Also known as: Secretary to the National Assembly · eighth National Assembly · 2024 National Assembly and Presidential Elections · National Assembly elections · National Assembly in 2006 · the National Assembly standing committee on public accounts · National Assembly of the Republic of Angola
Namibia's parliament; legislates bills including petroleum, trade, and mental health measures, with 96 directly elected seats.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on National Assembly
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Informanté
National Assembly are expected to receive multiple Bills during the 2026 legislative year
“These Bills are expected to be tabled in the National Assembly during the 2026 legislative year.”
Parliament to resume next weekThe Namibian
National Assembly voted in favour of bill to ban social media for under-15s
“Lawmakers in the lower house on Monday agreed key elements of the bill, before voting 116-23 in its favour.”
Major step – French MPs vote in favour of bill to ban social media for under-15sThe Namibian
National Assembly will resume next Tuesday
“The National Assembly will resume next Tuesday, following its recess since last November.”
Parliament to resume next weekInformanté
National Assembly has before it the Land Bill
“To address these challenges, the ministry has introduced specific punitive measures to curb these acts in the Land Bill, which is currently before the National Assembly.”
Land Reform Ministry condemns illegal fencing and land-related violenceInformanté
National Assembly has Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo
“DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly, Phillipus Katamelo, has reiterated Namibia's commitment to the rapidly developing green hydrogen industry, affirming on the global stage that the country remains determined to position itself as a leader in the sector.”
Katamelo cites strong political will and reforms behind Namibia’s green hydrogen progressNew Era
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly said (via Phillipus Katamelo) Namibia is seen as fast-moving, attractive renewable energy market
“Speaking at the event, which ended yesterday, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Phillipus Katamelo said Namibia is now seen as a fast-moving and attractive renewable energy market.”
Namibia pushes clear strategy at global renewable energy summitNew Era
National Assembly is expected to pass the Land Bill as one of 11 pieces of legislation this year
“The Land Bill is one of 11 pieces of legislation expected to pass through the National Assembly this year.”
Willing buyer, willing seller days ‘numbered’The Namibian
members of the newly formed National Assembly failed to prioritise cleaning up incompetence at the Electoral Commission of Namibia
“Cleaning up the incompetence at the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) should have been the priority of members of the newly formed National Assembly as soon as they were sworn in after 21 March this year.”
Take the ECN to TaskThe Namibian
National Assembly enacts laws examined by National Council
“The council convenes in the upper chamber to deliberate and examine laws enacted by the National Assembly.”
Are We Showing Up for the Regional Council and Local Authority Elections?The Namibian
National Assembly is currently considering the Land Bill
“The Land bill currently being considered by the National Assembly will replace the 1995 Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act and the 2002 Communal Land Reform Act.”
The Land Bill: What Does It Say About Women?The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly passed the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 votes, with most opposition parties walking out in protest; only the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters party and Swapo participated in the vote. The bill has cleared the Second Reading and now moves to the Committee Stage before going to the National Council.
19 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The environment ministry told parliament that only 56 applications for environmental clearance certificates were received over three years, raising concerns that many sand and gravel operators may be extracting without required approval. The ministry reported 15 cases of illegal mining but noted that the low application numbers across most regions prevent establishing the true scale of illegal extraction or adequacy of enforcement.
22 hours ago · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed Angola's National Assembly in Luanda, calling for stronger cooperation between the two countries to advance shared prosperity, while congratulating Angola on 50 years of independence and commending its 2025 African Union chairmanship.
22 hours ago · The Namibian →
Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi announced that two pedestrian bridges along the Western Bypass in Windhoek will cost N$70 million, with construction expected to begin in November. Nekundi defended speed humps on the road and said pedestrians have experienced zero crashes since their installation.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The race for Swapo's top four leadership positions is gaining momentum with behind-the-scenes manoeuvring and competing candidacies, including MP Austin Samupwa campaigning for deputy secretary general, while party leadership is allegedly considering former Kavango regional governor Sebastian Karupu for the position.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Lawmakers questioned how the National Youth Development Fund monitors funded projects after a parliamentary committee struggled to trace some beneficiaries, amid concerns over loan repayments, monitoring and use of public money. The Finance Minister acknowledged the government had suffered losses under the programme, which approved over 300 youth projects last year.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
An analysis of SWAPO's position as it prepares for its 2027 elective congress, asking whether the party can develop an independent political identity beyond its founder Sam Nujoma. The ruling party retained a parliamentary majority in 2024 with 51 of 96 directly elected seats, but its support has declined from approximately 80% in 2014 to just over 53% in 2024.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Members of parliament have called for greater pay transparency, better support for working mothers, and tougher enforcement of employment equity requirements to ensure women have fair opportunities to advance and take up leadership positions. Deputy shadow minister Lucia Mbuti urged the incoming Employment Equity Commission to require employers to report on pay disparities, promote parental support and flexible working hours, and conduct physical workplace inspections to verify compliance.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
NUDO's Vetaruhe Kandorozu told the National Assembly that employment equity efforts should balance opportunities for both men and women, citing examples of institutions with female-dominated senior management. IPC member Lucia Mbuti countered that the Employment Equity Commission must address historical workplace injustices and promote fairer working environments including for employees with disabilities.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties walked out during voting on the petroleum bill in the National Assembly, leaving only 39 of 49 required members and preventing a vote to proceed. The walkout was a protest against provisions in the bill that would place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A Swapo parliamentarian challenged the Independent Patriots for Change to account for how it uses public funding to address socioeconomic challenges. The IPC's leader responded that parliamentary funding is intended to support democratic participation, not development projects, and is governed by Electoral Commission guidelines.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
McHenry Venaani, PDM leader, challenged mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to explain what has happened to diamonds valued at approximately N$314 million stolen from Namibia Diamond Trading Company in January 2025, questioning whether they have entered international markets and criticizing the lack of progress in the investigation.
15 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Land reform minister Inge Zaamwani has instructed newly appointed Lands Tribunal members to prioritise nine pending cases and conclude them within three months where circumstances permit, to reduce delays in land dispute resolution. Zaamwani emphasised that timely decisions are essential to effective land reform implementation and maintaining public confidence in land administration.
14 October 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Health Ministry plans to establish at least five additional mental health units by 2037, increase annual mental health funding, and send more doctors for psychiatric specialisation to address limited access to specialised mental health care. The commitments were outlined following approval of the Mental Health Bill of 2025, with the ministry acknowledging that only four Namibian psychiatrists are available nationwide.
13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Government Institutions Pension Fund could lose N$815 million invested in a South African fund if a court rules against the company in a tax dispute with the South African Revenue Service, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah told Parliament. The GIPF has recorded the amount as an impairment provision, a precautionary accounting measure, pending the outcome of the ongoing court case.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded 18 suicide deaths per 100,000 people in 2024/25, surpassing the African regional average of 11. Vice President Lucia Witbooi called for urgent action to strengthen mental health services, improve access to care, and reduce stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi tabled the International Trade Management Bill, 2026 in the National Assembly.
12 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Swapo MP Elder Filipe has tabled a motion in the National Assembly calling for a review of retirement benefit taxation, proposing exemptions from income tax for qualifying retirement benefits to provide pensioners with financial security and dignity after decades of work.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
About 72 Namibians repatriated from South Africa in August and September have not received promised government support for reintegration, facing unemployment, documentation problems, and financial hardship after being dropped at family homes with no further assistance.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Adriaan Louw, a commercial farmer whose mother's farm at Graswater in ||Kharas was the first to detect foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) last month, denies allegations that he smuggled livestock into Namibia or illegally vaccinated animals. The outbreak is Namibia's first in the primary commercial livestock zone in 60 years, and as of 5 October had reached 127 cases across 15 farms.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Dr Tobie Ocean Aupindi told Parliament on 6 October 2026 that he supports the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, which establishes an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President and transfers certain powers from the Minister and Commissioner for Petroleum Affairs to the President and the Unit's leadership. He argued that Namibia requires a governance structure equal to the strategic importance of the petroleum sector as the country prepares for significant oil and gas discoveries and capital investment.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani welcomed four newly appointed members to the Land Reform Advisory Commission on 8 October 2026, bringing the total to sixteen commissioners whose appointments run until 30 April 2029. The Minister called for a review of Namibia's land resettlement model to address systemic challenges in land reform implementation.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has ordered a five-year performance audit of farms acquired under Namibia's land reform programme to determine how many beneficiaries have been resettled, whether farms are being productively utilised, and what challenges need addressing. The Land Reform Advisory Commission has been tasked with establishing how many farms were acquired, how many people were resettled, farm productivity levels, and reviewing whether the current resettlement model can accommodate more people.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Health and social services minister Esperance Luvindao has rejected allegations that she used her brother's law firm and government funds to pay for a private lawyer in a defamation lawsuit against the Windhoek Observer, saying such claims should not be treated as fact without evidence. She told Parliament that her siblings' professions and businesses should not be presented as evidence of ministerial wrongdoing.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani confirmed the government will vaccinate rather than cull cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease, as the effective window for culling (24 to 48 hours after detection) has passed. The response will involve cordoning the affected area and a vaccination campaign, with 100,000 doses already available.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia is participating in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5 to 9 October 2026, under the theme "Enhancing good governance and empowering communities through inclusivity, trust and opportunities for all." National Assembly Member Hon. Dr Peya Mushelenga said the participation reflects Namibia's commitment to multilateral diplomacy and the parliament's role in discussions on health, climate change, trade and other global issues.
8 October 2026 · Informanté →
Informal meat traders selling kapana at Single Quarters in Katutura are calling for government financial assistance as business declines due to Namibia's Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak and resulting livestock movement restrictions. Some vendors have proposed a relief allowance of at least N$700 per month to help affected workers survive the outbreak.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
The National Assembly resumed its fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Tuesday, with updates on medical laboratory students receiving psychosocial support and alternative study options through NUST and NSFAF, discussion of judicial reforms including a proposed Constitutional Court, plans for South African experts to visit Namibia to discuss reopening livestock auctions suspended after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and the Speaker raising concerns about a growing backlog of parliamentary questions.
8 October 2026 · New Era →