Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Ruthy Masake

Also known as: deputy agriculture minister Ruthy Masake · Hon. Ruthy Masake · Ruth Masake · Deputy agriculture minister Ruth Masake

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform promoting sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and youth engagement across Namibian regions.

2026-01-142026-06-08
Share on WhatsApp

What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    Ruthy Masake urged young people in Oshikoto Region to fully utilise region's natural advantages by engaging in agriculture

    Source

    “THE Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masake, has urged young people in the Oshikoto Region to fully utilise the region's natural advantages by engaging more actively in agriculture and making use of the government support available to farmers.”

    Deputy Minister of Agriculture urges Oshikoto youth to harness region's agricultural potential

  3. Informanté

    Ruthy Masake emphasised that young people should take advantage of support from NYDF, DBN, Agribank and ministry

    Source

    “Masake emphasised that this vision can be realised, particularly if young people take advantage of the various forms of support offered by the government, including assistance from the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN), Agribank and the ministry itself.”

    Deputy Minister of Agriculture urges Oshikoto youth to harness region's agricultural potential

  4. New Era

    Deputy agriculture minister Ruth Masake called on young people to position themselves as partners, producers, and leaders in economic transformation

    Source

    “Deputy agriculture minister Ruth Masake has called on young people to position themselves as partners, producers, and leaders in Namibia's economic transformation.”

    Lead economic transformation, Zambezi youth told

  5. New Era

    Masake encouraged attendees to apply for the National Youth Development Fund

    Source

    “Masake encouraged attendees to apply for the National Youth Development Fund, which she described as a significant milestone for supporting scalable, youth-led projects.”

    Lead economic transformation, Zambezi youth told

  6. Informanté

    Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake received and welcomed response teams from six regions

    Source

    “Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake received and welcomed response teams from Kunene, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omusati, and Kavango East and West, who have been sent to support the containment efforts.”

    Additional response teams deployed as ministry intensifies locust control in Zambezi

  7. Informanté

    Masake assured that the ministry is implementing necessary measures to curb locust spread

    Source

    “Masake also paid a courtesy call on Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula, assuring her that the ministry is implementing all necessary measures to curb the spread of locusts as quickly as possible.”

    Additional response teams deployed as ministry intensifies locust control in Zambezi
Politics

Public enterprises bill divides opposition and Swapo in parliament

The News

Opposition and Swapo lawmakers are divided over a governance amendment bill that would grant the prime minister authority to oversee state-owned enterprises and appoint board members in consultation with line ministers. Critics argue it concentrates political power and weakens accountability, while supporters say it clarifies reporting structures and improves coordination.

Why it matters

Governance amendment dividing parliament over prime ministerial power over state enterprises is a major constitutional and accountability story with ongoing legislative stakes.

2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Public enterprises bill divides opposition and Swapo in parliament

    Opposition and Swapo lawmakers are divided over a governance amendment bill that would grant the prime minister authority to oversee state-owned enterprises and appoint board members in consultation with line ministers. Critics argue it concentrates political power and weakens accountability, while supporters say it clarifies reporting structures and improves coordination.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Government pursues land reform to address colonial imbalances

    The minister of agriculture says the government is instituting land reform through key policies and laws to address historical injustices that have deprived many Namibians of access to productive land and economic opportunities. The Land Reform Advisory Commission, which advises on the acquisition, allocation and administration of commercial agricultural land, has received new members who will serve for three years.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. New Land Reform Advisory Commission appointed in Namibia

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has appointed a new Land Reform Advisory Commission to address historical land inequalities and redistribute commercial agricultural land. The new commission began its term on 1 May 2026 and will serve until 30 April 2029.

    21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Oshana governor urges youth to lead region's agricultural production

    Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has called on young people in the region to take the lead in agriculture and reduce dependence on food imports, citing rising food prices and unemployment. Deputy minister of agriculture Ruthy Masake urged youth to move beyond subsistence farming, adopt modern methods, and explore opportunities in fish farming and improved mahangu and legume production.

    6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Livestock sector generates N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange

    Namibia's livestock sector generated over N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025 and contributed 3.5% to GDP, supporting over 45,000 direct jobs and sustaining approximately 70% of the population's livelihoods. The sector maintains unique concurrent export access to the USA, China, Norway, and the EU.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Namibia's livestock sector generates N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange

    Namibia's livestock sector generated over N$2.1 billion in foreign exchange in 2025 and contributed 3.5% to GDP, supporting over 45,000 direct jobs in primary production and 12,000 technical roles in export and processing, according to Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani. The sector sustains livelihoods for approximately 70% of Namibians and Namibia remains the only African country with concurrent export access to the US, China, Norway, and the EU.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Namibia hosts continental workshop on African agricultural development framework

    Namibia is hosting a Continental Technical Workshop on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Results Framework and Biennial Review Indicators in Windhoek, bringing together African Union Commission delegates, regional experts, and development partners. Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake highlighted the workshop's role in refining mechanisms to track agricultural progress, promote accountability, and foster peer learning toward food security and sustainable development across the continent.

    24 March 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 14 March

  1. 40% of Namibian households lack basic toilet facilities

    Deputy Minister Ruth Masake says sanitation remains a national crisis despite progress in water access, with about 40% of households lacking toilets and often practising open defecation. She noted that 91.4% of Namibians now have access to safe drinking water, but called for increased investment and coordinated efforts to address sanitation challenges and gender disparities in water access.

    14 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 27 February

  1. Deputy minister cites salmon industry potential for economic growth

    The deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform says the salmon industry presents an opportunity for economic transformation through value chain development, which could stimulate foreign investment, strengthen agro-processing and cold-chain infrastructure, increase export revenues, and create employment. She cited Namibia's cold Benguela current, stable governance, and investor-friendly policies as competitive advantages, and noted that aquaculture is becoming a sustainable solution to global seafood demand amid climate change and overfishing pressures.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia pursues large-scale salmon farming for economic growth

    Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ruthy Masake has highlighted industrial salmon farming as a way to expand Namibia's aquaculture sector into a high-value export industry, create skilled employment, and support related industries such as manufacturing and feed production. She emphasised the need to shift from traditional fishing to sustainable farming as a response to climate change and overfishing pressures on wild fish stocks.

    27 February 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 26 February

  1. Namibia launches Africa's first salmon farming industry

    Namibia is set to pioneer Africa's first salmon farming industry with a N$41 million aquaculture farm at Lüderitz, backed by Norwegian company African Aquaculture Company. The project aims to produce 1,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually in its first phase, scaling to 51,000 tonnes, while creating over 5,000 jobs and positioning Namibia as a leader in sustainable blue economy development.

    26 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 22 February

  1. EU donates nine vehicles to support Namibian communal farmers

    The Ministry of Agriculture has received nine EU-funded vehicles—eight Land Cruisers and one truck, valued at N$10 million—to strengthen livestock value chains in the Northern Communal Areas. The vehicles, including two mobile veterinary clinics, aim to improve animal health monitoring, combat Foot and Mouth Disease, and enhance market access for communal farmers.

    22 February 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 February

  1. EU donates vehicles to boost livestock health in north

    The European Union has donated nine vehicles valued at N$10 million to Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, including eight Land Cruiser bakkies and two mobile veterinary clinics, to strengthen animal health surveillance and disease control in the Northern Communal Areas. The fleet will support efforts to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease, improve traceability, and help farmers meet export standards.

    20 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 15 February

  1. Kavango West governor pushes year-round food production expansion

    Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo met with the agriculture ministry to advocate for year-round food production, calling for aggregation, value addition, and commercial agricultural development to replace subsistence farming and address food insecurity. Deputy minister Ruthy Masake urged young people and cooperatives to leverage the region's water and fertile soil through irrigation, aquaculture, and agro-processing rather than working in isolation.

    15 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 February

  1. Swapo MPs defend oil and gas bill's local content focus

    Swapo members of parliament have defended the petroleum bill, arguing it ensures resource benefits contribute to inclusive economic growth and long-term national capacity through local content, skills development, and environmental protection. An IPC opposition MP questioned whether proposed penalties for conflict-of-interest violations are adequate for a billion-dollar industry.

    13 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

  1. Deputy minister urges youth toward modern, value-driven agriculture

    Deputy agriculture minister Ruthy Masake told young Namibians at an Oniipa engagement that the future of agriculture rests in their hands, urging them to embrace modern farming practices and access low-interest loans through the National Youth Development Fund launched in September 2025. Legislator Willem Amutenya stressed the need to commercialise production on communal land and secure reliable markets for northern region produce.

    26 January 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 24 January

  1. Deputy Minister urges Oshikoto youth to pursue agricultural opportunities

    Namibia's Deputy Minister of Agriculture has encouraged young people in Oshikoto Region to engage in farming and livestock enterprises, highlighting the region's fertile soils, rainfall, and labour advantages. She detailed government support mechanisms including the National Youth Development Fund, which offers collateral-free loans at 2–4% interest for agricultural ventures targeting youth aged 18–45, along with backing from the Development Bank of Namibia and Agribank.

    24 January 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Deputy minister urges Zambezi youth to lead agricultural transformation

    Deputy Agriculture Minister Ruth Masake called on young people in the Zambezi region to become partners, producers, and leaders in Namibia's economic transformation through agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources, which have been prioritised under the Sixth National Development Plan for job creation and export growth. She highlighted available support including the National Youth Development Fund and financing options from the Development Bank of Namibia and Agribank, and described the region's strategic advantages in water resources, fertile land, and cross-border markets.

    15 January 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 14 January

  1. Ministry deploys reinforcement teams to control Zambezi locust outbreak

    The Ministry of Agriculture has reinforced locust control operations in Zambezi Region with response teams from six other regions, bringing extra vehicles and equipment. Control measures include surveillance, ground spraying at breeding sites, and farmer awareness initiatives, with four operational teams now deployed.

    14 January 2026 · Informanté →

Ruthy Masake — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute