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

Nampa

2018-05-182026-06-08

What’s been said

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

  1. May 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Nampa conducted an interview with Walter Sirongo on Tuesday

    Source

    Cattle ranch manager Walter Sirongo outlined the plans during an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, saying the main goal is to strengthen the herd and increase output to the market.

    Kavango West Cattle Ranch lines up N$5.8 million farm projects
  3. The Namibian

    Nampa conducted an interview with Pontianus Musore on Monday

    Source

    In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Musore said the trend is a warning and requires practical responses at schools and community levels.

    Kavango West calls for action to reduce increasing school dropout, teenage pregnancy rates
  4. April 2026
  5. New Era

    Nampa interviewed Nekundi on Thursday

    Source

    In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Nekundi stressed that he engaged e-hailing operators in April last year to comply with legal requirements and obtain permits.

    Nekundi rejects Yango operators’ deadline extension calls
  6. The Namibian

    Nampa reported two men arrested in separate drug operations at Rehoboth Block E on Tuesday.

    Source

    According to a police report issued on Tuesday, the drugs were confiscated at the scene of the arrest.

    Two arrested in separate drug busts
  7. The Namibian

    Nampa reported second suspect found in possession of cannabis, mandrax tablets, and suspected crime proceeds.

    Source

    The police reported that the suspect tried to flee the scene but was apprehended.

    Two arrested in separate drug busts
  8. New Era

    Nampa received N$22.5 million allocation, reduced from N$27 million

    Source

    In contrast, the national news agency's allocation has been reduced to N$22.5 million from N$27 million in the 2025/2026 financial year.

    NBC gets lion’s share MICT budget
  9. The Namibian

    Nampa conducted recent interview with school principal Mukuve Sikongo

    Source

    In a recent interview with Nampa, school principal Mukuve Sikongo painted a picture of a community caught between survival and education.

    Child-headed households drive absenteeism at Kavango West school
  10. March 2026
  11. The Namibian

    Nampa was unable to reach OPMC for further comment

    Source

    Efforts by Nampa to reach OPMC for further comment were unsuccessful, as the company's official contact number has been unreachable since Sunday.

    Osona in darkness after weekend rains
  12. New Era

    Nampa interviewed chief fisheries biologist Albertina Joseph

    Source

    Chief fisheries biologist Albertina Joseph told Nampa in a recent interview that the fish farm was supposed to produce 20 metric tonnes on an annual basis, but production has not exceeded five metric tonnes per year since its establishment.

    Mpungu fish farm’s struggles
  13. New Era

    Nampa conducted interview with Naiteta on Thursday

    Source

    In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Naiteta said the lack of national documents remains a critical barrier, particularly for young people seeking to further their studies.

    Ncuncuni calls for fair resource allocation
Society

Police forensics backs up 7000 DNA cases, seek N$30 million

The News

Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute faces a backlog of 7,000 DNA cases dating to 2021, with a commissioner stating that clearing the backlog requires N$30 million annually, though the division's operational budget is around N$3.5 million. The facility receives about 1,000 new cases quarterly and clears above 70% of incoming samples, but the historic backlog continues to impede investigative and judicial capacity.

Why it matters

Police forensic DNA backlog of 7,000 cases cripples criminal justice capacity and accountability at a systemic level.

2 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Police forensics backs up 7000 DNA cases, seek N$30 million

    Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute faces a backlog of 7,000 DNA cases dating to 2021, with a commissioner stating that clearing the backlog requires N$30 million annually, though the division's operational budget is around N$3.5 million. The facility receives about 1,000 new cases quarterly and clears above 70% of incoming samples, but the historic backlog continues to impede investigative and judicial capacity.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 28 May

  1. Christuskirche symbolizes Namibia's colonial genocide legacy

    As Namibia marks the second Genocide Remembrance Day (gazetted as a national holiday in 2024), the Christuskirche in Windhoek, built between 1907 and 1910, remains a prominent reminder of German colonial rule and the genocide against Ovaherero and Nama communities during 1904–1908. Commemorations honour victims and renew calls for historical justice, reparations, and reconciliation.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 27 May

  1. Kunene launches N$28 million secondary school construction at Opuwo

    The Kunene Regional Council launched construction of Otjirongondo Secondary School at Opuwo as part of the education ministry's decongestion plan. The N$28.2-million project will include 20 classrooms, vocational workshops, laboratories, and a library, with plans for it to become the first phase of a boarding school.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Kavango West Cattle Ranch invests N$5.8m in herd improvements

    Kavango West Cattle Ranch has planned farm development projects worth about N$5.8 million for the 2026/27 financial year, with spending focused on breeding stock, fodder production, water infrastructure and fire protection. The ranch aims to strengthen its herd and increase throughput from 1 500 to 3 000 head of cattle per annum, while raising the herd size from 6 300 to at least 8 000 head.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 18 May

  1. IUM to open 120-bed private hospital near Ondangwa by 2027

    International University of Management founder David Namwandi announced construction of a 120-bed private hospital located three kilometres northwest of Ondangwa, expected to open mid-2027. The facility will serve as a training hospital in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

    18 May 2026 · New Era

Monday 11 May

  1. Kavango West school dropout and teen pregnancy rates surge sharply

    Kavango West's education director reports that 1,460 learners dropped out of school and 332 girls became pregnant in 2025, nearly double the 2024 figures. He calls for coordinated action among schools, families, communities, and health services to address poverty, weak parental involvement, and gaps in reproductive health knowledge.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 20 April

  1. Nekundi rejects extension for e-hailing operators' permit deadline

    Transport minister Veikko Nekundi has ruled out any extension to the end-of-April 2026 deadline for e-hailing operators to obtain regularisation permits and comply with legal requirements. The minister said operators had more than a year to comply and that those who have applied have already received permits, while temporary permits remain underutilised.

    20 April 2026 · New Era

Thursday 16 April

  1. Two men arrested in Rehoboth drug possession operations

    Two men were arrested in separate undercover police operations in Rehoboth's Block E on Tuesday in connection with possession of illegal substances including cannabis skunk and mandrax tablets. Both face charges under the Abuse of Dependence-Producing Substances Act, with the second suspect also charged with defeating the course of justice.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Opuwo trade fair to host third annual horse racing event

    The Opuwo Annual Trade Fair Society will host horse racing on 25–26 April 2026 at Newman Katuta Sports Field, expecting over 35 horses and donkeys to compete across multiple distance categories. Organisers have added safety measures including crowd fencing to address past incidents and aim to make the fair more inclusive for all age groups through the event.

    16 April 2026 · New Era

Monday 13 April

  1. Justice essential for meaningful genocide remembrance – Minnie

    LPM councillor William Minnie says the annual Genocide Remembrance Walk in Lüderitz (10–12 April) must advance calls for justice, reparations and full recognition of the 1904–1908 Nama and Herero genocide, not merely ceremonial remembrance. He argues government must support institutionalising genocide education and inclusive reparations processes led by affected communities.

    13 April 2026 · New Era

Friday 10 April

  1. Omaruru Town Council seeks N$28m for informal water infrastructure

    Omaruru Town Council needs an estimated N$28 million to upgrade water infrastructure in informal settlements, as it faces ageing systems, vandalism of communal water points, and rising demand linked to rapid urbanisation. Recent borehole drilling has stabilised overall water supply, but the council continues to tackle illegal connections and plans phased upgrades of asbestos pipelines while seeking government support.

    10 April 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Hardap aquaculture centre reaches 80% of annual fingerling target

    Tilapia fingerling production at Namibia's Hardap Inland Aquaculture Centre has reached about 80% of its annual target despite operational constraints including incomplete infrastructure and limited holding space. The Ministry of Agriculture says it is committed to rehabilitating infrastructure and improving production levels by December this year.

    7 April 2026 · New Era

Thursday 2 April

  1. NBC receives N$335 million in 2026/27 media budget allocation

    The Information and Communication Technology Minister announced a N$682 million budget for 2026/2027, with the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation receiving N$335.3 million as the largest beneficiary among three state-owned media entities, while Nampa and New Era Publication Corporation saw their allocations reduced to N$22.5 million each.

    2 April 2026 · New Era

  2. Child-headed households fuel school absenteeism in Kavango West

    Ncamagoro Combined School in Kavango West struggles with poor attendance and discipline, with child-headed households, hunger, long walking distances, and teenage pregnancies creating major barriers to education. The region's education director attributes child-headed households to poverty and unemployment, noting that the government has responded with social grants, food assistance, and support programmes.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Omaruru Municipality faces N$92m in unpaid resident debts

    Residents and property owners in Omaruru owe the municipality over N$92 million in outstanding debt, with most accounts exceeding 120 days overdue. The municipality CEO says poor payment compliance is hampering service delivery and has introduced prepaid water meters and service disconnections to improve revenue collection.

    1 April 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Financial and staffing shortages hamper Karibib's growth

    Karibib Town Council faces mounting challenges from limited funding and manpower as rapid population growth driven by mining activity strains housing and service delivery. The council is prioritising the formalisation of two informal settlements and planning new housing extensions, but residents report slow progress on sanitation and waste management.

    31 March 2026 · New Era

  2. Osona residents endure multi-day power outage after rainfall

    Residents of Osona Village estate near Okahandja lost electricity on Saturday evening during rainfall, with the outage extending into a second day by Monday morning. The blackout has caused loss of perishable food, disrupted infant care, endangered refrigerated medication, and exposed communication gaps from management, despite an N$11-million grid upgrade in 2022 meant to prevent such recurring seasonal outages.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Governor funds new house for elderly Fumbe pensioner

    Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka handed over a newly constructed two-roomed house to Kapango Kavera and her family at Fumbe village, after her plight of sleeping on the ground with grandchildren under a tree became public. The corrugated zinc structure, built at a cost of N$30,000 using State funds through collaboration with Rundu Vocational Training Centre, provides immediate relief, and the governor pledged to furnish it with beds and blankets.

    18 March 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Mariental Youth Centre hamstrung by staff shortages and poor facilities

    The Mariental Youth Resource Centre operates at reduced capacity with only two staff members instead of the required seven, while its converted house premises lacks youth-friendly infrastructure. The centre is pursuing a five-year plan to construct a new multipurpose facility and has revived programmes in agricultural cooperatives, entrepreneurship training, and environmental education despite staffing constraints.

    11 March 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Iran strikes Gulf energy sites as oil prices climb sharply

    Iran launched fresh attacks on energy installations across the Gulf, hitting Bahrain's Al Ma'ameer refinery complex and prompting major producers in Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait to declare force majeure, warning of possible export disruptions. Oil prices surged to their highest levels since 2022 as regional conflict sparked market volatility and US embassy staff evacuations from Saudi Arabia.

    10 March 2026 · New Era

Friday 6 March

  1. Mpungu fish farm far below capacity despite N$30 million investment

    The Mpungu fish farm in Kavango West, designed to produce 20 metric tonnes annually, has never exceeded five tonnes per year due to slow-growing native tilapia species, poor pond drainage, inadequate temperature conditions, and insufficient funding for repairs. Officials say overcoming the shortfall will require decisions on funding, management, and science that have been delayed.

    6 March 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 4 March

  1. LPM councillor criticises budget as fiscally cautious but insufficient

    Mariental Municipality councillor William Minnie says the 2026/27 National Budget prioritises fiscal consolidation over structural transformation and inadequately addresses inequality, unemployment and economic exclusion. He argues that modest economic growth projections are concentrated in capital-intensive mining, while operational spending dominates capital investment, and development allocations remain insufficient to drive meaningful infrastructure expansion or job creation.

    4 March 2026 · New Era

  2. Windhoek residents owe city over N$800 million in arrears

    Residents of Windhoek have accumulated more than N$800 million in unpaid water, electricity, rates and taxes accounts, with arrears stretching up to 120 days. The City of Windhoek is pursuing debt collection measures and has implemented a write-off strategy, having processed approximately N$380 million in approved write-offs for pensioners and eligible households.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 2 March

  1. Ncuncuni councillor prioritises documents, water, electricity access

    Ncuncuni constituency councillor Michael Naiteta has called for equitable resource allocation to address basic needs, identifying access to national documents, water and electricity as immediate priorities. He noted that 178 learners without required documentation were unable to continue their studies, and plans to drill at least two boreholes per year while pursuing electrification initiatives.

    2 March 2026 · New Era

  2. Kavango West enrolment rises; infrastructure remains key constraint

    The Kavango West education directorate registered 54,127 learners for the 2026 academic year, up 2,123 from 2025, with secondary school enrolment rising by 960. The director cautioned that infrastructure constraints—particularly shortages of hostels and classrooms—remain a pressing concern for schools serving remote villages.

    2 March 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 25 February

  1. Omaruru's first TVET centre opens to boost youth skills

    A Technical Vocational Education and Training centre is expected to open in Omaruru in the coming weeks, providing post-secondary pathways for young people in the constituency and nearby areas. The facility, part of Erongo region's strategic plan, aims to address youth unemployment and equip learners with practical skills aligned to mining, fishing, tourism and agriculture sectors.

    25 February 2026 · New Era

  2. Police seek public help finding Rundu serial rape suspect

    Namibian Police in Rundu are appealing for public assistance in locating a masked man suspected of raping eight women in separate incidents across the town. Deputy Commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu reported that the latest attack occurred on Friday in Kehemu, where the suspect allegedly entered a woman's home, threatened her with a knife, and raped her.

    25 February 2026 · New Era

Monday 23 February

  1. Namibia awaits CAF approval to begin Independence Stadium construction

    Namibia's ministry says it is waiting for a technical review from African football's governing body (CAF) before finalising preparations for the Independence Stadium. Design documentation was submitted to CAF in December 2025 for compliance review, but the ministry has not received a response despite follow-up attempts, though it aims to complete construction preparations by March 2026.

    23 February 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Namra reports N$90 billion in historic tax debt accumulation

    Namibia Revenue Agency has reported N$90 billion in accumulated tax debt, with N$17–18 billion representing capital tax and the remainder comprising interest and penalties. The agency is urging taxpayers to participate in an extended tax amnesty programme (running until October) which has already collected nearly N$3 billion and could recover the capital portion while waiving interest and penalties.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 13 February

  1. Attorney General condemns killing of prosecutor Shiweda

    Attorney General Festus Mbandeka has condemned the fatal attack on Ondangwa control prosecutor Justine Shiweda, calling it a targeted assault on the rule of law and Namibia's democratic institutions. Shiweda was shot and doused with acid on 17 October while preparing for work; six suspects have been arrested, and the government has initiated security measures for judicial officers.

    13 February 2026 · The Namibian

Nampa — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute