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Monday, 18 May 2026
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Monday, 18 May 2026
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Veikko Nekundi

Also known as: Minister Veikko Nekundi · Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi · Minister Nekundi · works minister Veikko Nekundi · Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi · Nekudi · Transport minister Veikko Nekundi · works and transport Veikko Nekundi · deputy works minister Veikko Nekundi · Transport and works minister Veikko Nekundi

Minister of Works and Transport who approved a 15% public transport fare increase and ordered an investigation into tribal bias at the Roads Authority.

2024-06-162026-05-18
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. March 2026

  8. … Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, in his statement delivered in Matundu, underscored the importance of the new route as it delivers direct and measurable benefits to Namibia through enhanced trade facilitation, business travel efficiency, tourism inflows, investment pr …

    New Era

    Proflight Zambia embarks on Namibia route
Society

Over 70% of low-income Namibians depend on walking and cycling

The News

A report launched during UN Global Road Safety Week found that more than 70% of daily travel among low-income households in Namibia depends on walking and cycling, but major gaps exist in infrastructure, funding and policies supporting pedestrians and cyclists. Namibia recorded more than 1,000 motor vehicle crashes during the first four months of 2026, resulting in 179 deaths and over 1,700 injuries.

Why it matters

Report finds over 70% of low-income Namibians depend on walking and cycling amid infrastructure gaps and rising road deaths.

4 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Today

  1. Over 70% of low-income Namibians depend on walking and cycling

    A report launched during UN Global Road Safety Week found that more than 70% of daily travel among low-income households in Namibia depends on walking and cycling, but major gaps exist in infrastructure, funding and policies supporting pedestrians and cyclists. Namibia recorded more than 1,000 motor vehicle crashes during the first four months of 2026, resulting in 179 deaths and over 1,700 injuries.

    4 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 16 May

  1. Roads Authority seeks public help on reckless truck overtaking incident

    The Roads Authority has appealed to a member of the public who captured images of a truck overtaking on a solid line to come forward and assist police investigations, saying the footage is important in addressing reckless driving and improving road safety. Commissioner Petrus Swartz said authorities are committed to tracing drivers involved in dangerous conduct and can pursue both transport company owners and private vehicle owners through official registration records.

    16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Yango spends N$1.3m on permit fees amid compliance row

    Ride-hailing company Yango Namibia has submitted about 1,500 permit applications and spent N$1.3 million on temporary operating permit fees while navigating administrative delays. The Ministry of Works and Transport has threatened action if Yango and its drivers do not comply with regulations.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 10 May

  1. Transport fares rise N$13 to N$15 amid stagnant commuter wages

    Public transport fares between towns will increase from N$13 to N$15 from 18 May, according to Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, following taxi drivers' complaints about fuel price hikes with no fare adjustment since 2021. Commuters say the increase will worsen their financial difficulties while their salaries remain unchanged.

    10 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 8 May

  1. Namibia and Botswana to establish joint national airline

    Namibia and Botswana plan to launch a joint national airline by the end of this year, with Ethiopian Airlines as a strategic partner. The airline aims to create roughly 700 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs, starting with domestic routes before expanding to regional and international markets.

    8 May 2026 · New Era →

  2. Fare increase applies only to legal operators, minister warns

    Namibia's works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has warned that illegal taxi and bus operators will not be permitted to increase fares under a newly approved 15% public transport tariff adjustment that takes effect on 18 May, with the minimum taxi fare rising from N$13 to N$15.

    8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Namibia increases taxi fares by 15% from May 18

    The ministry of works and transport announced a 15% increase in taxi, minibus and bus fares for urban and intercity transport, effective 18 May, following complaints from drivers about fuel price hikes. The increase marks the first adjustment to general taxi fares since 2021.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Transport minister to respond urgently to taxi fare increase request

    Transport and works minister Veikko Nekundi says the ministry will respond as a matter of urgency to a request from taxi drivers for a fare increase. Taxi drivers say fares have not increased since 2021 despite multiple fuel price rises, with the current fare remaining N$13 while petrol costs N$22.08 and diesel costs N$23.

    7 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Taxi fares rise 15% to N$15.00 from May 2026

    The Ministry of Works and Transport has approved a 15% increase in taxi and bus fares, raising taxi fares from N$13.00 to N$15.00 effective 18 May 2026, in response to rising fuel prices and operational costs cited by transport operators.

    7 May 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Public transport fares to rise 15% nationwide from May 2026

    Public transport fares will increase by 15% nationwide from 18 May 2026, raising the minimum taxi fare from N$13 to N$15, following approval by the Ministry of Works and Transport. The increase cites rising fuel prices and geopolitical tensions, and comes after the Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association requested a 30% increase.

    7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Road linking Omulonu to Oshuuli officially opened

    The Minister of Works and Transport and Ohangwena Region Governor officially opened the 23 km district road D4119 from Omulonu to Oshuuli on 24 April 2026, funded through Namibian-German Development Cooperation at a contract value of N$53 million. The all-year-round road connects two schools, a heritage centre, and more than 2,000 people in a previously sandy-track area.

    5 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 4 May

  1. Board positions at state enterprises yield N$400k to N$1.6m annually

    Board earnings for chairs and senior members at Namibian banks, listed companies and state-owned enterprises range from N$400,000 to N$1.6 million annually. Opposition chief whip Rodney Cloete argues board work has shifted from part-time public service to a full-time income stream for a politically connected group, often appointed through personal connections rather than merit.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Opposition, experts voice concern over political hiring bias in Namibia

    Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Government orders Nida to transfer 154 assets worth N$3 billion

    The Namibia Industrial Development Agency is fighting a government directive to transfer 154 properties worth about N$3 billion to a new Public Asset Management Agency, warning that the assets are central to its funding and operations. The transfer, allegedly mandated by Cabinet as part of state asset restructuring, has raised fears about job losses and the agency's existence.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 April

  1. Government struggles to enforce vehicle branding rules for e-hailing operators

    Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told parliament that compliance with mandatory vehicle branding requirements for e-hailing operators remains low, with drivers resisting rules requiring permanent identification marks on vehicles often used for private purposes. The ministry also cited broader non-compliance issues, including applicants' failure to meet basic permit requirements such as submitting certificates of good conduct.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister orders inquiry into tribal bias at Roads Authority

    Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority, finding it employs about 74 people from the Zambezi region compared to more than 300 from northern Namibia. The probe has revived broader allegations of tribalism in hiring practices across Namibian state-owned enterprises and government offices.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Government plans Hosea Kutako airport expansion including third terminal

    The government has confirmed plans to expand Hosea Kutako International Airport, including construction of a third terminal, as part of efforts to increase capacity and position Namibia as a regional aviation hub. The upgrades will include improving air navigation systems and expanding passenger handling capacity, with the government exploring public-private partnerships to finance the infrastructure.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Government cites budget limits, opts for floating bridges

    Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi says the government lacks funds to build permanent bridges in flood-prone regions including Zambezi, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati, and is instead deploying floating bridges as a temporary solution. The ministry has purchased 24,640 double floating cubes totalling N$24 million, with bridges already installed or under construction at Kalimbeza and Masikili villages to restore access to schools and essential services during seasonal flooding.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia and Zambia negotiate Zambezi River dredging project

    Namibia and Zambia are negotiating a joint dredging project for the Zambezi River to deepen waterways and mitigate severe seasonal flooding. Over 1,510 people have been displaced in the Zambezi region, with the government preparing a dredging machine procured in 2015 to begin operations pending agreement renewal with Zambia.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. NCAA denies delaying aviation training academy approval

    The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority board has denied sabotaging or delaying approval of an application by Eagle Aviation Academy director Norman Pule to establish an aerodrome firefighting and aviation training institution. Pule alleges NCAA executive director Toska Sem is orchestrating delays as revenge for his past role as a whistleblower at Namibia Airports Company, where Sem was previously found guilty of serious misconduct; Sem denies the allegations and says the certification process involves five phases normally taking 180 days.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Nekundi rejects extension for e-hailing operators' permit deadline

    Transport minister Veikko Nekundi has ruled out any extension to the end-of-April 2026 deadline for e-hailing operators to obtain regularisation permits and comply with legal requirements. The minister said operators had more than a year to comply and that those who have applied have already received permits, while temporary permits remain underutilised.

    20 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 17 April

  1. Yango drivers struggle as permit approvals stall for months

    Yango says drivers face income loss due to prolonged permit approval delays from the Roads Authority, with some waiting up to 12 months despite submitting required documentation and fees. The company calls on the Ministry of Works and Transport to streamline the process and allow compliant drivers to work while applications are processed.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Minister Nekundi presents N$592.9m Works budget for 2026/27

    Minister Veikko Nekundi presented the 2026/2027 budget allocation of N$592.972 million for the Department of Works to the National Assembly, with N$499 million for operational costs and N$93.972 million for capital investment. The budget addresses public infrastructure development, government asset management, and maintenance of state facilities across five programmes.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. Government auctions 492 vehicles, raises N$36 million

    The Works and Transport ministry has disposed of 492 ageing government vehicles through public auctions, generating N$36.4 million as it phases out its outdated fleet. The disposals are part of a broader replacement plan for 1,500 vehicles that have exceeded the five-year lifespan and 120,000-kilometre limit.

    13 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Government advances N$2.8 billion Windhoek commuter rail project

    The government is progressing with a feasibility study on a commuter rail system linking Windhoek to Rehoboth and Katutura, with N$13 million spent and the study 30% complete. The N$2.8 billion project is part of broader government plans to modernise Namibia's rail infrastructure and ease transport pressures in urban and peri-urban areas.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Construction federation warns RCC model excludes local contractors

    The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) warns that the Roads Contractor Company's infrastructure procurement model risks sidelining domestic contractors through stringent financial thresholds that favour firms with stronger balance sheets and external funding access, effectively excluding technically capable Namibian firms from competing on equal terms.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. NaTIS breaks ground on N$230m Wanaheda service centre

    Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi opened a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Namibia Traffic Information System centre in Wanaheda, a two-year project costing N$230 million that will provide licensing, testing, and vehicle permit services closer to residents in areas like Hakahana and Okuryangava. The facility will use digital systems for learner licence testing and roadworthiness checks for light and heavy vehicles, expected to employ about 200 workers.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 9 April

  1. RCC seeks N$500 million loan for stadiums in 14 regions

    The state-owned Roads Contractor Company has requested a N$500 million loan from the Development Bank of Namibia to build sport stadiums across 14 regions without a public tender process. The project, part of the president's infrastructure pledge to all 121 constituencies, has raised concerns about unclear costs, lack of transparency, and potential involvement of foreign contractors despite a directive limiting subcontracting to local small and medium enterprises.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. August 26 Construction awarded Natis Wanaheda office tender

    State-owned contractor August 26 Construction has been awarded a tender to build a new Namibian Traffic Information System branch in Wanaheda, Windhoek, which will alleviate pressure on the existing southern industrial area office and is expected to employ 200 workers during construction.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. CIF warns RCC infrastructure model excludes local contractors

    The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia warns that the Roads Contractor Company's procurement model, with stringent financial thresholds and centralized project allocation, risks sidelining technically capable domestic contractors in favour of foreign-linked firms with stronger balance sheets. CIF chief executive Bärbel Kirchner argues the structure contradicts government commitments to boost Namibian participation and risks weakening local capacity and the construction sector's contribution to GDP.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Veikko Nekundi — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute