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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Phillipus Katamelo

Also known as: Deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo · Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Phillipus Katamelo

Phillipus Katamelo — National Assembly deputy speaker, led PAP delegation and speaks on green hydrogen and genocide remembrance.

2026-01-132026-10-22
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  1. January 2026

  2. New Era

    Phillipus Katamelo said Namibia has clear strategy, strong political support and growing leadership in green hydrogen

    Source

    “He said the country has a clear strategy, strong political support and growing leadership in green hydrogen.”

    Namibia pushes clear strategy at global renewable energy summit
Politics

Speaker recuses herself from N$579m DBN debt write-off query

The News

National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recused herself from presiding over questions about a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off, citing a conflict of interest because her husband is mentioned in the inquiry. AR leader Job Amupanda had sought to question the finance minister about the write-off and alleged preferential treatment of companies linked to businessman Onesmus Amadhila.

30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Speaker recuses herself from N$579m DBN debt write-off query

    National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recused herself from presiding over questions about a N$579-million Development Bank of Namibia debt write-off, citing a conflict of interest because her husband is mentioned in the inquiry. AR leader Job Amupanda had sought to question the finance minister about the write-off and alleged preferential treatment of companies linked to businessman Onesmus Amadhila.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 13 September

  1. IPC prepares to resubmit no-confidence motion against speaker

    The Independent Patriots for Change is finalising legal requirements to resubmit a motion of no confidence against National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, with parliamentarian Michael Mulunga saying the motion will be tabled once procedural requirements are completed. The motion accuses the speaker of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over parliament.

    13 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 10 September

  1. National Assembly approves Sindano as Electoral Commission chairperson

    Parliament has approved the appointment of Gerson Sindano as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia after opposition MPs walked out. Swapo's 48 members and one vote from UDF deputy president Nico Somaeb secured the appointment despite walkouts by opposition parties including the IPC, LPM, AR, NEFF, Nudo, NDP, and PDM.

    10 September 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 3 September

  1. NEFF asks speaker to step aside for one month

    The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters have called on National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to voluntarily step aside for one month, citing concerns about disorder, tension, and perceived unequal treatment of opposition members in parliamentary proceedings.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. NEFF MP calls for Speaker to step aside temporarily

    NEFF deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu has called on National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to voluntarily step aside for one month, citing recent parliamentary disorder and concerns about her impartiality toward opposition MPs. The call follows an IPC motion seeking the Speaker's removal and consecutive days of disorder in the chamber.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Katamelo warns of undisclosed campaign funding risks to democracy

    National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo has warned that campaign funding from undisclosed sources or vested interests can compromise political integrity, influence decision-making, and undermine democracy. At a UNODC-led consultation on political party financing, he cautioned that politicians can become instruments of corruption when accepting funds without understanding donors' intentions, and argued that regulation should target both politicians and those providing money.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. ECN chairperson nomination stalled over quorum shortfall

    The National Assembly failed to reach the required 49-vote quorum to decide on Gerson Sindano's nomination as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson, with only 45 MPs supporting the motion on Tuesday. Opposition MPs walked out of the chamber in protest, with disagreement over whether this constitutes a genuine absence of quorum or a deliberate obstruction of the voting process.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Namibia leads Pan-African effort to end Sudan conflict

    Namibia has tabled a roadmap at the Pan-African Parliament calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, a parliamentary fact-finding mission, and action against foreign interference fuelling the conflict. The recommendations include convening a special PAP session on Sudan, rejecting the parallel government established by the Rapid Support Forces, and condemning external actors prolonging the crisis.

    29 July 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Namibia's PAP delegation begins committee preparations

    Namibia's Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo, has commenced Permanent Committee sittings ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The committee meetings, running until 25 July, form part of preparations to review matters under the various PAP committees' mandates.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 28 May

  1. Deputy Speaker calls unity at Shark Island genocide remembrance

    At Shark Island's joint ||Kharas and Hardap regional commemoration on Genocide Remembrance Day, Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo urged Namibians to embrace forgiveness, unity, and historical truth while preserving memory of the 1904–1908 genocide, noting the island's use as a German concentration camp between 1905 and 1907 where Ovaherero and Nama prisoners faced starvation, forced labour, violence, disease, and death.

    28 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Katamelo urges Germany beyond words on genocide

    National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo said that the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people can only be addressed through meaningful action, not words alone. He urged companies operating in Namibia to focus on improving social conditions and creating jobs in local communities as a way to help correct historical injustices.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. MPs say ACC budget of N$109 million too low to fight corruption

    Parliamentarians from multiple parties criticized the N$109 million allocation to the Anti-Corruption Commission for the 2026/27 fiscal year as inadequate, arguing that underfunding, limited access to modern technology, and outdated legislation prevent the institution from effectively combating corruption. MPs called for increased funding and legislative amendments to enable the ACC to keep pace with evolving criminal tactics.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Venaani calls for relaxing political party funding restrictions

    PDM president McHenry Venaani told Parliament that restrictions on political parties' use of public funding for business activities are weakening their administration, and urged a revisit of the Electoral Act's limitations. Political parties received N$185.2 million in public funds for the 2026/27 financial year, allocated according to parliamentary representation.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Erongo governor pushes mining law reforms to benefit locals

    Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has called for urgent review of Namibia's mining laws to address illegal mining and ensure residents benefit from the region's mineral resources. She highlighted that small-scale miners in the Daures constituency, many of whom have operated since the 1960s–70s, are now classified as illegal despite their long history, while poor enforcement has allowed this to continue for decades.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. NC chair urges inclusive development, participatory democracy

    National Council chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha addressed members of the 7th National Council at an induction seminar in Swakopmund, urging them to strengthen their role in promoting inclusive development and participatory democracy as a constitutional imperative. He stressed that parliament must listen to citizens' voices and hold the executive accountable, while the NC serves as a bridge between regional and central government interests.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 March

  1. Nudo MP refuses to apologize for remarks against deputy minister

    Nudo lawmaker Vetaruhe Kandorozu has remained defiant after making tribal and racial remarks against deputy education minister Dino Ballotti in Parliament, telling him to "go back to Italy." The party's acting president Peter Kazongominja said Kandorozu will face disciplinary action, emphasizing that Nudo is founded on principles of unity and the remarks do not represent the party.

    6 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. MP's race comments spark parliamentary chaos and public debate call

    Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp condemned remarks by National Unity Democratic Organisation MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu, who told deputy education minister Dino Ballotti that he is from Italy and that Namibians do not look like him, calling for the matter to be addressed at the highest level. Kandorozu initially refused to apologize, saying his comments were meant as a joke, though he later withdrew them; Steenkamp said the incident dehumanised Namibians and argued that Namibia belongs to all its people.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. NUDO parliamentarian withdraws inflammatory remarks toward deputy minister

    NUDO's Vetaruhe Kandorozu told Education Deputy Minister Dino Ballotti to "go back to Italy" and made comments about white people not being Namibian in the National Assembly on Wednesday, forcing Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo to adjourn the session; Kandorozu later withdrew his remarks after being told they were "unparliamentary" and not in the interest of building the nation.

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Swapo votes approve four Public Service Commission commissioners

    The National Assembly approved the appointment of Patrick Nandago, Linda Scott, Lidwina Shapwa and Gerson Kamatuka as Public Service Commission commissioners for five years beginning March 2026, with 48 Swapo votes securing approval despite opposition parties boycotting the vote and challenging the process.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Deputy minister Ballotti apologises for parliamentary conduct clash

    Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti apologised publicly after clashing with Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda during a National Assembly session on Tuesday, acknowledging that his response fell short of the standards expected of leadership despite disliking how he was addressed.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Parliamentary session adjourned after Amupanda-Ballotti confrontation

    The Deputy Speaker adjourned the National Assembly session after AR leader Job Amupanda and Deputy Minister of Education Dino Ballotti engaged in a verbal confrontation. Ballotti later apologized to Amupanda, acknowledging that MPs should treat each other with respect.

    4 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Katamelo highlights reforms driving Namibia's green hydrogen leadership

    Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo told the IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi that Namibia is committed to becoming a green hydrogen leader through reforms including procurement transparency, private-sector frameworks, risk-sharing, infrastructure development, and skills training. He cited the dedicated green hydrogen office and projects like Tsogo as evidence of progress.

    15 January 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 14 January

  1. Namibia leads Africa in green hydrogen sector strategy

    National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo told the International Renewable Energy Agency conference in Abu Dhabi that Namibia's deliberate reforms, political backing, and dedicated national green hydrogen programme have established the country as a fast-moving market leader. Industries minister Modestus Amutse said Namibia's green hydrogen strategy aims to support domestic industrial applications like green steel and fertilisers while positioning the nation as a future exporter.

    14 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 13 January

  1. Namibia showcases renewable energy strategy at global summit

    At the International Renewable Energy Agency's 16th Assembly in Abu Dhabi, Namibian officials highlighted the country's clear strategy and strong political support for renewable energy and green hydrogen. Deputy Speaker Katamelo attributed Namibia's success to well-planned reforms, competitive bidding, balanced risk-sharing, and strong institutions, while Minister Amutse noted the country's target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, backed by reforms including the Modified Single Buyer model.

    13 January 2026 · New Era →

Phillipus Katamelo — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute