Also known as: Pandulenti Itula · Dr Panduleni Itula · Pandulani Itula
Independent Patriots for Change president who has challenged government policies on environment, electoral commission appointments, and transparency.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Panduleni Itula dismissed claims of division within the party as false, misleading and malicious
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president, Panduleni Itula, has dismissed claims of division within the party as false, misleading and malicious.”
Itula shrugs off IPC division claimsThe Namibian
Itula accused the Windhoek Observer publication of unethical journalism
“Speaking to Desert FM yesterday, Itula said the media reports amounted to a deliberate distortion of the party's structure and decision-making processes, and accused the publication of unethical journalism.”
Itula shrugs off IPC division claimsNew Era
Panduleni Itula is the only political leader who by choice does not receive a salary
“It further stressed that Itula is the only political leader who "by choice" does not receive a salary, as he is "not a politician of a belly".”
‘All sizzle, no steak’The Namibian
Dentist Panduleni Itula received a third of the votes against incumbent president Hage Geingob
“Five years ago, voters seemed fired up following the exposure of the Fishrot scandal in 2019 and the elevated hope of independent candidature following dentist Panduleni Itula's strong showing of a third of the votes against then popular Swapo strongman and incumbent president Hage Geingob.”
Make Local Elections Relevant, They’re Not Popularity ContestsThe Namibian
Panduleni Itula was dentist and former Swapo Party School lecturer
“Itula, a dentist and former Swapo Party School lecturer, ran as an independent presidential candidate in 2019 while still claiming Swapo membership.”
Youth Must Step Forward and Lead Like ItulaThe Namibian
Panduleni Itula ran as independent presidential candidate in 2019
“Itula, a dentist and former Swapo Party School lecturer, ran as an independent presidential candidate in 2019 while still claiming Swapo membership.”
Youth Must Step Forward and Lead Like ItulaThe Namibian
Panduleni Itula secured 29.4% of the vote in 2019
“He secured 29.4% of the vote, 242 657 ballots, the strongest performance by an independent candidate in Namibia's history.”
Youth Must Step Forward and Lead Like ItulaThe Namibian
IPC president Panduleni Itula says Namibia's foundation of democracy and independence has been shaken severely
“Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula says Namibia's foundation of democracy and independence has been shaken severely, following president Nangolo Mbumba's announcement yesterday of Nujoma's death on Saturday night at 23h45.”
The last revolutionary: Sam Nujoma’s legacy and the end of an eraThe Namibian
IPC president Panduleni Itula said Nujoma's death has shaken Namibia's foundation of democracy and independence severely
“Itula on Sunday said there is no doubt that Namibia's foundation of democracy and independence has been shaken severely by Nujoma's death.”
Nujoma’s death has shaken Namibia’s foundations – IPC leader ItulaThe Namibian
Itula recalled first meeting Nujoma in April 1981 at President Hotel in London
“He said his first encounter with Nujoma was in April 1981 at the President Hotel in London, where they were introduced by then chief representative Shapua Kaukungwa.”
Nujoma’s death has shaken Namibia’s foundations – IPC leader ItulaNamibia's Independent Patriots for Change has congratulated Zambia's re-elected president Hakainde Hichilema while urging full transparency in election management and raising concerns over ballot secrecy and incomplete reconciliation at polling stations.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Independent Patriots for Change has congratulated Zambia's re-elected president Hakainde Hichilema while urging full transparency in election management and raising concerns over ballot secrecy and incomplete reconciliation at polling stations.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi, an IPC member and National Assembly staff member, issued a public apology to High Court acting judge Gladice Pickering for defamatory and unverified statements about Pickering's conduct as executive director at the Ministry of Justice. Ya Shiindi retracted her allegations that Pickering had used her position for personal gain and selected her husband's company for ministry works.
12 August 2026 · Informanté →
Independent Patriots for Change leader Dr Panduleni Itula has filed an appeal and legal objection against the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, arguing the decision violates Namibia's environmental law and the precautionary principle, particularly given that marine seabed bulk dredging is unprecedented globally.
12 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
IPC president Panduleni Itula says Article 57 of the Constitution obliges the president to ensure effective governance and backs his call for president Nandi-Ndaitwah to dissolve parliament, form a national unity government, or support a vote of no confidence in the speaker. He argues that parliament's 16-month failure to pass ordinary government bills constitutes a governance crisis that undermines law-making, investor confidence, and democratic institutions.
27 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition leader Panduleni Itula called on the president to dissolve the National Assembly, arguing parliament has been ineffective and slow in lawmaking since 2025; lawmakers rejected the proposal, saying parliament's shortcomings do not justify fresh elections.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has rejected allegations from former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga that the party suffers from centralised decision-making and that some branches may boycott upcoming regional elections, with IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge dismissing his claims as "fake news." Kahingunga resigned from the IPC on 7 July and subsequently joined Swapo Party alongside former Swakopmund mayor Blasius Goraseb and 15 members of the IPC's Otjimbingwe branch.
14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula has threatened legal action against the president's appointment of Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioners, arguing the process is unconstitutional because the president nominated rather than appointed candidates as required under Article 94B of the Constitution. Itula also raised concerns about incomplete documentation, including missing sworn declarations on political affiliations and unclear term duration for ECN chairperson Gerson Sindano.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independence Patriots for Change has challenged the Electoral Commission of Namibia nomination process as constitutionally flawed, saying the President's letters use "nominate for approval" rather than "appointed," and threatened to approach the High Court if Parliament proceeds with approving nominees Gerson Sindano, Emmerentia Leonard, and Julieta Diva Ferreira.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian Presidency has rejected allegations that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her family were involved in a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, stating the head of state played no role in negotiation, financing, approval or implementation. The denial comes after opposition leader Panduleni Itula questioned the ownership structure and alleged companies associated with the President's sons were involved.
8 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The president's son, Nande Ndaitwah, is rejecting accusations by IPC president Panduleni Itula that a N$612-million solar power plant deal with Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter benefited from family connections. Itula alleged the deal involved Farm Massaus, owned by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, but Ndaitwah told The Namibian that the solar plant is not going on the farm and that the location is clear from environmental clearance documentation.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.
5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Renthia Kaimbi Nasan Energies has appealed the Namibian Competition Commission's decision blocking the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol and related companies following its acquisition of 52 fuel stations. The company, represented by Ndaitwah Legal Practitioners, argues the conditions are too restrictive and has requested a five-year transitional period to build independent supply arrangements.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change says it will not take a position on whether inspector general of Police Joseph Shikongo should remain in office, but insists that due process must be followed and calls on the Executive to release all documents demonstrating compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for suspension.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
2 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi reportedly warned Namport bosses at a January meeting not to take business from Tradeport Namibia, co-owned by President Nandi-Ndaitwah's son Nande Ndaitwah, which Namport said stood to lose about N$20 million in annual income if it brought in a competing South African operator. Nekundi denies favouring the president's son, saying his duty is to protect local companies over foreign ones.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Ports Authority CEO Andrew Kanime has dismissed allegations by IPC leader Panduleni Itula that President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons are involved in the oil and gas sector. Kanime confirmed Namport's business relationship with Tradeport Namibia (operated by the President's son Nande) involves only manganese exports from South Africa, not oil and gas activities.
27 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's two sons have rejected opposition leader Panduleni Itula's allegations that they are involved in Namibia's oil sector through their private businesses. The brothers, who operate a farming business and a logistics company respectively, issued a detailed rebuttal denying any interest in oil and characterizing Itula's claims as lies intended to discredit the first family.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.
25 February 2026 · New Era →