Also known as: PDM · PDM leader
Popular Democratic Movement — opposition political party in Namibia, led by McHenry Venaani.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare defended Namibia's rejection of Starlink's licence application, saying the country will not waive its 51% local ownership requirement for any investor. Opposition leader McHenry Venaani criticised the decision as irrational, arguing Starlink could have improved internet connectivity for rural schools.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare defended Namibia's rejection of Starlink's licence application, saying the country will not waive its 51% local ownership requirement for any investor. Opposition leader McHenry Venaani criticised the decision as irrational, arguing Starlink could have improved internet connectivity for rural schools.
26 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's 36th Independence Day celebrations across all 14 regions carried a unified message from political and community leaders to preserve the liberation legacy, strengthen unity, and address youth unemployment and economic inequality. While acknowledging democratic achievements and progress in service delivery, leaders emphasised that political independence must now be matched by economic emancipation and that youth must drive future development.
24 March 2026 · New Era →
As Namibia approaches 36 years of independence, young people and political leaders acknowledge notable strides in education access, infrastructure, rural electrification, and economic opportunities since 1990, while noting that unemployment and inequality remain pressing challenges requiring urgent attention.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Opposition MPs and activists have criticised the government's 2026/27 budget allocation, accusing it of breaking campaign promises by increasing social grants by only N$100 rather than the promised larger amounts. They argue the government has adequate resources to fund higher increases to pensioner and vulnerable children's grants to better protect citizens from inflation.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Inna Hengari has been elected to the World Bank's steering committee of global young members of parliament, representing the eastern and southern African region from 2026 to 2028, marking Namibia's first representation on this platform.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM parliamentarian Diederik Vries has raised concerns in Parliament about the lack of sign language interpreters in public offices, saying this excludes people with hearing impairments from essential services in healthcare, policing and welfare. He called on the government to ensure interpreters are properly trained, accredited and held to professional standards, noting the failure violates domestic disability obligations and international commitments.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani told the National Assembly that Namibia must pursue fundamental economic reforms to expand productive capacity, including industrial transformation, agricultural development through irrigation, infrastructure investment, and improved project planning. He argued that the country needs capable state institutions, stronger education outcomes tied to labour market needs, and mobilisation of domestic capital for development priorities.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
PDM Member of Parliament Diederik Vries has criticised the 2026/2027 national budget for failing to address service delivery, saying high operational costs and debt servicing hinder economic development and capital project funding. Vries pointed to persistent youth unemployment, housing shortages, weak growth, and insufficient agricultural funding, arguing that despite allocating 61.7% to the social sector, the system is not delivering productivity and inclusive growth.
16 March 2026 · New Era →
Opposition MPs and analysts have criticized the government's agreement to give China General Nuclear Power Group a 70% controlling stake in a N$3-billion coastal desalination plant while the state retains only 30%, raising concerns about water sovereignty and affordability for poor Namibians. NamWater and Swakop Uranium defended the joint venture structure as necessary to finance critical infrastructure while maintaining public sector participation.
15 March 2026 · The Namibian →