Swakopmund

2018-02-092026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Swakopmund

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
9 OctWindhoek Observer
… The properties include the ministry’s head office and staff houses in Swakopmund, Oranjemund, Lüderitz and Tsumeb.
Oil fees surge to N$37.9m
8 OctWindhoek Observer
… Open-source large models allow Namibian universities, startups in Windhoek and Swakopmund, and government departments to download, adapt and deploy AI in local languages including Oshiwambo, Otjiherero and Nama etc, and for local challenges in agriculture, mining and wildlife con …
Wuzhen 2026 Summit bets on open source: What it means for Namibia
8 OctNamibian Sun
Three men accused of the attempted kidnapping of two boys in Swakopmund's DRC informal settlement were each granted bail of N$10 000 in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on Wednesd... …
N$10 000 bail each for trio in alleged boys' abduction case
7 OctThe Namibian
… He is expected to engage with about 8 000 pupils in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Ongwediva and Oshakati. …
Astronaut challenges pupils to dream bigger
6 OctInformanté
Staff Reporter THREE men, aged 25, 26 and 27, are expected to appear in court in Swakopmund for allegedly trying to kidnap two minor boys. …
Three men arrested for attempted kidnapping of minors in Swakopmund
6 OctThe Namibian
… Born at Keetmanshoop, the 28-year-old creator grew up moving across Namibia due to her father’s work, living in towns like Rosh Pinah, Tsumeb, Karibib, Gobabis, Otjiwarongo, Lüderitz and Swakopmund. …
NokooTheChef: From open fires to award nominee
5 OctWindhoek Observer
… Permanent traffic officers will also be stationed at strategic points along the route, including the Arandis road and the entrance to Swakopmund on the Walvis Bay turn-off, with standby traffic vehicles available to respond to incidents. …
‘Drive recklessly, we will intercept you’ – Nekundi
2 OctThe Namibian
The Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) Cup reaches its decisive stage this weekend, with eight teams heading to the Dome at Swakopmund to battle for the titles and places in the 2027 MTC Volleyball National League. …
NVF Cup reaches decisive stage at Swakop
2 OctNew Era
The Dome in Swakopmund is set to come alive with top-class volleyball action as the Namibia Volleyball Federation (NVF) Cup takes centre stage, with a total prize purse of N$100 000 up for grabs across the men’s and women’s competitions. …
N$100 000 up for grabs as NVF Cup heads to Swakopmund
2 OctInformanté
… Maurer, a material scientist who became an ESA astronaut in 2015, will visit Windhoek, Oshakati, Ongwediva and Swakopmund as part of World Space Week Namibia, which runs from 5 to 9 October under the theme “Rocket Revolution”. …
German astronaut to visit Namibia for World Space Week

Tourism & Environment

Africa Wildlife Artist of the Year competition opens entries for 2027

The News

The Fine Art Gallery at Swakopmund has opened entries for the fifth edition of the Africa Wildlife Artist of the Year (Away) 2027 competition, featuring an increased first prize of N$50,000 and a solo exhibition for the winner. The initiative, which was officially launched in 2023, aims to create a platform where artists worldwide can contribute to Namibian conservation projects.

1 hour ago · The Namibian →

Today

Africa Wildlife Artist of the Year competition opens entries for 2027
The Fine Art Gallery at Swakopmund has opened entries for the fifth edition of the Africa Wildlife Artist of the Year (Away) 2027 competition, featuring an increased first prize of N$50,000 and a solo exhibition for the winner. The initiative, which was officially launched in 2023, aims to create a platform where artists worldwide can contribute to Namibian conservation projects.
1 hour ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Namibian ma|gaisa artist Marvtown performs and teaches in Germany
Award-winning ma|gaisa star Mervin Claasen (Marvtown) is on a work tour in Germany, teaching performance art and storytelling at Ludwigsburg University and performing a ma|gaisa show in Stuttgart. The Windhoek-based artist, who won the Next Ma|Gaisa Star competition in 2021, recently hosted a workshop on gender-based violence with fellow Namibian arts activist Keamogetsi Molapong.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Nedbank Desert Dash launches 22nd cycling event edition
Nedbank Namibia has launched the 22nd edition of the Nedbank Desert Dash, a 401 km cycling event scheduled for 21–22 December 2026 from Windhoek to Swakopmund. The race, regarded as the world's longest single-stage mountain bike race, expects to attract more than a thousand local and international cyclists.
20 October 2026 · New Era →
Nedbank Desert Dash returns for 22nd cycling edition
The 401km Nedbank Desert Dash endurance race will run from 11 to 12 December, bringing local and international cyclists from Windhoek to Swakopmund. Nedbank Namibia's managing director highlighted the event's growing international participation and its role in establishing Namibia as a world-class cycling destination.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia funds environmental education to build sustainable communities
Through the Nedbank Go Green Fund facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation, environmental education initiatives are being supported to equip Namibians with knowledge and practical skills for sustainability. The NaDEET Educator Programme, established in 2003, received N$150,000 in support and operates two environmental education centres to cultivate environmental champions across the country.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Canadian traveller and stray dog arrive in Swakopmund
A stray dog that jumped into a Canadian traveller's hammock in Colombia has reached Swakopmund on the back of her motorcycle.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Sunday 18 October

Pension funds remain underutilized despite major financial impact
Despite employers investing in physical wellness and other employee benefits, pension funds—a significant long-term financial benefit—often receive little attention or engagement, remaining primarily an administrative function rather than a prioritized component of employee financial well-being.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Para swimmers' records excluded from IPC database due to governance dispute
Four Namibian para swimmers recorded personal bests at the Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation Short Course Nationals in September, but their times will not be entered into the International Paralympic Committee database because of an unresolved governance dispute between two bodies claiming to represent the Namibia National Paralympic Committee. The recognised NNPC froze athlete registrations in late 2025 over the dual representation issue; the IPC offered mediation in mid-2026, which the recognised NNPC accepted but the parallel committee rejected.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

Police shoot pitbull after owner allegedly instructs attack
Police in Swakopmund shot and killed a pitbull named Mufasa during a stop-and-search operation after its owner allegedly instructed it to attack an officer. The dog's owner and family dispute the account, claiming the dog broke free and ran toward his owner before being shot, and alleging rough handling during the search.
16 October 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 October

Animal welfare group sterilises over 30 000 dogs and cats
Since 2013, Have a Heart has provided free sterilisation and rabies vaccinations to more than 30 000 dogs and cats, targeting low and no-income households to prevent unwanted litters and reduce stray populations. Between January and September this year, the organisation sterilised 1 383 dogs and 1 912 cats, plus over 800 feral cats through a trap-neuter-vaccinate-return campaign in September.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia plans 148 classrooms, 25 schools by 2027
The education ministry plans to construct 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms across all 14 regions, and build 25 new schools in 10 regions, ahead of the 2027 academic year to address overcrowding and improve access to education. Implementation began in the 2025/26 financial year, with 22 of the new schools already at roof level.
15 October 2026 · New Era →
Anti-Corruption Commission needs more action in Erongo
ACC director general Bryan Eiseb says the Anti-Corruption Commission must do more to combat corruption in the Erongo region, comments he made at a media briefing in Swakopmund.
15 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 14 October

FMD outbreak drives meat prices up at butcheries and restaurants
Foot-and-mouth disease restrictions confirmed last month have created meat shortages and driven up prices, with butchery owners reporting scarce supplies and forced increases in selling prices. Meat trimmings are selling for between N$105 and N$140 per kilogramme, and some butcheries are using more expensive cuts due to supply constraints.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
FNB donates N$3.9 million to Cancer Association of Namibia
FNB Namibia's FirstRand Foundation donated N$3.9 million to the Cancer Association of Namibia to strengthen specialised palliative care at House Zietsman in Windhoek and House Johannesson in Swakopmund over three years, providing support to five state patients at no cost.
14 October 2026 · New Era →
ACC warns corruption could undermine Namibian oil sector
The Anti-Corruption Commission has been urged to intensify efforts against corruption in Erongo, where bribery is the most commonly reported offence and dozens of cases remain unresolved. ACC director-general Bryan Eiseb warned that corruption could divert public resources from essential services and derail Namibia's hopes of benefiting from its emerging oil and gas sector.
14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Single N$200m project masks weakness in Windhoek construction
Building plan approvals in Windhoek and Swakopmund rose 57.5% in value in September, but excluding one N$200 million commercial project, Windhoek's approvals fell 13.2% year-on-year, indicating the increase was driven by larger projects rather than broader growth. The report notes construction activity is constrained by approval delays, with a median time of 63 days, and completions in Windhoek have declined 41% year-to-date.
14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Bannerman Energy spends N$428m on Etango uranium project
Bannerman Energy has spent more than N$428.2 million on local procurement, construction contracts and service providers as its Etango uranium project in the Erongo region advances, with bulk earthworks approximately 99% complete and concrete construction packages about 86% complete.
14 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 9 October

Namibia hosts first African CTBTO nuclear test-ban inspection exercise
Namibia is hosting the first Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Integrated Field Exercise on African soil, running until 20 November 2026, allowing international participants to practise on-site inspection techniques. Equipment for the exercise arrives in Swakopmund on Monday, 12 October, with authorities assuring residents that no nuclear materials or hazardous goods will be used.
9 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Swakopmund school decay prompts urgent questions about rural education
A Windhoek Observer editorial highlights videos of deteriorating government school facilities in Swakopmund, warning that the poor conditions revealed there may reflect a broader crisis in schools beyond affluent towns, where some Namibian children still learn under trees more than three decades after independence.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
ESA astronaut calls Namibia to join global space sector
European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer urged Namibia to identify contributions to the global space sector rather than wait to become space-faring, highlighting the country's desert environment, geological expertise, astronomy facilities, and young scientists as assets for international space programmes. Namibia's government is developing space sector legislation to foster innovation, education, and job creation.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Oil exploration rental fees surge to N$37.93 million
Revenue from oil exploration rental fees nearly quadrupled budgeted expectations to reach N$37.93 million as licence holders renewed or extended contracts amid increased exploration activity, the Auditor-General's audit of the ministry of industries, mines and energy shows. Diamond royalty revenue, by contrast, fell N$629.99 million short of the Ministry's estimate, collecting N$1.15 billion against the projected N$1.78 billion, attributed to reduced production by local diamond companies.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 8 October

2026 World Internet Conference theme offers Namibia digital opportunity
The 2026 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China (November 2–5) will focus on open source and openness in digital development. For Namibia, pursuing a National Digital Strategy and positioning itself as a hub for green data and creative tech, the emphasis on open source lowers barriers for countries to become builders rather than consumers of AI.
8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Three men granted N$10,000 bail each in boys' abduction case
Three men accused of attempted kidnapping of two boys in Swakopmund's DRC informal settlement were each granted bail of N$10,000 in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court.
8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 7 October

ESA astronaut Maurer visits Windhoek school, discusses space exploration
European Space Agency astronaut Matthias Maurer visited Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek on Friday, sharing first-hand accounts of life aboard the International Space Station, his spacewalk experiences, and the path to becoming an astronaut. He emphasised the importance of curiosity, ambition and teamwork in achieving distant goals.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

Three men arrested for attempted kidnapping in Swakopmund
Three men aged 25, 26 and 27 are expected to appear in court in Swakopmund for allegedly attempting to kidnap two minor boys aged 12 and 13 on 3 October 2026 in DRC location. According to police, the suspects tried to force the boys into their car without consent, but the boys escaped; sources allege another child was seen tied up in the vehicle.
6 October 2026 · Informanté →
NokooTheChef: From home cooking to content creator award nominee
Michelle Nakokurejikene, known online as NokooTheChef, has been nominated in the foodie content creator category at the upcoming MTC Content Creator Awards. The 28-year-old from Keetmanshoop grew up moving across Namibia and developed her love for cooking from childhood play that became household responsibility, blending cultural representation, homestyle recipes and accessible cooking.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 5 October

Upgraded Karibib-Usakos road gains surveillance and emergency response system
Works and Transport Minister Veiko Nekundi announced that a completed N$552 million upgrade of the 31-kilometre Karibib-Usakos road now includes a N$60 million emergency response and traffic management facility with cameras and two-way identification capability, allowing traffic officers to track and intercept reckless drivers along the route.
5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 2 October

NVF Cup semi-finals underway in Swakopmund
The 18th Bank Windhoek Namibia Volleyball Federation Cup reaches its semi-final stage this weekend in Swakopmund, with eight teams competing for titles and promotion to the 2027 MTC Volleyball National League. Four teams in each men's and women's divisions have advanced from preliminary rounds to compete in semi-finals, with winners progressing to gold medal matches.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Volleyball Federation Cup heads to Swakopmund
The NVF Cup tournament, with a total prize purse of N$100 000 across men's and women's competitions, will be held at The Dome in Swakopmund as part of the Sports Expo. The federation is working with the Namibia Sports Commission to ensure a successful event, with free entrance and sponsorship from Bank Windhoek.
2 October 2026 · New Era →
German ESA astronaut to visit Namibia during World Space Week
Dr Matthias Maurer, a European Space Agency astronaut, will visit Namibia from 1 to 10 October to engage with about 8,000 school learners and promote science and technology as part of World Space Week Namibia. Maurer will visit Windhoek, Oshakati, Ongwediva and Swakopmund, delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony and attending public events at universities.
2 October 2026 · Informanté →