Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairperson who endorsed the Public Enterprise Governance Amendment Bill to strengthen accountability in state entities.
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July 2023
The Namibian
Environment minister Pohamba Shifetahas been publicly accused ofmisusing institutions by asking them to pay for travel costs
Source
“Kandjii-Murangi, Esau and environment minister Pohamba Shifeta have been publicly accused of misusing the institutions they supervise by asking them to pay for their travel costs.”
Minister Pohamba Shifetaannouncednational conference next month to discuss human-wildlife conflict and find long-term solution
Source
“The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will hold a national conference next month to discuss human-wildlife conflict and find a long-term solution to the issue, minister Pohamba Shifeta announced on Thursday.”
Shifetasaidgrowing human-wildlife conflict partially attributable to government's conservation efforts
Source
“Shifeta said in a ministerial statement in parliament that the growing problem of human-wildlife conflict is partially attributable to the government's conservation efforts.”
“The candidates are environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta, deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.”
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has cautioned that the National Youth Council should not be used as a stepping stone to political stardom, but instead serve as a platform for youth empowerment and nation-building. His warning follows a chaotic elective assembly over the weekend that descended into violence, injuring nine delegates and forcing the ministry to halt proceedings indefinitely.
Why it matters
Prime Minister's warning to National Youth Council against political ambition follows weekend violence and reflects governance concerns about institutional misuse.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has cautioned that the National Youth Council should not be used as a stepping stone to political stardom, but instead serve as a platform for youth empowerment and nation-building. His warning follows a chaotic elective assembly over the weekend that descended into violence, injuring nine delegates and forcing the ministry to halt proceedings indefinitely.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has declared the Swapo Party Youth League's endorsement of Ester Simon for National Youth Council executive chairperson non-negotiable, warning that continued disruption will damage the institution's credibility. The statement follows a violent collapse of the NYC's general assembly in Swakopmund over the weekend that left nine delegates injured.
Swapo has endorsed Gerson Sindano, an ECN commissioner since August 2022, as its preferred candidate for chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, to replace Elsie Nghikembua whose term ends this year. Sindano is a senior lecturer in language development at the University of Namibia with a doctorate in English studies.
Benjamin Hauwanga and Simeon Nghinananye have settled a defamation case in which Hauwanga sued Nghinananye for N$500 000. Under the settlement made an order of the Windhoek High Court, Nghinananye agreed to publicly apologise and retract allegations, while Hauwanga withdrew his claim and waived legal costs; Nghinananye must pay N$200 000 if he repeats the defamatory allegations within five years.
Consultations began on a petition signed by 71 former members of the South West Africa Territorial Force seeking recognition as liberation veterans under the Veterans Act, 2008, and access to compensation funds they claim to have been denied for 35 years. The petitioners questioned accountability for a reported N$36 million compensation fund and N$100 million demobilisation fund.
Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairperson Pohamba Shifeta has endorsed the Public Enterprise Governance Amendment Bill, arguing it will address structural inefficiencies and strengthen accountability in Namibia's state entities by clarifying roles between boards, ministers, and executives, and introducing mandatory performance agreements with measurable targets.
The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has announced that driving between Sossusvlei's parking areas will be limited to a single operator (About Africa Co) from 1 May, restricting access for independent tour operators and self-drivers. Tour operators and industry figures warn the exclusive concession will harm competition, raise prices, create liability concerns, and damage the tourism sector despite ministry claims it will generate revenue and protect the environment.
A tombstone was unveiled in Ohangwena Region to honour nine People's Liberation Army of Namibia combatants killed on 2 April 1989 in a clash with Koevoet, the counterinsurgency unit of the then South West African Police, just a day after a ceasefire had taken effect. Former PLAN fighters, government officials, and relatives attended the ceremony at Enghandja laShikongeni village.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced a reshuffle of Swapo MPs across standing committees, parliamentary friendship groups and multilateral organisations, with several lawmakers removed from previous roles and reassigned with immediate effect.
Former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana has warned that the party's vacant vice presidency is unprecedented and leaves leadership exposed to unforeseen circumstances, while raising concerns about selective interpretation of party constitution as the party prepares for its 2027 elective congress.
A parliamentary delegation led by James Uerikua visited Rwanda to exchange best practices on international relations, defence and security. The MPs identified Rwanda's anti-corruption measures, technology-driven governance, security sector professionalism and public accountability mechanisms as models Namibia could realistically adopt to strengthen oversight and service delivery.
One year after the death of founding president Sam Nujoma in February 2025, Namibian citizens from various walks of life shared their remembrances of his role in leading the country to independence and democracy, crediting him as the architect of the nation's freedom and a visionary leader whose sacrifices and commitment to national unity continue to inspire.