Staff Reporter TWO claimants to the chieftainship of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority are on a collision course after Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa approved the application to designate Malakia Shoombe as successor to late Chief Daniel Shooya. …
Malakia Shoombe designated as new Uukolonkadhi ChiefNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Person
Pashukeni Shoombe
Also known as: Shoombe · Malakia Shoombe · Kenneth Shoombe · Dr Shoombe · Chief veterinary officer Kenneth Shoombe · Dr Kennedy Shoombe · Dr Kenneth Shoombe · meekulu Pashukeni Shoombe
Malakia Shoombe — claimant to Uukolonkadhi chieftaincy, whose appointment was approved then reversed by the minister in 2026.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- January 2026
Society
Twelve deaths from malaria in Omusati region in 2026
The News
Twelve people died from malaria in Omusati region in the first four months of 2026, with the region recording 7,410 confirmed cases out of 57,180 nationally, according to statistics released by Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo during World Malaria Day commemoration. Countrywide, 61 people have died and 3,067 were hospitalised, with the governor describing the figures as alarming.
Why it matters
Twelve malaria deaths in Omusati within four months and 7,410 regional cases indicate a serious public health crisis requiring urgent response.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Monday 27 April
Twelve deaths from malaria in Omusati region in 2026
Twelve people died from malaria in Omusati region in the first four months of 2026, with the region recording 7,410 confirmed cases out of 57,180 nationally, according to statistics released by Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo during World Malaria Day commemoration. Countrywide, 61 people have died and 3,067 were hospitalised, with the governor describing the figures as alarming.
27 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 26 April
Gondwana's Etosha King Nehale hosts senior citizens from northern Namibia
The Etosha King Nehale lodge welcomed seven elders from Ongwediva and surrounding areas for a two-night stay, during which they shared their life stories and were taken on a game drive through Etosha National Park.
26 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Sunday 5 April
One pound gift transformed teacher's life and legacy
A 90-year-old Namibian woman's journey to becoming a teacher began when a family friend gave her a one-pound note in the early 1950s to pay for her studies at a Finnish mission college, enabling her to escape an arranged marriage and eventually inspire others through her decades of teaching and activism.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Saturday 14 March
Minister reverses Uukolonkadhi chief approval, orders investigation
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa approved one chieftaincy claimant as chief in January but reversed course within weeks, withdrawing his letter and ordering an investigation into the disputed succession following the death of the previous chief in October 2024. The dispute centers on competing claims from two nephews, Malakia Shoombe and Johannes Asino, with the attorney general's office indicating the minister did not follow proper legal procedures under the Traditional Authorities Act.
14 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 11 March
Namibia bans Botswana animal imports due to foot-and-mouth disease
Namibia has banned imports and transit of cloven-hoofed animals and their products from parts of Botswana following confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. The ban, issued by the chief veterinary officer, aims to prevent the virus entering Namibia and applies to cattle, sheep, goats, and antelope products, though imports from FMD-free zones remain permitted with a veterinary permit.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 27 February
Namibia launches FMD support fund with N$11 million pledged
The foot-and-mouth disease support fund was officially launched at the agriculture ministry with industry pledges of N$11 million. The fund, a coordinated effort between the four national farmers' unions and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, aims to finance awareness programmes, farmer training, and rapid responses to any outbreak, with a first-phase target of N$50 million.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 24 February
Namibia to cull cattle illegally vaccinated against FMD
The chief veterinary officer warned that cattle found to have been illegally vaccinated against foot and mouth disease will be culled, as vaccination south of the veterinary cordon fence would cost Namibia its FMD-free status and access to international beef markets. Recent FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have prompted increased surveillance in Namibian border regions.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 20 February
Namibia cracks down on illegal FMD vaccines, livestock smuggling
The Ministry of Agriculture has warned that only state veterinary authorities may possess foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in Namibia's FMD-free zone, and any animals entering the country illegally will be culled. Officials say illegal vaccines and informal livestock movement pose major threats to Namibia's FMD-free status, which is critical for beef export access to international markets.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 27 January
Namibia strengthens defences as foot-and-mouth disease threatens exports
Namibia's N$8-billion annual red meat industry faces serious risk from foot-and-mouth disease spreading from South Africa, prompting authorities to implement biosecurity measures including vehicle disinfection at borders and a ban on South African meat, dairy, and live animals. Industry leaders warn that an outbreak would devastate exports to key markets including the EU, China, and the United States, causing farmer bankruptcies and widespread job losses.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 14 January
Minister approves Shoombe as Uukolonkadhi chief amid family dispute
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa approved Malakia Shoombe as chief of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority in January 2026, but community members and family argue that Johannes Asino is the legitimate heir, citing a nomination and will from the late chief Daniel Shooya.
14 January 2026 · New Era →
Malakia Shoombe designated as new Uukolonkadhi Chief
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has approved the application to designate Malakia Shoombe as successor to late Chief Daniel Shooya of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority. Supporters of the late Chief's nominee, Johannes Taanyanda Asino, dispute the decision, claiming the community was kept in the dark and procedures were not properly followed.
14 January 2026 · Informanté →