Also known as: Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula
Affirmative Repositioning MP addressing food security, housing policy, ACC oversight, and economic impacts of geopolitical tensions.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
Vaino Hangula said the appointment of Sindano for nine months is inconsistent with the constitutional five-year term
“"The appointment of Sindano as chairperson for a truncated term of nine months is inconsistent with the constitutional term of five years," Hangula said.”
AR to challenge Sindano’s ECN appointmentThe Namibian
Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula said more than three Swapo MPs would vote with opposition if secret ballot held
“"It is my belief that if we vote by secret ballot, there will be more than three Swapo MPs who will vote with the opposition, because many have stated that they are not happy with the speaker either," he said.”
Swapo vows speaker removal ‘over our dead bodies’The Namibian
Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula dismissed Itula's proposal to dissolve parliament
“Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula also dismisses Itula's proposal.”
MPs dismiss Itula’s parliament dissolution callThe Namibian
Vaino Hangula said opposition received president's nomination letters only after filing High Court demand
“AR chief whip Vaino Hangula yesterday said the opposition only received the president's signed nomination letters after filing a High Court demand for the documents.”
Opposition rejects Sindano appointment to ECNThe Namibian
Vaino Hangula supported the nomination of Bryan Eiseb as director general and the extension of deputy director general advocate Erna van der Merwe
“Hangula said he supported the nomination of Bryan Eiseb as director general and the extension of deputy director general advocate Erna van der Merwe for institutional continuity.”
AR backs ACC nominees, warns against another FishrotThe Namibian
Vaino Hangula is seeking clarity from government on plans to procure and store locally produced maize
“Affirmative Repositioning parliamentarian Vaino Hangula is seeking clarity from the government on plans to procure and store locally produced maize amid expectations of a bumper harvest this year.”
Hangula pushes for strategic grain reserves amid bumper harvest prospectsThe Namibian
Vaino Hangula raised concerns about reports that produce at the Namibia Correctional Service farm at Divundu was at risk of spoilage
“The lawmaker also raised concerns about reports that produce at the Namibia Correctional Service farm at Divundu was at risk of spoilage due to inadequate storage facilities.”
Hangula pushes for strategic grain reserves amid bumper harvest prospectsThe Namibian
AR chief whip Vaino Hangula said this would apply to individuals and entities keeping serviced land vacant or using property for exploitative rental purposes
“During the debate on the land bill in parliament last week, Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula said this would apply to individuals and entities that keep serviced land vacant or use property primarily for exploitative rental purposes.”
AR proposes absentee landlord tax on urban landWindhoek Observer
Member of Parliament Vaino Hangula welcomed the additional flight, calling it a vote of confidence in Namibia
“Member of Parliament Vaino Hangula welcomed the additional flight, calling it a vote of confidence in Namibia as a tourism destination.”
Edelweiss launches nonstop Zurich-Windhoek routeThe Namibian
Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula says the current practice is fine, although more clarity is needed
“Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Vaino Hangula says the current practice is fine, although more clarity is needed on the reasons attached to leave applications, some of which do not need to be disclosed.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila clarifies MP leave rules confusionA presidential directive requiring senior public servants to use state health facilities instead of private ones took effect 1 April, but several parliamentarians have opposed it, citing shortages of equipment, medicines, and staff in public hospitals. The president has not visited a hospital under the directive, saying she remains in good health.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
A presidential directive requiring senior public servants to use state health facilities instead of private ones took effect 1 April, but several parliamentarians have opposed it, citing shortages of equipment, medicines, and staff in public hospitals. The president has not visited a hospital under the directive, saying she remains in good health.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) will approach the High Court to challenge the recommendation and approval of Gerson Sindano as ECN chairperson, accusing Swapo and UDF of violating the Constitution and Electoral Act. AR objects to the appointment process, citing denial of access to records by AR MPs while another MP received unrestricted access, and argues Sindano's nine-month term contradicts the Constitution's prescribed five-year term.
10 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition leader Panduleni Itula called on the president to dissolve the National Assembly, arguing parliament has been ineffective and slow in lawmaking since 2025; lawmakers rejected the proposal, saying parliament's shortcomings do not justify fresh elections.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.
14 July 2026 · New Era →
Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning MP Vaino Hangula backed the nomination of Bryan Eiseb as Anti-Corruption Commission director general and the extension of deputy director general Erna van der Merwe, but warned that public confidence in the ACC has eroded over two decades of unmet expectations, particularly following the Fishrot scandal, and pledged his party would subject the institution to close scrutiny.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning MP Vaino Hangula is asking the government to explain its plans to procure and store locally produced maize, citing projections that white maize production will exceed 100,000 tonnes this year following good rainfall. He also raised concerns about poor-quality imported rice distributed through government aid programmes and reports of spoilage at the Namibia Correctional Service farm at Divundu due to inadequate storage facilities.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Affirmative Repositioning lawmaker Vaino Hangula proposed creating an "absentee urban landlord" category with higher levies and possible government acquisition of urban land for public housing, arguing the current land bill fails to address Namibia's urban housing crisis by excluding local authority and settlement areas. He called for levies on vacant serviced land, progressive property ownership limits, and stricter accountability for urban land held for commercial purposes.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Swiss carrier Edelweiss has begun non-stop service between Zurich and Windhoek with two weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays, adding a third frequency on Wednesdays from July 2026. The inaugural flight landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Monday carrying 285 passengers.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has clarified that MPs are not automatically entitled to leave of absence and that requests can be declined under Standing Rule 76. She stressed that leave is typically granted only for illness, bereavement of close family, official committee duties, or parliamentary travel, and must be formally submitted with reasons and approval from party chief whips.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has mourned the death of Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, who died in a road accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. She described him as a promising leader and called on Namibians to exercise caution on the roads.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Anti-Corruption Commission has allocated N$20 million for capital development to construct a regional office at Oshakati as part of its N$109 million budget allocation for 2026/27. Parliamentarians commended the move but called for broader regional coverage and better funding and staff compensation to strengthen the ACC's capacity to address corruption.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mwashindange criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia's allocation of N$1.6 million for legal fees as wasteful, arguing the commission should prioritise improving voter turnout and drafting an electoral amendment bill instead. Other MPs also questioned whether the ECN's overall N$181 million budget for 2026/27 is adequate for national coverage.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.
17 March 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC president Panduleni Itula warns that the Iran-US-Israel conflict, though distant, will affect Namibians through rising fuel, food, and import costs if tensions escalate, with inflation potentially climbing from 2.9% to 3.5% or higher. AR chief whip Vaino Hangula adds that Namibia may face international pressure to adopt a clearer diplomatic stance on the Middle East crisis.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Multiple opposition parties have objected to a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer oil and gas regulatory authority from the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Energy to the Presidency, warning it could enable political interference, corruption, and undermine parliamentary oversight. The bill requires support from all 51 Swapo parliamentarians to pass in the 96-seat National Assembly.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A New Era column pays tribute to Johnny-Wambu, a former left fullback for Windhoek's Ingwe (Tigers) who overcame initial social barriers and team cliques to become a vital defender, renowned for his hard-tackling style and man-marking abilities alongside teammates like Nicodemus and Hipondoka.
30 January 2026 · New Era →