Thursday, 23 July 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Thursday, 23 July 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

One Economy Foundation

Namibian youth development organization working in sexual and reproductive health, economic empowerment, and menstrual health support.

2019-07-032026-07-23

What’s been said

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

April 2026
1 AprThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation hosted #Befree Day Club to address safety and risky behaviours associated with nightlife
Source
“One Economy Foundation, through its Befree Movement, hosted a #Befree Day Club to address safety and risky behaviours associated with nightlife.”
Windhoek youth tackle nightlife safety at One Economy #Befree Day Club
March 2026
18 MarInformanté
One Economy Foundation is founded by Monica Geingos
Source
“She is the founder of the One Economy Foundation and the #BeFree Movement Project, which focuses on youth sexual health and HIV/AIDS awareness.”
Geingos receives honorary doctorate from University of Johannesburg for leadership in social development
17 MarThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation was founded by Monica Geingos
Source
“Former first lady and One Economy Foundation founder Monica Geingos says she will not call herself a doctor until she works towards finalising her own PhD.”
I will not call myself doctor until I earn it – Monica Geingos
15 MarThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation equipped 90 young people with entrepreneurship skills and starter kits
Source
“The One Economy Foundation has equipped 90 young people at Groot Aub, Rehoboth, and Okahandja with entrepreneurship skills and starter kits to combat unemployment.”
One Economy Foundation equips 90 rural young people with entrepreneurship skills
15 MarThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation launched #EmpowerToEarn initiative in partnership with FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust
Source
“The initiative, in partnership with the FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust, seeks to bridge the gap between skills development and economic participation by equipping young people outside urban centres with practical, income-generating skills to address unemployment.”
One Economy Foundation equips 90 rural young people with entrepreneurship skills
11 MarNew Era
One Economy Foundation (ONE) recently launched #EmpowerToEarn initiative to bridge skills development and economic participation
Source
“The One Economy Foundation (ONE) recently launched #EmpowerToEarn, an initiative intentionally created to bridge the gap between skills development and economic participation.”
#EmpowerToEarn ignites youth economic inclusion
February 2026
16 FebThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation launched youth empowerment programme in Windhoek
Source
“The Youth Opportunity Pillar under the One Economy Foundation last week launched a youth empowerment programme in Windhoek, equipping youth with practical, income-generating skills to address unemployment.”
One Economy launches initiative to tackle youth unemployment
November 2022
22 NovThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation held a business masterclass in the Kunene region on entrepreneurial thinking
Source
“Last month, the One Economy Foundation, in partnership with Business Box Namibia, held a business masterclass in the Kunene region on entrepreneurial thinking.”
Entrepreneurship: It's Not About Handouts, it's About Opportunities
July 2019
3 JulThe Namibian
One Economy Foundation receives volunteering from Bertha Tobias
Source
“She is a #BeFree ambassador, volunteer for One Economy Foundation and an intern at the United Nations Population Fund.”
Catalyzing Radical Change in My Africa!

Society

Africa CDC youth health strategy requires political will and funding

The News

Africa CDC launched a health strategy for youth (2025–2028) entering its first full year of implementation, with Namibia and other member states needing to determine whether political will and funding exist to support it. Two young African women working in youth health programmes attended the ninth Pan-African Adolescent and Youth SRHR Scientific Conference in Mombasa and observed both progress in what African youth are building and uncertainty about institutional commitment.

9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 July

Africa CDC youth health strategy requires political will and funding
Africa CDC launched a health strategy for youth (2025–2028) entering its first full year of implementation, with Namibia and other member states needing to determine whether political will and funding exist to support it. Two young African women working in youth health programmes attended the ninth Pan-African Adolescent and Youth SRHR Scientific Conference in Mombasa and observed both progress in what African youth are building and uncertainty about institutional commitment.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

One Economy Foundation cuts 12 jobs after donor funding drops
The One Economy Foundation has reduced its workforce from 37 to 25 employees after its operating budget fell by 25% when one of its five largest donors withdrew funding.
8 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 6 July

One Economy Foundation receives 25% budget cut
A 25% cut to the One Economy Foundation's operations budget is expected to reduce the number of young people the organisation can reach, although existing beneficiaries will continue to be supported.
6 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 5 July

One Economy Foundation cuts 12 jobs after donor reduces funding
The One Economy Foundation has cut 12 permanent employees following a 25% reduction to its operating budget after one of its largest donors reduced funding. The foundation says the cuts were necessary to protect core services, and affected staff have been offered a three-month exit period with support services.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
One Economy Foundation cuts staff, budget after donor funding reduction
The One Economy Foundation has reduced its operating budget by 25% following a funding cut from one of its top five donors, scaling down permanent staff from 37 to 25 and cancelling some advocacy events. The foundation's Executive Director attributed the reduction to global donor funding trends affecting non-profits and said the donor ensured core programmes remained unaffected.
5 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 3 July

One Economy launches sexual health information platform for youth
The One Economy Foundation has launched iBreakFree, a sexual and reproductive health web application providing young people access to health information, self-screening tools and healthcare referrals. The platform covers HIV prevention, family planning, mental health, sexually transmitted infections and gender-based violence, with two digital hubs established in Ohangwena and Omusati regions for those without internet access.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
One Economy Foundation launches digital youth sexual health platform
The One Economy Foundation has introduced the i-BreakFree SRH Web Application, a digital platform funded by the Global Fund through the Ministry of Health and Social Services, enabling young people in Namibia to access sexual and reproductive health information, self-screening tools for HIV and STI risk assessment, and confidential support services online.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 29 June

Rape survivor at 14 reflects on motherhood, education loss
Manela Gaeses, raped by a schoolmate in Windhoek in 2018 at age 14, became pregnant seven months later and dropped out of school to find income after her parents kicked her out. Now 22 with three children, Gaeses said participation in an effective parenting support group initiative has helped her become a better mother.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 28 June

#BeFree Grow Gardening Project celebrates first harvest
The #BeFree Grow Gardening Project, launched in April 2025, achieved its first harvest on 13 June 2026, with young participants including those with intellectual disabilities producing corn, spinach and potatoes as part of a programme aimed at promoting horticulture skills, food security and youth empowerment. The harvested produce will supplement the #BeFree Meals Programme, while the project provides practical training to out-of-school and unemployed youth in crop production, garden maintenance, soil management and sustainable farming practices.
28 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 23 June

One Economy Foundation warns of fraudulent tender documents
The One Economy Foundation has warned that fake tender documents bearing its name have circulated online and been used to solicit payments under false pretenses. Executive director Pauline Kahupi says the foundation did not issue any tender, authorize payments, or receive funds, and has launched an internal investigation and suspended a staff member.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 20 June

One Economy Foundation reports fraudulent tender documents to police
The One Economy Foundation has distanced itself from fraudulent procurement documents circulating on 18 June 2026 that used its name and official letterhead to solicit payments under false pretences. The Foundation has launched an internal investigation, suspended a staff member whose name appeared on the documents, and reported the matter to the Namibian Police.
20 June 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 15 June

Lil-Lets donates 6,000 sanitary pad packs to Namibian organisations
South African brand Lil-Lets donated 6,000 sanitary pad packs and five menstrual corners to the One Economy Foundation and partner organisations including Girl Up Namibia, Havana Charity Work Foundation, Lidar Foundation, and the Zambezi Girl Child Foundation to support menstrual health initiatives in Namibia. The donation is part of a partnership aimed at improving access to menstrual hygiene products, promoting awareness, and addressing stigma surrounding menstruation.
15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 12 June

Monica Geingos appointed Club de Madrid advisor
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed as an Advisor to Club de Madrid, a global forum of more than 130 democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers from over 70 countries. Geingos brings experience in law, finance, public health, and youth development, and founded the One Economy Foundation and chairs the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 11 June

Geingos tells young journalists journalism creates change long-term
Former first lady Monica Geingos told fellows in the 2026 One Economy Foundation Media Fellowship Programme that journalism should be understood as a gradual process of shaping perspectives through consistent and accurate reporting rather than expecting instant change, and that storytelling must account for lived experiences, trauma and social context.
11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 8 June

One Economy donates maternal care supplies to former first lady
One Economy Foundation donated maternal and infant care items valued at $30,000 to former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba at her homestead in Ohangwena region, as recognition of her commitment to community development and women and children's welfare. The foundation also reported outcomes from a healthcare outreach programme in Ohangwena that provided sexual and reproductive health services to over 350 people.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 19 May

One Economy Foundation hosts men's dialogue on accountability and support
The One Economy Foundation hosted a 'BeFreeBallers: Next Gen Men' event in Windhoek bringing together young men to discuss constructive masculinity and personal accountability. Speakers including a formerly incarcerated man and a trauma therapist emphasized the importance of seeking help, breaking silence, and accessing mentorship to prevent destructive choices.
19 May 2026 · Informanté →
Youth event promotes constructive masculinity and emotional wellbeing
The #BeFree Youth Campus hosted the #BeFreeBallers: Next Gen Men event in Windhoek to mark International Day of the Boy Child, providing discussions and engagement stations on mental health, sexual and reproductive health, communication, and personal growth for young men.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 16 May

Monica Geingos appointed Board Chair of global maternal health alliance
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has been appointed Board Chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the world's largest alliance focused on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents. She succeeds former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose tenure ends in November 2026.
16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 15 May

Former first lady Geingos appointed chair of global maternal health alliance
Monica Geingos has been appointed board chair of the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the world's largest alliance focused on maternal, newborn and child health, succeeding former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark when her term ends in November 2026. The alliance, hosted by the WHO in Geneva, brings together nearly 1,500 partner organisations working on maternal, child and adolescent health.
15 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

Cabinet cuts Monica Geingos' post-office benefits and allocations
The Cabinet has reduced the benefits of former first lady Monica Geingos, limiting her to three household staff members and two state-sponsored vehicles effective 1 June, down from her current seven employees. The new policy applies to former first ladies whose husbands die before them, but does not affect founding first lady Kovambo Nujoma.
12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 11 May

Childhood trauma, mental health fuel gender-based violence in Namibia
Monica Geingos of One Economy Foundation says unresolved childhood trauma and mental health challenges continue to fuel gender-based violence and other social problems in Namibia, and that intervention and timely support for young people is important because it is easier to fix broken children than broken adults. Research conducted by the foundation in nine correctional facilities found that lack of love and unresolved mental health issues in homes are drivers of gender-based violence.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 9 May

One Economy Foundation hosts media summit on ethical reporting
The One Economy Foundation held a media summit on Friday to educate journalists on ethical reporting on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health. Speakers emphasised that responsible journalism can humanise stories and strengthen empathy, while cautioning that insensitive reporting may expose survivors to further trauma and stigma.
9 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 April

Global council appoints Tjaveondja as Namibia's diplomatic liaison
The Great Global Reconvergence Council (GGRC) has selected Mbakumua Tjaveondja as its diplomatic liaison for Namibia in a voluntary position. Tjaveondja, who joined the council in late 2025 after an application process, is a consultant with the One Economy Foundation and says he was drawn to the GGRC's proposition that the economic gap between richer and poorer nations is narrowing and that Namibia plays an indispensable role in that story.
19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

Omusati medical outreach provides care to 678 residents
A three-day medical campaign in Omusati's Outapi area provided free healthcare services including HIV testing, medical consultations, reproductive health counselling, and screenings for blood sugar, haemoglobin and cancer to 678 residents. The initiative, led by Dune Seven Medical Centre in collaboration with local partners, aimed to improve healthcare access in underserved communities and promote early disease detection.
16 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 April

Free medical outreach programme comes to Outapi constituency
Community members in Outapi, Omusati region will receive three days of free healthcare services from 8–10 April, including medical check-ups, HIV and STI testing, blood pressure and blood sugar screening, and health counselling. The Omusati Medical Campaign Tour, organised by DuneSeven Medical Centre with partners, aims to improve access to healthcare and empower communities with health knowledge, particularly for those with limited access to screening and treatment for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
7 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 1 April

Windhoek youth gather to address nightlife safety issues
One Economy Foundation's Befree Movement hosted a day club in Windhoek to raise awareness among young people about nightlife safety, covering issues such as drink spiking, consent, road safety and sexual health. Speakers including a social worker and police sergeant urged youth to protect themselves and each other through vigilance and informed decision-making.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

Namibia's former First Lady Geingos receives UJ honorary doctorate
Monica Geingos received an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Johannesburg in recognition of her work in social development, youth empowerment, and gender equity across Africa. The honour acknowledges her two decades in financial and investment sectors, her roles as founder of the One Economy Foundation and #BeFree Movement Project, and her service as UNAIDS Special Advocate and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development.
18 March 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 17 March

Monica Geingos receives honorary doctorate, declines to use title
Former first lady Monica Geingos has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg but says she will not use the title until she completes her own PhD, following her late husband Hage Geingob's belief that such honours should be earned rather than conferred.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 15 March

One Economy Foundation trains 90 rural youth in entrepreneurship skills
The One Economy Foundation equipped 90 young people in Groot Aub, Rehoboth, and Okahandja with entrepreneurship training and starter kits through its #EmpowerToEarn initiative, in partnership with FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust. The two-day workshops, held between February and March, covered business set-up, financial literacy, and practical training in catering, hairdressing, and agriculture—areas identified through consultation with over 450 young people as having strong income-earning potential.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

Foundation launches youth skills training initiative in rural communities
The One Economy Foundation, in partnership with FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust, launched #EmpowerToEarn to address youth unemployment in peri-urban and semi-rural areas through practical skills training in catering, hairdressing, and agriculture, combined with entrepreneurship and financial literacy modules and post-training business mentorship.
11 March 2026 · New Era →