Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Panduleni Itula

Also known as: Itula · Panduleni · Pandulenti Itula · IPC leader · Dr Panduleni Itula · Shapwa Panduleni

Panduleni Itula — Independent Patriots for Change president, critiques government on tertiary education, budget spending, oil sector governance, and proposed petroleum legislation.

Politics

Itula criticises government's investment and employment claims

The News

Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula responded to the President's State of the Nation Address, arguing that Namibia's laws deter private sector investment and that the 250,000 jobs cited lack clarity on employment conditions. He also disputed the government's corruption record, noting the Transparency International score has declined despite the President's rhetoric on treating corruption as treason.

14 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Itula criticises government's investment and employment claims

    Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula responded to the President's State of the Nation Address, arguing that Namibia's laws deter private sector investment and that the 250,000 jobs cited lack clarity on employment conditions. He also disputed the government's corruption record, noting the Transparency International score has declined despite the President's rhetoric on treating corruption as treason.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Opposition demands transparency over dismissed minister

    IPC president Panduleni Itula called on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly explain why former deputy prime minister and industries minister Natangwe Ithete was dismissed last year, citing concerns about government transparency and corruption despite the president's constitutional authority to dismiss officials without explanation.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. VIP hospital unit contradicts healthcare reform drive, critics argue

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah ordered government officials to use public hospitals from April, but Windhoek Central Hospital's new VIP unit exclusively for senior officials has drawn opposition criticism as discriminatory and contrary to equitable healthcare goals. Opposition leaders and analysts argue the separate facility undermines the reform and mirrors apartheid-era segregation.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 April

  1. Itula condemns government retreat from free tertiary education pledge

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has accused the government of backtracking on its "fees must fall" promise, saying the revised approach only covers tuition and registration for eligible undergraduate students and excludes many families through reduced income thresholds and the replacement of grants with loans. Itula also raised concerns about continued suspension of postgraduate funding and infrastructure challenges at tertiary institutions.

    11 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Nasan Energies appeals five-year fuel sourcing ban from Vitol

    The Namibian Competition Commission approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 service stations but barred the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol for five years to prevent monopoly concentration. Nasan has appealed the restriction and notified the energy minister of its intention to seek a review of the commission's conditions.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Opposition criticises president's midnight Independence Day TV address

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will deliver her Independence Day address live on NBC at midnight on 21 March instead of at a public event, prompting the IPC and analysts to question the decision's justification and appropriateness.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Swapo deputy denies allegations of Russian election campaign support

    Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has rejected allegations reported by Forbidden Stories that the ruling party requested Russian support for its 2024 election campaign. The non-profit news organization reported leaked documents from Russian operatives allegedly showing requests for funding and involvement in disinformation operations, including a fabricated letter claiming UK financing of the opposition IPC.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Itula attacks 2026/27 budget as wasteful, copy-paste spending

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has criticised the national budget for maintaining high operational spending while cutting development allocation, specifically flagging N$244 million spent on 243 workshops and excessive travel allowances, which he says could instead fund promised pensioner allowances and infrastructure. Other political parties and analysts dispute whether all workshop and travel spending is wasteful, noting that some supports essential government functions.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Iran-US conflict could raise Namibian food and fuel prices

    IPC president Panduleni Itula warns that the Iran-US-Israel conflict, though distant, will affect Namibians through rising fuel, food, and import costs if tensions escalate, with inflation potentially climbing from 2.9% to 3.5% or higher. AR chief whip Vaino Hangula adds that Namibia may face international pressure to adopt a clearer diplomatic stance on the Middle East crisis.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. IPC identifies N$9.3 billion wastage in government budget

    Opposition party leader Panduleni Itula claims the 2026/2027 national budget contains N$9.3 billion in wasteful spending through travel allowances, workshops, and politician pay rises. He proposes redirecting these funds to pensioners, water infrastructure, youth employment, and schools under an IPC government.

    3 March 2026 · New Era →

Namibia Minute