Otjiwarongo

2020-04-302026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Otjiwarongo

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

September 2026
29 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia’s decentralisation agenda and the need to strengthen the relationship between the National Council and regional councils are at the centre of discussions at a joint consultative conference at Otjiwarongo. …
National Council calls for stronger regional cooperation
28 SeptThe Namibian
… As a judge, Strydom was equally at home in the fields of civil cases and criminal law, Viljoen said.Strydom was born at Otjiwarongo in June 1938, and grew up at Outjo. …
Chief justice pays tribute to predecessor Strydom
28 SeptThe Namibian
… The operator has connected Grootfontein, Mariental, Okahandja, Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb to its 5G network, following the commercial launch of the technology in 2025. …
MTC expands 5G to five more towns
28 SeptThe Namibian
The Municipality of Otjiwarongo has warned livestock owners to stop allowing their animals roaming or grazing within the town, citing public safety concerns and the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. …
Otjiwarongo clamps down on owners of roaming livestock
28 SeptNew Era
… Of the 199 samples, 117 were from Karasburg in the //Kharas region, 50 from Gobabis, 30 from Otjiwarongo, and one each from Windhoek and Ondangwa. …
Govt eases FMD restrictions
27 SeptThe Namibian
… They comprised 117 from Karasburg, 50 from Gobabis, 30 from Otjiwarongo, one from Windhoek and one from Ondangwa. …
IPC calls for emergency funding to fight FMD
27 SeptThe Namibian
… About 1 100 head of cattle were expected to go under the hammer at a Blaauwberg Auctioneers CC sale at Otjiwarongo yesterday. …
FMD outbreak halts livestock auctions across Namibia
26 SeptInformanté
… Mubita said 199 samples were collected between 22 and 25 September as part of routine and intensified surveillance in several areas, including Windhoek, Gobabis, Otjiwarongo and Ondangwa. …
FMD cases remain confined to Karasburg
26 SeptNamibian Sun
… at a commercial farm in the Karasburg district tested positive.Mubita said officials collected a further 199 samples during routine surveillance between 22 and 25 September across several regions.Of these, 117 samples were collected in Karasburg, 50 in Gobabis, 30 in Otjiwarongo …
17 FMD-positive samples confirmed in Karasburg
24 SeptWindhoek Observer
… Mediclinic Southern Africa operates three multi-disciplinary private hospitals in Namibia, located in Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Otjiwarongo. …
Mediclinic lifts Remgro earnings as headline profit rises 42%

Agriculture & Land

President warns traditional leaders against illegal communal land sales

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned traditional leaders that selling communal land as personal property could result in criminal cases, calling on them to end corruption and illegal land allocations that deny disadvantaged communities access to land. She stated that traditional authorities do not own communal land unless they have purchased it through proper channels as individuals.

9 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Today

President warns traditional leaders against illegal communal land sales
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned traditional leaders that selling communal land as personal property could result in criminal cases, calling on them to end corruption and illegal land allocations that deny disadvantaged communities access to land. She stated that traditional authorities do not own communal land unless they have purchased it through proper channels as individuals.
9 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

Unattended cattle in Otjiwarongo despite municipal ban enforcement
Members of the public reported approximately 80 unattended cattle near Otjiwarongo plots, with complaints to the municipality, police and veterinary services yielding no immediate response. The Municipality issued a public notice on 28 September 2026 prohibiting unattended livestock within town boundaries, citing road safety risks and foot-and-mouth disease concerns, with impoundment charges set at N$367.60 per animal per day.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 19 October

Minister warns traditional leaders against misuse of state funds
Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has warned traditional leaders against mismanaging state funds, noting follow-ups revealed unexplained withdrawals from accounts and that councillors were allegedly unaware of how funds linked to Oonani Investments Group were being managed. He said the money should benefit communities through projects such as household electricity connections, gardens, and assistance for sick people needing hospital care.
19 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Minister Sankwasa questions 15 new chieftainship applications
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has received 15 applications for chieftainship and expressed concerns about the growing number of traditional leaders in Namibia, raising questions about factors driving applications and alleged conflicts between customary practices and national law.
19 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 16 October

