Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 24 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Office of the Prime Minister

Also known as: OPM · OPE

Executive branch institution heading Namibia's government, visible in coverage of public sector oversight, salary reviews, and student funding.

2024-06-272026-07-24
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What’s been said

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

  1. July 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister denies that a separate task force had been established for nurses' salary concerns

    Source

    “The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), however, denies claims that a separate task force had been established to address the nurses' concerns.”

    Nurses seek salary review

  3. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister confirmed students expected to receive outstanding allowances by end of July

    Source

    “The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed this on Wednesday in a statement.”

    Students to receive NSFAF payments by month-end

  4. New Era

    Office of the Prime Minister was acknowledged as contributing to cholera outbreak containment efforts

    Source

    “Luvindao also acknowledged the contributions of several government institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform; the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture; the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development; the Ministry of Finance; regional councils; and local authorities.”

    Namibia breaks free from cholera

  5. Windhoek Observer

    Office of the Prime Minister provided support for outbreak response

    Source

    “She also acknowledged the support of the Office of the Prime Minister, the ministries responsible for agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, education, urban and rural development, finance, as well as regional councils and local authorities.”

    Luvindao warns Namibia still not out of cholera danger

  6. Informanté

    Office of the Prime Minister was thanked for its role in cholera outbreak response

    Source

    “She also thanked the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform; Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture; Urban and Rural Development; and Finance for their roles.”

    Cholera outbreak in Otjozondjupa and Kunene is over, says Luvindao

  7. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister is called upon by Kabula-Simushi to prioritise Kalimbeza rice for drought relief and flood victim distribution

    Source

    “I, therefore, call upon disaster risk management under the Office of the Prime Minister to prioritise the Kalimbeza rice to be considered for distribution during drought relief and flood victims to un-shelve the stock at the Kalimbeza rice project.”

    One police officer per 201 residents in Zambezi

  8. Windhoek Observer

    Office of the Prime Minister is called upon to prioritise Kalimbeza rice for distribution during drought relief and flood assistance programmes

    Source

    “I therefore call upon disaster risk management under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to prioritise Kalimbeza rice for distribution during drought relief and flood assistance programmes to ensure the stock produced at the project is utilised,”

    Food basket ambition stalls Kalimbeza rice project
  9. June 2026

  10. Namibian Sun

    Office of the Prime Minister stated task force will serve three months from 1 July to 30 September 2026

    Source

    “In a statement issued on Friday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the task force will serve for three months, from 1 July to 30 September 2026, to assist the Cabinet Committee on Public Service (CCPS), which has been tasked with reviewing salary structures across public enterprises.”

    Diescho to lead SOE review task force

  11. The Namibian

    The OPM said it is implementing reforms aimed at protecting public servants and employee well-being programmes

    Source

    “In response, the OPM said it is implementing reforms aimed at protecting public servants, including programmes focused on employee well-being and financial literacy.”

    MPs call for end to direct salary deductions by microlenders

  12. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister led a delegation visit to Rupara Rural Community Development Centre

    Source

    “This follows a visit by a delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister led by executive director Petrus Sindimba, together with officials from the Kavango West Regional Council, to assess progress at the facility and identify measures to fast-track its official opening.”

    Kavango West’s Rupara development centre to open in July
Politics

Namibia hosts 19th Africa Public Service Day in Swakopmund

The News

Swakopmund hosted the 19th Africa Public Service Day (APSD) celebrations from 21 to 23 July 2026, bringing together public servants from across the country to discuss effective governance and universal access to water and safe sanitation. The three-day event, held at The Dome, was anchored under a theme aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and focused on enhancing public sector institutions and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

21 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

  1. Namibia hosts 19th Africa Public Service Day in Swakopmund

    Swakopmund hosted the 19th Africa Public Service Day (APSD) celebrations from 21 to 23 July 2026, bringing together public servants from across the country to discuss effective governance and universal access to water and safe sanitation. The three-day event, held at The Dome, was anchored under a theme aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and focused on enhancing public sector institutions and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

    21 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. NamWater defends unchanged tariffs since 2019 amid affordability concerns

    NamWater defended its pricing model, stating that its tariffs have remained unchanged since 2019 despite rising operational costs, and argued that increases on household municipal accounts are largely the responsibility of local authorities rather than the state-owned utility. The corporation warned that supplying water below cost indefinitely would threaten its financial sustainability.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 21 July

  1. NamWater says tariffs unchanged since 2019 despite rising costs

    NamWater's Head of Public Relations argued the corporation has been considerate with water pricing, noting that tariffs have not been adjusted for more than five years despite operating on 2019 costs, while acknowledging the corporation has applied for tariff adjustments.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 July

  1. Enrolled nurses seek upgrade from grade 10 salary scale

    Enrolled nurses have submitted to Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare a request for salary scale promotion from grade 10, arguing their qualifications, responsibilities, and workplace risks are not reflected in their current pay, particularly compared to other civil servants with similar training.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 July

  1. PM reiterates call for lifting US embargo on Cuba

    Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has reiterated Namibia's call for the lifting of the United States embargo on Cuba, stating the Cuban people deserve to live in peace, harmony and with human dignity. He also reaffirmed Namibia's support for the self-determination of Palestinian and Western Saharan peoples.

    18 July 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 16 July

  1. NSFAF to clear student funding backlog by month-end

    Students awaiting NSFAF funding are expected to receive outstanding allowances by the end of July, after Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare conducted an oversight visit. Eligible continuing students will receive back-pay covering April to July, amounting to N$9 600 per student, with priority given to non-tuition allowances.

    16 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Namibia declares end of cholera outbreak after 28 days

    Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.

    15 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia's cholera outbreak officially ends after five months

    Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has declared the end of Namibia's cholera outbreak, which claimed one life and infected 82 people over nearly five months, following more than 28 consecutive days without a confirmed case in affected districts. Health experts caution that the country remains at risk unless vigilance in sanitation, surveillance, and hygiene is maintained.

    15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Namibia declares end of cholera outbreak in Otjozondjupa and Kunene

    Namibia has officially contained the cholera outbreak that gripped Grootfontein and Opuwo for nearly five months, with health authorities declaring the disease eliminated after more than 28 days with zero new confirmed cases. A total of 82 confirmed cases were recorded (52 in Grootfontein and 30 in Opuwo) between November 2025 and April 2026, with one death reported in Opuwo.

    14 July 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Zambezi region has one officer per 201 residents

    The Zambezi region faces severe police shortage with 712 officers serving about 142,000 residents, giving a ratio of one officer per 201 residents against an ideal ratio of one per 50, according to governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi. Despite the shortfall, reported crime cases decreased from 4,095 in 2024 to 3,526 in 2025.

    7 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Broken machinery stalls Zambezi region's rice project ambitions

    The Kalimbeza Rice Project in Namibia's Zambezi region faces operational challenges including a non-functional processing machine since 2018, inadequate storage, and lack of market access, despite N$40 million spent on planting and harvesting. Governor Dorothy Kabula called for the project to be prioritized in disaster relief programs to utilize its stock.

    7 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Ambassador Shaanika's appointment triggers diplomatic reshuffle

    Jerobeam Kakeke Shaanika has been appointed executive director and accounting officer of the International Relations and Trade ministry, triggering a reshuffle of Namibia's diplomatic missions in Germany, Geneva, and Malaysia. Shaanika will return from his posting as ambassador to Germany, which he took up in November 2025.

    7 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 29 June

  1. Diescho chairs new public enterprises review task force

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has appointed an 11-member task force chaired by Professor Joseph Diescho to review Namibia's public enterprises, with focus on salary structures, board remuneration, and executive recruitment over three months from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

    29 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Saturday 27 June

  1. PM appoints 11-member task force to review public enterprise salaries

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has appointed an 11-member task force, including former Namibian editor Tangeni Amupadhi, to review salary structures at public enterprises and recommend new pay structures for board members and committees. The task force, chaired by Joseph Diescho, will operate from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

    27 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 25 June

  1. EIF allocates N$6.4 million for Oshikoto water infrastructure

    The Environmental Investment Fund has allocated N$6.4 million for water infrastructure projects in Oshikoto Region, including boreholes, pipeline rehabilitation, and a desalination plant, with construction expected to commence before the end of July 2026.

    25 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Parliamentary committee probes predatory lending to civil servants

    A parliamentary standing committee on economics has heard that low salaries, predatory microlenders, and gaps in the law are driving public servants into crippling debt cycles, with some earning as low as N$3,000 a month while facing exorbitant interest rates. The committee is investigating whether existing laws adequately protect Namibians against lending institutions and reviewing the deduction payroll system that allows loan repayments to be taken directly from civil servants' salaries.

    16 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Environmental health practitioners petition for grade structure review

    Environmental health practitioners and assistants across Namibia have petitioned the ministry of health and social services to review and upgrade their profession's grading structure, arguing that their qualifications and responsibilities are not adequately reflected in the current public service framework. The practitioners, who hold honours degrees and diplomas respectively, perform essential public health functions including food safety, water quality monitoring, sanitation, waste management, vector control, and disease surveillance.

    16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 15 June

  1. Parliament examines household debt crisis among civil servants

    A parliamentary standing committee has launched public hearings on whether existing laws adequately protect citizens from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders, prompted by rising indebtedness among households, particularly civil servants. The inquiry focuses on payday loans, which account for 82% of new loans issued by microlenders, and the payroll deduction system used in the public service, which may encourage excessive borrowing despite Labour Act provisions limiting total deductions to one-third of remuneration.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 13 June

  1. MPs demand tighter controls on microlender salary deductions

    Members of parliament have called for stricter controls on microlenders' direct access to civil servants' salaries, arguing that such deductions worsen financial strain on public servants. The parliamentary economics committee heard concerns about excessive deductions and their effects on disposable income and mental health, with plans to meet with the Microlenders Association next week.

    13 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 12 June

  1. PM suspends revised remoteness and hardship allowance

    Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has ordered suspension of the revised categorisation of duty stations for the Remoteness and Hardship Allowance with effect from 1 July 2026, pending further consultation. During the suspension period, duty station categorisations and allowance levels applicable on 31 March 2026 will continue to apply.

    12 June 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 6 June

  1. Kavango West's Rupara development centre opening delayed to July

    The Rupara Rural Community Development Centre in Musese, Kavango West, is expected to open by the end of July after construction delays since 2020. The N$141 million facility will include a guesthouse, VIP units, restaurant, conference facilities and welding workshop, designed to support skills development and entrepreneurship in the region.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Tsumkwe communities push for revival of stalled development projects

    Community leaders in Tsumkwe have called for urgent intervention to revive several stalled development projects, including a multi-million-dollar agricultural initiative and a cultural museum incomplete for more than a decade. A delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister visited the constituency to assess development challenges and service delivery.

    4 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Over 105,000 households received rice aid in May

    More than 105,000 households across Namibia received rice assistance in May as food security challenges persisted despite declining acute hunger levels following drought recovery interventions. The World Food Programme distributed 2,326 metric tonnes of rice nationwide through government-led drought relief efforts.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. PM says two boreholes per village is achievable under Nandi-Ndaitwah

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says providing every village with two boreholes is possible under president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's leadership. He visited a community garden project at Otjombinde and said the initiative would fight malnutrition, create rural employment, improve food security, and support livestock farming and irrigation.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Health professional proposes unified health framework for Namibia

    Namibia's health system is fragmented with high administrative costs and limited fiscal pooling. A health professional has proposed a Shared Prosperity Health Covenant framework to transform the system into a unified, equitable, and digitally enabled ecosystem that addresses disparities and promotes universal health coverage.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

  1. OPM continues food aid to 2,700 flood-affected Zambezi households

    The Office of the Prime Minister will provide food and relief supplies for the next three months to 2,700 flood-affected households in Zambezi region, where annual and flash floods have displaced residents and destroyed crops. About 20 relocation camps have been established across the region's affected constituencies.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Namibia launches Work Integrated Learning policy for workplaces

    Namibia has launched a National Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Policy designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical workplace experience by integrating theoretical training with real-world industry exposure. The framework guides employers, training institutions, and students on implementing workplace learning programmes such as internships, apprenticeships, and attachments, with implementation coordinated through a structure outlined in the policy's implementation plan.

    17 May 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Oshikoto seeks N$22m to address persistent regional water crisis

    Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi said the region needs approximately N$22 million to comprehensively address water challenges affecting communities. The region recently secured N$6.4 million from the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia for the initial phase, with technical assessments underway to determine boreholes for drilling and rehabilitation.

    12 May 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 10 May

  1. PM Ngurare attends Museveni's seventh inauguration in Uganda

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will travel to Uganda to represent President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the inauguration of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni (82) in Kampala on Tuesday, and is expected to hold engagements to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

    10 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Petrus Sindimba transferred to Office of Prime Minister

    Petrus Sindimba, Executive Director of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, has been reassigned to the Office of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretariat, as Executive Director Grade 1 without accounting responsibilities, effective 1 May 2026, following a Public Service Commission recommendation.

    5 May 2026 · Informanté →

Office of the Prime Minister — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute