Namibia Minute.
Monday, 7 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 7 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Office of the Prime Minister

Also known as: OPM · OPE

Office of the Prime Minister — receives government security assessments and strategic policy reports; issues directives on behalf of the Prime Minister to executive agencies and public servants.

2024-06-272026-09-07

What’s been said

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

  1. March 2026
  2. Informanté

    Office of the Prime Minister employed Gladice Pickering as Executive Director

    Source

    EXECUTIVE Director in the Office of the Prime Minister, Gladice Pickering, has called for the dismantling of silo-based operations within the Public Service, urging government institutions to strengthen collaboration and deliver practical, citizen-centred innovation.

    Call for Greater Collaboration and Innovation in Public Service
  3. February 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister spokesperson Rhingo Mutambo said they are not aware of any increment

    Source

    Office of the Prime Minister spokesperson Rhingo Mutambo yesterday said they are not aware of any increment.

    Leaked document reveals 5% pay rise for Namibia civil servants and teachers from 2026
  5. New Era

    Office of the Prime Minister turned down a disaster declaration submission about infrastructure deterioration matter

    Source

    It was submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister, which turned it down.

    On the spot with John Muyamba – Nathanael reaffirms commitment to Rundu
  6. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister received reports submitted by the regional disaster risk management committee on damaged crops

    Source

    He added that his office, along with the regional disaster risk management committee, has assessed the damaged crop and submitted reports to the Office of the Prime Minister.

    Flash floods devastate Zambezi crops
  7. New Era

    Office of the Prime Minister is responsible for public service reform as critical NDP 6 objective

    Source

    The Office of the Prime Minister specifically is responsible for a critical NDP 6 objective, which is public service reform.

    Civil servants hit 119 000 …wage bill at N$36b
  8. New Era

    Office of the Prime Minister held high-level meeting with local stakeholders in Kavango East

    Source

    This comes after a recent high-level meeting held between a delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and local stakeholders in Kavango East.

    Youth welcome Uvhungu-Vungu agro-processing project
  9. Informanté

    Office of the Prime Minister teamed up with Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to drill a new borehole to address water crisis

    Source

    The breakthrough follows a joint effort by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform and the Office of the Prime Minister, which teamed up to drill a new borehole to address the long-standing water crisis in the village.

    New borehole brings hope to Okahumandu
  10. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister held a staff meeting where Ngurare addressed absenteeism and project execution

    Source

    He was speaking at a staff meeting of the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday.

    Ngurare warns staff against absenteeism, slow capital project execution
  11. The Namibian

    Office of the Prime Minister will continue to lead with integrity, vision and unwavering commitment to people's well-being

    Source

    "The Office of the Prime Minister, in partnership with all stakeholders, will continue to lead with integrity, vision and unwavering commitment to our people's well-being," he says.

    Drought costing Namibia billions annually
  12. January 2026
  13. New Era

    Office of the Prime Minister facilitated clearing of close to N$30 million in outstanding invoices owed to farmers

    Source

    This was done through the Office of the Prime Minister, the agriculture ministry and Meatco as the facilitator.

    Govt pays Meatco producers N$30m …Moves to restore confidence
World & Region

Government backs Cuba solidarity but distances self from N$700k donation

The News

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

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Government backs Cuba solidarity but distances self from N$700k donation

    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

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Ministry of Home Affairs praised for efficient service delivery

    A reader describes positive experiences at the Ministry of Home Affairs, where a former MP received a passport in one day and the writer obtained a full birth certificate in 30 minutes, crediting the ministry's implementation of the Public Service Charter for its professional service and friendly officials.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 27 August

  1. Parliament committee examines tribal favouritism claims in teacher promotions

    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

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Government workers authorised early departure before Heroes Day

    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

Thursday 20 August

  1. OPM and NAU sign disaster preparedness agreement for agriculture

    The Office of the Prime Minister and Namibia Agricultural Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in the agricultural sector, establishing a framework for collaboration in responding to veld fires, drought, and animal disease outbreaks.

    20 August 2026 · Informanté

Monday 17 August

  1. Zambezi farmers demand Meatco return to run closed abattoir

    Livestock farmers in the Zambezi region staged a demonstration calling for government intervention after Meatco handed over management of the Katima Mulilo abattoir to Zambezi Meat Cooperation in June; the abattoir has remained closed pending regulatory and operational requirements, leaving farmers without a formal market.

    17 August 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Justice system advances security plan for magistrates, prosecutors

    Namibia's Chief Justice has convened stakeholders to consider security assessment findings covering more than 400 judicial officers and prosecutors, with the assessment to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister. The move addresses risks of intimidation and violence faced by those administering and prosecuting the law, prompted partly by the death of regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda in October 2025.

    17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  3. Security plan for 400 magistrates and prosecutors reaches Cabinet

    Chief Justice Peter Shivute convened a meeting to review a security assessment for over 400 prosecutors and judicial officers, following concerns heightened by the death of regional prosecutor Justine Shiweda. The report is expected to be submitted to Cabinet and the Office of the Prime Minister in the coming weeks for consideration and possible implementation.

    17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Sunday 16 August

  1. IPC critic challenges legitimacy of government assets agency

    The IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has raised governance and legal concerns over the government's establishment of the Public Assets Management Agency (Pama) as a profit-oriented entity before dedicated legislation governing public assets has been enacted. He argues that state properties should not be handed to a commercially driven entity without full parliamentary scrutiny and explicit legislative boundaries, and warns that interim board appointments could undermine corporate governance and be subject to political control.

    16 August 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 11 August

  1. NamPower re-advertises managing director post for wider talent pool

    NamPower has re-advertised its managing director position after receiving a limited number of applications in the initial recruitment round, with the new application deadline set for 28 August. Applications from the first round will remain valid, and at least five senior energy-sector executives applied initially.

    11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun

Monday 10 August

  1. Namibia and Cuba seek expanded economic cooperation beyond politics

    Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare is visiting Cuba (6–11 August 2026) to deepen cooperation in education, healthcare, youth development, water infrastructure, engineering and tourism. Ngurare called for the two countries to move beyond longstanding political solidarity towards stronger economic ties and people-to-people exchanges.

    10 August 2026 · Informanté

  2. President challenges state enterprises to reform within 24 months

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged state-owned enterprises to stop producing plans and attending meetings, and instead identify one strategic investment project and one reform that can produce measurable results within 24 months, with the test of an SOE ultimately being what it delivers to citizens and the economy.

    10 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Sunday 9 August

  1. Businessman says young ministers asserting authority over parastatal CEOs

    Businessman Leake Hangala told public enterprise chief executives that Namibia's new Cabinet ministers, while young and well-educated, often remind board chairpersons and parastatal leaders of their ministerial authority. Hangala said personality clashes between officials have hindered constructive discussions and called for institutional approaches that do not depend on personalities.

    9 August 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 7 August

  1. President sets 24-month deadline for SOE investment projects

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed state-owned enterprises to identify strategic investment projects ready for implementation within 24 months and specific reforms to unlock growth, saying she will "disrupt" government systems where necessary to remove barriers to delivery.

    7 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Catherine Kaunda, Zambian president's daughter, dies in Lusaka

    Catherine Kaunda, eldest daughter of Zambia's founding president Kenneth Kaunda, died in Lusaka on Saturday. She had lived in Windhoek since the mid-1990s and a book of condolences was opened in her honour in Namibia.

    5 August 2026 · New Era

Monday 3 August

  1. EIF livestock feed donation reaches Zambezi this week

    The Zambezi Regional Council confirmed that supplementary livestock feed valued at N$500,000 donated by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia will be transported from Rundu to Katima Mulilo this week to assist flood-affected farmers. The donation, pledged on 17 July, is expected to benefit 3,000 livestock farmers across three constituencies affected by seasonal floods.

    3 August 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 27 July

  1. Namibia launches agri-food transformation strategy through 2030

    Namibia has unveiled a new Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (2025/26–2030/31) aimed at reducing hunger, improving nutrition, and empowering young people and women through agriculture. The strategy targets reducing child stunting from 24% to 12% by 2030 and addresses post-harvest food losses of about 33% through investment in agro-processing, cold storage, and infrastructure.

    27 July 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 26 July

  1. Labour unions reject salary-splitting proposal from Windhoek councillor

    Labour unions have rejected a proposal by a City of Windhoek councillor to split workers' monthly salaries into two payments each month. The National Union of Namibian Workers said the idea would not solve workers' financial challenges and would instead make it harder for low-income earners to meet their fixed monthly obligations.

    26 July 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 25 July

  1. Public Service Commission warns against fake recruitment notice

    The Public Service Commission has cautioned the public against a fraudulent government recruitment notice circulating on social media, stating that no nationwide recruitment programme has been launched. The commission emphasized that all official government recruitment is advertised through official circulars and authenticated government channels, not through unofficial online links or social media.

    25 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Namibia to roll out electronic ID cards September 2026

    Namibia will begin issuing electronic identity cards in September 2026 to modernize public service delivery, strengthen digital security, and support e-government programmes. The smart cards will contain biometric and biographical data and enable secure digital verification and online transactions.

    25 July 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 23 July

  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.

    23 July 2026 · 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

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