Namibia Minute.
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 26 September 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Raphael Mbala

Also known as: Masubia Ngambela Raphael Mbala · Former Kabbe constituency councillor Raphael Mbala

Raphael Mbala — Ngambela (paramount advisor) of Masubia Traditional Authority, focused on fish stock conservation and financial recovery.

2025-11-032026-09-26

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. September 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Masubia Traditional Authority senior councillor Raphael Mbala says a child is named by both the parents' families, usually by the grandparents

    Source

    “Masubia Traditional Authority senior councillor Raphael Mbala says in his culture, a child is named by both the parents' families, usually by the grandparents.”

    Minister Immanuel sparks debate over who names children
  3. Windhoek Observer

    Raphael Mbala alleged that tensions continued after the meeting and his wife was chased from a cassava field by men he identified as being from the Ndivi and Jojo families

    Source

    “He said his wife, Regina Mbala, was "chased from a cassava field about 500 to 600 metres from their village by men" he identified as being from the Ndivi and Jojo families.”

    Zambezi land dispute raises fears of violence
  4. May 2026
  5. The Namibian

    Raphael Mbala called a media briefing to set the record straight about chief death rumours

    Source

    “Worried about the ongoing rumours, the senior traditional advisor, Mbala, on Wednesday called a media briefing to set the record straight.”

    Chief Mutwa fine and well – Masubia authority assures
  6. April 2026
  7. The Namibian

    Raphael Mbala says the proposal does not align with cultural practices in his community

    Source

    “Echoing similar sentiments, Masubia Traditional Authority traditional prime minister Raphael Mbala says the proposal does not align with cultural practices in his community.”

    Govt widows’ grant proposal sparks debate among traditional authorities
  8. New Era

    Masubia Traditional Authority Ngambela Raphael Mbala said floodwater will move through multiple channels before entering Lake Liambezi.

    Source

    “Masubia Traditional Authority Ngambela (prime minister) Raphael Mbala yesterday said the water moving through Bukalo will spread through several channels before entering Lake Liambezi.”

    Lake Liambezi: Farmers rush to rescue crops …as floodwaters advance
  9. March 2026
  10. New Era

    Raphael Mbala said the flood situation escalated rapidly in early March as water levels in the Zambezi River rose at an alarming rate

    Source

    “Raphael Mbala, said the situation escalated rapidly in early March, as water levels in the Zambezi River rose at an alarming rate.”

    Kabbe under siege
  11. New Era

    Raphael Mbala said transport is completely cut off and vehicles can no longer reach affected areas

    Source

    “"Transport is completely cut off. There is no way vehicles can reach these areas anymore," Mbala said.”

    Kabbe under siege
  12. New Era

    Raphael Mbala issued a strong warning over rapid depletion of fish stocks in the Zambezi River system

    Source

    “KATIMA MULILO – Masubia Ngambela Raphael Mbala has issued a strong warning over the rapid depletion of fish stocks in the Zambezi River system, calling for urgent, coordinated intervention between traditional authorities and government.”

    Fish stocks collapse in Zambezi
  13. New Era

    Raphael Mbala urged a united response involving regional governor, police, navy, Ministry of Fisheries, and traditional leaders

    Source

    “Mbala urged a united response involving the regional governor, police, navy, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and traditional leaders.”

    Fish stocks collapse in Zambezi
  14. New Era

    Raphael Mbala was inaugurated as Ngambela of Masubia Traditional Authority in February 2026

    Source

    “Mbala (77), a former Kabbe councillor before it was split into two, namely Kabbe North and Kabbe South, was inaugurated as the new Ngambela of the Masubia Traditional Authority in February 2026, replacing Albius Kamwi.”

    Masubia’s financial crisis
Society

Minister Immanuel questions mothers naming children instead of fathers

The News

Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel questioned the practice of mothers naming their children during a cultural event at the University of Namibia's Ogongo campus, asking what culture permits mothers rather than fathers to name children. Immanuel suggested such changes contribute to father–child disconnection and described them as "cultural imperialism."

24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Minister Immanuel questions mothers naming children instead of fathers

    Justice and labour relations minister Wise Immanuel questioned the practice of mothers naming their children during a cultural event at the University of Namibia's Ogongo campus, asking what culture permits mothers rather than fathers to name children. Immanuel suggested such changes contribute to father–child disconnection and described them as "cultural imperialism."

    24 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 22 September

  1. Zambezi land dispute escalates amid warnings of violence

    A decades-long land dispute involving four families in the Zambezi region has reignited, with the Masubia tribal court warning that renewed confrontations could result in injuries or death. The traditional authority, saying the matter has moved beyond its jurisdiction, summoned the families with police and security present in September 2026, but the meeting became confrontational.

    22 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 17 August

  1. Minister Sankwasa defends N$45,000 Bukalo plot purchase

    Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa has rejected allegations that he received preferential treatment in purchasing four business plots in Bukalo Extension 2 for N$45,000 combined. Former Bukalo Village Council CEO Martin Limbo questioned whether the transaction complied with legal requirements and whether the price represented a discount, claiming the properties were individually valued at approximately N$23,500 each.

    17 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Masubia chief alive; rumours of death denied by authority

    The Ngambela of the Masubia Traditional Authority held a media briefing to deny rumours of Chief Munitenge Moraliswani III's death, presenting the chief to media to demonstrate he is well. The Ngambela attributed the false reports to the chief's recent trip to Windhoek for routine medical check-ups.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Traditional authorities split on proposed widow social grant

    The Erongo Widows' Association has called for a government social grant for widows, particularly young widows and those caring for children alone. Traditional leaders are divided: some argue the government has too many responsibilities and question whether all widows are vulnerable, while others support the grant as a means to improve child welfare and support primary breadwinners.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Lake Liambezi farmers harvest crops before advancing floodwaters

    Farmers around Lake Liambezi are rushing to harvest maize, sorghum and other crops weeks early as floodwaters advance from Angola through the Zambezi Region. The premature harvesting follows earlier locust damage, and officials warn more severe flooding is expected in coming weeks, with water levels potentially rising above seven metres and affecting multiple constituencies including Kabbe South, Sibbinda and Katima Rural.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Rapidly rising Zambezi floodwaters cut off Kabbe communities

    Communities in Kabbe South and North have been isolated by swiftly rising floodwaters in early March, with the Zambezi River reaching seven metres and overflowing into surrounding plains. Residents are now reliant on costly and dangerous canoe transport, while access to healthcare, education, and food supplies has been severely disrupted, prompting calls for improved transport systems and elevated infrastructure.

    18 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 March

  1. Fish stocks depleting rapidly in Zambezi River system

    Masubia Ngambela Raphael Mbala has warned of collapsing fish stocks in the Zambezi River due to destructive and illegal fishing methods, calling for urgent coordinated intervention by government and traditional authorities. He said depleted stocks threaten food security and livelihoods for communities dependent on fishing, while the Ministry of Fisheries has implemented seasonal bans, illegal gear confiscations, and joint patrols to protect breeding cycles.

    9 March 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Masubia's new Ngambela prioritizes financial recovery and unity

    Raphael Mbala, newly inaugurated Ngambela of Masubia Traditional Authority, says the authority faces poor financial status and deep community divisions after nearly four years without a substantive chief. He plans to restore financial transparency, strengthen governance systems, and rebuild unity through improved communication and adherence to cultural succession principles.

    5 March 2026 · New Era →

Raphael Mbala — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute