Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Namibian press · Person

Rodrick Likando

Also known as: parliamentarian John Likando · Hon. Rodrick Likando · Independent Patriots for Change chief whip · parliamentarian Rodrick Likando

Rodrick Likando — IPC parliamentary chief whip and shadow minister for tourism and environment, warning against marine phosphate mining.

2026-02-212026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Rodrick Likando

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

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

July 2026
8 JulThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change chief whip Rodrick Likando says backlog caused by ministers failing to attend parliamentary sittings
Source
“Likando says the growing backlog is not caused by opposition MPs asking too many questions, but by ministers failing to attend parliamentary sittings.”
Speaker rejects blame for question backlog
June 2026
21 JunThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change's Rodrick Likando triggered fierce resistance by authorising finance minister to present speech
Source
“The flashpoint: authorising finance minister Ericah Shafudah to present a speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, triggered fierce resistance from Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani, PDM's Inna Hengari, Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, and Independent Patriots for Change's Rodrick Likando.”
The Cost of Parliamentary Paralysis
March 2026
25 MarThe Namibian
IPC chief whip Rodrick Likando asked about the ruling on the matter
Source
“She was responding to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) chief whip Rodrick Likando, who asked about the ruling on the matter.”
National Assembly finds Shaningwa did not use f-word
February 2026
21 FebThe Namibian
Rodrick Likando was appointed as Independent Patriots for Change parliamentary chief whip on Thursday
Source
“Likando was appointed as the party's new chief whip on Thursday.”
IPC chief whip replacement normal – Likando

Society

Low ECC applications suggest widespread illegal sand mining in Namibia

The News

The environment ministry told parliament that only 56 applications for environmental clearance certificates were received over three years, raising concerns that many sand and gravel operators may be extracting without required approval. The ministry reported 15 cases of illegal mining but noted that the low application numbers across most regions prevent establishing the true scale of illegal extraction or adequacy of enforcement.

20 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Low ECC applications suggest widespread illegal sand mining in Namibia
The environment ministry told parliament that only 56 applications for environmental clearance certificates were received over three years, raising concerns that many sand and gravel operators may be extracting without required approval. The ministry reported 15 cases of illegal mining but noted that the low application numbers across most regions prevent establishing the true scale of illegal extraction or adequacy of enforcement.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

IPC questions N$220m Gross Barmen investment after pool closure
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned the maintenance and accountability of Namibia Wildlife Resorts following the closure of indoor swimming facilities at Gross Barmen Resort, citing N$220 million in government funding allocated for redevelopment of the resort in 2010. The IPC's shadow minister for tourism and environment called for public explanation of what caused the closure, when the problem was identified, and what would be required to restore the facilities.
17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 15 October

Opposition walkout blocks petroleum bill vote in Parliament
Opposition parties walked out during voting on the petroleum bill in the National Assembly, leaving only 39 of 49 required members and preventing a vote to proceed. The walkout was a protest against provisions in the bill that would place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

Ministry launches probe into NWR financial and labour practices
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched an investigation into state-owned Namibia Wildlife Resorts over alleged financial mismanagement, poor governance and unfair labour practices, including examining why workers remain displaced 11 months after a fire destroyed their houses at Sesriem in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

Government developing tougher littering penalties under new regulations
The environment, forestry and tourism ministry is developing new waste management regulations under the Environmental Management Act of 2007 to strengthen legal frameworks for dealing with littering, illegal dumping, and pollution. Enforcement of the tougher penalties will begin only once the new regulations are approved by parliament.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 14 September

IPC warns government must strengthen Etosha wildfire response capacity
The Independent Patriots for Change has warned that Namibia risks repeating last year's devastating Etosha wildfire disaster unless the government urgently strengthens its firefighting capacity, as fresh fires sparked by lightning continue to burn in the national park.
14 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 31 August

IPC warns against repeating phosphate mining mistakes
IPC shadow minister Rodrick Likando has warned that Namibia could repeat the environmental and economic consequences experienced in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru if the proposed Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project proceeds without independent oversight, citing phosphate mining's documented impacts on communities and ecosystems in those countries.
31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 29 August

IPC opposes Sandpiper phosphate mining project
The Independent Patriots for Change opposes the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, which received environmental clearance on 5 August, citing environmental, social and public health concerns and pointing to negative outcomes from phosphate mining in Tunisia, Jordan and Nauru.
29 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 12 August

President opposes marine phosphate mining approval in Atlantic
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly objects to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's approval of an environmental clearance certificate for Namibian Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper project to mine for fertilisers in the Atlantic Ocean, saying Namibia should not be used for an ocean experiment. The president held a meeting with senior government officials this week to express concerns about the decision made without apparent consultation on a matter of massive public interest.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 10 August

Namibia Marine Phosphate receives environmental clearance for Sandpiper project
The environmental commissioner issued an environmental clearance certificate on 5 August for Knowledge Katti's Namibia Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project offshore Namibia, valid until 5 August 2029. The decision has triggered opposition from the IPC and conservationists who have raised long-running environmental and industry concerns.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 July

Speaker's office denies fault in parliamentary question backlog
The Office of the Speaker has rejected claims that National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is responsible for a growing backlog of unanswered parliamentary questions, stating the delays lie with the executive. Of 550 National Assembly questions tabled since the eighth parliament began, 166 have been disposed of and one was withdrawn for a ministerial statement.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

Parliament disrupted again as opposition challenges speaker authority
The national assembly adjourned Wednesday after opposition parliamentarians clashed with speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila over her authorisation of the finance minister to speak on behalf of the prime minister. The editorial argues that repeated parliamentary disruptions reflect a failure of political leadership across parties and have prevented debate on critical legislation, including the petroleum bill.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 17 June

National Assembly descends into disorder over speaker's rulings
Opposition parliamentarians from the PDM, AR, and IPC challenged speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday over the manner in which she was conducting proceedings, with members arguing she was dismissing points of order without allowing them to be heard. The confrontation erupted after finance minister Ericah Shafudah was authorised to table and read a debate speech on behalf of prime minister Elijah Ngurare, a move strongly opposed by opposition parties.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 16 May

Eenhana Town Council building stalled; N$9 million needed
Construction of the Eenhana Town Council building, which began in 2018, remains incomplete due to non-payment of the contractor. The N$41 million project has had approximately N$27 million spent, with an estimated N$9 million still required for completion.
16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 25 March

At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests
At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
National Assembly clears Shaningwa of unparliamentary language allegation
The National Assembly speaker has ruled that Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa did not use profanity in parliament, after consulting official Hansard recordings of an alleged incident from last year in which she was accused of using the f-word to an IPC member.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 21 February

IPC appoints new parliamentary chief whip Likando
The Independent Patriots for Change appointed Rodrick Likando as its new parliamentary chief whip on Thursday, replacing Rodney Cloete. Likando described the change as "standard procedure" and a "normal change of guard."
21 February 2026 · The Namibian →