Also known as: minister Ithete · fired minister Ithete · former mines minister Ithete · deputy prime minister Ithete
Former deputy prime minister and industries minister dismissed in October 2025, cited in controversies over oil licensing decisions.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Deputy prime minister Ithete was fired a couple of days after the president attended a business meeting
“It is telling that deputy prime minister Ithete, who doubled as minister of industries, mines and energy, was fired a couple of days after the president attended a two-day meeting with business executives at which she called for honest views.”
Create Pro-Business Culture, Get Rid of Rent-seekingThe Namibian
Ithete had established dislike of genuine investors
“Hopefully, the business community didn't only complain about Ithete's long established dislike of genuine investors, who he was fond of telling to "pack up and go" if they didn't want to dance to the government's tunes.”
Create Pro-Business Culture, Get Rid of Rent-seekingThe Namibian
Deputy prime minister Natangwe Ithete was fired as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy
“As of this morning, you are relieved of your duties as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy.”
Natangwe!The Namibian
Natangwe allegedly called the Ministry of Finance a bunch of calculators with legs
“You called the Ministry of Finance a bunch of calculators with legs and you shared a meme of parliament as a daycare.”
Natangwe!The Namibian
Deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy Natangwe Ithete says around 29,000 businesses are registered in the northern regions
“Deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy Natangwe Ithete says around 29 000 businesses are registered in thenorthern regions.”
Oshana tops business registration with over 14 000 registeredThe Namibian
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Natangwe Ithete reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to rural electrification and strategic planning
“The deputy prime minister and minister of industrialisation, mines and energy, Natangwe Ithete, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to rural electrification and the development of strategic plans that support Namibia's national goals during the opening of the ministry's strategic planning retreat at Swakopmund on Monday.”
Ithete commits to rural electrificationThe Namibian
Ithete highlighted the Baynes Hydro-Power Project as cornerstone of Namibia's future energy security
“Ithete further highlighted the Baynes Hydro-Power Project as a cornerstone of Namibia's future energy security.”
Ithete commits to rural electrificationSintana Energy has signed an agreement to buy 44% of Maravilla Oil and Gas for N$105 million, giving it a stake in petroleum exploration licence 37 in the Walvis Basin. The transaction includes cash and newly issued Sintana shares, with independent directors having verified the acquisition price is fair despite Knowledge Katti's involvement in both the buying and selling companies.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Sintana Energy has signed an agreement to buy 44% of Maravilla Oil and Gas for N$105 million, giving it a stake in petroleum exploration licence 37 in the Walvis Basin. The transaction includes cash and newly issued Sintana shares, with independent directors having verified the acquisition price is fair despite Knowledge Katti's involvement in both the buying and selling companies.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says its relationship with government came under pressure in 2025 over disagreements on proposed local ownership requirements for mining, with engagement with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy becoming difficult.
27 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
IPC president Panduleni Itula called on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly explain why former deputy prime minister and industries minister Natangwe Ithete was dismissed last year, citing concerns about government transparency and corruption despite the president's constitutional authority to dismiss officials without explanation.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced a reshuffle of Swapo MPs across standing committees, parliamentary friendship groups and multilateral organisations, with several lawmakers removed from previous roles and reassigned with immediate effect.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Paragon Investment and businessman Knowledge Katti have separately expressed interest in acquiring a 10.2% equity stake in Rössing Uranium Limited currently held by South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation. Katti has called for the stake to be sold exclusively to a 100% Namibian entity, arguing that greater local private sector participation in strategic mineral assets is key to national economic sovereignty.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Former deputy prime minister Natangwe Ithete has not received his parliamentary salary for four months following his October dismissal from Cabinet, reportedly because the National Assembly has not received an official directive confirming his removal from the executive. Officials cite administrative delays, while a political commentator attributes the delay to institutional incompetence in reintegrating him into the parliamentary payroll system.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Political analysts and opposition figures say proposed legislative changes—transferring petroleum sector control to the presidency and restructuring regional councils to report through governors to the president—could concentrate executive authority and undermine democratic checks and balances. Defenders including a Swapo MP argue the measures are necessary to manage Namibia's emerging oil industry, but critics warn the pattern signals democratic backsliding and erosion of decentralisation.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector faces a 30-year legal vacuum in gas-related legislation and internal corruption scandals at Namcor, even as offshore exploration has confirmed 21 billion barrels of crude and significant gas deposits. A power struggle between resource nationalists and business factions over control of the industry has intensified following President Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment and her move to centralise upstream petroleum functions in the Office of the President.
12 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Businessman Knowledge Katti's Sintana Energy has paid a N$16.3 million deposit to secure negotiation rights over a stake in PEL 37, an oil exploration licence controlled by Paragon Oil & Gas. The licence has been controversial, linked to the firing of former mines minister Natangwe Ithete, and Sintana has until April 2026 to complete due diligence and negotiate terms to become a shareholder in Paragon.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →