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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibian Constitution

Also known as: the Constitution

2023-06-252026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. July 2025

  2. The Namibian

    Namibian Constitution clearly states that the state must promote welfare of the people by ensuring consistent supply of safe drinking water

    Source

    “The Namibian Constitution clearly states that the state must promote the welfare of the people by ensuring a "consistent supply of safe drinking water".”

    Water Scarcity in Omusati, a Crisis That Cannot Be Ignored
  3. June 2025

  4. The Namibian

    the Namibian Constitution is the supreme law members take an oath to uphold

    Source

    “All the elected members who meet the requirements take an oath to uphold and defend as the supreme law the Namibian Constitution.”

    Amupanda Breathes Fire into Parliament
  5. April 2025

  6. The Namibian

    Namibian Constitution does not explicitly state that non-voting members of parliament must be Namibian citizens

    Source

    “Apparently, because the Namibian Constitution doesn't explicitly say that non-voting members of parliament must be Namibian citizens, we should all assume it's perfectly fine for foreigners to be appointed.”

    Goats, Loophole Lawyers and Legal Gymnastics: Namibia’s Latest Debate
  7. June 2023

  8. The Namibian

    Namibian Constitution is the supreme and paramount law of the land

    Source

    “The Namibian Constitution is the supreme and paramount law of the land.”

    The Constitution Trumps Swapo’s Marriage Policy!
Politics

Black Namibians lack meaningful economic transformation, lawyer argues

The News

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.

5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 5 June

  1. Black Namibians lack meaningful economic transformation, lawyer argues

    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.

    5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 1 June

  1. President appoints Shali Shindume as Economic Advisor

    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.

    1 June 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 15 May

  1. ECN launches post-election review, invites public input on Electoral 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.

    15 May 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Presidency acknowledges leaks of presidential decisions before official announcements

    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.

    7 May 2026 · New Era →

Friday 24 April

  1. Esau's lawyer argues pre-trial detention is oppressive and unfair

    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.

    24 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. DNA testing at birth protects child identity and paternal certainty

    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.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Lifestyle audits in anti-corruption fight raise constitutional questions

    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.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. President appoints new minister and deputy ministers

    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.

    7 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 3 April

  1. President appoints minister and deputy ministers to strengthen government

    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.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 26 March

  1. MURD launches five-year plan aligned to Vision 2030

    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.

    26 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Former agriculture minister demands N$10m damages from government

    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.

    24 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Vice President honors liberation veteran Reverend Willem Konjore

    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.

    24 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia's Parliament maturing but facing oversight challenges

    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.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. NC chair urges inclusive development, participatory democracy

    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.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 March

  1. NDF defends proposed Erongo airspace reclassification plan

    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.

    12 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Woman remanded in custody for brother-in-law killing

    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.

    11 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 February

  1. Petroleum Bill risks weakening oversight by shifting power to Presidency

    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.

    27 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 22 February

  1. President seeks oil licensing control via Petroleum Act amendment

    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.

    22 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 February

  1. PDM questions N$1.26 million legal fees for suspended Katima CEO

    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.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Minister denies Presidential involvement in petroleum licence decisions

    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.

    18 February 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 February

  1. Ombudsman finds NamRA guilty of unlawful ethnic discrimination in hiring

    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.

    13 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Namibia marks Constitution Day amid moral erosion concerns

    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.

    11 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. President addresses judiciary at opening of 2026 legal year

    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.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Namibian Constitution at 36: Legal Experts Reflect on Gaps

    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.

    10 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Environment ministry faces N$165m funding shortfall for conservation

    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.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

  1. Namibia blocks South Africa-Lesotho water project phase two

    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.

    6 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Media ombudsman urges responsible exercise of freedom of speech

    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.

    5 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Speaker opens eighth parliament's third session

    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.

    5 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Lawmaker urges Parliament to focus on solutions, not blame

    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.

    4 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 3 February

  1. Presidency reaffirms media freedom commitment and formal engagement protocols

    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.

    3 February 2026 · Informanté →

Namibian Constitution — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute