Also known as: minister Sanet Steenkamp · Minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp · Minister Steenkamp · Dr. Sanet L. Steenkamp · Minister of Education Sanet Steenkamp · Education minister Sanet Steenkamp · Sport minister Sanet Steenkamp · Dr Steenkamp · Dr Sanet Steenkamp
Sanet Steenkamp — Education Minister handling school infrastructure, ancestral remains repatriation, and digital learning platforms.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
Sanet Steenkamp took up political office as education minister
“Sanet Steenkamp, the career educator and administrator, who last year took up political office as education minister, knows no limits in her pursuit for excellence, personally and professionally.”
Honouring Dr SteenkampThe Namibian
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp put on hold doctoral studies during Covid-19 pandemic
“Education minister Sanet Steenkamp says she had to put her doctoral studies on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the pressure of leading the country's education response at the time.”
Minister Steenkamp’s PhD: Balancing national duty, Covid-19 and academic excellence in educationThe Namibian
Steenkamp obtained doctorate in education from Rhodes University in 2025
“She obtained her doctorate in education from Rhodes University in South Africa in 2025.”
Minister Steenkamp’s PhD: Balancing national duty, Covid-19 and academic excellence in educationNew Era
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the recognition affirms progress in strengthening Namibia's higher education system
“Reacting to the achievement, education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the recognition affirms progress in strengthening Namibia's higher education system and reflects the university's growing credibility on the continental stage.”
Unam 31st in sub–Saharan rankingsNew Era
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced submission of nomination dossier to UNESCO for Brandberg world heritage status
“Rudolf Gaiseb Education minister Sanet Steenkamp this week announced the submission of a nomination dossier to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for the Dâures/Brandberg national monument to become recognised as a world heritage site.”
Brandberg’s Unesco heritage application submittedInformanté
Sanet Steenkamp leads education agencies improving coordination and system integration
“Witbooi also underscored the Council's collaborative role with key statutory bodies and commended education agencies under the leadership of Sanet Steenkamp for improving coordination and system integration across the sector.”
NCHE turns 20, inaugurates new headquartersThe Namibian
Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the recognition reflects progress in strengthening Namibia's higher education system
“Minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp says the recognition reflects progress in strengthening Namibia's higher education system and enhances the credibility of the country's public universities on the continental stage.”
Unam and Nust ranked among top 50 universities in sub-Saharan AfricaNew Era
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the Fiedlers directly contributed 95% of approximately N$65 million invested in schools
“Education minister Sanet Steenkamp, who spoke on the sidelines of the courtesy visit at State House on Wednesday, said the Fiedlers directly contributed 95% of the approximately N$65 million invested in schools and have also mobilised additional donations from other sources.”
Fiedler pumps N$65m into Namibian schoolsThe Namibian
Minister Sanet Steenkamp described school dropout levels as deeply concerning.
“Speaking at the 2026 Otjozondjupa Regional Education Stakeholders' Conference and Academic Year launch late last week, education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture minister Sanet Steenkamp described the school dropout levels as deeply concerning.”
Otjozondjupa dropouts hit 789 as Steenkamp flags pregnancies, migration and retention crisisThe Namibian
Minister Sanet Steenkamp questioned the collective responsibility of schools, parents and communities in addressing the crisis.
“She further questioned the collective responsibility of schools, parents and communities in addressing the crisis.”
Otjozondjupa dropouts hit 789 as Steenkamp flags pregnancies, migration and retention crisisPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged young women in the Olufuko initiation programme to pursue their education alongside their cultural participation, saying Namibia must modernise without losing its cultural identity. According to the education minister, 121 young women participated this year, with 26 returning to holiday school and 95 remaining at the festival.
31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged young women in the Olufuko initiation programme to pursue their education alongside their cultural participation, saying Namibia must modernise without losing its cultural identity. According to the education minister, 121 young women participated this year, with 26 returning to holiday school and 95 remaining at the festival.
31 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo honoured Cornelius Shimwaafeni (16) at the 15th Olufuko Annual Festival for saving twins from drowning in a pond at Omutundungu village in May. Shimwaafeni was conferred a hero by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Heroes Day and received a medal and N$200,000 from the government.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the completion of a 12-year process to bring liberation struggle heroes home, with the remains of six reinterred at Heroes' Acre on Monday and symbolic graves established for two others whose remains remain missing.
25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The remains of liberation struggle veterans were officially reburied at Heroes' Acre following exhumations across Namibia and repatriations from South Africa. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described the ceremony as an act of national remembrance and restorative justice, correcting historical wrongs and honouring those who sacrificed in the struggle.
24 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia received the mortal remains of liberation struggle heroes Simon Petrus Niilenge and Festus Nehale, both former Robben Island political prisoners, along with 84 ancestral human remains repatriated from South Africa. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described the ceremony at Hosea Kutako International Airport as the restoration of dignity, identity and belonging.
24 August 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has received the remains of 86 Namibians from South Africa, comprising 84 ancestral human remains and the mortal remains of liberation heroes Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge. The repatriation, following a solemn ceremony in Cape Town, has been described by the government as a historic act of restoration, dignity and national healing.
24 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister Sanet Steenkamp apologised for delays in returning Namibian ancestral and mortal remains from South Africa, citing circumstances beyond the ministry's control that affected flight arrangements. Namibia received the remains of two former political prisoners and the ancestral remains of 84 people, along with casts and cultural heritage materials.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Communication Technology signed an MoU to develop Namibia's film and creative sector through the Namibia Content Creation Plan, which includes funding for a National Soap Opera, a television series, and regional short films, with N$17.5 million allocated for these productions and an estimated 470 direct employment opportunities.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses criticised senior education officials, regional leaders, and the Erongo Regional Council chairperson for skipping the opening of the Erongo Arts and Culture Regional Festival 2026 in Karibib, and said she has expressed her disappointment to education minister Sanet Steenkamp, demanding an explanation for their no-shows.
20 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The government plans to create more than 470 direct employment opportunities in the creative industry through a Local Content Plan rolled out by the Namibia Film Commission, funded by N$17.5 million as part of a broader N$50 million allocation to creative industries programmes.
19 August 2026 · New Era →
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said no further Covid-19 cases have been reported at Delta Primary School hostel in Windhoek following a positive case involving a hostel caretaker, who is recovering well. The ministry has followed its standard operating procedures, including separation of children and disinfection of premises, with pupils expected to remain away until 7 September.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's government has formalised a N$17.5 million Local Content Plan expected to create approximately 470 direct jobs and support film production across all 14 regions through a memorandum of understanding between the ministries of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture and information and communication technology. The funding will finance a national soap opera, two limited television series, 14 regional short films, and a film production equipment access programme, as part of a broader N$50 million government allocation to creative industries programmes.
18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has called for a realignment of Hardap region's education strategy, emphasising foundational learning in earlier stages, teacher accountability, and infrastructure maintenance, arguing that the education system has traditionally focused too heavily on senior secondary grades.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Learning Passport, launched by the ministry of education in partnership with UNICEF, provides digital and offline access to learning materials for young people in rural and underserved communities to develop skills relevant to education, employment and entrepreneurship.
15 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
During International Youth Day commemorations in Keetmanshoop, youth leaders called on young people to take active roles in shaping their communities and preparing for opportunities in technology, innovation and new industries. Officials emphasised that youth outside major centres should have access to platforms for participating in Namibia's development.
15 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology will inject N$2.5 million into research projects in the Zambezi region this financial year, with plans advancing for a National Science, Technology and Innovation Park at Liselo on land allocated by the Mafwe Traditional Authority. The funding will support expansion of previously funded projects focused on food security, with the park intended to give researchers, students and local innovators access to facilities for practical solutions.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Education, in partnership with UNICEF, has officially launched the Namibia Learning Passport, a digital learning platform aimed at expanding access to educational resources, particularly for young people in rural, remote and underserved communities with limited connectivity.
13 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Education Minister inaugurated three new schools in Kunene Region and upgraded nine others with additional classrooms, ablution facilities and infrastructure at a total cost of N$70,061,531.64. The new schools include Outjo Project Primary and Secondary Schools and Okapundja Primary School, each equipped with various facilities including computer and science laboratories.
12 August 2026 · Informanté →
The remains of Festus Nehale and Simon Petrus Niilenge, former Robben Island political prisoners, are set to be exhumed in Cape Town this week, more than 50 years after their deaths. They are among 84 other Namibian human remains identified in South Africa for repatriation to Namibia, with South Africa's sport minister formally handing them over to Namibia's education minister.
11 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Government has invested more than N$70 million in new and upgraded schools in Kunene, with education minister Sanet Steenkamp stating the investment must translate into stronger academic results.
11 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) have been revived and will hold their ceremony on 13 March 2027, with submissions open from 10 August to 11 September. Minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp announced the government's N$10 million pledge toward the awards.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Twenty-eight Namibian artists and creative practitioners received more than N$1.25 million through the National Arts Fund to support projects in music, visual arts, theatre and film. The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture announced the grants, which the government described as investments in creativity, cultural heritage and economic opportunities for Namibian artists.
6 August 2026 · Informanté →
Swapo MP Willem Amutenya has urged the education minister to review the National Youth Service's admission requirements, arguing that the academic threshold and age limit (16–30) exclude disadvantaged youth the programme was intended to assist, and calls for broadened access.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Sport Commission has announced the temporary appointment of Alfeus Benjamin as a board member and chairperson, effective 28 July until 31 December, to ensure continuity of governance after five board members' terms expired on 30 June. Benjamin, formerly chief executive of the Municipality of Swakopmund, brings executive leadership experience and expertise in strategic management and policy implementation.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A 27-year-old Namibian man shares his story of vaping addiction that began during Covid-19 lockdown and progressed to repeated hospital admissions and a serious lung condition, despite warnings from doctors about the dangers, particularly given his pre-existing asthma.
31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian College of Open Learning says it cannot offer free tuition for Grade 11 and 12 improvement courses under its current funding model, but remains committed to supporting financially disadvantaged learners through scholarships and other affordability measures in response to concerns from orphans and vulnerable groups.
29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Parents in Kavango East have questioned schools requesting contributions for holiday classes despite government funding such programmes. Education minister says government covers core costs, but parents may voluntarily contribute to specific expenses, though a community activist warns the practice excludes poor pupils and exploits uninformed families.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education is reviewing school safety policies and using the gazette process to formally prohibit vaping and other items in schools, responding to increasing reports of learners using vaping products.
27 July 2026 · New Era →
The Affirmative Repositioning student command has criticised the government's decision not to subsidise learners rewriting Grade 11 and 12 subjects at Namcol or other institutions, arguing that the move contradicts the constitutional right to education. The ministry has ruled out extending financial assistance to such learners, citing financial unsustainability and the measure's failure to improve academic outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The 22nd Namibia Annual Sport Awards has launched nominations until 31 August, featuring realigned categories and safeguarding rules. Deputy director of sport Irvine Ndjavera called on federation administrators to act as gatekeepers of sporting talent and ensure excellence is identified and nominated.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →