Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
February 2026
The Namibian
Namibian Constitutionguaranteesfreedom of speech and expression, including freedom of press and other media
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“The ombudsman reminded stakeholders of Article 21(1)(a) of the Namibian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression, including freedom of the press and other media.”
The Namibian Constitutionis hailed asone of the best in the world
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“The Namibian Constitution, hailed as one of the best in the world, is not merely a legal document, it is our nation's moral compass, the embodiment of our shared vision for peace, unity, justice and prosperity.”
Namibian Constitutionenshrinespress freedom and access to information in Article 21
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“The Presidency said that while occasional misunderstandings may occur in interactions between public institutions and the media, it remains dedicated to upholding press freedom, access to information, and structured communication as enshrined in Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution.”
Article 99 of the Namibian Constitutionrequiresforeign investment be encouraged through Investment Code adopted by Parliament
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“In a legal opinion commissioned by the Namibia Institute for Economic Policy (NIEP), Heathcote concludes that the Bill is inconsistent with Article 99 of the Namibian Constitution, which requires foreign investment to be encouraged through an Investment Code adopted by Parliament, rather than through an Act of Parliament.”
“Of course, some ministers are trying to wedge into that area, sometimes adapting unconstitutional methods by violating the dignity of people as per Article 8 (2) (b) of the Namibian Constitution.”
Article 78 of the Namibian Constitutionstatesall courts in Namibia are subject only to the Constitution and the law
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“The starting point for judicial independence is Article 78 of the Namibian Constitution, which states that all courts in Namibia are subject only to the Constitution and the law, and that no member of Cabinet or the legislature, or any other person, may interfere with judges in the exercise of their judicial functions.”
Namibian Constitutionobliges the state toactively promote and maintain welfare by maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity
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“Article 95(l) of the Constitution obliges the state to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting policies aimed at the maintenance of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Namibian Constitutionenshrineeducation as constitutional right in Article 20(1)
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“Education is a constitutional right as enshrined in Article 20(1) of the Namibian Constitution and affirmed by Section 6(1) of the Basic Education Act (Act No. 3 of 2020).”
Legal practitioner Sisa Namandje contends that 37 years after independence, black Namibians remain unable to pursue the happiness promised in the Constitution's preamble, accusing both legislature and executive of insufficient action on racial economic imbalances and policies favouring those disadvantaged under apartheid.
Why it matters
A legal practitioner's stark assessment that black Namibians lack meaningful economic transformation 37 years after independence challenges the nation's progress on constitutional promises.
Legal practitioner Sisa Namandje contends that 37 years after independence, black Namibians remain unable to pursue the happiness promised in the Constitution's preamble, accusing both legislature and executive of insufficient action on racial economic imbalances and policies favouring those disadvantaged under apartheid.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Shali Shindume as her Economic Advisor, effective 1 June 2026, under the Special Advisors and Regional Governors Appointment Act.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has begun a nationwide stakeholder consultation process to review the Electoral Act ahead of the 2029 and 2030 elections, incorporating lessons from the 2024 and 2025 electoral cycles. The ECN is reviving an Electoral Amendment Bill drafted after previous stakeholder engagements to undertake legislative reforms outlined in the Electoral Act of 2014.
The Presidency has acknowledged growing concern over sensitive presidential decisions and internal discussions appearing online ahead of formal announcements, with Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo attributing the trend to challenges of managing information in a fast-moving democratic society and saying the Presidency remains committed to using proper, authorised channels.
Lawyer Florian Beukes argued in High Court that his client Bernard Esau, 69, has experienced oppressive pre-trial incarceration after seven years in custody since his arrest in November 2019, citing exhausted defence funds and violation of constitutional rights to a speedy trial. Esau and nine co-accused, including former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala, face 42 counts including corruption and racketeering over allegedly receiving N$300 million in payments to favour the Icelandic fishing company Samherji.
An opinion by Tuhafeni Hailonga argues that voluntary DNA testing of newborns should be available to establish legal parentage and protect children's right to identity, countering privacy concerns by emphasizing the asymmetry between maternity and paternity certainty and the constitutional balance needed between parents' and children's rights.
An analysis of lifestyle audits—investigative tools that compare public officials' known income with observable wealth to detect illicit enrichment—argues they can deter corruption but risk infringing on privacy rights and reversing the burden of proof under the Namibian Constitution. The authors contend that for lifestyle audits to be constitutionally compliant, they require clear legal frameworks with defined triggers, judicial oversight, procedural safeguards, and confidentiality protections.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the appointment of Charles Mubita as minister in the presidency, eight deputy ministers across various portfolios, and an adviser to the minister of defence and veterans affairs, with the aim of strengthening governance and coordination.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Charles Mubita as Minister in the Presidency and Moses //Khumub as Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, along with seven deputy ministers and an advisor to the Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister. The President said the appointments are intended to strengthen the Executive arm and improve institutional coordination and service delivery.
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development launched its 2025–2030 strategic plan, anchored on sustainable human settlement, effective governance, and regional development. Minister James Sankwasa urged officials to adopt long-term thinking to support Namibia's industrialisation and align with Vision 2030, warning against short-sighted approaches.
Ex-agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari has formally demanded N$10 million in damages from government, claiming his April 2025 arrest was unlawful, carried out without a warrant, and in violation of constitutional rights. His lawyers allege he was detained for over three months without proper grounds and later prosecuted without sufficient legal basis, causing reputational and financial harm; authorities have 30 days to settle before legal proceedings commence.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi delivered a tribute at the graveside of Reverend Willem Konjore in ǂGabes on the eve of Namibia's 36th independence anniversary, highlighting his role as a founding father, liberation struggle participant, and senior government minister who died in June 2021.
Since independence in 1990, Namibia's Parliament has evolved into a democratically elected body and now has its first female speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, elected in March 2025. However, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah notes that despite its progressive constitutional framework, Parliament has struggled with weak oversight of the executive due to single-party dominance and the executive being drawn directly from Parliament, resulting in limited depth in legislative debate.
National Council chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha addressed members of the 7th National Council at an induction seminar in Swakopmund, urging them to strengthen their role in promoting inclusive development and participatory democracy as a constitutional imperative. He stressed that parliament must listen to citizens' voices and hold the executive accountable, while the NC serves as a bridge between regional and central government interests.
The Namibian Defence Force says its proposal to reclassify the FYM 401 airspace in Erongo as restricted follows international aviation standards and is under review by the National Airspace Committee. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has objected, warning the change could disrupt flight routes and harm sectors including tourism, mining, and rural services that depend on aviation.
Andrea Ferris appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Tuesday charged with the murder of Abre Maasdorp and attempted murder of her ex-husband Granville Maasdorp following a domestic altercation at Elisenheim. The court remanded her in custody and postponed the matter to 4 June while she applies for legal aid.
An opinion piece argues that the proposed Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, which would move upstream oil governance from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to the Office of the President, poses constitutional and accountability risks by concentrating discretion outside parliamentary scrutiny and historical safeguards. The author proposes instead creating an independent, specialised upstream regulator outside the Presidency, strengthening conflict-of-interest rules, operationalising dormant accountability laws, and equipping Parliament with resources to oversee the sector.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is proposing to shift upstream oil licensing powers from the minister to the presidency, a move she argues is justified given her removal of a minister over corruption. However, according to an opinion piece by professor Roman Grynberg, the proposed legislation lacks transparency provisions and parliamentary oversight, and extends civil immunity to presidential appointees in ways that could facilitate future corruption similar to the Fishrot scandal.
PDM parliamentarian Inna Hengari has questioned the disbursement of N$1.26 million in legal fees related to suspended Katima Mulilo Town Council chief executive Raphael Liswaniso, arguing that such costly legal entanglements deplete public resources and delay essential development.
Industries Minister Modestus Amutse denied allegations that petroleum licence decisions are made from the Office of the President, stating that all such decisions are the responsibility of the Mines Minister and processed through the Ministry's Upstream Unit and Commissioner of Petroleum. The new Petroleum Bill 2025 will transfer this authority to a new Upstream Petroleum Unit Regulatory Authority within the Office of the President.
The Ombudsman has released a damning report concluding that the Namibia Revenue Agency's recruitment process violated the Constitution through maladministration, lack of transparency, and apparent discrimination based on race and ethnicity, including the use of "tribal groupings" in shortlisting candidates. The report calls for urgent reforms including stricter adherence to merit-based criteria, independent oversight, and regular audits of hiring practices.
As Namibia marked Constitution Day on 9 February, leaders praised the Constitution as a progressive democratic foundation, but legal scholar Shepherd Nyambe warned that rising violence, poverty and inequality threaten its ideals and called for moral renewal alongside economic justice and constitutional education.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the Supreme Court on the opening of the 2026 legal year, emphasising the constitutional independence of the judiciary, its role in democratic governance, and the need to address challenges including case backlogs, judicial security concerns, and rising crime affecting the tourism sector.
Namibia's Constitution, enacted in 1990 and globally recognized as one of the best, is celebrated annually on 9 February. Legal professionals interviewed by New Era praised its role in protecting democratic rights and the rule of law, but also highlighted significant challenges: weak operation of lower courts, inadequate security for prosecutors and judicial staff, and a failure to address poverty and inequality affecting much of the population.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism faces a N$165 million funding gap that threatens conservation efforts across 21 protected areas, with immediate shortfalls of N$45 million for anti-poaching equipment and N$120 million for park infrastructure upgrades. A parliamentary committee has recommended increased tourism concession fees, biodiversity offset mechanisms, and private sector partnerships to close the gap.
Namibia has refused to approve Phase 2 of the South Africa-Lesotho Highlands Water Project, citing concerns about reduced downstream water flows on the Orange River and potential damage to its irrigation schemes, mining, and power projects. The ministry says the blockade will stand until South Africa commits to jointly developing the Noordoewer-Vioolsdrift Dam as a mitigation measure.
Namibia's Media Ombudsman Sadrag Shihomeka has called on journalists, public office bearers and the public to exercise freedom of expression responsibly, warning that growing tensions in the media space risk undermining professionalism and public trust. He emphasized that professionalism and ethical self-regulation remain central to credible journalism while condemning conduct by journalists that brings the profession into disrepute.
Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila opened the third session of Namibia's eighth parliament, emphasising the theme of enhancing parliament's role for inclusive development and participatory democracy. She stressed the importance of complementarity between the executive, legislature, and judiciary, and called for MPs to recommit to inclusivity, participation, and service to all Namibians.
Auleria Wakudumo Lawmaker Inna Hengari has called on her colleagues to move beyond political affiliations and serve all Namibians, cautioning against the "politics of diagnosis and blame" that distract from solving challenges. Analysts echoed her concerns, urging MPs to prioritise passing laws that improve material conditions, strengthen governance, and address pressing issues including land disputes and unemployment.
The Office of the President stated its commitment to press freedom and journalists' role in democracy while emphasizing that formal engagement with the President is guided by designated platforms and protocols. The Presidency noted that press freedom comes with responsibilities and that conduct deemed disruptive or unsafe will be addressed through security protocols.