Student accused of killing seven-year-old classmate at school
Renthia Kaimbi Karinambande Muundjua has allegedly confessed to luring seven-year-old Roswinds Fabianu from K W von Maree Combined School with N$2 coins, then raping and killing her in nearby bushes, according to sources close to the investigation. The child's mother confirmed that Fabianu's stomach had been cut open but disputed reports that internal organs were missing.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 15 October

Animal welfare group sterilises over 30 000 dogs and cats
Since 2013, Have a Heart has provided free sterilisation and rabies vaccinations to more than 30 000 dogs and cats, targeting low and no-income households to prevent unwanted litters and reduce stray populations. Between January and September this year, the organisation sterilised 1 383 dogs and 1 912 cats, plus over 800 feral cats through a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return campaign in September.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Police warn festive season road deaths remain serious concern
Namibia's acting Inspector General said the country cannot be complacent despite a slight drop in festive season road deaths, noting that the 2025/2026 campaign recorded 470 crashes, 932 injuries, and 92 fatalities. She emphasized that effective road safety requires more than police enforcement alone.
15 October 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 14 October

FMD outbreak drives meat prices up at butcheries and restaurants
Foot-and-mouth disease restrictions confirmed last month have created meat shortages and driven up prices, with butchery owners reporting scarce supplies and forced increases in selling prices. Meat trimmings are selling for between N$105 and N$140 per kilogramme, and some butcheries are using more expensive cuts due to supply constraints.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Otjiwarongo contractors decline housing project work over low pay
Contractors in Otjiwarongo are refusing to build houses under the government's Build Together Programme because beneficiary loans of N$45,000 are insufficient.
14 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 13 October

18-year-old confesses to Okahandja murders after arrest for attempted rape
An 18-year-old man has allegedly confessed to the rapes and murders of Ingrid Maasdorp and Roswinds Fabianu after being arrested for the attempted rape of a 10-year-old in Okahandja on Saturday. The suspect was 16 at the time of the slayings and attended the same school as the victims.
13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Government invests N$146m in shack dwellers housing programme
The government has allocated N$146 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia during the 2025/26 financial year to address housing needs of low-income earners. The Urban and Rural Development Ministry reported completing approximately 1,864 houses countrywide and constructing 250 sanitation facilities in rural areas during the review period.
13 October 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 10 October

Kalux's collaborations establish him as hitmaker
Afropop and Afrofusion artist Saggarias Karunga, known as Kalux, has become one of Namibia's most sought-after collaborators, with multiple hits alongside artists including Mooi Ngaro, One Blood, Adora and Jaliza. His duet with Mooi Ngaro, '//Khoara', has 2.4 million YouTube views, while his latest solo hit '!No' has reached 800,000 views.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

Housing scheme delivers over 11 000 low-cost houses countrywide
The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, through partnership with the Namibia Housing Action Group, has constructed and delivered over 11 000 low-cost houses countrywide since 1998. Since July last year, the SDFN has constructed and delivered 2 354 houses and established more than 1 000 active savings groups with over 33 000 members across the country's 14 regions.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
Forensic probe flags N$774k bill for 900 wheelie bins
A draft forensic investigation found that the Otjiwarongo municipality faced a N$774,004.05 payment demand after 900 wheelie bins were delivered without a purchase order.
8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 7 October

Deputy education minister warns against hasty digital learning expansion
Deputy education minister Dino Ballotti has warned that Namibia's plans to expand digital learning face significant challenges including poor internet connectivity in remote schools, ageing ICT equipment, electricity shortages, and high data and maintenance costs. Ballotti cautioned that Namibia must not rush to introduce new technology while basic conditions for learning remain problematic in some schools.
7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 6 October

Deputy Minister acknowledges digital divide in Namibian basic education
Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti acknowledged that a digital divide persists in Namibia's basic education sector and said the Ministry is taking steps to improve digital access in government schools, providing connectivity, ICT infrastructure, devices and digital services.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
EU temporarily suspends Namibian beef imports over FMD outbreak
The European Union has temporarily suspended imports of fresh beef, sheep and goat meat, and certain processed meat products from Namibia following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak confirmed last month in the ||Kharas region and now affecting 11 farms. The EU ambassador says Namibia's market share is small and EU businesses will source beef from other suppliers, with limited market impact expected.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
NokooTheChef: From home cooking to content creator award nominee
Michelle Nakokurejikene, known online as NokooTheChef, has been nominated in the foodie content creator category at the upcoming MTC Content Creator Awards. The 28-year-old from Keetmanshoop grew up moving across Namibia and developed her love for cooking from childhood play that became household responsibility, blending cultural representation, homestyle recipes and accessible cooking.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Otjozondjupa governor urges larger education infrastructure budget
Otjozondjupa governor John Julius //Khamuseb called for more money to be allocated to education infrastructure, saying the roughly 10% currently allocated for development is insufficient to meet schools' needs and enable the introduction of technology. He suggested the government should consider redirecting funding from other ministries to strengthen education.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 5 October

Four rape cases reported countrywide over weekend
Police are investigating four alleged rape cases involving two women and two minors over the weekend across Namibia. The incidents occurred in Hardap, Outjo, Okahandja, and other locations; suspects in most cases remain unidentified or at large.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary committee flags labour concerns at five mining regions
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns over outsourcing, job insecurity, occupational safety, retrenchments and inadequate worker benefits following oversight visits to mining operations in Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, //Kharas and Khomas regions, and recommends strict monitoring of subcontractors.
5 October 2026 · New Era →

Friday 2 October

NVF Cup semi-finals underway in Swakopmund
The 18th Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation Cup reaches its semi-final stage this weekend in Swakopmund, with eight teams competing for titles and promotion to the 2027 MTC Volleyball National League. Four teams in each men's and women's divisions have advanced from preliminary rounds to compete in semi-finals, with winners progressing to gold medal matches.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 1 October

Former Chief Justice Strydom remembered as architect of independent judiciary
Former Chief Justice Johan Strydom, who died on 25 September 2026 at age 88, was honoured at a valedictory court session for his role in establishing post-independence judicial principles of dignity, equality, access to justice, and administrative fairness during his nearly four-decade career.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 30 September

National Council urges stronger cooperation with regional councils
Namibia's National Council chairperson Lukas Muha says the National Council and regional councils must strengthen cooperation to ensure their separate constitutional mandates translate into effective governance and development at regional level, speaking at a joint consultative conference in Otjiwarongo.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Katima Mulilo Hospital seeks intermediate status to reduce referrals
Katima Mulilo District Hospital refers an average of 30 patients monthly to facilities outside the Zambezi region, with 372 referrals recorded between April 2024 and March 2025. The Health Ministry plans to upgrade the hospital to intermediate status through introducing specialised services, recruiting qualified professionals, and expanding infrastructure, including a newly commissioned Intensive Care Unit.
30 September 2026 · New Era →
Regional councils face scrutiny over decentralisation powers and funding
Regional councillors are facing renewed scrutiny over limited decision-making powers, inadequate funding and delays in transferring government functions, nearly three decades after Namibia adopted its decentralisation policy. At a consultative conference in Otjiwarongo, the parliamentary standing committee noted that 42 functions from six ministries had been coordinated for decentralisation, although most had been delegated rather than devolved, and that the programme remained slow with poor coordination among challenges.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's decentralisation remains delegation, not true devolution
Nearly three decades after adopting decentralisation as a pillar of democratic governance, Namibia has delegated 42 functions from six ministries to regional councils, but most are delegated rather than devolved—meaning councils perform functions on behalf of central government rather than acquiring independent authority, leaving political power concentrated centrally.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Otjiwarongo plans revival of agricultural trade fair
After a nine-year gap, Otjiwarongo is planning to revive its annual agricultural and commercial show at the Paresis Showgrounds in May next year.
30 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 29 September

Public consultations on lotteries and gambling regulation amendments scheduled
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has scheduled public consultations on proposed amendments to lotteries and gambling regulations in six regions from 5 to 14 October. Key amendments include standardised application and registration fees, a 5% monitoring fee on net monthly income, a 1% maintenance fee on gross income for a Central Electronic Monitoring System, and coordination with the Namibia Revenue Agency to address undeclared operators and winners.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
National Council urges stronger ties with regional councils
Namibia's National Council chairperson Lukas Muha has called for strengthened cooperation between the National Council and regional councils to ensure effective governance and regional development. The call was made at a joint consultative conference in Otjiwarongo, which will assess progress on decentralisation and examine the institutions' separate but interconnected constitutional mandates.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →