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
National Council — Namibia's upper legislative chamber that approves bills, investigates policy issues via standing committees, and oversees the Junior National Council youth programme.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing held public hearings on road accidents in Windhoek on Tuesday
“Nabta secretary general Pendapala Nakathingo made the proposals during the National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing's public hearings on road accidents in Windhoek on Tuesday.”
Taxi association proposes fire safety overhaulThe Namibian
The National Council's standing committee has started a stakeholder engagement programme
“The National Council's standing committee on education, science, information and communication technology (ICT) and youth development has started a stakeholder engagement programme.”
Education committee tackles national sector challengesThe Namibian
National Council recognises responsibility to ensure national policies effectively respond to road safety challenge
“The National Council, through its oversight and legislative mandate, recognises that Parliament has an important responsibility to ensure that national policies, legislation, institutional arrangements and public investments effectively respond to this growing challenge.”
!Garab calls for united action to tackle Namibia’s road safety crisisThe Namibian
National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing recommended introducing toll gates on major roads after benchmarking visit to Zambia and Botswana
“In November 2024, the National Council standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing recommended introducing toll gates on major roads after a benchmarking visit to Zambia and Botswana, where members studied road financing models.”
RFA backs toll gates for road fundingThe Namibian
The bill has been referred to the National Council for consideration
“The bill has since been referred to the National Council for consideration.”
MP Amutenya pushes for mental health coursesThe Namibian
National Council will consider the mental health amendment bill
“The National Assembly has finalised and adopted the mental health amendment bill of 2025 following extensive debate, paving the way for its consideration by the National Council.”
National Assembly approves new mental health lawInformanté
National Council is meeting in Otjiwarongo for planning and budgeting session
“MEMBERS of the National Council are meeting in Otjiwarongo this week for a planning and budgeting session aimed at strengthening parliamentary oversight, improving accountability and enhancing public participation in governance.”
National Council focuses on strengthening oversight during planning sessionThe 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 deathsNational 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 →
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 →
Kavango West remains Namibia's poorest region with a multidimensional poverty rate of 79.6%, the highest in the country. The region faces additional challenges including an unemployment rate of 52.8% and youth unemployment of 58.1%, alongside rapid population growth.
25 August 2026 · New Era →
An estimated 78,495 people in Kunene region are at extreme food insecurity levels, with drought relief extended to 35,002 households following a May 2024 state of emergency declaration. Relief supplies included maize meal, cooking oil, fish, and soya mince, as the region continues to experience severe drought and water shortages.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The government is targeting the upgrading of 1 000 kilometres of Namibia's railway infrastructure in the 2026/27 financial year, with N$952.1 million directed towards modernising the national rail network under the Ministry of Works and Transport. The railway programme has received the largest allocation among transport infrastructure programmes, with targets increasing to 1 360 kilometres by 2028/29 and annual maintenance of 1 600 kilometres of railway lines.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The 42 Members of the National Council collected N$27,609 from personal contributions to support the Namibia–Cuba Solidarity Campaign. National Council Chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha said the funds aim to support Cuba amid economic embargo pressures and reflect the enduring friendship and shared liberation history between the two nations.
23 August 2026 · Informanté →
Khomas region continues to struggle with land, housing, and school capacity despite progress in other areas, with more than 300 Grade 1 pupils and 805 Grade 8 pupils without school placement by March, and overcrowding reaching 40–55 pupils per teacher in five constituencies. The City of Windhoek has completed layouts for 11,226 erven across 18 townships and a debt-swap agreement is expected to unlock more than 6,000 erven, while ten education capital projects worth over N$200 million are under construction.
22 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The 42 members of Namibia's National Council have collectively donated N$27,609 to the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Campaign. Council chairperson Lukas Muha said the donation recognises Cuba's role in Namibia's liberation struggle and current support in health and education, and reflects the nations' shared history of solidarity.
22 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The National Council has donated N$27 609 to the Namibia-Cuba Solidarity Campaign to support humanitarian assistance to Cuba, with funds to be used for medicine, medical supplies, and solar kits. Campaign officials urged Namibian businesses and the public to contribute, framing the effort as recognition of Cuba's support for Namibia's liberation struggle.
21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 11 489 people admitted for mental health treatment during the 2024/25 financial year, with 91 544 total mental health cases and 123 deaths. Chief health programme officer Magdalena Didalelwa attributed the burden to stigma, discrimination, family distress, and social ills, and called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration in schools to improve early identification and support.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Oshana Regional Council reported economic progress in 2025/2026, including job creation, infrastructure development and education gains, but cited persistent unemployment and limited resources as key obstacles. The region created 120 permanent and 1,681 temporary jobs and invested about N$357.3 million in infrastructure projects.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia recorded 91 544 new mental health cases during the 2024/25 financial year, with 11 489 patients admitted for treatment and 123 deaths. Chief health programme officer Magdalena Didalelwa noted that stigma, limited awareness, and undiagnosed cases mean statistics represent only a fraction of the actual mental health burden.
20 August 2026 · New Era →
National Council parliamentarians have welcomed Namibia's new mental health bill but warn that the legislation could fail without adequate government infrastructure, staff and funding. The bill seeks to repeal the 1973 Mental Health Act and introduce a modern, rights-based framework promoting community-based care, early intervention and protection of patients' rights.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of Parliament have backed Namibia's proposed Mental Health Bill 2025 but warned that its reforms could fail without adequate funding, specialised staff, infrastructure, and services reaching rural communities. MPs called for mental health units at regional hospitals and trained staff at district facilities, citing that services remain concentrated in Windhoek while regions struggle to access specialised care.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
National Council parliamentarian Augusta Katembo says mental illness in rural communities is often associated with witchcraft and curses, fuelling stigma, discrimination and isolation, with families sometimes hiding relatives to avoid shame. She cited limited healthcare access, poverty, and long distances to health facilities as barriers, and called for the 2025 mental health bill to challenge stigma and decentralise mental health services to grassroots levels.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →