Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Sophia Shaningwa

Also known as: Shaningwa · Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa · Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa

Swapo secretary general who has ordered eviction of refugee campers and directs party leadership compliance with dual-role restrictions.

Politics

Swapo officials defy party directive to quit dual leadership roles

The News

Some Swapo members holding full-time government positions as councillors, governors and ministers are allegedly refusing to vacate their party leadership posts, defying a February directive by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa requiring them to step down to prevent leadership vacuums and operational paralysis. Those refusing include Khomas governor Sam Nujoma (SPYL regional coordinator), Emma Muteka (SPYL district secretary), and Minister Indileni Daniel (party women's council coordinator), though some members have complied with the order.

18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Swapo officials defy party directive to quit dual leadership roles

    Some Swapo members holding full-time government positions as councillors, governors and ministers are allegedly refusing to vacate their party leadership posts, defying a February directive by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa requiring them to step down to prevent leadership vacuums and operational paralysis. Those refusing include Khomas governor Sam Nujoma (SPYL regional coordinator), Emma Muteka (SPYL district secretary), and Minister Indileni Daniel (party women's council coordinator), though some members have complied with the order.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Namibian editorial condemns parliamentary racial remarks, inaction

    The Namibian editorial criticizes NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu for making racial remarks in parliament, calling such divisive statements inappropriate and unworthy of lawmakers sworn to uphold the Constitution. The piece also faults parliament's poor legislative record and calls for accountability, noting that no non-budget law has passed since members were sworn in last year.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Swapo condemns US-Israeli strikes, Namibia expresses grave concern

    Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa met with Iran's ambassador to Namibia and condemned the US-backed Israeli military operation against Iran. Namibia's government also issued a statement expressing grave concern about the escalation in the Middle East, citing risks to international peace and security.

    5 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Swapo reaffirms solidarity with Iran, condemns attack on Khamenei

    Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa met with Iran's ambassador to Namibia to reaffirm ties between the two countries and extended condolences following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February, which she described as "unjustified aggression and an illegal military operation."

    5 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Opposition leader alleges presidential family controls petroleum value chain

    Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    Liberation hero and former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials in attendance. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a courageous cadre who served the nation with selfless dedication.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 February

  1. Liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina, aged 78, was buried at the Eenhana memorial shrine on Saturday after passing away on 8 February. Political leaders praised him as a disciplined, loyal servant of Namibia who served in government from 1997 to 2020.

    23 February 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Namibia remembers liberation hero Erkki Nghimtina

    Former President Nangolo Mbumba and SWAPO Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa paid tribute to late freedom fighter Erkki Nghimtina at his military memorial service in Omahenge, describing him as a hero who carried the burden of the struggle without wavering. Nghimtina died on 8 February, a month that has seen the deaths of several prominent Namibian figures including Founding President Sam Nujoma and President Hage Geingob in previous years.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 15 February

  1. Nida partners with Ghanaian firm for N$4-billion Lüderitz oil port

    The Namibia Industrial Development Agency is partnering with Ghanaian businessman Jory Adu-Boahene to develop a N$4-billion oil and gas supply base in Lüderitz Bay, with Nida claiming a 51% stake. The project, which involves Swapo-linked businessman Josef Andreas, has resurfaced after a previous tender process was cancelled amid disagreements over governance and structure.

    15 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Swapo president demands delivery and discipline from lawmakers

    Swapo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told party lawmakers at an induction workshop that discipline, coordination, and service delivery must define their work, warning that public trust depends on visible improvements in people's lives. She stressed that Swapo's electoral dominance brings responsibility to deliver on its manifesto and the Sixth National Development Plan.

    5 February 2026 · New Era →

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