Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Ndumba Kamwanyah

Also known as: Kamwanyah · Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah · Kamwanya · Ndumbah Kamwanyah · political analyst · Ndumba J Kamwanyah

Politics

Presidency denies Riruako State House visit recognition as paramount chief

The News

The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.

10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Presidency denies Riruako State House visit recognition as paramount chief

    The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 March

  1. Fired minister Ithete unpaid four months despite parliament seat

    Former deputy prime minister Natangwe Ithete has not received his parliamentary salary for four months following his October dismissal from Cabinet, reportedly because the National Assembly has not received an official directive confirming his removal from the executive. Officials cite administrative delays, while a political commentator attributes the delay to institutional incompetence in reintegrating him into the parliamentary payroll system.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Swapo condemns US-Israeli strikes, Namibia expresses grave concern

    Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa met with Iran's ambassador to Namibia and condemned the US-backed Israeli military operation against Iran. Namibia's government also issued a statement expressing grave concern about the escalation in the Middle East, citing risks to international peace and security.

    5 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Itula attacks 2026/27 budget as wasteful, copy-paste spending

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has criticised the national budget for maintaining high operational spending while cutting development allocation, specifically flagging N$244 million spent on 243 workshops and excessive travel allowances, which he says could instead fund promised pensioner allowances and infrastructure. Other political parties and analysts dispute whether all workshop and travel spending is wasteful, noting that some supports essential government functions.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Mandatory public hospital use for state staff faces practical concerns

    A public policy expert argues that while the government's plan to require state employees to use public hospitals is well-intentioned, it risks overwhelming already-stretched facilities without adequate billing systems, administrative capacity, or quality improvements in place. The expert advocates for gradual integration with incentives, strict quality benchmarks, and phased implementation rather than compulsory use.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 February

  1. State House reviews mansions granted to retired presidents

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah is reportedly pushing to end the practice of allocating state-funded mansions to former presidents, preferring instead to accept a portion of benefits for her own retirement home. The review of the Former Presidents' Pension and Other Benefits Act will also examine extending benefits to vice presidents, amid criticism that such perks are excessive given widespread hardship among ordinary Namibians.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Senior government officials to transition to public healthcare in April

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed senior government officials to move to public healthcare facilities from 1 April as part of a five-year development plan to upgrade public hospitals and clinics. The phased transition aims to secure high-level support for healthcare reforms, though civil servants have raised concerns about public facility overcrowding, staff shortages, and medication supply issues.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. Critics warn petroleum bill and regional changes centralise power to presidency

    Political analysts and opposition figures say proposed legislative changes—transferring petroleum sector control to the presidency and restructuring regional councils to report through governors to the president—could concentrate executive authority and undermine democratic checks and balances. Defenders including a Swapo MP argue the measures are necessary to manage Namibia's emerging oil industry, but critics warn the pattern signals democratic backsliding and erosion of decentralisation.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. President calls for African sovereignty, climate action at AU summit

    At Ethiopia's 39th African Union Summit, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah advocated for Africa to remain a sovereign partner rather than a battleground for competing global interests, and called for continental investment in water infrastructure and climate solutions. She reported that Namibia's youth unemployment programme has disbursed N$62.3 million to 140 projects creating about 722 jobs, though analysts cautioned that strong speeches must be accompanied by measurable policy implementation results.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Former PM defends ACC chief Noa amid tenure review calls

    Former prime minister Nahas Angula has defended Anti-Corruption Commission head Paulus Noa's performance despite recent criticism calling for a more transparent and independent appointment process. Political analysts and former officials argue the next ACC leader should be impartial, free from political ties, and subject to parliamentary oversight and public vetting.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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