Also known as: Secretary to the National Assembly · eighth National Assembly · 2024 National Assembly and Presidential Elections · National Assembly elections
Legislature of Namibia that has reviewed bills, oversight matters, and appointments; recently adjourned without passing legislation.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
National Assembly received the national budget for 2026/27 presentation on Thursday
“Presenting the national budget for 2026/27 in the National Assembly on Thursday, minister of finance Ericah Shafudah said fiscal consolidation and financial prudence were necessary in the context of high public debt and high interest payments.”
Budget 2026/27: Namibia state-owned enterprises face funding cuts as fiscal consolidation hits subsidiesThe Namibian
National Assembly experienced opposition members walkout from parliament on Thursday over PSC commissioner reappointments
“Opposition members of parliament (MPs) staged a walkout in the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday, citing concerns about age, ethnicity, and a lack of debate in the reappointment of four public service commissioners.”
Row over commissioners sparks parliament walkoutThe Namibian
National Assembly is debating petroleum exploration and production amendment bill
“The National Assembly is debating the petroleum (exploration and Production) amendment bill, which would shift day-to-day upstream oil governance to the Office of the President.”
Build Strong Institutions, Not EmpiresThe Namibian
National Assembly received tabled report on Aroab Village Council audit for year ended 30 June 2019
“The report, which was for the year ended 30 June 2019, was tabled in the National Assembly last week.”
Aroab village buried in N$4.4m debtNew Era
National Assembly is currently debating Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill
“The National Assembly is currently debating the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, which would shift day-to-day upstream oil governance to the Office of the President.”
Opinion – Build strong institutions of accountability not personal empiresNew Era
National Assembly received tabled the 2026/27 national budget
“Many Namibians expected yesterday's national budget, tabled in the National Assembly by Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah, to focus on economic sustainability, personal prosperity, social safety nets and the country's self-reliance.”
Social sector takes bulk of N$105b budget … focus on education, health and safety netsThe Namibian
Prime minister Ngurare spoke to the National Assembly on Wednesday
“Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Ngurare said government intends to enforce stricter oversight on both public servants and private contractors involved in state projects, emphasising that performance and accountability must become standard practice.”
Prime minister Ngurare vows tough action on non-performing contractorsNew Era
National Assembly is presided over by Jorge Rodriguez
“Delcy Rodriguez's brother Jorge Rodriguez, who presides over the National Assembly, said last week that the law's approval would trigger the release of all political prisoners.”
Venezuela debates historic amnesty for political prisonersThe Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina was a member of National Assembly from 1995 to 2020
“Nghimtima was a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020 and served in various Cabinet roles, including as minister of defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and of labour, industrial relations and employment creation.”
Former defence minister and liberation icon Erkki Nghimtina dies at 77: ‘We lost someone outstanding’The Namibian
National Assembly received parliamentary standing committee report on funding constraints
“The funding constraints are outlined in the parliamentary standing committee on natural resources' final report on a capacity-building workshop with stakeholders held at Swakopmund, which was tabled before the eighth National Assembly.”
Environment ministry faces N$165m funding gap for anti-poaching, park infrastructureNamibia's Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo, has commenced Permanent Committee sittings ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The committee meetings, running until 25 July, form part of preparations to review matters under the various PAP committees' mandates.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo, has commenced Permanent Committee sittings ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The committee meetings, running until 25 July, form part of preparations to review matters under the various PAP committees' mandates.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece criticizes the 8th parliament for adjourning without passing any bills, including overdue legislation such as a land bill and mental health bill, arguing that MPs spend excessive time on questions rather than deliberating laws needed to fulfill voter mandates.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Windhoek Observer criticizes Namibia's eighth parliament for adjourning without passing any bills, including long-awaited land and mental health legislation, suggesting MPs have spent excessive time on questions rather than deliberating on pending laws.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
With Swapo's elective congress a little over a year away, veteran party leaders have called on the ruling party to strictly uphold its constitution, restore internal discipline, and refocus on ordinary Namibians' concerns. Former Cabinet minister Jerry Ekandjo cited the party's loss of its two-thirds majority in the National Assembly—now holding 51 seats while opposition parties collectively occupy 45—and urged the party to follow constitutional provisions, including filling the long-vacant vice president position.
20 July 2026 · New Era →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani has urged President Nandi-Ndaitwah to use her visit to South Africa to push for resolution of the long-standing Orange River boundary dispute with South Africa. Venaani says the dispute has remained unresolved since independence and requires urgent political attention, and that he has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for the matter to be debated.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The welfare ministry has acknowledged mounting pressure on social workers due to staff shortages and case complexity, with Minister Emma Kantema noting that repeated exposure to severe cases involving child abuse, trafficking and family disputes leads to secondary trauma and burnout. The ministry has implemented wellness programmes, supportive supervision and debriefing sessions to support workers' mental health.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's welfare ministry has warned that social workers face mounting pressure and unsustainable workloads due to staff shortages and the increasing complexity of cases involving child abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and family disputes. Minister Emma Kantema told Parliament that social workers are exposed to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and occupational burnout, and the ministry has implemented wellness programmes and supportive supervision to support their mental well-being.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
The Western Cape High Court heard arguments from opposition parties who urged the court to reject President Ramaphosa's urgent interdict to prevent Parliament's impeachment committee from starting proceedings against him over the Phala Phala saga. The ATM, EFF, MK, and UAT parties argued that granting the interdict would encroach on Parliament's authority.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that while the Eighth Parliament has been active in debate, oversight and legislation during its session, the country's fundamental economic shift due to offshore oil and gas, green hydrogen projects and critical minerals demand requires Parliament to evolve its legislative agenda with equal ambition.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
MP Job Amupanda welcomed the High Court's judgment in his case against the Speaker of the National Assembly and others, saying the ruling declined to grant an interdict but affirmed his position that ECN commissioner appointments must comply with constitutional transparency and accountability principles. Amupanda had sought to stop Parliament from approving ECN nominees until key selection process documents were disclosed.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Landless People's Movement MP Eneas Emvula has proposed a major restructuring of the National Assembly to address legislative backlogs, including weekly reorganisation of sittings, greater use of digital systems for questions and motions, and expanded electronic voting. Emvula suggested the delays may stem from procedural issues or internal political conflicts rather than capacity constraints.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.
14 July 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah nominated Bryan Eiseb as the new Anti-Corruption Commission director general following a prime ministerial motion; Parliament approved without objection. During the Assembly debate, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa urged Eiseb to lead the institution "like a wolf and not a donkey," warning against allowing the ACC to be weaponised for political or tribal agendas and stressing the need for independent operation.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The parliament, the National Planning Commission and the European Union have concluded a six-year Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia programme, which invested €6 million (about N$127 million) in strengthening democratic governance, parliamentary oversight and citizen participation since August 2020.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece in The Namibian criticizes the Electoral Commission of Namibia's endorsement of Gerson Sindano, a University of Namibia senior lecturer in language development, to replace Elsie Nghikembua as chairperson, arguing that his appointment is unsuitable given the ECN's history of logistical failures including ballot paper shortages and communication breakdowns.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of the National Assembly unanimously endorsed President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's nomination of Bryan Eiseb as the next director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, with MPs across party lines calling for stronger action against corruption and urging the commission to pursue cases without fear or favor.
11 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of parliament will continue carrying out oversight visits and constituency engagements during the National Assembly recess from 10 July to 1 September, according to National Assembly spokesperson Sacky Kadhikwa, who clarified that the recess should not be interpreted as a break from parliamentary duties. The third session approved Bryan Eiseb's nomination as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, while appointments to the Electoral Commission remained unresolved.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula has threatened legal action against the president's appointment of Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioners, arguing the process is unconstitutional because the president nominated rather than appointed candidates as required under Article 94B of the Constitution. Itula also raised concerns about incomplete documentation, including missing sworn declarations on political affiliations and unclear term duration for ECN chairperson Gerson Sindano.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Electoral Commission of Namibia leadership appointments have sparked a constitutional debate over Parliament's oversight powers. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded postponement of the vote on the President's ECN nominees until lawmakers are provided with recruitment, interview, and selection committee records, arguing MPs cannot exercise informed judgment without them.
10 July 2026 · New Era →
Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independence Patriots for Change has challenged the Electoral Commission of Namibia nomination process as constitutionally flawed, saying the President's letters use "nominate for approval" rather than "appointed," and threatened to approach the High Court if Parliament proceeds with approving nominees Gerson Sindano, Emmerentia Leonard, and Julieta Diva Ferreira.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Speaker of the National Assembly has dismissed demands by Affirmative Repositioning leader Dr Job Amupanda to provide internal records from the Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson and commissioner nomination process. The Speaker cited the Electoral Act, stating the National Assembly's role is confined to approving or rejecting the President's nominations, not scrutinising the selection committee's internal processes.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →
AR leader Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda has threatened urgent High Court action to halt a National Assembly vote on Electoral Commission of Namibia appointments, demanding Parliament defer the vote until records from the nomination process are made available. Amupanda's legal representatives argue MPs cannot properly evaluate nominees without access to interview scoresheets, minutes, and the President's signed nomination, and question the legality of a nine-month chairperson term instead of the constitutionally prescribed five years.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Office of the Speaker has rejected claims that National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is responsible for a growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary questions, stating the delays lie with the executive. Of 550 National Assembly questions tabled since the eighth parliament began, 166 have been disposed of and one was withdrawn for a ministerial statement.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Health training institutions have called for a streamlined, harmonised accreditation system to reduce duplicate inspections and regulatory overlap. They cite long approval processes and a shortage of clinical training sites as obstacles to training health professionals.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister in the Presidency Charles Mubita and National Assembly member Dr Peya Mushelenga represented Namibia at a public farewell ceremony for Iran's late Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei in Tehran on Saturday, attended by foreign dignitaries from several countries.
4 July 2026 · Informanté →
Nursing students at the University of Namibia are being turned away from some clinics because student numbers are growing faster than the capacity of health facilities to supervise clinical placements. Unam's executive dean told Parliament that overcrowding has become one of the university's biggest challenges.
4 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Member of parliament Willem Amutenya has called on health training institutions to expand mental health training to support the new Mental Health Act, saying most institutions made little or no mention of mental health programmes during a parliamentary consultation. He noted that Namibia has too few psychiatrists and community health workers to meet the country's growing mental health needs, and urged especially private institutions to introduce programmes to prepare professionals for the law's implementation.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →