deaths and disappearances in exile.”
The agony of never knowing the whole truth

Society

Child parliament speaker reflects on advocacy and representation

The News

The speaker of Namibia's sixth children's parliament session, Jane Phiri, says child parliamentarians represent children's voices and advocate their rights, having held discussions on education, child protection, health and youth empowerment during their term that began in July 2024. Although they cannot pass laws, they make recommendations to decision-makers to help create a more inclusive environment for Namibian children.

21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 July

Child parliament speaker reflects on advocacy and representation
The speaker of Namibia's sixth children's parliament session, Jane Phiri, says child parliamentarians represent children's voices and advocate their rights, having held discussions on education, child protection, health and youth empowerment during their term that began in July 2024. Although they cannot pass laws, they make recommendations to decision-makers to help create a more inclusive environment for Namibian children.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

Katima medical students settle tuition fees with cattle
Students at Shiramed Medical Institute in Katima Mulilo have negotiated with the institution to pay tuition fees with cattle instead of cash, an arrangement the principal tutor says has helped those without ready cash but who own livestock. The Students Union of Namibia supports the model, suggesting payment with livestock and agricultural produce could help rural families access higher education.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 6 July

Education committee launches stakeholder engagement programme
The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has begun a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight. Committee chairperson Bethuel Tjaveondja said the sessions would help the committee assess whether institutions are fulfilling their roles in education, research, innovation and skills development.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Education committee begins stakeholder engagement on sector challenges
The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has launched a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight and measure whether they are fulfilling their roles in national development priorities.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary committee emphasizes stakeholder engagement for oversight
Bethuel Tjaveondja, addressing the Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, called for stronger parliamentary oversight through direct engagement with institutions under the committee's portfolio, arguing that effective oversight requires more than examining reports and policy documents.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

Minister suspends NYC leadership elections amid delegate tensions
Minister Sanet Steenkamp halted proceedings at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday night after tensions over delegate accreditation and election timing escalated into disorder, forcing postponement of the leadership vote scheduled to elect a new executive chairperson and board for four years.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 18 June

Youth bodies reject calls to scrap NYC chair position
Youth organisations and political parties have rejected parliamentarian Imms Nashinge's calls to abolish the National Youth Council chairperson position, arguing the office is necessary and was established through legislation. The debate emerges as former Nanso presidents Esther Simon and Simon Taapopi contest the NYC chairperson position in General Assembly elections at Swakopmund.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 17 June

Youth coalition endorses Ester Simon for NYC chairperson
A coalition of youth and student groups from across Namibia's political spectrum has endorsed Ester Simon as their sole candidate for executive chairperson of the National Youth Council, ahead of the NYC's elective General Assembly in Swakopmund. Simon will contest the position against former NANSO president Simon Taapopi.
17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 15 June

Boys punished with overnight corridor confinement at school
Grades 8 and 9 boys at Caprivi Senior Secondary School were forced to sleep in cold corridors without blankets as punishment for losing hostel keys. The incident has drawn condemnation from parents and the Namibia National Students Organisation, with the regional education director confirming the matter and pledging to address it through public service staff rules.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

Government advances N$247m to NSFAF for faster student payments
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has provided an additional N$247 million to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to accelerate student allowance payments, with disbursements expected to begin this week, as NSFAF continues to face criticism over payment delays.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Steenkamp accused of irregular special advisor appointment
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has been accused of irregularly appointing Uhuru Dempers as her special advisor on youth matters and paying him without following proper recruitment procedures. Sources claim Dempers has been attending meetings on the minister's behalf since October 2025 and allegedly lobbied on behalf of an interim board at a National Youth Council meeting in ways not provided for by the NYC Act.
10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 4 June

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

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 →

Thursday 21 May

Mines minister to investigate dumped CVs in Karibib
Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse says his ministry will investigate allegations that CVs submitted by unemployed Namibians to M15 Mining Contractor, a Chinese company working for Osino Resources Corporation in Karibib, were dumped in the open. Amutse described the handling of job seekers' personal information as unacceptable and indicated the Ministry of Labour may also become involved due to both labour and ethical concerns.
21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 4 May

Commemorating Damara community leader Simson !Gobs
The Damara community remembers Simson !Gobs, who died on 4 May 1985 after playing a significant role during Namibia's liberation struggle. Operating under the Damara Raad, !Gobs helped facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the Damara community and Swapo, including participation in the historic Damara Raad–Swapo Lusaka Summit.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 April

PSC retains 16 officials over 60 amid youth joblessness row
The Public Service Commission retained 16 officials over the age of 60 due to their specialised skills, citing legal provisions for critical expertise gaps, but the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition over potential political patronage and youth unemployment.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

Advanced Subsidiary curriculum review planned as performance declines
Five years after its rollout, Namibia's Advanced Subsidiary curriculum will undergo review as the percentage of candidates graded in at least three subjects fell to 70.30% in 2025 from a 2021 peak of 76.00%. The Ministry of Education cited performance data, monitoring visits, and examination analysis as informing potential revisions.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

Government extends costly emergency school food contracts six months
The government has cancelled a restricted bidding process for school hostel food procurement and extended costly interim emergency contracts for six months to avoid disruptions while a new tender is finalised. The extension follows legal procedures linked to the procurement process, though stakeholders raise concerns about transparency and the impact on vulnerable hostel pupils.
21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 April

Student unions demand fair funding model after Nanso suspension
Student unions have called on the government to establish an equitable funding model after the suspension of funding to the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) amid allegations of misuse and favouritism. While some unions welcome the halt to Nanso's exclusive funding, they oppose complete removal of financial support to student bodies and instead urge the Ministry of Education to distribute budgets fairly among all three student organisations in Namibia.
18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

Nanso raises N$26,600 for school furniture repairs via football tournament
The Namibia National Students Organisation held a 7-a-side football tournament in Windhoek involving 12 corporate teams to raise funds for its #FixMySchool initiative, which aims to repair and restore school furniture like desks and chairs. The event raised awareness about infrastructure challenges in schools and emphasised collective stakeholder responsibility in improving education conditions.
13 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

Youth activism evolves from liberation struggle to economic justice
Namibian youth were central to the independence struggle, but veterans and contemporary activists argue that economic emancipation remains incomplete. Today's youth movements have shifted from political freedom to addressing unemployment, social inequality, and demanding accountability for change.
20 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 13 March

Nanso documents rural Kunene school infrastructure and learning gaps
The Namibia National Students Organisation completed its Access to Education and Fix My School Campaign in Kunene region, visiting multiple schools to assess learning conditions. The campaign found positive teaching efforts at some schools but also identified critical challenges including lack of basic teaching materials, temporary tent classrooms, and learners sleeping in classrooms due to absent hostel facilities, with findings to be submitted to the Ministry of Education.
13 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 March

Former NEFF commissar arrested for rape of child
Abraham Ndumbu, a controversial former leader of student and political movements including NANSO and NEFF, has been arrested and charged with rape following allegations that he repeatedly raped a 13-year-old girl between February 2025 and January this year.
2 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 2 February

John Pandeni councillor outlines development and service delivery priorities
Matheus David John Pandeni constituency councillor John Mwoonde says his leadership focuses on uniting communities, expanding economic participation, and addressing social challenges including unemployment, urban hunger, and substance abuse. Since taking office, he has implemented infrastructure upgrades, educational support, funded income-generating projects, and rolled out wellness and socio-economic programmes for residents.
2 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 29 January

Students' union demands disability data in national exam results
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) has criticised the education ministry for excluding disability-disaggregated data from the 2025 NSSCO and AS national examination results, saying for the second consecutive year learners with disabilities are rendered invisible in national reporting. The ministry responded that it reported all candidates collectively as an inclusive approach, while Nanso argues that without separate disability data, the system cannot assess whether learners with disabilities are accessing and succeeding in education.
29 January 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 28 January

New NYC interim chair pledges ownership, revived programmes
Patience Masua, newly appointed interim executive chairperson of the National Youth Council, said young people must take ownership of the institution and vowed to restore confidence through functional, meaningful programmes that respond to youth aspirations. She plans to hold a General Assembly soon and revive strategic partnerships while ensuring compliance with the NYC Act.
28 January 2026 · New Era →

Friday 23 January

Subsidised tertiary education policy draws cautious and critical responses
The education ministry expanded access to subsidised tertiary education including Grade 11 students, with the NSFAF non-tuition threshold raised to N$300,000 household income. While some student organisations welcomed the move, critics questioned the criteria for qualifying students, sustainability concerns, and whether the policy constitutes genuine free education or was politically motivated.
23 January 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 21 January

Nanso urges teachers to avoid alcohol at school sports events
The National Association of Namibian Students Organisations (Nanso) in Kunene region has warned teachers and school sport officials against consuming alcohol during tournaments, saying it compromises pupil safety and undermines professional responsibility. The organization also called for medical support at all school sporting events and encouraged schools to participate in an upcoming debate competition.
21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 January

Government expands NSFAF subsidy to Grade 11 students
Namibia's education ministry has widened access to tertiary education funding by including Grade 11 (NSSCO Ordinary Level) students in the subsidised model and raising the non-tuition household income threshold to N$300,000. Minister Sanet Steenkamp emphasised that NSFAF requirements remain the basis for funding eligibility, and tertiary institutions must refund any illegally collected registration fees.
19 January 2026 · New Era →