Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Nelson Mandela

Also known as: founding president Nelson Mandela · President Mandela · anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela · comrade Nelson Mandela

2018-03-022026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela said Education is the greatest equaliser

    Source

    “Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the greatest equaliser."”

    What Is Going Wrong with the Boy Child?
  3. April 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela publicly apologised for human rights violations by the ANC

    Source

    “Nelson Mandela publicly apologised.”

    Swapo’s Authoritarian Populism
  5. March 2026

  6. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela was with us at Namibia's midnight independence ceremony on 21 March 1990

    Source

    “Nelson Mandela was with us.”

    Namibia at 36 Years – From Where to Where?
  7. January 2026

  8. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years at Robben Island

    Source

    “The 70 personal items include a cell key from Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he was locked up, a pair of Aviator sunglasses and one of his signature floral shirts.”

    Mandela's prison key, sunglasses and shirt can be sold after daughter wins court battle
  9. October 2025

  10. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela was given the name by his teacher; his traditional name is Rolihlahla, meaning 'troublemaker'

    Source

    “One example is South African president Nelson Mandela. His traditional name is Rolihlahla – meaning "troublemaker", but his teacher gave him the name 'Nelson'.”

    What’s in a Name? Reclaiming Africa’s Soul
  11. September 2025

  12. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon for change

    Source

    “As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon for change.”

    The Hard Life of a Student
  13. August 2025

  14. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela reminded us that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow

    Source

    “As the late Nelson Mandela reminded us: "The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow."”

    Youth Must Take Charge of Local and Regional Management
  15. April 2025

  16. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon to change the world

    Source

    “Nelson Mandela once said education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.”

    Patriotism: The Heartbeat of a Thriving Nation

  17. The Namibian

    Mandela said to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others

    Source

    “Equally so, Mandela said to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

    Patriotism: The Heartbeat of a Thriving Nation
  18. March 2025

  19. The Namibian

    Nelson Mandela played an irreplaceable role in shaping South Africa

    Source

    “Founding presidents like Nujoma, Nelson Mandela in South Africa, and Julius Nyerere in Tanzania, played irreplaceable roles in shaping their nations.”

    Should ‘Founding Fathers’ Be Exalted Above All Others?
Society

Boys in Namibia trailing girls academically, facing discipline challenges

The News

Namibian girls have recently outperformed boys in Senior Secondary Certificate exams and increasingly dominate tertiary institutions and graduation figures, while teachers report boys struggle with discipline, concentration, substance abuse, absenteeism and motivation. In Kavango West alone, boys accounted for 785 dropouts compared to 675 girls, reflecting a broader trend driven by challenges including unemployment, poverty and alcohol abuse.

Why it matters

Boys trailing girls academically and facing discipline crises reflects an emerging gender disparity in educational outcomes and youth development.

6 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 6 June

  1. Boys in Namibia trailing girls academically, facing discipline challenges

    Namibian girls have recently outperformed boys in Senior Secondary Certificate exams and increasingly dominate tertiary institutions and graduation figures, while teachers report boys struggle with discipline, concentration, substance abuse, absenteeism and motivation. In Kavango West alone, boys accounted for 785 dropouts compared to 675 girls, reflecting a broader trend driven by challenges including unemployment, poverty and alcohol abuse.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 24 May

  1. Sexwale challenges Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm scandal account

    ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale has disputed President Cyril Ramaphosa's explanation of US dollars stolen from his Phala Phala farm, calling it a "cock-and-bull story" and demanding Ramaphosa appear before the impeachment committee. Ramaphosa has said the cash was proceeds from cattle and game sales to a Sudanese businessman and was left at the farm to secure future purchases before being stolen.

    24 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Swapo's authoritarian populism rooted in liberation struggle mentality

    An opinion piece argues that Swapo, like other former liberation movements in government, has failed to deliver on promises and uses patriotic narratives of its struggle history to justify remaining in state control, drawing parallels to critiques of post-colonial African governments by Frantz Fanon and Angolan author Pepetela.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. South Africa appoints Roelf Meyer as US ambassador

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Roelf Meyer, a former apartheid-era negotiator and longtime friend of Ramaphosa, as ambassador to the United States. The appointment comes after the country's previous envoy, Ebrahim Rasool, was expelled last year following his criticism of President Trump, leaving the post vacant amid strained diplomatic relations.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Retired footballer Quest builds future through academy coaching

    Zebaldt Ngaruka Eric Quest, a former star midfielder for Black Africa and African Stars, now runs Quest Eleven academy mentoring youth players across multiple age groups since its establishment in 2023. The 57-year-old retired player aims to develop technically skilled players for Namibia's national teams while emphasizing character building and discipline.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia at 36: Liberation promises betrayed, inequality persists

    An analysis marking Namibia's 36 years of independence contrasts the jubilation of 1990 with present-day inequality and governance failures, arguing that the liberation movement's slogans of "Solidarity, Freedom, Justice" have been compromised by elite self-enrichment and a persistence of class-based oppression under continued Swapo rule.

    20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. South African former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota dies at 77

    Mosiuoa Lekota, a prominent anti-apartheid campaigner who served as South Africa's defence minister and ANC chairperson before founding the rival Congress of the People party, has died after a period of illness. He was imprisoned on Robben Island during apartheid and broke from the ANC in 2008 over corruption concerns.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Kambala urges preservation of founding president Nujoma's legacy

    An Affirmative Repositioning MP has moved a motion in Parliament calling for the preservation of founding president Sam Nujoma's legacy, pointing to how other African nations such as Ghana and South Africa have honored their founding leaders through museums and heritage sites.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 February

  1. Namibians remember Jesse Jackson's anti-apartheid legacy

    American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, visited Namibia in February 1990 just before independence and met with founding president Sam Nujoma. Namibian leaders including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and PDM leader McHenry Venaani praised Jackson's support for Namibia's liberation struggle and his broader advocacy for justice and human rights globally.

    23 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. South Africa's DA leader Steenhuisen steps down amid scandals

    John Steenhuisen, leader of South Africa's Democratic Alliance and agriculture minister in the coalition government, announced he will step down at the party's April congress following multiple scandals including poor handling of foot-and-mouth disease, personal financial mismanagement, and controversy over the sacking of Environment Minister Dion George. His departure opens the way for successors including Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Epstein used South Africa to prey on women, US files reveal

    Newly released US Department of Justice records show convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein cultivated extensive ties to South Africa dating to the 1980s, networked with prominent South African businessmen and officials, and used scouts and intermediaries to recruit South African women and girls through modelling opportunities and employment offers.

    4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

  1. Zulu king's anti-migrant speech fuels xenophobia debate in South Africa

    South Africa's Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini used a derogatory term for African migrants and called for them to leave the country during a speech in KwaZulu-Natal, drawing concern from human rights experts who warn his comments risk encouraging vigilante action against foreigners in a region already marked by anti-migrant tensions.

    2 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 24 January

  1. South African court allows sale of Mandela's personal artifacts

    South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed a bid by the heritage authority to block the export and sale of 70 personal items belonging to Nelson Mandela's daughter and a former prison guard, including a cell key from Robben Island, sunglasses, and a signed constitution copy. Mandela's daughter plans to use proceeds from the auction to build a memorial garden at the late president's grave.

    24 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 12 January

  1. Opinion: Trump's Venezuela intervention violates international law

    A social justice scholar argues that the US bombing and kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro breaches the UN Charter and sets a dangerous precedent for sovereign nations, particularly in the global South. He contends the military action was justified by false pretexts about drug trafficking when the real motive is access to Venezuela's oil reserves, and warns that Namibia faces similar risks given its recent oil discoveries.

    12 January 2026 · New Era →

Nelson Mandela — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute