Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Nangolo Mbumba

Also known as: former president Nangolo Mbumba · Mbumba · former president Mbumba · Namibia's fourth president · former presidents Mbumba · President Mbumba · President Nangolo Mbumba

Former president who paid tributes to deceased liberation heroes Kanana Hishoono and Erkki Nghimtina.

Mining & Energy

Namibia pursues nuclear power to boost energy security

The News

As the world's third-largest uranium producer, Namibia is advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity and support its Vision 2030 development goals, backed by international partnerships with Russia and China. The project faces significant capital costs and requires imported technical expertise, but recent cabinet approval of Namibia's Nuclear Industry Strategy signals sustained government commitment.

12 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 12 February

  1. Namibia pursues nuclear power to boost energy security

    As the world's third-largest uranium producer, Namibia is advancing plans for its first nuclear power plant to reduce reliance on imported electricity and support its Vision 2030 development goals, backed by international partnerships with Russia and China. The project faces significant capital costs and requires imported technical expertise, but recent cabinet approval of Namibia's Nuclear Industry Strategy signals sustained government commitment.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Former Botswana president addresses Namibia, acknowledges support and border disputes

    Former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi delivered a public lecture at the University of Namibia, highlighting Botswana's role in supporting Namibia's liberation struggle and sheltering genocide victims, while also formally apologizing for killings of Namibian fishermen by the Botswana Defence Force during past border disputes. He emphasized that the two countries have since strengthened bilateral relations through higher-level cooperation platforms and a formalised bi-national commission covering politics, trade, and defence.

    11 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Audrin Mathe launches book on Namibia's Constitution making

    Executive director of justice and labour relations Audrin Mathe launched a book titled 'The Art of Persuasion; The Making of Namibia's Constitution' in Windhoek on Monday, describing the Constitution as a covenant and promise to build prosperity together. Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi emphasised the importance of respecting the Constitution and its role in sustaining stability and freedom in the region.

    10 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

  1. New divorce law prioritizes child welfare and fairness

    Namibia's new Dissolution of Marriages Act, assented in October 2024, simplifies divorce procedures by replacing fault-based grounds with a single irretrievable-breakdown standard, while placing strong emphasis on children's rights and fair property division. The law requires courts to ensure proper custody, guardianship, and maintenance arrangements for children before granting divorce, and removes outdated mechanisms like restitution of conjugal rights.

    5 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Nation remembers late President Hage Geingob at Heroes' Acre

    A small, intimate ceremony was held at Heroes' Acre to remember the late Dr Hage Geingob, Namibia's first prime minister and third president, alongside his widow Monica Geingos and other family members, former leaders, and dignitaries.

    5 February 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 2 February

  1. Chinese ambassador promotes people-to-people exchanges with Namibia

    China's ambassador to Namibia held roundtable talks with local representatives to advance the 2026 China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as development, entrepreneurship, and media exchanges. Namibian visitors to China shared insights on modernisation initiatives and the tangible outcomes of Namibia–China partnership, including housing projects for police officers.

    2 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 28 January

  1. Mathias Kanana Hishoono, liberation pioneer, laid to rest

    Mathias Kanana Hishoono, one of the last surviving founders of Swapo and a key organiser in Namibia's liberation struggle, was buried on Saturday following his death on 14 January at age 89. His passing marks the closing of a formative chapter in Namibian political history, as a generation whose authority was rooted in lived experience of colonial repression and resistance fades away.

    28 January 2026 · New Era →

Monday 26 January

  1. President orders legal review of Paragon Oil licence renewal

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has asked the attorney general to review the circumstances surrounding Paragon Oil & Gas' petroleum exploration licence (PEL 37) renewal, which was granted for four years despite regulations limiting third renewals to two years. The licence resurfaced as a controversy when former mines minister Natangwe Ithete was fired last year, allegedly for approving the renewal against the president's wishes.

    26 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 25 January

  1. Former presidents honour deceased liberation hero Kanana Hishoono

    Former presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Nangolo Mbumba paid tributes to Swapo founding member Kanana Hishoono at his memorial service, describing him as a unifier and principled servant who played a critical role in Namibia's liberation struggle and later served as political adviser to founding president Sam Nujoma. Hishoono, who died on 14 January at age 89, was one of the few remaining original torchbearers of Namibia's independence movement.

    25 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 24 January

  1. Namibians honour liberation hero Matias Kanana Hishoono

    Matias Kanana Hishoono, a founding member of Owamboland People's Organisation (OPO) which evolved into Swapo, died on 14 January aged 89. Senior government officials and thousands of mourners gathered at his village for a memorial service, with a state funeral planned for Saturday at Eenhana Shrine.

    24 January 2026 · The Namibian →

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