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
Education Minister who told Parliament the ministry will investigate UNAM if a formal complaint is submitted, and is addressing school capacity and water provision challenges.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp encouraged trainees to remain committed and complete courses
“Also speaking at the opening, education minister Sanet Steenkamp encouraged the trainees to remain committed and work hard to complete their courses.”
//Kharas embraces N$127m VTCInformanté
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp officially launched the Namibia Qualifications Authority's Evaluation Automation System
“THE Education Minister, Sanet Steenkamp, has officially launched the Namibia Qualifications Authority's Evaluation Automation System, marking the Authority's transition from a manual evaluation system to an automated one.”
NQA launches online platform for qualification evaluationsThe Namibian
Sanet Steenkamp congratulated children for completing the programme
“In her keynote speech, minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp congratulated the children for completing the programme and commended their courage and determination.”
Gender ministry rehabilitates 75 childrenThe Namibian
Sanet Steenkamp confronted Kandorozu in heated exchange over the remark
“The remark angered Steenkamp, who confronted him in a heated exchange and asked him, "How dare you?"”
Kandorozu apologises to Steenkamp for ‘Namibians don’t look like that’ remarkThe Namibian
Sanet Steenkamp described Kandorozu's remarks as unacceptable in an independent country
“minister of education innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp describing them as unacceptable in an independent country, especially by a lawmaker.”
Kandorozu and Ballotti smoke the peace pipeThe Namibian
Arts minister Sanet Steenkamp said industry stakeholder engagement session is set to take place before budget can be drawn
“Arts minister Sanet Steenkamp yesterday said an industry stakeholder engagement session is set to take place before a budget can be drawn to make the NAMAs comeback a bigger event in the music industry.”
Arts ministry seeks industry input to resurrect NAMAsThe Namibian
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced the integration of NSFAF into the ministry
“Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced the development during an address to Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) employees at the fund's auditorium in Windhoek.”
NSFAF formally integrated into education ministry structureThe Namibian
Steenkamp acknowledged that the transition has created uncertainty among employees regarding remuneration and job security
“Steenkamp acknowledges that the transition has created uncertainty among employees, particularly regarding remuneration and job security.”
NSFAF formally integrated into education ministry structureInformanté
Sanet Steenkamp acknowledged that NSFAF integration into Ministry has raised staff concerns about remuneration
“THE Education Minister, Sanet Steenkamp, has acknowledged that the integration of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) into the Ministry of Education has raised staff concerns, particularly regarding remuneration, but assured that these concerns are being taken seriously.”
Education minister addresses staff concerns amid NSFAF integrationInformanté
Sanet Steenkamp stated that NSFAF integration aimed to strengthen governance and improve national education alignment
“According to her, the aim was to strengthen governance, improve alignment with national education and skills development priorities, and enhance long‑term sustainability.”
Education minister addresses staff concerns amid NSFAF integrationThe 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 →
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 →
Namibia will send 17 young competitors to the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September 2026, competing in 16 vocational and technical skill categories as part of benchmarking the country's TVET against global standards. The biennial event will bring together about 1,400 competitors from more than 70 countries in 64 disciplines.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Seventeen young Namibians will represent the country in 16 vocational and technical skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China, from 22 to 27 September 2026. The Namibia Training Authority and WorldSkills Namibia announced the participation to coincide with World Youth Skills Day, with Namibia's team competing in fields including mechatronics, welding, plumbing, web technologies, and cooking among others.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Chinese investors to partner with Namibia in building processing industries and creating jobs, saying the country must move beyond exporting raw minerals towards investment, industrialisation, manufacturing and technology transfer. She said Namibia's mineral deposits including uranium, diamonds, lithium, copper and rare earth minerals must be used to create greater economic benefits for Namibians.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibia Sports Commission faces uncertainty after four commissioners' contracts expired on 30 June, creating questions about the legality of the board's authority and control of banking systems. The remaining five active board members, whose terms expire in December, now lead the commission while authorities await clarification on new appointments.
9 July 2026 · New Era →
Capricorn Foundation has committed N$5 million to support early childhood development over the next three years through a partnership led by the Ministry of Education and the Education Outcomes Fund, with the programme expected to reach more than 2,500 children by its launch in 2027 using an outcomes-based financing model.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The agriculture ministry spokesperson said that the ministry does not decide which schools receive boreholes; that selection rests with the education ministry, which funds the programme while agriculture provides technical support during implementation.
6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp told Parliament that the ministry has not been made aware of maladministration, corruption or recruitment irregularities at UNAM, but will investigate should a formal complaint supported by evidence be submitted. Steenkamp distinguished between interference and intervention, noting that UNAM has its own council and senate.
3 July 2026 · Informanté →
Origo Primary School's vegetable garden supplies fresh produce for about 150 vulnerable learners daily while teaching agricultural, entrepreneurial and life skills, having expanded from one greenhouse established in 2023 to two production sites.
1 July 2026 · New Era →
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp said the Ministry is not yet in a placement phase in the Erongo Region and is working on improved strategies to decongest schools in five regions, including building new schools in Henties, Walvis Bay, and the DRC. She noted that Erongo Region needs at least three schools built per year as approximately 2,000 learners arrive in the region annually.
1 July 2026 · Informanté →
Minister of education Sanet Steenkamp says water provision to schools is primarily a rural development responsibility for regional councils, though her ministry has intervened by drilling boreholes, connecting schools to community infrastructure, and deploying water tankers in regions like Oshikoto.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Overcrowded classrooms and rising demand for pre-primary placements are straining public schools, with some schools accommodating around 45 pupils when the recommended ratio is 35 pupils per teacher. The education directorate in Erongo region has temporarily suspended new pupil enrolments at public primary schools in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The grave of six-year-old Roswinds Fabianu, who was murdered in Okahandja in April 2025, was vandalized on the death anniversary when unidentified people allegedly burned a snake on her tombstone, scorching it and devastating the family.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Four members of the National Youth Council board, including interim executive chairperson Patience Masua, have left office after their initial terms concluded on 30 June. Four other board members remain, while the council's leadership transition remains uncertain following the postponement of a general assembly in Swakopmund.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A Swapo Party Youth League central committee member has requested an urgent extraordinary meeting to address public claims linking SPYL members and senior party leaders to the disruption of the National Youth Council general assembly that was cancelled in Swakopmund last week.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has cautioned that the National Youth Council should not be used as a stepping stone to political stardom, but instead serve as a platform for youth empowerment and nation-building. His warning follows a chaotic elective assembly over the weekend that descended into violence, injuring nine delegates and forcing the ministry to halt proceedings indefinitely.
23 June 2026 · New Era →
The state-funded National Youth Council's general assembly in Swakopmund was postponed after violence erupted during the election of a new executive chairperson, injuring nine delegates. The education minister condemned the incident as "unacceptable, unruly conduct and violence," and critics are calling for the institution to be dismantled.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Five National Youth Council members opened common assault cases at Mondesa Police Station after being assaulted during a chaotic display on Sunday night in Swakopmund. The general assembly to elect a new NYC executive chairperson has been postponed by the Minister of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture due to the electoral committee's resignation citing safety concerns.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A National Youth Council elective general assembly that began Friday descended into chaos on Saturday, injuring nine delegates and prompting education minister Sanet Steenkamp to postpone the assembly indefinitely. The disruption involved disputes over the electoral process, with disagreements over delegate allocations and factional tensions.
22 June 2026 · New Era →
The National Youth Council's general assembly in Swakopmund descended into violence on Saturday, injuring nine delegates and forcing the electoral committee to resign over safety concerns. The suspended election process, marred by allegations of political interference and back-door deals, has wasted an estimated N$2 million in public funds.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Youth Council's elective congress reportedly descended into chaos, intimidation, and alleged physical altercations, with more than N$2 million spent on the event. The Windhoek Observer editorial characterizes the proceedings as unbecoming of an institution representing Namibia's youth aspirations.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Violent clashes at National Youth Council leadership elections in Swakopmund on Saturday left nine young people injured and forced the suspension of the election. The violence, which broke out over disputes regarding delegate verification and the electoral process, prompted the resignation of the electoral committee and an estimated N$2 million in wasted public funds spent on transportation, accommodation, meals, and venue costs.
22 June 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The education ministry postponed the National Youth Council's general assembly after violent disruption at a Swakopmund event injured nine delegates and prompted the electoral committee's resignation. The minister says unresolved concerns over delegate verification and compliance must be addressed before the assembly can resume.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Nine delegates were injured during violent disruptions at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday, prompting the Electoral Committee to resign and the Ministry of Education to postpone proceedings citing safety and order concerns.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Education indefinitely postponed the National Youth Council general assembly in Swakopmund following an outbreak of violence on Saturday that injured nine delegates. The Electoral Committee has resigned citing safety concerns, and the ministry has received petitions from affiliates raising compliance and verification issues; Youth Minister Steenkamp says the interim board will address outstanding matters and communicate next steps.
21 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Minister Sanet Steenkamp halted proceedings at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday night after tensions over delegate accreditation and election timing escalated into disorder, forcing postponement of the leadership vote scheduled to elect a new executive chairperson and board for four years.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has officially appointed the members of the Boxing and Wrestling Control Board for a three-year term, mandated to oversee development, promotion and regulation of boxing and wrestling in Namibia. The Board is chaired by Ronald Patrick Kurtz and includes Dr Naftal Natanael, Anita Tjombe Gawanas, Monalisa Molebugi and Kaura Tjimuine.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
The National Youth Council held a General Assembly in Swakopmund to elect new leadership following nine months of governance reforms under an Interim Board. Minister Dr Sanet Steenkamp said the assembly marks the final step in restoring the council's democratic foundations after a period of instability and compliance shortcomings.
20 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Ministry of Education has urged parents not to camp outside schools to secure admission for 2027, clarifying that the admission process is not based on first-come, first-served. The ministry stressed that no parent is required to sleep outside school gates, and that admissions are guided by the Constitution, the Education Act 2020, and Circular 3 of 2026.
19 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah marked the Day of the African Child by honouring children killed in the 1976 Soweto Uprising and calling for greater investment in protecting and empowering African children, noting that their sacrifice helped secure freedoms many African children enjoy today.
17 June 2026 · New Era →