Thursday, 22 October 2026

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Thursday, 22 October 2026

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Namibian press · Place

Otjozondjupa

2020-08-092026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Otjozondjupa

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.

August 2026
25 AugInformanté
… Nelson Ashipala, spokesperson for the ECB, said among the REDs, CENORED, which serves the Otjozondjupa area, stood out as a strong performer, keeping its network in good order. …
Namibia’s electricity infrastructure in good condition, says ECB
25 AugThe Namibian
… Council-run areas in the ||Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions had the most issues, while Khomas and Otjozondjupa had the best network conditions. …
Regional electricity distributors outperform councils
25 AugThe Namibian
… Only the Khomas, served by the City of Windhoek, and Otjozondjupa, served by the Central North Regional Electricity Distributor (Cenored), regions were rated satisfactory among council-linked regions. …
ECB threatens to strip electricity licences of underperforming councils
25 AugWindhoek Observer
… According to the assessment, Khomas and Otjozondjupa were the only regions whose distribution infrastructure was classified as satisfactory. …
ECB rates most electricity infrastructure poor
24 AugThe Namibian
… r Arebeb, at Okoruzu ||Uib Mountain to be officially recognised as a national heritage site. “After 14 years, afford our indigenous marginalised Hai//om San royal traditional leadership to request our government that we be recognised as a traditional authority in the Otjozondjupa …
Hai||om petition government to be resettled on farms acquired for them
20 AugNamibian Sun
A 26-year-old man reportedly died after allegedly being struck with a spear during a physical fight at Ekunde No. 2 in Okahandja on Tuesday, police said.According to Otjozondjupa police spokesperson Senior Inspector Maureen Mbeha, the incident followed an alleged robbery involvin …
Deadly spear brawl
19 AugWindhoek Observer
… The programme is open to community-based youth groups in Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Omaheke, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Kunene regions. …
Palms for Life targets alcohol abuse among youth
14 AugWindhoek Observer
… Zone 1 (Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions) recorded the lowest annual inflation rate at 3.6%. …
Inflation holds at 4.4% in July, transport costs surge
4 AugThe Namibian
… The police community affairs commander for the Otjozondjupa region, senior inspector Maureen Mbeha, on Monday said the deceased have been identified as Beno Hausiku (24), who was pregnant, and her son, Athanasius Ngoma. …
Deceased in Kombat accident identified
July 2026
28 JulThe Namibian
… Okahandja police station commander Mathias Tjarimba says he was informed about the matter, but referred The Namibian to Otjozondjupa regional commander Phillip Hidengwa for further information on the case. …
Mother pushes dead daughter in trolley

Society

Heatwave forecast to reach 42°C across Namibia through weekend

The News

The Namibia Meteorological Service warns of temperatures between 36°C and 42°C across the country until the weekend, caused by a high-pressure system moving from northern to central Namibia. The regions of Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati, Kunene and Otjozondjupa are expected to be hardest hit, with public urged to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure between 12h00 and 15h00.

11 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Heatwave forecast to reach 42°C across Namibia through weekend
The Namibia Meteorological Service warns of temperatures between 36°C and 42°C across the country until the weekend, caused by a high-pressure system moving from northern to central Namibia. The regions of Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati, Kunene and Otjozondjupa are expected to be hardest hit, with public urged to stay hydrated and limit outdoor exposure between 12h00 and 15h00.
11 hours ago · The Namibian →

Sunday 18 October

Government planning 50 VIP toilets in Otjozondjupa region
The government plans to build 50 ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilets in five constituencies in Otjozondjupa, adding to more than 125 already constructed in the region. The facilities are intended to improve sanitation access, particularly for elderly residents and pensioners who currently lack nearby toilet facilities.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

Grade 7 learner develops solar-powered maths quiz game
Soini Shoonga, a 13-year-old at Makalani Primary School in Grootfontein, created an interactive, solar-powered mathematics quiz game using recycled materials to make learning maths less intimidating. He won the Best Innovation Project award, earning N$20,000, and is now developing an AI-powered application to help Namibian learners with mathematics.
16 October 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 October

Police arrest 18-year-old in connection with Okahandja serial killings
An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection with the deaths of multiple young girls in Okahandja, including 5-year-old Ingrid Haylee Maasdorp and 7-year-old Roswind Ndinelao Fabianu, whose bodies were discovered in March and April 2025. Police Acting Inspector General Anne-Marie Nainda announced the breakthrough arrest following forensic and circumstantial evidence linking the suspect to the cases.
15 October 2026 · New Era →

Friday 9 October

Swakopmund school decay prompts urgent questions about rural education
A Windhoek Observer editorial highlights videos of deteriorating government school facilities in Swakopmund, warning that the poor conditions revealed there may reflect a broader crisis in schools beyond affluent towns, where some Namibian children still learn under trees more than three decades after independence.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
September inflation at 5.4%, northern zones show lowest rates
Namibia's headline annual inflation for September stood at 5.4%, with core inflation at 4%. Zone 1 (northern regions) recorded the lowest annual inflation at 4.3%, while Khomas Region recorded the highest at 6.2%.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

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

Kavango West records highest fertility rate at 5.45 children per woman
According to Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Population and Housing Census, Kavango West, Ohangwena and Omaheke recorded the highest fertility rates, with women averaging more than five children each, while Namibia's overall total fertility rate stood at 3.897 children per woman, with marked differences between rural areas at 5.027 and urban areas at 3.166.
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

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 →
Two Namibian pupils compete at continental science fair
Guillermo Melando and Thobias Gabriel represented Namibia at the 2026 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Johannesburg from 28 September to 2 October, having won the primary and secondary phases of Namibia's 2025 National Science Fair.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 3 October

Parliamentary inquiry finds widespread failing health infrastructure
A parliamentary oversight investigation across 10 regions found Namibia's public health system under severe strain, with patients treated in tents and homes, unfinished hospital projects, medical waste in public spaces, and inadequate emergency transport. The standing committee on gender equality, health and social welfare conducted visits between July and August 2025, with the report tabled in parliament this week.
3 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 1 October

Namibia negotiates meat shipment release amid FMD outbreak
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says Namibia is negotiating with trading partners over meat shipments affected by foot-and-mouth disease in //Kharas Region, with authorities checking whether consignments can move based on their origin. A shipment reported to be worth about N$400 million was said to be en route to Europe, though the minister did not confirm the value or whether it had been returned.
1 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 30 September

Namibia's response to foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
Namibia began preparing for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in November 2025 and confirmed an outbreak in September when ten of eleven cattle tested positive in ||Kharas. The government responded by suspending movement and sale of cloven-hoofed animals, slaughtering, and imports and exports.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →

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 →
N$300m available for housing across 59 local authorities
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approximately N$300 million available for housing construction, but must distribute it among 59 local authorities as budget constraints limit the government's response to growing housing demand. The ministry identified mushrooming informal settlements as a technical challenge, while research is underway to assess the housing market and identify affordable construction methods.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Ministry of Trade reports 9,343 jobs created via initiatives
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade announced that 28 projects with N$66.85 billion in collective investment have created 9,343 permanent jobs. The update follows a presidential pledge to create 500,000 jobs over five years through private and public sector efforts.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
FMD restrictions lifted in north after negative livestock tests
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has partially lifted restrictions on movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the veterinary cordon fence after livestock traced from an infected farm in the ||Kharas region tested negative for foot-and-mouth disease. The ministry found the outbreak remained localized and identified no transmission risk to areas north of the fence.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 28 September

Private vets flag FMD response capacity gaps in Karasburg
Private veterinarians supporting Namibia's FMD response have raised concerns over field surveillance capacity and the pace of restrictions being relaxed following the outbreak in Karasburg. They warned that insufficient field teams—only one operating in the affected area as of 25 September despite over 20 volunteers offering to assist—create biosecurity risks, as surveillance teams moving between farms without knowing previous holdings' status could spread the virus.
28 September 2026 · Informanté →
Private vets propose nine measures to strengthen FMD surveillance
Private veterinarians supporting Namibia's FMD response have proposed nine measures to strengthen surveillance, improve traceability and speed recovery towards FMD-free status, including deployment of more than 20 volunteers. The proposals include publishing the estimated date of initial infection as a reference point, maintaining surveillance of traced cattle, and announcing compensation arrangements within seven days.
28 September 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 27 September

IPC demands emergency funding to contain foot-and-mouth disease
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the government to provide emergency funding to contain the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, urgently cull animals on the infected farm, and compensate affected farmers. Surveillance results show 17 of 199 samples tested positive for FMD, with all positive cases confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
FMD restrictions partially lifted in //Kharas region
Namibia's agriculture ministry has partially lifted restrictions imposed after a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the Karasburg Veterinary District of //Kharas. Movement restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals and their products north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence have been lifted, though restrictions remain on movement of such animals and products from north to south across the fence.
27 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 26 September

FMD restrictions will ease once surveillance results assessed
Restrictions on cloven-hoofed animal movement imposed on 23 September will be gradually eased once the Ministry of Agriculture completes surveillance and traceability assessment following the detection of foot-and-mouth disease. Of 199 samples collected across five regions, 17 tested positive, all from Karasburg.
26 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Seventeen FMD-positive samples confirmed at Karasburg
Seventeen samples have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease in the Karasburg State Veterinary District following detection of clinical cases on a farm on 22 September. Out of 199 samples collected across five regions between 22 and 25 September, all positive results so far remain confined to Karasburg.
26 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

Police arrest man with slaughtered cattle in Kavango West
Police arrested one man during Operation Basadi in Bunya after intercepting a bakkie carrying four men and slaughtered cattle suspected to be stolen; in a separate incident in Otjozondjupa, two men are accused of slaughtering a sheep valued at N$600 from a grazing field without the owner's consent.
25 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 23 September

Traditional leader seeks timeline clarity on Okahandja-Okondjatu road
The Mureti Royal House of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority has called on the government to accelerate construction of the Okahandja-Hochfeld-Okondjatu road, citing the lack of clear timelines and slow progress despite a commitment from works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi last year. The road is described as important for communities in Otjozondjupa and could improve regional connections while reducing pressure on the B1.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 22 September

Ministry launches outreach on EU cattle export requirements
The ministry of agriculture, water and land reform, with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, Directorate of Veterinary Services, and Namibia National Farmers Union has launched a two-week nationwide outreach campaign starting 21 September to help communal livestock producers south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence meet EU market access requirements, including 90-day residency in Namibia's FMD-free zone and 40 days on a single registered farm before slaughter.
22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 21 September

Truck crashes kill 48 Namibians by mid-September 2026
Namibia recorded 48 deaths and 211 injuries from 112 truck-involved crashes nationwide by 16 September 2026, with Erongo and Otjozondjupa accounting for approximately 60% of fatalities. Collisions were the dominant crash type, representing about 77% of all injuries and fatalities.
21 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →