Society
Schools report rising vaping problem among students
The News
Donatus Secondary School in Otjiwarongo told lawmakers that disposable vaping devices, commonly called "choefs," are an increasing problem in schools.
22 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Place
Otjiwarongo
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- April 2026
The Namibian
… Henle says he started farming with imported Wagyu cattle in the Otjiwarongo district in 2017 and has about 850 cattle. …
Meatco targets niche exports with Wagyu cattleNew Era
… This was revealed by minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa, under whose purview traditional authorities reside, during the official opening of a consultative workshop in Otjiwarongo yesterday. …
Traditional authorities in litmus testNew Era
… Ahead of the memorial service, some mourners visited the accident scene along the Okakarara–Otjiwarongo (C22) road, where they erected a white cross in his remembrance. …
Otjiserandu beckons Uerikua …burial set for SundayNew Era
… What began as a single research effort has grown into the Cheetah Research and Education Centre in Otjiwarongo, a multidisciplinary hub encompassing a genetics laboratory, ecological monitoring programmes, veterinary research, biomass energy initiatives, and rangeland restoration …
Marker honoured with lifetime award …cheetah conservationist recognisedNew Era
… Speaking at the official opening of the Annual Review (2025/26) and the planning session for the 2026/27 financial year in Otjiwarongo yesterday, Steenkamp raised concern over persistent complaints from staff and stakeholders regarding recruitment processes perceived to be unfair …
Steenkamp takes aim at education recruitment corruptionThe Namibian
Otjiwarongo, Otjozondjupa region. 13 April 2026. …
Minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa opens traditional authorities law workshop in OtjiwarongoThe Namibian
… He made these remarks at the opening of a workshop held to discuss amendments to the act at Otjiwarongo on Monday. …
Traditional Authorities Act is dividing Namibia, says SankwasaThe Namibian
… The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is hosting a workshop at Otjiwarongo for traditional authority leaders to discuss amendments to the law. …
Dâure Daman authority claims exclusion from Traditional Authority Act workshopNew Era
OTJIWARONGO – Hundreds of Otjozondjupa region inhabitants on Saturday flocked to the Otjozondjupa Regional Council Hall in Otjiwarongo to receive the remains and pay their respects to their former governor and parliamentarian, James Unomasa Uerikua. …
Uerikua immortalised in Otjozondjupa …Sheya remembers all-season comrade, brotherNew Era
… On the other hand, in the 2025/26 financial year, about 604 serviced erven were delivered in Otjiwarongo and Omaruru. …
NNN brands LPM Sona boycott ‘unfortunate’
Yesterday
Schools report rising vaping problem among students
Donatus Secondary School in Otjiwarongo told lawmakers that disposable vaping devices, commonly called "choefs," are an increasing problem in schools.
22 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Tuesday 21 July
State seeks murder conviction in Otjiwarongo stabbing case
State advocate Maggy Shiyagaya urged the court to convict Prostasius Kuvirua for the murder of Auguste Jonas, whom he allegedly stabbed 13 times with a knife in March 2023 at Otjiwarongo, following an argument after Jonas was found in her bedroom with another man. The State argued the evidence is overwhelming and corroborated by two witnesses who saw the accused leave with a bloody knife and continue stabbing the deceased outside.
21 July 2026 · New Era →
Monday 20 July
Two people killed in B1 collision near Otavi
Two people died and several others were injured in a collision on the B1 road about 30 km south of Otavi towards Otjiwarongo on Friday at around 19:20.
20 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Sunday 19 July
Three killed in separate weekend road accidents in northern Namibia
An 18-month-old toddler was run over by a reversing vehicle at Onamukulo village on Saturday, while a 37-year-old man died in a head-on collision between Tsumeb and Otavi on Friday, and two others died in a separate head-on crash on the Otavi-Otjiwarongo road. The incidents occurred across the Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa regions.
19 July 2026 · Informanté →
Friday 17 July
Otjiwarongo traffic division staffed by only four officers
Otjiwarongo municipality's traffic division has only four officers to serve a town of more than 54,000 residents, with officials warning of consequences from the shortage.
17 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Wednesday 15 July
City employee arrested in Old Mutual insurance fraud investigation
A City of Windhoek employee, Doreen Zullnola Zamuee, was arrested and appeared in court on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering in connection with a scheme involving fake death certificates and fraudulent insurance claims worth millions. According to court documents, she allegedly induced Old Mutual to pay out N$5 182 391 between October 2020 and August 2025, and sources allege she is a cousin of the alleged mastermind who remains on the run.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
Monday 13 July
Namibian student balances healthcare degree with international modelling career
Maxine Nauyala, a final-year healthcare student at Polytechnic Mauritius from Tsumeb, is pursuing both clinical studies and a modelling career on the international stage. She is currently competing in Mauritius Model of the Month, with the winner determined by public voting.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Teachers' salaries not keeping pace with cost of living
The Teachers Union of Namibia has raised concern that teachers' salaries are no longer keeping pace with the rising cost of living, warning that financial pressures are affecting educators' well-being, morale and the quality of education. The union noted that while the government's 5% salary increment for civil servants was intended to provide relief, many teachers have not felt the impact because increases in medical aid contributions to PSEMAS have consumed the additional income.
13 July 2026 · New Era →
Sunday 12 July
Almost half of agriculture graduates remain unemployed
Agriculture graduates record the highest unemployment rate among all fields of study at 47%, according to the Deputy Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education. Education and science graduates are also increasingly struggling to secure employment.
12 July 2026 · Informanté →
Saturday 11 July
Teachers' union warns of debt crisis among Namibian teachers
The Teachers Union of Namibia says many teachers are trapped in high-interest debt from loan companies, with some left with as little as N$500 after payroll deductions, in violation of Labour Act provisions capping deductions at one-third of remuneration. The union is calling for stricter enforcement of existing legislation and financial literacy programmes to address the crisis.
11 July 2026 · Informanté →
Wednesday 8 July
Ambulance shortage in rural areas costs lives, pastor says
A retired pastor in Kalkfeld recounts how the lack of an available ambulance prevented his wife from attending medical appointments in February and May 2024, leading to her condition worsening and her death in July 2024. The shortage of ambulances in rural areas continues to delay emergency response, though a new ambulance has recently arrived in Kalkfeld to provide relief.
8 July 2026 · New Era →
Higher education enrollment reaches 97,333 students in 2025
Namibia's higher education sector enrolled 97,333 students in 2025, with public institutions accounting for 50,941 and private institutions for 46,392. The University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology, and International University of Management were the largest institutions by enrollment.
8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Tuesday 7 July
Namport donates two ambulances to Health Ministry
The Namibian Ports Authority's social investment fund has donated two fully equipped ambulances to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to strengthen emergency medical services in the Otjozondjupa Region, with one earmarked for Kalkfeld, which previously relied on ambulances dispatched from Otjiwarongo, 60 kilometres away.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
Ministry plans first national air ambulance service
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced the ministry of health and social services is planning to establish Namibia's first dedicated national air ambulance service to improve emergency medical care and access to treatment in remote communities. The announcement accompanies plans to procure 30 additional ambulances during the 2026/27 financial year.
7 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Monday 6 July
Education committee launches stakeholder engagement programme
The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has begun a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight. Committee chairperson Bethuel Tjaveondja said the sessions would help the committee assess whether institutions are fulfilling their roles in education, research, innovation and skills development.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Education committee begins stakeholder engagement on sector challenges
The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has launched a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight and measure whether they are fulfilling their roles in national development priorities.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary committee emphasizes stakeholder engagement for oversight
Bethuel Tjaveondja, addressing the Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, called for stronger parliamentary oversight through direct engagement with institutions under the committee's portfolio, arguing that effective oversight requires more than examining reports and policy documents.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 3 July
Ohorongo-Cheetah Cement merger approved with operational conditions
Ohorongo Cement says its merger with Schwenk Namibia's Cheetah Cement, approved with conditions by the minister of industries, mines and energy, will not result in job losses but will involve staff relocation from Otjiwarongo to Otavi and increased local ownership requirements.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former Black Africa defender Awaseb switched from midfield
Mike Awaseb, a prominent pre-independence defender for Black Africa, was initially recruited from Pirates as a midfielder before being converted to a defender by coach Herman 'Pele' Bashcke. The switch earned him a place on Black Africa's dominant team, though it cost him his family home after his father, a Pirates supporter, gave him an ultimatum to leave.
3 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 2 July
Canadian graphite firm relocates plant to Okanjande mine
Northern Graphite has completed moving its processing plant to the Okanjande mine near Otjiwarongo and plans to restart mining operations by the end of 2027. The relocation from Okorusu, decided in 2023 to reduce transport costs, is part of the company's strategy to develop an integrated mine-to-battery graphite business.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 30 June
Otjozondjupa region has only 89 operational police vehicles
The Governor of Otjozondjupa Region reported that of a police fleet of 137 vehicles, only 89 are operational due to mechanical defects, hampering crime-fighting efforts. Despite the shortage, law enforcement has issued 11,392 traffic fines worth N$11.8 million and recorded 808 motor vehicle accidents with 45 fatalities during the reporting period.
30 June 2026 · Informanté →
Monday 29 June
NEPC calls for closer collaboration on government success stories
The board chairperson of the New Era Publication Corporation highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation between government institutions, public entities and the media to ensure that development successes receive recognition. He stated that NEPC's mandate is to support the government's efforts in building a better Namibia through credible journalism and urged stakeholders to proactively share information about their achievements.
29 June 2026 · New Era →
Saturday 27 June
Rapper D-Jay returns to public life after year-long sabbatical
Rapper D-Jay, born Diogene Ochs, will make his first public appearance at the Lifestyle Experience event at Acacia Park in Otjiwarongo next Saturday after spending a year in seclusion producing music. Raised in the United States before returning to complete high school in Namibia, D-Jay credits American rappers and poetry classes with shaping his career in the local hip-hop scene.
27 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 26 June
Netball playoff race tightens as season progresses
Namibia Correctional Service remain undefeated with 14 wins from 14 matches and 78 points in the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League, while the competition heads toward an Otjiwarongo bumper weekend with multiple teams battling for top-five positions.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
Wednesday 24 June
NMRC clears Fabupharm paracetamol syrup after safety tests
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has cleared Fabupharm Pty Ltd's paracetamol syrup for use after independent laboratory tests confirmed it met safety and quality standards. The clearance was issued in May following the product's recall last year, which came after routine inspection shortcomings were identified.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 22 June
Property fund distributes N$21.66 million to GIPF
Tunga Real Estate Fund distributed N$21.66 million to the Government Institutions Pension Fund, bringing total distributions to N$265 million. The fund invests in retail centres, office developments, distribution facilities and housing projects across several Namibian towns.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Tunga Real Estate Fund distributes N$21.6m to GIPF
Old Mutual Alternative Investments Namibia has announced a distribution from the Tunga Real Estate Fund to investor participants, with N$21.6 million allocated to the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), which holds a 99% stake. This brings total distributions to GIPF to N$266 million since the fund's establishment in September 2011.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Sunday 21 June
Otjiwarongo tuckshop owner charged with illegal medicine sales
A Congolese national was arrested at his tuckshop in Orwetoveni, Otjiwarongo, for selling medicines without a licence and possessing suspected stolen state property. The arrest is part of police intensified operations against illegal pharmaceutical trade amid widespread medicine shortages at state health facilities.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
Friday 12 June
Four killed in head-on collision near Kalkfeld
A delivery truck and 15-seater Quantum minibus collided head-on on the C33 outside Kalkfeld on Thursday evening, killing four people—three passengers in the minibus and one in the truck—with multiple others injured. Police say the truck's rear left tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control and swerve into the oncoming minibus.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Tuesday 9 June
Guard accused of B1 murder disrupts own trial in Windhoek High Court
A former security guard accused of robbing and murdering a colleague while transporting cash was removed from a Windhoek High Court trial after repeatedly disrupting proceedings by claiming he was not charged and that his rights were violated. The judge recorded pleas of not guilty on his behalf in his absence.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →