Namibia’s Ruling Elite should not dismiss the fatal shooting of a village headman in the Oshikoto region and the critical wounding of another, who is also a top government official, as an anomaly unrelated to nationwide land management problems. …
Lahja Nashuuta Traditional leaders have been urged to involve the Namibian Police in community dispute resolution processes and public gatherings, following a deadly land dispute incident in the Oshikoto region. …
Auleria Wakudumo ONDANGWA – Residents of two villages in Oshikoto region have called for the full might of the law to be applied against a man accused of murdering a village headman and critically wounding another, in a shooting that has left the community shaken. …
Staff Reporter SINSKUS Johannes, the accused in Friday’s fatal shooting incident in the Iikokola village of the Oshikoto Region, had moments before the incident complained on social media about headmen who behave “as if this country belongs to them”. …
… Two suspects were arrested yesterday more than a hundred kilometres apart.According to the police, a 31-year-old male suspect was traced and arrested in the Onkumbula area of the Oshikoto Region, while the second suspect was apprehended at Okaandje in the Ongwediva policing area …
Placido Hilukilwa THE Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA), through Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Nangolo Shuumbwa, has condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the violent and tragic incident in the Oshikoto Region in which Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi sustained several bul …
… Nashandi, who is the headman of a village in the Onayena area of the Oshikoto Region, was presiding over a case of a land dispute when one of the disputing parties pulled a gun and fired several shots, killing one person and inflicting multiple wounds on headman Nashandi. …
One of the most celebrated festivals in the Oshikoto region, the Oniipa Kalawa Fresh Festival, will return for its fifth edition, aiming to revive the northern spirit that drew more than 17 000 people to its first edition in 2018. …
… Amwiigidha, who hails from Ikokola village in the Oshikoto region, says the main target market for his products are retailers, although he still supplies individuals. …
IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.
Why it matters
Panduleni Itula's direct challenge to transparency around a N$612m solar project linked to the President's family strikes at accountability and governance—core concerns for Namibian readers.
IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.
The Office of the Judiciary announced that the Omuthiya Periodical Court will commence operations on Monday, 8 June 2026, providing essential judicial services including criminal proceedings, marriage solemnization, maintenance disputes, and bail payments to residents of Oshikoto Region who previously had to travel to Ondangwa Magistrate's Court.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah argues that the Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration is creating divisions rather than promoting unity and collective healing as intended. He says the government's approach, selection of speakers, and messages delivered are contributing more to division than unity, and warns that regional activities and speeches reflected limited knowledge of the genocide.
The state alleges that 21-year-old murder and fraud accused Petrus Shikwaya owns five properties across northern Namibia, claiming his uncle Abner Mateus financed their acquisition; Shikwaya has denied knowledge of most properties but confirmed ownership of a farming unit near Windhoek that he says he bought for N$11,000.
Livestock auctions in northern communal areas generate income for farmers but poor animal condition and limited market knowledge reduce earnings, according to agriculture officials. A recent auction in Oshikoto region sold 133 of 139 cattle and 42 goats for N$1.3 million, with officials calling for training on the relationship between livestock quality and prices.
The state alleges that murder accused Petrus Shikwaya fraudulently took possession of his uncle's Suzuki vehicle and gave it to co-accused Petrus Uusiku as a reward for buying acid used to attack Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda on 17 October 2025. Shikwaya denies the allegations, claiming the vehicle was purchased for his uncle at the decision of his uncles.
Two suspects aged 35 and 46 were arrested near Tsumeb after police found illegally hunted game meat and unlawfully transported firewood in their vehicle. The confiscated items included warthog meat, four guinea fowl, and firewood valued at N$12,846.00.
Multiple former employees of Oxford hotel in Tsumeb allege the owner fired them without compensation for work completed, citing reasons ranging from failing to inform him of customers to seeking medical treatment. The hotel owner denies most allegations, claiming only one worker was fired for theft and the rest were unpaid interns.
A 120-bed maternity ward at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in Oshikoto has been inaugurated by Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao. The facility, costing N$57 million and described as the largest in the country, replaces a 1964-era maternity building and aims to address long-standing healthcare needs for expectant and new mothers.
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao officially opened Namibia's largest maternity unit at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital in Oshikoto region, featuring a 120-bed capacity with 12 private rooms, two operating theatres, and comprehensive services for antenatal care, labour, delivery, and post-natal support. The facility, built at a cost of N$57 million, is expected to reduce pressure on existing facilities and improve maternal and child health outcomes in the region.
Regional Governor Sacky Kathindi stressed that Oshikoto Region's progress depends on unity and mutual respect among public servants, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, open communication, and cooperation between the Regional Council, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders for effective service delivery.
Photos of disorganized medical records at Oshakati State Hospital highlight widespread administrative negligence in public institutions. The author argues that Namibia has qualified records management professionals available but institutions fail to employ them, and calls for the National Archives to conduct comprehensive inspections and publish compliance reports across all public institutions.
Activist Job Amupanda has donated equipment to construct a school hall and renovate a playground at Omaalala Primary School in Oshana, and recently built classrooms and administrative blocks at two other schools in Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions. Amupanda, now a parliamentarian and patron of Omaalala Primary School, stressed the importance of providing conducive learning environments for learners.
Three decades into independence, Namibia has expanded rural infrastructure including water supplies reaching 92.85% of rural households, constructed 419 new schools mostly in villages, and grown the road network from 41,800km to nearly 49,000km. However, challenges including high poverty, food insecurity, and uneven access to services remain, with experts noting the urban-rural development gap has not been fully closed.
Since 1990, Oshikoto has expanded infrastructure, education, healthcare and services through regional council coordination. Key developments include 11 constituency offices, water and electricity systems, 18 senior secondary schools, hospitals, and improved road networks across the region.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened a planning workshop for divisions handling disability affairs and marginalised communities, highlighting progress including a sign language app launch, disability cost report, and national disability policy 2025–2035, while acknowledging resource constraints and challenges such as limited funding and land disputes affecting indigenous minorities.
Tsumeb Municipality's 14 schools serve over 10,000 learners amid rapid population growth, with some classrooms operating at a 1:40 teacher-to-learner ratio. The municipality is identifying land for new schools, with the regional education directorate planning to prioritise a new primary school by 2027.
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened a planning workshop for the Divisions of Disability Affairs and Marginalised Communities, calling for stronger efforts to advance the rights and socio-economic development of persons with disabilities and marginalised communities. The workshop aims to review progress, identify challenges and map out strategies to improve service delivery, with Witbooi highlighting recent milestones including a sign language application launch, the Disability Cost Report, and a revised National Policy on Disability for 2025–2035, while acknowledging challenges such as limited financial resources and institutional capacity constraints.
Selma Daniel, 62, appeared in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court facing charges of trafficking in persons, child exploitation, neglect, and child abandonment related to the alleged abuse of her 16-year-old Angolan domestic worker, who was unpaid and reportedly forced to work in harsh conditions. The magistrate remanded Daniel in custody, with the case postponed to 19 August 2026.
A 16-year-old Angolan girl has been rescued from unpaid domestic work in Namibia's Oshikoto region after being beaten and starved by her 62-year-old employer, who promised her N$500 monthly wages she never received. The suspect has been arrested and faces charges including contraventions of the Child Care and Protection Act, assault, and human trafficking.
Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.
A 16-year-old Angolan girl was hospitalized after being allegedly assaulted and exploited as an unpaid domestic worker in Namibia's Oshikoto region. Her employer was arrested and faces charges including human trafficking, labour violations, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
A 34-year-old man was arrested in Oshikoto region for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter at Emono village; housemates reportedly caught the two in the act and he is expected to appear in court on Monday. In a separate incident, a 24-year-old woman was allegedly raped at Swakopmund after being forced into a man's room, with no arrests yet made.
Martin Angula, a 30-year-old craftsman from Ohangwena, creates eco-friendly wooden bowls, spoons and cups as an alternative to plastic and factory-made goods. Despite setbacks including a 2021 robbery at his workshop, he has rebuilt his business through training and government support, and now seeks modern equipment to expand production and reach larger clients such as hotels and museums.
The Director of National Heritage and Culture urged communities to work together to preserve and promote indigenous languages, saying they carry identity, history and traditional knowledge. The call was made during International Mother Language Day commemoration in Oshikoto region, where officials noted challenges including limited learning materials and young people's declining fluency in mother tongues.
Heavy rainfall affected multiple regions across Namibia over the weekend, with areas including Outapi, Tsumeb, Windhoek, and Okahandja experiencing flooding and waterlogged roads. Namibia Meteorological Services predicts isolated to scattered thundershowers will continue in the north and central regions, while the south faces widespread thundershowers, with severe storms and flash-flood risks in central and southern areas.
Deputy Minister Ballotti told Parliament that most budgeted education infrastructure projects for the 2025/26 financial year are advancing as planned, with majority expected near completion by June 2026, though three capital projects—Mix Primary School, Tubusis Primary School, and Onkumbula Combined School hostels—are experiencing delays.
Widespread showers have hit multiple regions this weekend, with more rainfall expected on Sunday, particularly heavy thundershowers in the Hardap and //Kharas regions that could cause flash floods. Several areas have already recorded significant rainfall, including Windhoek, Oshikoto Region, and Omaheke Region.
The Directorate of National Heritage and Culture commemorated International Mother Language Day at Tsintsabis Combined School under the theme "Youth Voices on Multilingual Education". The two-day event brought together learners and San community members to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.