Also known as: Secretary to the National Council · Rudolf Gaiseb National Council · sixth National Council · 17th session of the sixth National Council · National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing · Transport Committee · National Council committee · National Council of the Parliament of Namibia
Namibia's upper legislative chamber that approves bills after National Assembly passage and represents regional interests.
News reports
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Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
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Informanté
National Council reviewed and passed Mental Health Bill without amendments
“The National Council has reviewed and passed the Mental Health Bill (no. 8 of 2025) without amendments.”
National Council approves Mental Health BillInformanté
National Council considered 24 reports in Second Ordinary Session
“The National Council revealed that the Second Ordinary Session of the Seventh National Council also saw the consideration of 24 reports, including six Parliamentary Standing Committee reports, five reports from inter-parliamentary organisations and 13 Regional Council reports.”
National Council approves Mental Health BillInformanté
The National Council hosted the session from 31 August to 3 September
“The session, hosted by the National Council of the Parliament of Namibia, runs from 31 August to 3 September under the theme: "Towards Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Namibian Child."”
Junior National Council focuses on universal water, sanitation accessThe Namibian
National Council says road-crash crisis driven by more than reckless motorists
“Namibia's road-crash crisis is being driven by more than reckless motorists, a National Council committee says.”
System failure drives Namibia’s road carnage – National Council committeeThe Namibian
National Council passed the mental health bill without amendments
“The bill was passed without amendments during the closing sitting of the second ordinary session of the seventh National Council on Friday.”
Mental health bill heads to presidentThe Namibian
National Council standing committee on education acknowledged concerns but cautioned that such claims should be supported by statistics
“The National Council standing committee on education, science, information and communication technology and youth development has acknowledged the concerns, but cautioned that such claims should be supported by statistics.”
Parliament probes tribal favouritism in teacher promotionsThe Namibian
National Council received the Kavango East Regional Development Report for 2025/26
“Presenting the report to the National Council on Tuesday, Mukwe constituency councillor and member of the National Council Augusta Katembo said the results put the region close to achieving the first of the 95-95-95 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV-AIDS targets.”
96% of Kavango East residents know their HIV statusThe Namibian
National Council received remarks on Aus services development project
“Jossop made the remarks in the National Council on Friday as he tabled the ||Kharas Regional Council report for the 2025/2026 financial year.”
Aus N$50m services development project almost completeThe Namibian
National Council received presentation on government's railway upgrade targeting 1 000 kilometres by 2026/27
“According to a presentation delivered by Matatias to members of the National Council, the government aims to have upgraded 1 000 kilometres of railway infrastructure by 2026/27, with the target increasing to 1 360 kilometres by 2028/29.”
Govt targets 1 000km rail upgradeInformanté
National Council collected and handed over N$27,609.00 to the Namibia–Cuba Solidarity Campaign
“THE 42 Members of the National Council have collected and handed over N$27 609.00 to the Namibia–Cuba Solidarity Campaign.”
National Council members raise over N$27 000 in support of CubaThe 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.
20 October 2026 · 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.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 Employment Equity Commission has summoned nine employers, including PricewaterhouseCoopers Namibia and Karibib Private School, to face review hearings on 13 and 14 October over alleged violations of Namibia's affirmative action laws. The commission warns that continued non-compliance could lead to criminal prosecution and has begun formulating criminal charges against several employers.
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 →
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 →
The Ministry of Works and Transport has asked motorists, especially taxi drivers, not to panic over new color-coded number plates designed to mark vehicle use (taxi, government, diplomat). The ministry is still considering design and colour changes and will provide clarity on how the plates will apply to taxi operators who use vehicles for personal travel after stakeholder consultation concludes, with motorists given six to 12 months to convert.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's National Council chairperson Lukas Muha says the National Council and regional councils must strengthen cooperation to ensure their separate constitutional mandates translate into effective governance and development at regional level, speaking at a joint consultative conference in Otjiwarongo.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Regional councillors are facing renewed scrutiny over limited decision-making powers, inadequate funding and delays in transferring government functions, nearly three decades after Namibia adopted its decentralisation policy. At a consultative conference in Otjiwarongo, the parliamentary standing committee noted that 42 functions from six ministries had been coordinated for decentralisation, although most had been delegated rather than devolved, and that the programme remained slow with poor coordination among challenges.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's National Council chairperson Lukas Muha has called for strengthened cooperation between the National Council and regional councils to ensure effective governance and regional development. The call was made at a joint consultative conference in Otjiwarongo, which will assess progress on decentralisation and examine the institutions' separate but interconnected constitutional mandates.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
At a consultative conference in Otjiwarongo, National Council chairperson Lukas Muha says the National Council and regional councils must strengthen cooperation to ensure their distinct constitutional mandates translate into effective governance and development at regional level. The conference will assess progress on decentralisation and regional development, and examine the relationship between the two institutions.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Newly appointed Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson Gerson Sindano says the ECN is working on electoral amendment bills to address challenges from previous elections, with plans to consult political parties and stakeholders before taking the bills to Parliament.
24 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia marks National Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Month (10 September to 10 October 2026) with a focus on breaking stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and strengthening mental health care access. According to a WHO Namibia representative, Namibia continues to record one of the highest suicide rates in the African region, and suicide is preventable through a coordinated approach.
18 September 2026 · Informanté →
National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has called on women parliamentarians to leverage their legislative and oversight powers to translate regional and international gender commitments into national laws and policies. She noted that women make up 42.3% of the National Assembly but only 16.6% of the National Council as of January, describing this disparity as a signal that gender-equal representation remains an unfinished journey.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council vice-chairperson Emma Muteka told 42 school-going learners from all 14 regions gathered at the fourth junior National Council session that social media should be used to create meaningful change in communities, not just for entertainment, and that "followers are not the same as leadership."
5 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's government reaffirmed its support for lifting the US embargo on Cuba but clarified that N$700 000 raised by Namibia-Cuba solidarity groups is a private initiative, not a government contribution. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade encouraged citizens to support the fundraising campaign while maintaining Namibia's advocacy for Cuba on bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Fritz Hangue has been appointed Chairperson of the Fourth Junior National Council and pledged inclusive leadership, committing to create a space where all members feel heard and their perspectives are expressed freely and respectfully.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
National Council Chairperson Lukas Muha opened the 1st Session of the 4th Junior National Council (JNC) on 31 August, which runs until 04 September 2026. The JNC, formalised in 2013 and inaugurated in 2017, serves as a platform for school-going youth to express views and debate issues of community, regional, national and international importance, while nurturing leadership qualities and promoting civic engagement.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare delivered a keynote address to the 4th Junior National Council, urging young members from Namibia's fourteen regions to champion water, sanitation, and national development as participants in parliamentary democracy.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Junior National Council member Emma Tangi Muteka delivered remarks at the close of the 1st Session of the 4th Junior National Council, emphasizing that young Namibians who participate in the programme do not simply participate but contribute, challenge, and lead. The session focused on universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for Namibian children.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
According to UNICEF, 47.2% of Namibians still practise open defecation, rising to 70.9% in rural communities, a sanitation gap linked to wider inequalities in access to basic services. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said inadequate water and sanitation directly affects children's ability to live, learn and develop with dignity.
1 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Council has passed the Mental Health Bill (no. 8 of 2025) without amendments. The Bill replaces the Mental Health Act of 1973 and provides an updated legal framework for mental health care, expanded community-based services, stronger patient rights protection, and treatment aligned with modern human rights standards.
1 September 2026 · Informanté →
Prime Minister Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare has opened the Fourth Junior National Council session in Windhoek, bringing together 42 young Namibians from all 14 regions to deliberate on universal water and sanitation access. The session runs from 31 August to 3 September and focuses on developing practical solutions to the country's water and sanitation challenges.
1 September 2026 · Informanté →
A National Council committee investigating Namibia's road-crash crisis found that shortages of traffic officers, weak enforcement, dangerous roads, and delayed emergency response are driving fatalities beyond reckless driving alone. Between January 19 and August 19, 1,905 crashes resulted in 3,592 casualties and 304 deaths across regions.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology faces significant institutional and financial challenges, including heavy reliance on external funding, insufficient staffing, and limited specialist research capacity, according to a National Council Standing Committee report. The NCRST is considering a research and development levy and incentives for companies to establish R&D capacity as potential solutions.
31 August 2026 · Informanté →
The mental health bill has passed its final hurdle in the National Council without amendments and will now be sent to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for consideration under the Namibian Constitution.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Criminal cases in Oshikoto increased by 404 to 1,541 during the 2025/26 financial year, driven by sharp rises in assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (from 567 to 945 cases), rape (132 to 187), and drug-related offences (87 to 159), though stock theft declined.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Teachers Union of Namibia has raised concerns that tribal favouritism in promotions has resulted in unequal representation in senior teaching positions in some regions. A National Council standing committee acknowledged the concerns but cautioned that such claims should be supported by statistics, and stressed the need to balance inclusivity and diversity with merit and good performance.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Kavango East region reports that 96% of residents know their HIV status, 97% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 96% of people on treatment are virally suppressed—exceeding the second and third UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets while remaining one percentage point below the first target. The region also recorded a 91% tuberculosis treatment success rate and 0.08% malaria fatality rate.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A N$50 million investment into road, electricity, water and sewerage services at Aus has reached 60% completion, according to National Council member Raymond Jossop. The project is positioned as strategic infrastructure ahead of anticipated industrial growth from green hydrogen, oil and gas in the Lüderitz-Oranjemund corridor.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Government employees have been authorised to leave work at 13h00 on Tuesday, except those in emergency and critical services, to prepare for Heroes Day commemoration on Wednesday. The directive, issued by the Cabinet secretariat on behalf of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, applies to executive directors, accounting officers, National Assembly and National Council officials, and other senior public servants.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →