Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Place

Swakopmund

2018-02-092026-07-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. NYC general assembly postponed after violent disruption

    1. Windhoek Observer

      Renthia Kaimbi Competing narratives have emerged from the National Youth Council’s (NYC) general assembly that descended into chaos on Saturday in Swakopmund, suggesting back-door deals and lawful processes under threat from political interference.

      NYC blows N$2 million on violence and chaos …factions trade accusations as allegations of fixing and dirty politics emerge
    2. The Namibian

      Swakopmund, Erongo Region. 19 June 2026.

      Vice President Lucia Witbooi Opens National Youth Council General Assembly
  3. Namibian Sun

    The violent clashes that left nine young people injured and forced the suspension of National Youth Council (NYC) leadership elections on Saturday at Swakopmund may have wasted about N$2 million in taxpayers' money.The violence broke out following disputes over delegate verificat

    Youth council weekend violence wastes N$2m, leaves 9 injured
  4. Informanté

    Staff Reporter THE National Youth Council (NYC) General Assembly in Swakopmund has been postponed after violent disruptions left nine delegates injured, prompted the resignation of the Electoral Committee, and raised concerns over the credibility of the election process.

    Nine injured as youth vote halted
  5. Delegate list row disrupts National Youth Council elections

    1. Windhoek Observer

      The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has confirmed the indefinite postponement of the National Youth Council general assembly in Swakopmund following an outbreak of violence on Saturday.

      NYC general assembly postponed after violence…as electoral committee resigns
    2. Informanté

      Staff Reporter MINISTER Sanet Steenkamp suspended proceedings at the National Youth Council (NYC) General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday night after tensions over delegate accreditation and the timing of elections escalated into disorder, forcing the postponement of the leade

      Tensions delay youth council leadership elections
  6. The Namibian

    First, treat Windhoek’s infrastructure as a national priority.Central government must ring-fence funding for bulk infrastructure: land servicing, housing, roads, water, and sewer.Today Windhoek is classed as a Part One municipality, as are Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and receives

    Windhoek ‘On the Edge’: Who Will Pay for the City We All Migrate To?
  7. Delegate list row disrupts National Youth Council elections

    1. Informanté

      Speaking at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dr Sanet Steenkamp, said the assembly marked an important milestone in the council’s recovery after months of governance and operational chal

      National Youth Council General Assembly marks progress after governance reforms
    2. Informanté

      Speaking at the official opening of the third General Assembly of the National Youth Council of Namibia in Swakopmund on Friday, Witbooi said young people are key drivers of innovation, economic growth and social transformation.

      Witbooi urges youth to seize opportunities as NYC elects new leadership
    3. The Namibian

      Tensions erupted at the National Youth Council’s general assembly on Saturday amid allegations that several delegates were omitted from the voters’ list ahead of the council’s elections at Swakopmund.

      Delegate list dispute rocks NYC elections
Business

Information Ministry, Swakop Uranium discuss digital partnership

The News

Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Swakop Uranium have agreed to explore partnerships to advance digital development, focusing on expanding connectivity, improving infrastructure, and promoting digital inclusion. The discussions highlight the government's challenges in deploying telecommunications infrastructure in areas without reliable electricity supply.

9 hours ago · Informanté

Yesterday

  1. Information Ministry, Swakop Uranium discuss digital partnership

    Namibia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and Swakop Uranium have agreed to explore partnerships to advance digital development, focusing on expanding connectivity, improving infrastructure, and promoting digital inclusion. The discussions highlight the government's challenges in deploying telecommunications infrastructure in areas without reliable electricity supply.

    9 hours ago · Informanté

  2. GIPF chief urges rural water access before AI investment

    The Chief Operations Officer of the Government Institutions Pension Fund emphasized that basic water provision in rural areas should take priority before investing in artificial intelligence for water management. He argued that foundational infrastructure like rainwater harvesting and earth dams should be established first, noting that current AI technologies for water systems are primarily available in urban areas while rural communities lack basic access.

    11 hours ago · Informanté

  3. Police seek public help to locate missing 43-year-old man

    Namibian Police are appealing for help finding Leonard Itete Keib, 43, who went missing from Mondesa on Saturday 19 July. He was last seen at Swakopmund State Hospital at around 18h00 wearing a black jacket with red stripes and black track pants with white stripes.

    15 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

  4. Namibia selected to host Global Water Partnership headquarters

    Namibia has been chosen to host the headquarters of the inter-continental Global Water Partnership Organisation after an 18-month competitive selection process. The country's water management expertise, political stability, infrastructure, and decades of experience managing water in one of the world's driest regions set it apart, with the relocation from Stockholm to Windhoek positioning Namibia as a global centre for water dialogue, innovation and knowledge sharing.

    15 hours ago · The Namibian

  5. Government allocates N$10 million for rural Food/Cash for Work Programme

    The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned regional councils to improve project implementation and service delivery while announcing a N$10 million allocation for the Food/Cash for Work Programme to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households and strengthen rural resilience. According to the deputy minister, 50.5% of Namibia's population lives in rural areas, and while some regional councils have made progress, others struggle with poor implementation.

    17 hours ago · Informanté

  6. Namibian swimmers prepared to compete for medals at Commonwealth Games

    National swimming coach Jean-Michael Leitner says the Namibian swimmers selected for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have earned their places through hard work and consistent results, and believes they are capable of reaching finals and competing for medals if they deliver their best performances.

    20 hours ago · The Namibian

  7. Nangolo faces Lameck for national bantamweight boxing title

    Joy Nangolo will headline the 'Local is Lekker' Boxing Bonanza this Friday at Swakopmund's Multipurpose Centre, facing Fabian Lameck in the main bout for the national bantamweight title. The event will feature nine all-local bouts and fighters from five regions.

    20 hours ago · New Era

  8. Ministry allocates N$10m for cash-for-work programme

    The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has allocated N$10 million towards a Food/Cash-for-Work Programme for the current financial year to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households and create community assets, in response to Namibia's unemployment rate of 36.9% and youth unemployment of 44.1%.

    20 hours ago · New Era

  9. Swakopmund hosts all-Namibian boxing title fights

    Two national title fights will take place at Swakopmund on Friday night. In the main bout, Joiy Nangolo will defend his national bantamweight title against Fabian Lameck over 10 rounds, while Fredrick Nghutenanye takes on Paulus Shonena for the vacant national junior lightweight title.

    23 hours ago · The Namibian

  10. NamWater defends unchanged tariffs since 2019 amid affordability concerns

    NamWater defended its pricing model, stating that its tariffs have remained unchanged since 2019 despite rising operational costs, and argued that increases on household municipal accounts are largely the responsibility of local authorities rather than the state-owned utility. The corporation warned that supplying water below cost indefinitely would threaten its financial sustainability.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  11. Namibia's housing deficit reaches 300,000 units amid urbanisation

    Namibia's housing shortage has grown to approximately 300,000 units from about 80,000 in 2007, with rapid urbanisation and rising construction costs straining supply. Windhoek's population expands at 3.1% annually while informal settlements grow at 6.1%, with approximately 11,000 new informal dwellings added yearly against formal housing demand of 15,000 units annually.

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

  12. 064 Motorcycle Club donates food to elderly and children's home

    The 064 Motorcycle Club delivered food parcels to 10 elderly residents in Arandis and donated groceries and essential items to Tears of Hope Children's Home in Mondesa, Swakopmund, recognising the mobility challenges faced by vulnerable community members.

    22 July 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Police seek help locating missing 21-year-old Windhoek man

    The Namibian Police Force is seeking public assistance to locate 21-year-old Erick Tueya Delton Chipawa, reported missing from Windhoek after failing to arrive as expected. Chipawa was last known to be in Swakopmund on 7 July 2026, where he told his brother via SMS he would travel to Windhoek the next day but has not been seen since.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté

  2. Namibian Navy recruits at Erongo career fair

    The Namibian Navy engaged approximately 3,000 learners from Erongo schools at the Erongo Annual Career Fair in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund from 13–17 July 2026, presenting recruitment pathways, training programmes, and career opportunities in maritime defence.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté

  3. NamWater says tariffs unchanged since 2019 despite rising costs

    NamWater's Head of Public Relations argued the corporation has been considerate with water pricing, noting that tariffs have not been adjusted for more than five years despite operating on 2019 costs, while acknowledging the corporation has applied for tariff adjustments.

    21 July 2026 · Informanté

  4. Erongo restarts school admissions applications for 2027

    The Erongo Directorate of Education has relaunched applications for 2027 pre-primary and Grade 1 admissions after suspending the initial registration process to assess school infrastructure and develop a fairer placement strategy. Applications for Swakopmund and Walvis Bay circuits will run from 21 to 27 July.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian

  5. Minister warns rural development era of 'business as usual' is over

    Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has warned that the era of 'business as usual' in rural development is over, cautioning regional councils to improve project implementation and ensure public resources deliver measurable benefits for communities. He expressed concern over incomplete projects, unspent development funds and idle rural development centres, calling for performance-based resource allocation and improved accountability.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia-South Africa Orange River border dispute remains unresolved

    Namibia and South Africa failed to resolve their decades-old dispute over the Orange River boundary during the fourth Binational Commission in Pretoria. Namibia contends the border should run through the middle of the river under modern international law, while South Africa maintains it follows the northern bank under the 1890 Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty; President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the matter will now be handled directly with South African President Ramaphosa.

    20 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Samson Kaulinge steps down after nine years leading tennis

    Samson Kaulinge has resigned as president of the Namibia Tennis Association after more than nine years in the role, closing a leadership chapter spanning more than three decades of service to Namibian tennis. Kaulinge discovered tennis in Swakopmund after high school and went on to serve in various roles at club level before his national leadership.

    20 July 2026 · New Era

Sunday 19 July

  1. André Ross wins fifth Brandberg Backyard Ultra title

    André Ross claimed his fifth consecutive Brandberg Backyard Ultra victory, breaking the men's course record with 25 laps as both men's and women's course records fell during the fifth edition of the race held in Uis.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. IPC accuses Swapo of exploiting poverty to weaken opposition

    The Independent Patriots for Change has accused Swapo of exploiting poverty and people's personal circumstances to weaken opposition parties, following the defection of former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga and others to the ruling party.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 18 July

  1. VP Witbooi calls for ethical communication to combat misinformation

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, urging communicators across Africa to strengthen public trust by promoting accurate information, combating misinformation, and embracing ethical communication as essential for good governance and national development.

    18 July 2026 · Informanté

Friday 17 July

  1. Joint expert report on Orange River boundary submitted to summit

    Namibia and South Africa have advanced efforts to resolve their long-standing Orange River boundary dispute, with a joint committee of experts' report submitted to the fourth session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described the report as an important milestone on a matter unresolved for more than three decades.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Africa must control its own narrative, not others

    African Public Relations Association president Arik Karani told the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund that Africa must take control of its narrative instead of allowing others to portray the continent through stories of conflict, poverty and disaster, and that communication is a strategic leadership tool for building confidence and truthful stories.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

  3. African communicators must control continent's narrative

    The African Public Relations Association president told communicators at Swakopmund's 2026 Effective Communicators Conference that Africa must tell its own stories to counter negative portrayals, emphasizing that poor communication allows rumours to shape public opinion and that speed and credibility are essential in the digital age.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Namibia's housing deficit widens despite economic recovery

    Around 11,000 new shacks are erected annually across Namibia, reflecting an expanding housing crisis driven by urban migration that outpaces formal housing delivery. The estimated housing deficit has grown to approximately 300,000 homes, nearly four times higher than the 80,000-unit backlog recorded in 2007.

    17 July 2026 · New Era

  5. 11,000 annual shacks worsen Namibia's housing crisis

    Around 11,000 new shacks are erected across Namibia annually, reflecting an urban migration and housing deficit deepening faster than formal housing delivery can address. Economists estimate Namibia's housing deficit has ballooned to around 300,000 homes, nearly four times higher than the 80,000-unit backlog recorded in 2007.

    17 July 2026 · New Era

  6. VP urges communicators to combat misinformation, support development plan

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, calling on government and private sector communicators to champion truth and support the implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan. She emphasized that communication is central to democratic governance and social cohesion, and that communicators must counter misinformation and disinformation in an age of artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

  7. VP urges communicators to champion truth, combat misinformation

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, calling on government and private sector communicators to lead the fight against misinformation and disinformation, particularly as artificial intelligence and digital platforms expand. She framed strategic communication as central to democratic governance, social cohesion, and implementation of Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

  8. Retired netball player says she played for love of sport

    Valery Pack-Mwashekele, a retired all-rounder who played top-flight netball for TransNamib, Civics, and United in the Khomas First Division, says she played for the love of the sport and not to please others. She excelled playing in centre, goal-attack, and wing-attack positions and was the first black girl to play for Windhoek High School's netball team.

    17 July 2026 · The Namibian

Swakopmund — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute