Two people died and several others were injured in a collision on the B1 road, about 30 km south of Otavi towards Otjiwarongo, at around 19:20 on Friday.Otjozondjupa Police spokesp... …
Staff Reporter A TERRIBLE turn of events saw an 18-month-old toddler killed after being run over by a reversing vehicle at Onamukulo village, while three other people died in separate road crashes in the Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa regions over the weekend. …
… More than two-thirds of the population lives in rural areas, with the largest concentrations found in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Kunene regions. …
… In a statement, health and social services minister Dr Esperance Luvindao on Monday officially declared the outbreak over after more than 28 consecutive days without a confirmed cholera case in either the Grootfontein Health District in the Otjozondjupa region or the Opuwo Health …
… The consultations, scheduled to run from 13 to 31 July 2026, will be conducted by the National Council Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs across several regions, including Oshana, Otjozondjupa, and Omaheke. …
Staff Reporter THREE Namibian men died in separate road accidents reported in the Otjozondjupa, Omusati and //Kharas regions over the weekend, with police investigations continuing into the crashes. …
… She cited Kalkfeld in the Otjozondjupa region as one such community, where residents have relied on ambulances dispatched from Otjiwarongo, more than 60 kilometres away before patients can even begin the journey to hospital. …
The Otjozondjupa region has recorded progress in public healthcare despite outbreaks of cholera, measles and malaria, as well as a rise in malnutrition cases linked to several deat... …
A 2023 Namibia Statistics Agency report shows that over 80% of members of Namibia's marginalised communities have received birth certificates, marking progress in legal identity access. However, gaps remain in national identification, education, employment, technology access, and household living conditions, with the report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census identifying 75,569 marginalised community members (2.5% of the population).
A 2023 Namibia Statistics Agency report shows that over 80% of members of Namibia's marginalised communities have received birth certificates, marking progress in legal identity access. However, gaps remain in national identification, education, employment, technology access, and household living conditions, with the report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census identifying 75,569 marginalised community members (2.5% of the population).
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.
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.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare identified 373 children living and working on the streets in 2023 and plans to conduct a regional study this year to determine actual numbers and social and economic factors driving children to street life. The Khomas region recorded the highest number of street-connected children.
The Namibia Statistics Agency released a report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census showing that marginalized communities—comprising San, Ovatue/Ovatwa, and Ovatjimba peoples (75,569 people, 2.5% of Namibia's population)—face significant challenges in education, employment, housing, and access to basic services. The data aims to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation to address inequalities.
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.
Members of Parliament have launched stakeholder consultations from 13 to 31 July 2026 to examine the health impact of hubbly bubbly (hookah) use on Namibian youth in several regions. Previous oversight visits to Hardap, Khomas, and Erongo regions in August 2024 found widespread use among learners, with concerns about addiction, academic performance, and mixing hookah with alcohol or drugs.
Three Namibian men died in separate road accidents in the Otjozondjupa, Omusati and //Kharas regions over the weekend. The incidents included two vehicle overturns on the C31 and C13 roads and a pedestrian struck by an unknown vehicle on the Oshakati–Omungwelume main road, with police investigations continuing into all three crashes.
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.
The Otjozondjupa region has recorded progress in public healthcare despite outbreaks of cholera, measles and malaria, as well as a rise in malnutrition cases.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services received two fully equipped ambulances from the Namport Social Investment Fund, with one allocated to Kalkfeld in Otjozondjupa region and the other to an area of greatest need. Health Minister Esperance Luvindao said the donation will strengthen emergency medical services in remote communities where long distances pose challenges to healthcare delivery.
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.
Otjozondjupa governor John Julius //Khamuseb has called on government to consider measures to regulate farm prices, arguing that without intervention, equitable access to land is hindered.
The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has retained its current board for a three-year term and approved governance, operational, and member welfare reforms to strengthen copyright administration and royalty collections. The organisation also approved launch of a capacity-building centre funded by a US$93,730 Unesco grant, scheduled to begin in July.
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.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund reported 229 fatalities, 1,333 crashes and 2,273 injuries in the first six months of 2026, down 6% in deaths compared with the same period in 2025. The Fund called on road users to take personal responsibility for safety, citing particular concern about pedestrian vulnerability.
Namibia recorded 1 333 road crashes between January and June 2026, resulting in 2 273 injuries and 229 fatalities, according to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Although crashes, injuries, and fatalities all declined compared to the same period in 2025 (down 11%, 9%, and 6% respectively), the MVA Fund described the loss of life as "unacceptable."
Ernst Katjiku informed the Okakarara Town Council in January that he would not seek renewal of his term as CEO, citing personal reasons for his departure when his contract expires on 31 August 2026. Katjiku has spent much of his life serving the community as a teacher, politician, and administrator.
Namibia's Mineworkers' Union of Namibia channels members' dues through Namibia Miners Investment Trust (Namit) and Nam-Mic Holdings, which have grown into a N$900-million portfolio with stakes in banks, mines, hotels and other sectors. Members and their representatives say they have seen little benefit from their decades of contributions and allege lack of transparency and financial irregularities.
A 40-year-old Congolese national was arrested in connection with suspected stolen medicines from Otjiwarongo State Hospital found on shelves of a tuckshop in Orwetoveni. Police say the arrest stemmed from a physical confrontation with a former health assistant over profit-sharing from the sale of medicines, baby formula, and diapers allegedly smuggled from the hospital.
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.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's newly appointed economic adviser Shali Shindume reportedly owes Agribank over N$15 million from a loan obtained while he was the bank's credit manager. Agribank sought High Court action in 2021 over breach of contract, with a settlement agreement requiring Shindume to subdivide his mortgaged farm property and make specified monthly payments.
Two members of the Namibian Defence Force were found dead in suspected suicides on Thursday and Friday night at military bases in Otjiwarongo and Otavi in the Otjozondjupa region. Police said no suicide notes were found and investigations continue.
The National Assembly reconvenes on 2 June 2026 after a month recess during which MPs conducted oversight visits, stakeholder consultations, and regional and international parliamentary engagements. Deputy Speaker Katamelo was appointed chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, while parliamentary committees assessed poverty alleviation and service delivery, including concerns over an incomplete N$41 million Eenhana Town Council building project.
Residents of Otjozondjupa will visit sacred gravesites of those who died in the 1904-1908 Ohamakari battle—a war of resistance by the Ovaherero against German imperial forces—with commemoration events hosted at the Okakarara Cultural Centre. The regional governor calls on residents, particularly youth, to attend and preserve the memory of the Ovaherero sacrifices.
Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha has raised concerns about severe overcrowding in police holding cells across eight northern regions, with facilities such as Omuthiya and Oshakati police stations holding over 800 inmates each, and Katima Mulilo holding over 280 inmates in cells designed for 80. Dyakugha attributed the overcrowding to prolonged case finalization, lack of bail releases, and lengthy investigations.
The High Court has placed Linden Beef Close Corporation under final liquidation after the company failed to appear at a winding-up hearing. The company owes Bank Windhoek approximately N$28.4 million in debts from loan and credit facility agreements entered into between 2022 and 2024.
A junior champion Brahman bull fetched N$800 000 at the Okabra Signature Sale in Windhoek, purchased by Shamrock Investments' Collin Venaani. The sale was historic for the Schneider family, whose bulls typically sell for around N$250 000.
Namibia's annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in April 2026, though transport and fuel costs remain under pressure. Consumers in northern regions (zone 1) paid the highest diesel price at N$24.31 per litre, while Khomas residents (zone 2) paid the lowest at N$24.12.
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has warned against political and administrative power struggles as the government decentralises youth empowerment, sports promotion and development planning functions to all 14 regional councils, with 327 staff members expected to be seconded during the transition. Sankwasa stressed that decentralisation cannot succeed if institutions compete for authority and called for clarity on reporting lines and responsibilities between governors, regional councils and decentralised staff.