Also known as: member of parliament Rodney Cloete
IPC shadow minister who raised concerns about Namibia's N$245 million smart-city grant from China over data control and technological dependence risks.
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The Namibian
Rodney Cloete is a member of the Namibian parliament
The Namibian
Rodney Cloete questions government's progress under African Continental Free Trade Area
“Cloete questions the government's progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting that Namibia has reportedly issued only nine certificates of origin for exports to Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria since launching trading under the agreement in June 2025.”
IPC questions government’s 500 000 jobs promiseThe Namibian
Cloete calls for more proactive approach to economic diplomacy
“Cloete calls for a more proactive approach to economic diplomacy, saying diplomats should focus on opening markets, removing trade barriers, securing orders for Namibian companies and attracting investments that create jobs.”
IPC questions government’s 500 000 jobs promiseWindhoek Observer
Rodney Cloete said jobs would not be created through speeches, diplomatic engagements or memoranda of understanding
“In a statement issued on Wednesday, IPC shadow minister for international relations and trade, Rodney Cloete, said jobs would not be created through speeches, diplomatic engagements or memoranda of understanding, but through increased business activity, production, trade, investment and industrialisation.”
IPC challenges government to show economic path to 500 000 jobsThe Namibian
IPC member of parliament Rodney Cloete says Namibia should publicly address Tundu Lissu's continued detention rather than limit its engagement to judicial cooperation
“"Namibia should publicly address [Tundu] Lissu's continued detention rather than limit its engagement to judicial cooperation," IPC member of parliament Rodney Cloete says.”
Damaseb urged to reject Tanzania inquiry roleWindhoek Observer
Rodney Cloete questioned the appointment and Namibia's response on Tanzania's human rights record
“Meanwhile, IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade Rodney Cloete also questioned the appointment, arguing that Namibia had failed to publicly address concerns over Tanzania's democratic and human rights record following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to the country in June.”
Opposition slam Damaseb’s Tanzania inquiry nominationThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete said Mbuende's remarks contradicted Bank of Namibia governor's warning against borrowing in name of oil
“The clarification comes after IPC parliamentarian Rodney Cloete said Mbuende's reported remarks contradicted Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta's recent warning against borrowing "in the name of oil" before production begins.”
Mbuende clarifies oil borrowing remarks after IPC criticismWindhoek Observer
Rodney Cloete told the Windhoek Observer the smart-city grant could bind Namibia to decades of technological dependence
“IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade, Rodney Cloete, told the Windhoek Observer that it could bind the country to decades of technological dependence.”
MP raises concerns about data control of smart-city grant from ChinaWindhoek Observer
Cloete urged parliament to compel disclosure of agreements and pass a Data Protection Act
“Cloete urged parliament to compel disclosure of the agreements, hold public hearings, commission independent security assessments, and pass a rights-respecting Data Protection Act.”
MP raises concerns about data control of smart-city grant from ChinaWindhoek Observer
IPC Shadow Minister Rodney Cloete said that TotalEnergies had stated government and project partners were targeting FID on Venus by end of July
“According to a statement released on Tuesday, IPC Shadow Minister of International Relations and Trade, Rodney Cloete, said that TotalEnergies had stated before that government and project partners were targeting a final investment decision (FID) on Venus by the end of July.”
IPC calls for transparency in Namibia’s offshore petroleum dealsAn editorial argues that Memoranda of Understanding do not constitute binding agreements and typically bypass parliamentary scrutiny, and that Namibia should focus on measurable economic outcomes rather than ceremonial "signing" events with other countries.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that Memoranda of Understanding do not constitute binding agreements and typically bypass parliamentary scrutiny, and that Namibia should focus on measurable economic outcomes rather than ceremonial "signing" events with other countries.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned how the government will deliver on its promise to create 500,000 jobs, arguing that jobs require business expansion, factory processing, market access for farmers, and operating investments — not speeches and ceremonies alone. The party highlighted concerns including only nine certificates of origin issued under the African Continental Free Trade Area and rail infrastructure failures, citing TransNamib's last recorded train movement in July 2024.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has challenged the government to explain how its economic diplomacy, trade agreements and infrastructure investments will deliver 500,000 jobs promised by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, arguing that jobs require increased business activity and production rather than speeches and memoranda of understanding.
26 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A consignment of Jet A-1 aviation fuel that arrived at Walvis Bay failed routine testing, creating shortages at Windhoek airport. Passenger flights to Europe, including Discover Airlines services to Frankfurt and Munich, now require refueling stops in Luanda, Angola, under an emergency fuel supply arrangement with Vitol.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Political parties have called on deputy chief justice and judge president Petrus Damaseb to reject his nomination to serve on Tanzania's post-election violence commission of inquiry. Job Amupanda and the Independent Patriots for Change cite concerns over the process, Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses, and international criticism of previous Tanzanian inquiries, arguing that Damaseb's participation could lend credibility to a commission of uncertain independence.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties AR and IPC have accused the Namibian government of compromising judicial independence by nominating deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating post-election violence. AR contends the nomination was a political act facilitated through government channels rather than proper judicial cooperation.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Planning Commission said government will only factor oil income into fiscal planning once oil and gas projects reach a final investment decision, and that borrowing decisions are based on broader economic projections rather than a single sector. The clarification followed criticism from the Independent Patriots for Change, which had accused the NPC director general of proposing that Namibia borrow against future oil revenues despite sector uncertainty.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC shadow minister Rodney Cloete raised concerns that Namibia's N$245 million smart-city grant from China could create long-term technological dependence and data control risks, arguing that hidden agreements and lack of auditability make it a potential liability rather than genuine assistance.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the government and state-owned Namcor to provide full transparency on Namibia's offshore petroleum developments, particularly regarding Galp's transaction with TotalEnergies, which received regulatory approval in July. The IPC emphasised that Namcor's financial obligations, development exposure, and revenue expectations must be clarified.
31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Pan-African Parliament has called for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan and recommended an extraordinary session to develop a roadmap for peaceful resolution, with Namibia's Head of Delegation to the parliament presenting a report that examined the security crisis and humanitarian impact of the conflict.
29 July 2026 · Informanté →
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 →
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 →
Seventy-two Namibians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks say they hope to return once anti-immigrant violence subsides, as the government indicated it will assess future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis and that repatriated citizens remain free to decide where they live and work.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has called on the government to publish a clear implementation plan for Namibia's nine cooperation agreements with China signed during a presidential state visit in July, saying the country must move from diplomatic agreements to concrete industrial planning with measurable economic benefits and identify priority minerals, processing stages, infrastructure gaps, and annual targets for investment and exports.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah led a delegation of six ministers and more than 200 businesspeople to China to pursue partnerships in mining, agriculture, and logistics. China was Namibia's second-largest trading partner last year, with trade reaching N$40 billion.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 100 Namibians living in South Africa are voluntarily seeking repatriation to Namibia amid rising xenophobic tensions; Namibian authorities are arranging repatriation and verification processes following reports of attacks on foreign nationals.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Institute of Public Policy Research has released its procurement tracker and called for an in-depth investigation into healthcare sector procurement, describing it as a persistent governance challenge. Research shows corruption in the sector has been ongoing for a decade, and the IPPR notes that key laws including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 and the Access to Information Act of 2022 have been passed but not implemented.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of remaining silent on human rights abuses during a state visit to Tanzania, where the main opposition leader is imprisoned on a treason charge and UN experts have condemned extrajudicial killings and mass arbitrary detentions following the October 2025 elections.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly speak out against human rights abuses during her state visit to Tanzania, specifically demanding the release of Chadema opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who has been detained since April 2025 on a treason charge. The party cites a UN finding of unlawful detention and an American Bar Association assessment that the prosecution is politically motivated.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change says Namibia must make beneficial ownership information public following the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's greylist. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete states that while Namibia corrected gaps in beneficial ownership transparency to exit the greylist, the register remains effectively closed to journalists and the public through the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The founder of South Africa's March and March organisation, which focuses on illegal immigration, has said Namibians are "law-abiding citizens" and not targets of anti-immigrant sentiment, despite xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. She described Nigerians as the most problematic nationality, saying they enter without documentation and engage in criminal activity.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A Namibian-registered bus was hijacked in Johannesburg on 9 June, leaving passengers stranded; the Independent Patriots for Change accused the government and High Commission in Pretoria of failing to provide meaningful assistance to the operator and passengers, some of whom had to pay for their own accommodation.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian entrepreneurs using the "order with me" business model say xenophobic attacks in South Africa are disrupting their livelihoods and forcing some to stop travelling there for supplies. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will meet with informal traders tomorrow to discuss customs duties, taxation and regulatory challenges.
12 June 2026 · New Era →
Former Namcor acting managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has criticised the government's award of a N$7.2 billion three-month fuel supply contract to Vitol, saying the deal is "counter-productive and monopolistic" and will damage the downstream fuel sector's long-term competitiveness. Hinda-Mbuende claims Namcor offered a cheaper deal and that Vitol's ownership of Shell and Engen service stations creates conflicts of interest that could harm competitors.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The US State Department is reportedly cutting visa-issuing consulates and embassies on the African continent, including Namibia's, according to the Associated Press. The closest remaining visa-processing hubs would be South Africa's consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or Angola's Luanda consulate.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the energy ministry to explain why it awarded international oil trader Vitol a three-month exclusive fuel supply contract without competitive tender. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete questioned the lack of transparency, the full terms of the agreement including pricing, and cited Vitol's 2020 admission of bribery in three countries.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Deputy Speaker Philippus Katamelo has been appointed chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament's Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, a position that involves guiding the committee's work on foreign policy, diplomacy, and peace issues. Katamelo is heading Namibia's parliamentary delegation at the Extraordinary Session of the 7th Pan-African Parliament in South Africa.
5 May 2026 · New Era →
Board earnings for chairs and senior members at Namibian banks, listed companies and state-owned enterprises range from N$400,000 to N$1.6 million annually. Opposition chief whip Rodney Cloete argues board work has shifted from part-time public service to a full-time income stream for a politically connected group, often appointed through personal connections rather than merit.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Pan-African Parliament in South Africa this week is electing a new bureau after resolving a 15-year argument about leadership representation. In May 2017, the PAP passed a resolution to introduce regional rotation of the presidency, addressing a pattern in which only east, west, and central African leaders held the top position during the institution's first 18 years.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →