Also known as: Secretary to the National Council · Rudolf Gaiseb National Council · sixth National Council · 17th session of the sixth National Council
National Council — Namibian legislative chamber that scrutinizes government budgets, mining policy, water access, road infrastructure, and deputy ministerial appointments.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
National Council approved 2026/27 national budget
“The assembly adjourned on 30 April after passing the 2026/27 national budget, which was subsequently approved by the National Council.”
Land, petroleum bills top National Assembly agendaThe Namibian
National Council passed the budget on 19 May
“National Council spokesperson Rafael Hangula says the budget was passed on 19 May, where several motions were considered during its sitting, including urgent measures to address the growing road accident crisis in Namibia.”
Budget law signed,IPC demands deliveryWindhoek Observer
National Council received the motion referred to standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing
“The motion was referred to the committee for further investigation.”
Councillor urges Govt to act on road deathsThe Namibian
National Council parliamentarians raised concerns over poor road infrastructure contributing to vehicle damage, rising transport costs and road accidents
“National Council parliamentarians have raised concerns over poor road infrastructure, saying it contributes to vehicle damage, rising transport costs and road accidents.”
MPs raise concerns over poor road infrastructureThe Namibian
National Council members criticised the government's water supply budget
“National Council members this week criticised the government's water supply budget, saying many rural communities continue to face severe shortages despite repeated promises and funding allocations.”
MPs urge end to dry rural tapsThe Namibian
National Council deputy chairperson Emma Muteka addressed health committee during site visit to refugee camp in Istanbul
“Speaking during a health committee site visit to a refugee camp at the ongoing Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and related meetings in Istanbul, Türkiye, recently, Muteka stressed the need to move beyond temporary relief toward long-term empowerment.”
Emma Muteka pushes for shift from refugee aid to opportunityInformanté
National Council is described as composed of representatives from sub-national government
“She highlighted that the appointments are largely drawn from the National Council, which is composed of representatives from the sub-national government, directly elected by the people in their respective constituencies.”
President announces strategic appointmentsThe Namibian
National Council had member selected from to broaden inclusive leadership within the executive
“Nandi-Ndaitwah said selecting Kavaka from the National Council broadens inclusive leadership within the executive.”
Omaheke’s Otjombinde councillor appointed deputy ICT ministerNew Era
National Council serves as important bridge between country's regions and central government
“He added that the NC serves as an important bridge between the country's regions and the central government by ensuring that regional priorities are considered during the legislative process.”
Muha urges inclusive developmentThe Namibian
National Council members joined parliament following 2025 regional and local authorities elections
“Let me also congratulate and welcome all members of the National Council who have joined parliament following the 2025 regional and local authorities elections.”
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opens Third Session of Eighth Parliament in WindhoekFour candidates for Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioner positions have called for sweeping legislative reforms and logistical improvements to boost public trust, including extended voting hours, more polling stations, and amendments to the Electoral Act.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Four candidates for Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioner positions have called for sweeping legislative reforms and logistical improvements to boost public trust, including extended voting hours, more polling stations, and amendments to the Electoral Act.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Assembly has resumed with focus on several key legislative items, including the long-awaited land bill, the petroleum bill, the public enterprises governance amendment bill, and the mental health bill. A political analyst says the land bill should receive highest priority due to its implications for livelihoods, investment, housing, agriculture and social equity.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026/27 national budget has been signed into law by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and gazetted, allowing government ministries and agencies to access approved funding. The N$104 billion budget provides N$81.3 billion for operational expenditure, N$6.5 billion for development projects and N$16.2 billion for interest payments, with a projected N$15 billion financing gap to be covered through borrowing.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday emphasised the need to deepen Namibia-China cooperation during a visit by a Chinese parliamentary delegation headed by Zhu Yongxin, vice chairperson of China's national committee of the People's Political Consultative Conference. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia seeks to build on its longstanding relationship with China to advance mutual development, economic growth and prosperity for both nations.
30 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency. The government will start construction of the Usakos-Arandis dual-carriageway this year, prioritising key roads with heavy traffic volumes and accident records including Windhoek-Okahandja, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
An Otavi Constituency councillor has tabled a motion in the National Council urging the government to declare road crash fatalities a national emergency. Between January and April 2026, the MVA Fund recorded 921 crashes, 1,467 injuries and 143 deaths, with recent fatal collisions killing eight and ten people respectively.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
National Council members raised concerns that deteriorating road infrastructure contributes to vehicle damage, rising transport costs, and road accidents, with specific complaints about poor conditions in Kavango East, Kavango West, and the Maltahöhe-Walvis Bay route. The Ministry of Works and Transport's budget was N$2.74 billion for the current financial year.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council members have urged the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to ensure mining companies contribute directly to Namibia's development, warning that the country loses out while foreign-owned firms benefit from its natural resources. Lawmakers also called for stricter inspection of mining sites to combat illegal mining, affordable electricity access for rural communities, and preservation of mineral resources for future generations.
15 May 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council members have criticised the government's N$1.27-billion water and marine resources budget, saying many rural communities continue to face severe shortages despite repeated promises. Parliamentarians called for urgent implementation of stalled projects and warned that bureaucracy continues to delay access to clean water across the country.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Steve Biko Booys, a former Okahandja Constituency Councillor and National Council member facing rape charges, has appealed his bail denial in the High Court, arguing that the State's DNA and cell phone evidence has weakened due to chain-of-custody defects, unverified procedures, missing exhibits, and issues with personnel qualifications.
8 May 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah honoured founding National Assembly Speaker Mose Tjitendero at his 20th death commemoration at Heroes Acre, calling on Namibians to defend and strengthen democracy by following Tjitendero's legacy of transparency, inclusivity, accountability and the rule of law in building Parliament after independence.
28 April 2026 · New Era →
Kunene Regional Council employees face a financial crisis after minister James Sankwasa blocked funds allocated to the council following a dispute over the appointment of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb in 2021. Staff have not received salaries for March and April, and the council has taken the matter to the High Court while seeking alternative payment methods.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed former ambassador Wilfried Emvula as chairperson of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Namibia, with ten members inaugurated for a term to January 2030. The council, established under the APRM Statute, will provide strategic oversight and ensure transparency in governance reforms aligned with Namibia's development plan and Africa's Agenda 2063.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.
20 April 2026 · New Era →
The Landless People's Movement faces growing internal tensions, with former councillor Joseph Isaacks accusing leader Bernadus Swartbooi of running the party dictatorially and the party suspending former mayor McDonald Hanse over alleged involvement in forming a new political party. The LPM's spokesperson denies disunity claims and says the party operates within constitutional rules, while Hanse contests his suspension and disputes the allegations against him.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council deputy chairperson Emma Muteka has called for a shift in refugee support from temporary relief toward long-term pathways for education, skills development, and economic participation. Speaking during a health committee visit to a refugee camp in Istanbul, she emphasized measuring success by transformation rather than survival and called for stronger collaboration between governments and international partners to unlock refugee potential.
18 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Council held a special sitting to address seven new deputy ministerial appointments made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, requiring the reconstitution of standing committees and the reallocation of committee leadership roles under the council's standing rules.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed National Council member Moses //Khumub as deputy minister in the Office of the Vice President, a move that lawmakers have criticised as unnecessary bureaucracy given the limited role of the office. The State House said the deputy minister will provide technical and professional support to Vice President Lucia Witbooi, particularly in overseeing marginalised communities and disability affairs divisions transferred from another ministry.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed several new officials to ministerial and deputy ministerial positions, including Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency, Hambeleleni Ndjaleka as deputy minister of health and social services, and others to various portfolio positions across government departments.
7 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce eight new deputy ministers and appoint deputy defence minister Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency. The move comes despite her earlier decision to cut ministries and reduce Cabinet size, with critics and analysts warning that some merged ministries may now be too large to function effectively.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Charles Mubita as Minister in the Presidency and Moses //Khumub as Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, along with seven deputy ministers and an advisor to the Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister. The President said the appointments are intended to strengthen the Executive arm and improve institutional coordination and service delivery.
3 April 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Wenzel Kavaka, an Otjombinde constituency councillor in Omaheke region, as deputy minister of information and communication technology, effective Wednesday. The appointment is intended to strengthen executive leadership and improve service delivery across public institutions.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Okahandja Constituency Councillor and National Council member Steve Biko Booys has been denied bail for the sixth time and remains in custody for five years since his arrest in February 2021 on charges of raping a 20-year-old woman on two occasions. Magistrate Atutala Shikalepo rejected his new bail application, finding that his claims of prolonged detention, his brother's death, and alleged weakening of the state's case did not constitute sufficient new grounds for release, noting that the serious nature of the charges would likely result in substantial imprisonment if convicted.
2 April 2026 · Informanté →
The Parliament of Namibia and the Inter-Parliamentary Union held a training session for young parliamentarians to strengthen their leadership capacity, communication skills, and mentorship abilities in governance. The initiative aims to empower young MPs to influence policy, drive sustainable development, and increase youth representation in parliamentary decision-making, with an "I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament" campaign also launched.
1 April 2026 · New Era →
A UDF parliamentarian has called for decentralised nursing registration at the regional level to ease the burden on nurses who must travel long distances to Khomas Region. The Health Ministry has extended the registration deadline to 31 March 2026 and is engaging with the Health Professions Council to find sustainable long-term solutions.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
Eddie Nanub, regional councillor for Khorixas, has outlined plans to address water scarcity through infrastructure upgrades and budget advocacy, while also prioritizing job creation, improved road connectivity, and youth skills training to revitalize the local economy and service delivery in the Kunene region.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
Former member of parliament Steve Biko Booys has had his sixth bail request dismissed in the Windhoek Regional Court while facing rape charges. The magistrate ruled that the new facts presented were either not genuinely new or did not overcome previous grounds for detention, noting that Booys' trial delays stemmed partly from his own actions including changing defence lawyers and requesting the magistrate's recusal.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Young politicians in Kavango East say they are leveraging Namibia's 36th independence anniversary to translate freedom into tangible development, addressing persistent challenges including limited infrastructure, youth unemployment, and inadequate access to water, sanitation, electricity and connectivity in rural areas.
23 March 2026 · New Era →
Since independence in 1990, Namibia's Parliament has evolved into a democratically elected body and now has its first female speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, elected in March 2025. However, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah notes that despite its progressive constitutional framework, Parliament has struggled with weak oversight of the executive due to single-party dominance and the executive being drawn directly from Parliament, resulting in limited depth in legislative debate.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has called for urgent review of Namibia's mining laws to address illegal mining and ensure residents benefit from the region's mineral resources. She highlighted that small-scale miners in the Daures constituency, many of whom have operated since the 1960s–70s, are now classified as illegal despite their long history, while poor enforcement has allowed this to continue for decades.
18 March 2026 · New Era →