Also known as: NDF · Namibia Defence Force
Namibian Defence Force — military organization conducting recruit training, vocational education, and coastal security operations in Namibia.
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New Era
Namibian Defence Force explained international aviation guidance allows countries to establish restricted or controlled airspace over sensitive military installations.
“The Namibian Defence Force explained that international aviation guidance allows a country to establish restricted or controlled airspace over sensitive military installations and training areas where civilian aircraft operations could pose safety or security risks.”
NDF clarifies Erongo airspace reclassificationInformanté
Namibian Defence Force was served by Erkki Nghimtina, who continued to shape and protect the nation's sovereignty
“He trained, he served, and he led — first in the ranks of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia, and later in the Namibian Defence Force, where he continued to shape and protect the sovereignty of the nation he helped liberate.”
Erkki Nghimtina helped shape Namibia's destiny — NNNThe Namibian
Namibian Defence Force lost a member who died in a vehicle accident near Karibib
“A member of the Namibian Defence Force died after he was hit by a vehicle on the C33 road near Karibib on Friday.”
Defence force member killed on Karibib roadNew Era
Erkki Nghimtina joined Namibian Defence Force after independence in 1990, rising to rank of colonel
“After independence in 1990, he joined the Namibia Defence Force, rising to the rank of colonel before transitioning to politics.”
Nghimtina gets military farewell … Eenhana Shrine beckonsThe Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina joined the Namibian Defence Force with a rank of colonel until 1995
“After independence, he joined the Namibian Defence Force with a rank of colonel until 1995, when he joined active politics, serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020.”
A Tribute to Erkki Nghimtina (1947-2026)Informanté
The Namibian Defence Force received affirmation of commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and promoting diplomacy
“FOREIGN military attachés accredited to Namibia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and promoting diplomacy during a New Year courtesy call on the Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, Air Marshal Martin K. Pineas, at Defence Headquarters.”
Military attachés meet NDF ChiefInformanté
Namibian Defence Force benefited from Nghimtina's contribution to establishing its communications department after independence
“Shalli highlighted Nghimtina's significant role in the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), particularly in military communications, and his contribution to establishing the communications department of the Namibian Defence Force after independence.”
From liberation fighter to national leader: Tributes for late Minister Erkki NghimtinaInformanté
Namibian Defence Force will benefit from knowledge and skills gained during the courses by officers
“the knowledge and skills gained during the courses will be critical for participants' future roles as officers in the Namibian Defence Force.”
Brigadier General Diyeve opens key leadership courses at Nehale Lyampingana Battle SchoolInformanté
Namibian Defence Force is part of coordinated FMD outbreak response team
“Stakeholders, including the Namibian Defence Force, police, and private sector producers, are part of a coordinated response team.”
Strict measures urged as Foot-and-Mouth Disease threat looms in Southern AfricaInformanté
Namibian Defence Force rolled out nationwide pre-entry and physical fitness assessments for applicants seeking to join as Officer Cadets and Recruits
“THE Namibian Defence Force (NDF) rolled out nationwide pre-entry and physical fitness assessments for applicants seeking to join the force as Officer Cadets and Recruits, with candidates tested across all 14 regions of the country.”
NDF conducts nationwide fitness and aptitude tests for officer cadet and recruit applicantsThe Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism briefed on veld fires in northern Namibia, reporting that 3,269 hectares burned in Oshana during the last fire season. A second major fire burned 38,286 hectares across 16 areas, with the ministry identifying 17 priority fire cutlines for maintenance in 2026 to help prevent and mitigate wildfires.
4 September 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism briefed on veld fires in northern Namibia, reporting that 3,269 hectares burned in Oshana during the last fire season. A second major fire burned 38,286 hectares across 16 areas, with the ministry identifying 17 priority fire cutlines for maintenance in 2026 to help prevent and mitigate wildfires.
4 September 2026 · New Era →
Claudia Hatutale, 46, a former cleaner at the Namibia Defence Force base in Ondangwa, appeared in court on seven counts of abuse of office for allegedly soliciting close to N$55,000 from members of the public between 2015 and 2017 by promising cleaner jobs at the Ministry of Defence that were never secured. Her case was postponed to 24 February 2027.
31 August 2026 · Informanté →
Petrus Shikwaya, accused of providing money for acid used in the fatal attack on Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, has been denied bail. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder in common purpose, murder in common purpose, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, and defrauding Sanlam Namibia of N$154,000.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Banda Shilimela, a Liberation Medal recipient, argues that Namibia's political independence remains incomplete without economic freedom, and calls on veterans and citizens to focus on building the economy and creating jobs. Shilimela said he has created 71 companies employing about 6,000 Namibians domestically and established five companies abroad.
28 August 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred national honours on 1 001 Namibians: 804 liberation medals recognising contributions to the liberation struggle and national development, and 197 independence medals for service to Namibia's independence and development.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi paid tribute to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Heroes' Day Commemoration, highlighting her transition from liberation struggle exile to becoming Namibia's first female Head of State. Witbooi traced the President's journey, noting she left Namibia in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, served as SWAPO Chief Representative in Lusaka from 1978 to 1980 and in East Africa from 1980 to 1986, and returned in 1989 for UN-supervised elections.
26 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A Landless People's Movement parliamentarian has called for the government to conduct a thorough cost-benefit and mandate analysis of the proposed Public Asset Management Agency before implementation, arguing that existing institutions could perform the proposed functions instead and that billions of dollars' worth of redundant public assets could be sold to fund the treasury.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Colonel (Retired) Constancio Mwandingi has appealed to fellow liberation fighters to maintain physical fitness, reduce alcohol consumption, and support one another's wellbeing, citing their continued duty to defend the country and noting that many war veterans now struggle with unhealthy behaviours in retirement.
18 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibian Defence Force Vocational Training Centre, which opened in 2020 and enrolled its first students in 2021, has graduated its first intake in Level 3 vocational training including air-conditioning and refrigeration, bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and pipe fitting, and welding and metal fabrication. Defence Minister Frans Kapofi called for greater use of vocational skills to strengthen the NDF, reduce unemployment, and support economic and industrial development.
16 August 2026 · Informanté →
A veld fire in the Ongos area near Windhoek has largely been brought under control by City of Windhoek firefighters, with Khomas Regional Governor Sam Nujoma joining crews on the ground at Farm Augeihas to assist efforts and donating support to the Fire Brigade.
13 August 2026 · Informanté →
The veterans affairs ministry has suspended house construction and resettlement for liberation struggle veterans due to financial constraints. More than 11,000 veterans remain unpaid under Individual Veterans' Projects, with the government requiring about N$1.9 billion to settle outstanding payments.
13 August 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Home Affairs reports that staff losses within the Namibian Police Force have strained operations, with resignations largely linked to poor remuneration. Despite recruitment drives across the security sector in 2024/25 bringing in approximately 4,000–5,000 positions, the ministry continues to experience resignations, retirements, and skills shortages.
6 August 2026 · New Era →
The remains of anti-apartheid activists Immanuel Shifidi and Eliaser Tuhadeleni have been exhumed from burial sites in Windhoek and Endola and will be reburied at Heroes' Acre, along with former Swapo MP Nathanael Maxuilili and several others. The exhumations were carried out by the Namibian Defence Force, though Maxuilili's family says it had not been formally informed of the process.
30 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A veld fire allegedly caused by a cattle herder hunting snakes in the Oponona farming area of Oshana region on 14 July destroyed 3 560 hectares of grazing land. The fire, which burned until the following day, caused extensive environmental damage, livestock feed loss, and threatened agricultural livelihoods.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Following President Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to Beijing, Chinese defence attaché Li Shujun said military cooperation between China and Namibia has strengthened through practical cooperation, military exchanges and training, with the two countries' leaders reaching consensus on expanding bilateral relations. China's defence policy remains defensive and guided by principles of not seeking hegemony, Li said.
27 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and China have reaffirmed their defence partnership and pledged to deepen military cooperation, capacity building and strategic collaboration, according to remarks made by the Chinese Defence Attaché during celebrations of the 99th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Windhoek. The commitment follows President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's recent State visit to China, where both countries agreed to elevate ties to a China-Namibia community with a shared future.
27 July 2026 · New Era →
The Namibian Marine Corps Battalion marked 10 years of existence with a parade at Walvis Bay on Tuesday. Established in 2005 and officially commissioned in July 2016, the unit has grown into a trained force within the Namibian Defence Force and Navy, playing roles in coastal security and national defence.
24 July 2026 · Informanté →
Rice farmers in Namibia cite shortages of machinery, irrigation equipment, fencing, and market access as barriers to scaling production. Manual planting, harvesting, and threshing operations, plus livestock damage to unfenced gardens, remain key challenges.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The High Court has frozen assets linked to Namcor accused Cornelius 'Cedric' Willemse, including farm Groot Driehoekvlakte in Hardap and a Toyota Land Cruiser, as part of efforts by the prosecutor general to permanently seize them under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Defence Force is conducting its 19th recruit intake at Osona Military Base near Okahandja, with 1,618 recruits expected to undergo military training. Recruits from all 14 regions have begun reporting since early July, though arrivals from Hardap and Zambezi regions have been slower due to distance.
14 July 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
An eight-year-old girl with mobility disabilities at a Children's Sanctuary in Drimiopsis received a wheelchair from members of the Namibian Defence Force's 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion following an appeal made during Vice President Lucia Witbooi's January visit to the Kalahari Constituency.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has reserved judgment in a N$1.6 million civil lawsuit brought by an inmate who alleges he was assaulted by members of the Namibian Police Force, the Namibian Defence Force, and anti-poaching officers following his arrest near Otavi in 2023. Justice Marelize Du Plessis postponed the matter to 23 July 2026 for judgment delivery.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warned soldiers in the Namibian Defence Force against drug and alcohol abuse during a seven-day inspection tour from 27 June to 3 July, stressing that discipline remains central to military professionalism and effectiveness.
8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An eight-year-old girl from the Omaheke Region living with a mobility disability received a wheelchair donated by members of the Namibian Defence Force's 126 Motorised Infantry Battalion, following an appeal made during the Vice President's visit to the region in January 2026. Officials emphasised the donation's demonstration of compassion and the potential for acts of kindness to transform vulnerable members of society.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
Two men died in a collision between a sedan and a Namibia Defence Force pickup on the Oshakati–Oshikuku road on Tuesday morning. One died at the scene and one upon arrival at hospital; the pickup driver sustained serious injuries.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
PJ Amunyela has served in the Namibian Defence Force for 16 years, progressing from recruit through roles as a military policeman and special investigator to his current position in public relations.
3 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi declined on Thursday to provide details about a military base being developed at Okongo in the Ohangwena region, near president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's homestead. The Namibian understands the base is situated on a site previously used by South African forces and has remained largely inactive for years.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →