Also known as: founding president Nelson Mandela · President Mandela · anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela · comrade Nelson Mandela
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Nelson Mandela
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
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
“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 NationThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela played an irreplaceable role in shaping South Africa
“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?The Namibian
Nelson Mandela swept to power with the ANC on a mandate of radical change in 1994
“April 2024 saw South Africans unseat the African National Congress (ANC) and force it into a coalition government, the first since the democratic elections in 1994 that saw Nelson Mandela's ANC swept to power on a mandate of radical change for the majority black population.”
Namibia’s choice: Stability vs radical changeThe Namibian
Mandela opted for national reconciliation as his political motif
“He opted for national reconciliation as his political motif.”
SA Needs Strategic Leadership. Its Presidents Have Not Been Up to the TaskThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela acknowledged Kriel's sacrifice for the anti-apartheid struggle on his release from prison
“On his release from prison in February 1990, Nelson Mandela acknowledged Kriel's sacrifice for the anti-apartheid struggle.”
Freedom Fighter Of The Cape Flats Ashley KrielThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela is compared to in kindness and tenacity
“He had the accuracy and precision of a neurosurgeon, the temperament of an accountant, the wisdom of an emperor and the kindness and tenacity of the great Nelson Mandela himself.”
Koshuis KosThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela co-founded the ANC's military wing Umkhonto weSizwe in December 1961
“Mandela was an ardent freedom fighter in the early days of South Africa's liberation struggle – he co-founded the ANC's military wing Umkhonto weSizwe in December 1961.”
What Mandela And Fanon Learned From Algeria's Revolution In The 1950sThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela was convicted of sabotage in 1964
“Mandela and seven of his comrades were convicted of sabotage in 1964.”
What Mandela And Fanon Learned From Algeria's Revolution In The 1950sThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela was urging armed youths to give up violent strategies in the early 1990s
“In the early 1990s, when Nelson Mandela was urging armed youths to give up violent strategies, it was Madikizela-Mandela they called on (along with the then leader of the South African Communist Party Chris Hani) to defend their change in tactics.”
Winnie : A Revolutionary Who Kept The Spirit Of Resistance AliveThe Namibian
Nelson Mandela reportedly urged newly enfranchised black South Africans to hold the ANC accountable
“Mandela reportedly urged newly enfranchised black South Africans, "if the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid government".”
Africa's Fallen LiberatorsAn opinion piece argues that US Ambassadors in Namibia and South Africa have overstepped diplomatic bounds by interfering in domestic affairs and pressuring nations on critical minerals, uranium, and oil extraction, citing a public rejection of the US Ambassador at Namibia's National Fisheries Indaba as evidence.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that US Ambassadors in Namibia and South Africa have overstepped diplomatic bounds by interfering in domestic affairs and pressuring nations on critical minerals, uranium, and oil extraction, citing a public rejection of the US Ambassador at Namibia's National Fisheries Indaba as evidence.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah honoured late Colonel Helao Joseph Shityuwete, a former Robben Island political prisoner who spent 16 years imprisoned for his role in Namibia's liberation struggle, saying his legacy should inspire future generations.
13 September 2026 · Informanté →
A Namibian Sun opinion piece argues that heroism standards have degraded since independence, with undeserving figures elevated to hero status based on connections rather than genuine sacrifice, while the real appeal lies in the state funeral package and ceremonial trappings rather than actual contribution to nation-building.
12 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibians, particularly youth, to take responsibility for the country's economic future, saying Namibia has entered the "second phase" of its struggle after achieving political independence. She stated that political independence marked one phase while economic liberation represents the next phase of the struggle.
7 September 2026 · New Era →
Malian musician Salif Keita has cancelled his upcoming concerts in South Africa in response to anti-migrant protests and xenophobic violence in the country. According to AFP figures, more than 160,000 people have left South Africa since late May following the unrest.
3 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 →
McHenry Venaani has paid tribute to Helao Shityuwete, a liberation struggle veteran and former Robben Island political prisoner who died at 92. Venaani described Shityuwete as a courageous and humble Namibian whose sacrifice for the country's freedom, from his work at Walvis Bay docks through military service and imprisonment, should be remembered as part of Namibia's history.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia and South Africa have advanced efforts to resolve their long-standing Orange River boundary dispute, with a joint committee of experts' report submitted to the fourth session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described the report as an important milestone on a matter unresolved for more than three decades.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Prof. Bismark Tyobeka, principal of North-West University, warns that xenophobic violence and threats against foreigners risk making South Africa "one of the world's pariahs," contradicting the nation's post-1994 commitment to openness and moral leadership.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The principal and vice chancellor of North-West University argues that recent xenophobic attacks and threats of violence against immigrants risk reversing South Africa's trajectory as a moral leader since 1990, and warns that citizens must reject both xenophobia and tolerance of illegal immigration.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →