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Sunday, 6 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Swapo

Also known as: Swapo Party · Swapo ||Kharas · Swapo government · Swapo MPs · Swapo of Namibia · Swapo Elders Council · Swapo's · Swapo head office · SPEC · Swapo election manifesto · the ruling Swapo · Swapo Central Committee · Swapo Youth League · Swapo leadership · Swapo elite · Swapo-led governments · Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan · Swapo president · Swapo-led government · Swapo office · Swapo Erongo · Swapo-led · Swapo machinery · ruling Swapo party · Swapo Today · Swapo-led elite cartel · Swapo Oshana Executive · Swapo Party government · Swapo headquarters · Swapo Old Guard · Swapo branch · Swapo movement

Swapo — Namibia's ruling party, accused by opposition of parliamentary disruptions and called to intervene in National Assembly dysfunction.

2018-11-232026-09-06
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026

  2. New Era

    Swapo was founded on 19 April 1960

    Source

    “The party was founded on 19 April 1960.”

    ‘History alone can’t carry Swapo’ … ruling party turns 66

  3. The Namibian

    Swapo will proceed with 66th anniversary celebrations this Sunday

    Source

    “Swapo will proceed with its 66th anniversary celebrations this Sunday while respecting a court order allowing ex-combatants to continue their months-long protest at the party's head office in Windhoek.”

    Swapo parties on despite protest camp

  4. The Namibian

    Swapo had as member Wilfried Emvula in the National Council for the Erongo region, starting in 1993

    Source

    “Emvula previously served as deputy minister of trade and industry and as a Swapo member of the National Council for the Erongo region, starting in 1993.”

    Former ambassador Emvula appointed chairperson of peer review governing council

  5. The Namibian

    Swapo failed in court bid to evict former freedom fighters at national headquarters

    Source

    “An urgent application in which Swapo tried to obtain a court order for the eviction of the group at the party's national headquarters last October failed in the Windhoek High Court.”

    Swapo split as ‘unauthorised’ court action against ex-combatants fails in Windhoek High Court

  6. Informanté

    SWAPO Party was founded on 19 April 1960

    Source

    “Nandi-Ndaitwah reflected on the founding of SWAPO on 19 April 1960, describing the party as a steadfast liberation movement that led Namibia to independence and continues to guide national development.”

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah marks SWAPO’s 66th anniversary, calls for unity and service delivery

  7. The Namibian

    Swapo tried to obtain a court order for eviction of people who set up a tented camp at the party's national headquarters

    Source

    “An Urgent application in which Swapo tried to obtain a court order for the eviction of a group of people who set up a tented camp at the party's national headquarters in October last year has failed in the Windhoek High Court.”

    Attempt to evict Swapo office campers fails

  8. The Namibian

    Swapo-led governments have allegedly allocated between N$200,000 and N$500,000 annually to Nanso over 15 years

    Source

    “Amupanda on Facebook alleged that successive Swapo-led governments have allocated between N$200 000 and N$500 000 annually over the past 15 years to Nanso, while excluding other student organisations.”

    Student unions cry foul over ‘secret’ funding

  9. New Era

    Swapo lodged an application on urgency to evict camping ex-combatants from its headquarters

    Source

    “Iuze Mukube Windhoek High Court Judge Gabriel Komboni has dismissed an application lodged on urgency by the ruling party Swapo.”

    Ex-combats secure victory in eviction application

  10. The Namibian

    Swapo was served by James Uerikua as asset

    Source

    “Shaningwa said Uerikua was a dedicated public servant, adding he was an asset, not just to Swapo, but to the nation.”

    Swapo's Shaningwa jokes about ‘safe water' at Uerikua memorial

  11. New Era

    Swapo has election manifesto focusing on inclusive growth, national ownership of resources, youth empowerment

    Source

    “President Nandi-Ndaitwah added that the energy sector reflects commitments of the Swapo election manifesto, which focuses on inclusive growth, national ownership of resources, youth empowerment and shared prosperity.”

    Nam pins hope on energy sector … Angola, Namibia ink N$940m power pact
Politics

Minister urges young Namibians to pursue leadership without waiting

The News

Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has told young Namibians to participate in leadership opportunities without waiting to be told, noting that leadership begins when one decides to take responsibility and that it is not reserved for a certain age. Kantema warned, however, that young people should not sacrifice their integrity while pursuing political positions.

4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

  1. Minister urges young Namibians to pursue leadership without waiting

    Gender equality and child welfare minister Emma Kantema has told young Namibians to participate in leadership opportunities without waiting to be told, noting that leadership begins when one decides to take responsibility and that it is not reserved for a certain age. Kantema warned, however, that young people should not sacrifice their integrity while pursuing political positions.

    4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Swapo condemns AR MPs for disruptive conduct in parliament

    Swapo has accused the Affirmative Repositioning movement of "deliberate and politically motivated disruptive conduct" in the National Assembly, citing incidents in which AR members were removed after allegedly wearing jeans and using cellphones in the chamber. AR leader Job Amupanda dismissed the allegations as "cheap, frivolous and intellectually bankrupt," defending his MPs' parliamentary contributions.

    4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. SWAPO condemns disruptive conduct by AR MPs in parliament

    The SWAPO Party has condemned what it describes as deliberate and politically motivated disruptions by members of the Affirmative Repositioning party and opposition MPs in the National Assembly, calling for sanctions. The party alleges that AR members under Job Amupanda's leadership have repeatedly disrupted parliamentary proceedings on more than three occasions, including recent incidents where members were forcibly removed and the Speaker adjourned the sitting.

    3 September 2026 · Informanté →

  2. NDP leader calls for non-partisan National Assembly speaker

    Martin Lukato argues that Namibia needs a speaker of the National Assembly who is neutral and free from political party affiliations, rather than replacing the current speaker with another Swapo member. He proposes constitutional and electoral amendments to allow thorough screening of candidates and a rotation system where the speaker and deputy speaker would come from opposing political sides.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. SWAPO accuses AR of disruption and anarchy in parliament

    SWAPO's Hilma Nicanor has accused Affirmative Repositioning members under Job Amupanda of deliberate disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, citing incidents including attempting to speak in jeans and using a cellphone in the chamber, which forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. Asoli party urges president to intervene in parliamentary dysfunction

    The Asoli Progressive Party has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to intervene in what it characterizes as dysfunction in the National Assembly, with party president Josef Kauandenge accusing the ruling party and speaker of contributing to parliamentary disruptions and a slow pace of legislation. Kauandenge urges greater consultation between Swapo and opposition parties to improve parliamentary proceedings.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Opposition moves to remove Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office

    The Independent Patriots for Change tabled a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling for the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion triggered disorder in the chamber, and the Speaker questioned her procedural ability to rule on a matter directly concerning her own position.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  6. Opposition MPs walk out during ECN appointment vote

    Opposition MPs walked out of the National Assembly on Tuesday during a vote on three nominees to the Electoral Commission of Namibia, stalling the appointment process.

    3 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Former Robben Island prisoner Helao Shityuwete dies at 92

    Helao Shityuwete, an anti-apartheid activist who spent 18 years imprisoned on Robben Island for his role in Namibia's liberation struggle, died in Windhoek on Saturday aged 92. His daughter describes him as a principled, warm and involved father who shared his experiences and taught his children values of dignity and care.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. National Council Chairperson opens fourth Junior National Council session

    National Council Chairperson Lukas Muha opened the 1st Session of the 4th Junior National Council (JNC) on 31 August, which runs until 04 September 2026. The JNC, formalised in 2013 and inaugurated in 2017, serves as a platform for school-going youth to express views and debate issues of community, regional, national and international importance, while nurturing leadership qualities and promoting civic engagement.

    1 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 31 August

  1. Anti-apartheid activist Helao Shityuwete dies at 92

    Helao Shityuwete, a former Robben Island political prisoner who spent 18 years imprisoned during the liberation struggle, died on Saturday. His death leaves Betuel Nuunyango as the only surviving member of the group of 37 Namibian nationalists incarcerated on Robben Island in the 1960s.

    31 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Windhoek withdraws president's private Auasblick land application

    The City of Windhoek has withdrawn all land applications from its council agenda following opposition over president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's private land purchase request for municipal land at Auasblick. Opposition councillors questioned why the president's application was treated differently from other private applications and kept from public discussion.

    31 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia has unfinished duty to honour liberation struggle heroes

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia must preserve its liberation history and pass it to future generations, remarking that reburial ceremonies of heroes remind the nation of its continuing responsibility to those who sacrificed for independence. The country recently received the remains of 84 ancestral remains and two liberation struggle heroes who died on Robben Island, with six heroes reburied at Heroes' Acre in August and symbolic burials held for two others whose remains have not yet been found.

    31 August 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 30 August

  1. Opposition urges broadening of national honours beyond liberation struggle

    Opposition leaders say Namibia should expand its national honours criteria to recognise contributions of ordinary citizens and diverse leaders beyond those from the liberation struggle, 36 years after independence.

    30 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 28 August

  1. Windhoek councillors demand clarity on President's land application

    City of Windhoek councillors have questioned why President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's private application to acquire municipal land in Auasblick is being treated differently from other applications, demanding legal clarification on whether such matters should be discussed publicly or in camera.

    28 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Heroism extends beyond medals, President says at Heroes Day

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the 60th Heroes Day commemoration that heroism encompasses ordinary Namibians who serve their families, communities and country—not only those who receive medals or public recognition. She conferred hero status on 16-year-old Cornelius Shimuaafeni from Omusati region, who saved nine-month-old twins from a water pond.

    27 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 26 August

  1. Witbooi honours Nandi-Ndaitwah's liberation struggle journey

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi paid tribute to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Heroes' Day Commemoration, highlighting her transition from liberation struggle exile to becoming Namibia's first female Head of State. Witbooi traced the President's journey, noting she left Namibia in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, served as SWAPO Chief Representative in Lusaka from 1978 to 1980 and in East Africa from 1980 to 1986, and returned in 1989 for UN-supervised elections.

    26 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Lubango dungeon survivors continue seeking answers about alleged killings

    Survivors of Lubango dungeons, underground prisons allegedly used by Swapo to torture and kill detainees during the liberation struggle, say more than 4,200 Namibians allegedly disappeared and continue to demand answers. One survivor, Phillip Shipulwa, described being accused of spying and forced to dig graves in the dungeons before escaping.

    25 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Liberation heroes reburied at Windhoek's Heroes' Acre

    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 →

  3. Opinion: Namibia's constitution needs decolonisation

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's constitutional framework treats opposition parties as inferior and enables majority rule to suppress truth and facts in parliamentary and cabinet decisions, calling for amendment of Articles 32 and 35 to establish a consensus-based system of governance.

    25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. President urges economic independence as next independence goal

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged the current generation to convert Namibia's political freedom into economic independence, saying today's leaders must create opportunities for young people and reduce inequality to ensure independence gains are felt in daily Namibian lives. She made the call in a message marking former president Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba's 91st birthday, noting that his generation secured political freedom while the current generation bears responsibility for advancing economic independence.

    19 August 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Windhoek councillor reports extortion attempt via curse scam calls

    SWAPO Windhoek City Councillor Fransina Kahungu says she received calls from people claiming to be traditional doctors who alleged senior politicians had paid for her "elimination" and demanded N$2,000 to reverse a curse. She refused payment, recorded the calls, and called on police to investigate.

    18 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Former president Pohamba turns 91, praised for liberation struggle

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah celebrated former president Hifikepunye Pohamba's 91st birthday, noting his pivotal role from colonial rule through Namibia's independence and democratic consolidation. She described his leadership as grounded in humility, reconciliation and the rule of law, and recalled his 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

    18 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. President Nandi-Ndaitwah honours former President Pohamba at 91

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has praised former President Hifikepunye Pohamba on his 91st birthday, hailing him as a symbol of sacrifice and service through his involvement in Namibia's liberation struggle and his presidency. Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Pohamba's life spans colonial rule, independence in 1990, and his later role strengthening democratic institutions.

    18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  4. President honors former President Pohamba on his 91st birthday

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to former President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba on his 91st birthday, praising his role in Namibia's liberation struggle and democratic development. Pohamba, Namibia's second President born on 18 August 1935, is recognized for his lifetime of service and sacrifice to the nation.

    18 August 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 17 August

  1. PM Ngurare reassures Namibian students facing hardships in Cuba

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited Namibian students in Havana and heard complaints about electricity shortages and poor hostel food disrupting their studies. He pledged that the government would not abandon them, praising their resilience despite the difficult conditions.

    17 August 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 15 August

  1. President hails former leader Mbumba on 85th birthday

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah released a message extending congratulations to former President Nangolo Mbumba on his 85th birthday, honouring his decades of service in the liberation struggle and post-independence government.

    15 August 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Former president Mbumba turns 85, hailed for lifetime service

    Former president Nangolo Mbumba is celebrating his 85th birthday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a liberation struggle veteran and devoted servant who contributed to Namibia's independence and democratic institutions, and handled the presidential transition following Hage Geingob's death in February 2024 with dignity and constitutional responsibility.

    15 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 14 August

  1. Namibian PM honours Castro, reaffirms Cuba solidarity

    Prime Minister Tjitunga Ngurare, speaking at a colloquium marking Fidel Castro's centenary, delivered a statement from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasizing Namibia's historical ties to Cuba and its recent support for ending the economic blockade, noting that Namibia was among 136 nations that called for the blockade's end.

    14 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. SPYL welcomes progress on national airline revival plan

    SWAPO Party Youth League Secretary Ephraim Nekongo has welcomed progress toward reviving Namibia's national airline, citing the handover of licences, acquisition of aircraft, and a scheduled first flight in the first week of December as evidence that lessons from past failures have been drawn.

    14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Swapo — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute