Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
March 2026
The Namibian
KandorozutoldBallotti to go back to Italy
Source
“During the National Assembly on Wednesday, Kandorozu told Ballotti to "go back to Italy," later saying the comment was a joke and not intended to be personal.”
Vetaruhe Kandorozurefused to withdrawremarks bordering on tribalism and racialism against deputy education minister Dino Ballotti
Source
“Defiant National Unity Democratic Organisation lawmaker Vetaruhe Kandorozu has refused to withdraw remarks bordering on tribalism and racialism against deputy education minister Dino Ballotti.”
National Unity Democratic Organisation member Vetaruhe KandorozutoldBallotti that he is from Italy and Namibians do not look like him
Source
“National Unity Democratic Organisation member Vetaruhe Kandorozu told deputy education minister Dino Ballotti that he is from Italy and that Namibians do not look like him.”
Vetaruhe Kandorozuwas forced to withdrawhis comments after telling education deputy minister Dino Ballotti to go back to Italy
Source
“National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu was forced to withdraw his comments after telling education deputy minister Dino Ballotti to go back to Italy in the National Assembly on Wednesday.”
Vetaruhe Kandorozunotedupgrading MR112 removes heavy traffic load from Okahandja-Otavi road
Source
“Proponent of the road's construction Vetaruhe Kandorozu, leader of the National Unity Democratic Organisation, last year noted that the upgrading of the MR112 road to better standards removes a substantial amount of heavy traffic load from the Okahandja-Otavi road.”
National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozuproposeda nationwide rotation of police officers
Source
“National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu has proposed a nationwide rotation of police officers, saying long deployments in one area may lead to officers forming relationships with criminals.”
National Unity Democratic Organisation member of parliament Vetaruhe Kandorozumade proposal forrotating police officers to different jurisdictions every year or two
Source
“Sakaria was responding to a proposal by National Unity Democratic Organisation member of parliament Vetaruhe Kandorozu to rotate police officers to different jurisdictions every year or two.”
Vetaruhe Kandorozucalled on party members toset aside differences for the good of Nudo
Source
“Zebaldt Ngaruka National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu has called on party members to set aside their differences for the good of the party.”
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.
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.
Parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu argues that Namibia's N$700,000 contribution to Cuba is inadequate given Cuba's role in the country's liberation struggle and current economic difficulties. He proposes the government consider donating an annual fishing quota as a once-off contribution and calls on businesses in fishing, mining, construction and pharmaceutical sectors to increase support.
A National Unity Democratic Organisation MP has called for an independent audit into a series of fatal electrocution incidents in the electricity sector, citing repeated workplace deaths at regional distributors and claiming eight fatalities have occurred in the sector over the past four years.
Road expert Felix Tjozongoro says driver fatigue and attitude, rather than road conditions alone, may have caused two truck crashes on the Western Bypass on Monday that killed a truck driver and 46 head of cattle and left two people seriously injured. Tjozongoro argues drivers must exercise caution and drive responsibly until infrastructure upgrades are completed.
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.
Namibia's rising unemployment and economic stagnation have intensified public debate over immigration, work permits, and border control. The Windhoek Observer editorial argues that while states have the right to regulate immigration, enforcement must follow legal institutions and constitutional principles rather than public mobilisation against particular groups.
Former Prime Minister Nahas Angula said the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security is capable of dealing with illegal immigrants, rejecting calls for anti-immigrant protests similar to those in South Africa. The statement came after NUDO MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu called for nationwide protests against illegal immigrants and foreign workers in sectors including diamond polishing, mining, and transportation.
Churches and analysts have welcomed Namibia's proposed housing state of emergency, but caution that declarations alone will not address a backlog of over 300,000 homes. The Council of Churches in Namibia says the move must be accompanied by concrete measures, adequate resources, and clear implementation timelines, and calls for faster implementation of free residential plots and increased investment in land servicing.
The National Assembly has resumed with focus on several key legislative items, including the long-awaited land bill, the petroleum bill, the public enterprises governance amendment bill, and the mental health bill. A political analyst says the land bill should receive highest priority due to its implications for livelihoods, investment, housing, agriculture and social equity.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah did not attend Genocide Remembrance Day events held at Shark Island and in six regions, drawing criticism from political and community leaders, though the vice president attended events in Ohangwena. The president's absence came despite an active public schedule that included attending agricultural and cultural festivals and other state events.
The Okandjoze Chiefs' Assembly on Genocide has called on the Namibian government to adopt a "business unusual" approach to genocide apology and reparations, saying years of discussions have produced little action. The group urged the government to move away from symbolic discussions and engage descendants of Ovaherero, Ovambanderu and Nama communities differently on restorative justice.
Nudo parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu told the National Assembly that the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy lacks adequate capacity and has become a "breeding ground for corruption," citing questionable diamond valuations, improperly awarded lithium licences, and inconsistent petroleum exploration licence processing, and alleged an ongoing dispute with Red Soil Energy and Mineral Exploration exposed systemic corruption spanning multiple administrations.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and leaders from across Namibia's political spectrum paid tribute to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo MP James Uerikua at a Wednesday memorial service, celebrating his legacy as a bridge-builder who commanded respect across party lines. Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April along with his 14-year-old son Venturo, was praised for his dedication to inclusive development and democratic dialogue.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Otjiwarongo to produce cost-effective building materials locally, reducing reliance on imports and lowering construction costs. The initiative is part of broader efforts to tackle high housing costs and improve access to affordable housing for ordinary Namibians.
Nudo parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu recalled that Swapo MP James Uerikua once asked when he would join Swapo, which surprised him. Speaking at Uerikua's memorial service at Parliament Gardens, Kandorozu praised Uerikua as a strong party defender and influential leader whose character and impact will be missed.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare dismissed claims that planned VIP wards at public hospitals would create a two-tier healthcare system, saying the government's objective is to upgrade public health services accessible to all Namibians and that the controversy has been "dramatised". Opposition lawmakers questioned whether the initiative contradicts government policy on equality, with some arguing it risks reinforcing inequality within public healthcare.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.
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.
Parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu has raised concerns about low tax revenue collection from Namibia's fishing and mining industries despite their significant economic contributions. He called for stronger collection systems, value addition to lithium, and industrialisation incentives to boost government revenue and reduce reliance on foreign loans.
An opinion piece reflecting on Namibia's 36 years of independence marks achievements in education, gender equality, and healthcare while identifying persistent challenges including youth unemployment, land inequality, poverty, corruption, and unresolved historical reconciliation. The authors argue that true independence requires addressing social justice, equitable resource distribution, and honest engagement with the nation's colonial and apartheid past.
Opposition MPs and activists have criticised the government's 2026/27 budget allocation, accusing it of breaking campaign promises by increasing social grants by only N$100 rather than the promised larger amounts. They argue the government has adequate resources to fund higher increases to pensioner and vulnerable children's grants to better protect citizens from inflation.
Zebaldt Ngaruka Nudo MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu advocated in Parliament for local timber in the Kavango regions to be processed into furniture for government use, and called for incubation centres, grants, and the Youth Credit Scheme to support vocational training graduates and informal artisans in woodworking and other trades. He also proposed that the Zambezi region develop taxidermy services to add value to trophy hunting in conservancies locally rather than exporting for processing elsewhere.
The National Unity Democratic Organisation's national executive committee has appointed Peter Kazongominja as party president following the resignation of former deputy health minister Utjiua Muinjangue. The party also retrenched all employees due to financial challenges from the loss of two parliamentary seats, and formally reprimanded MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu for his parliamentary conduct.
Vetaruhe Kandorozu delivered an impromptu stand-up comedy special on the parliamentary floor titled 'Namibia Does Not Look Like That', featuring a joke about deputy minister Dino Ballotti that drew silence rather than laughs. The Namibian's opinion piece critiques the failed routine and suggests Kandorozu misunderstands both comedy and Namibia's multicultural identity.
NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu and deputy education minister Dino Ballotti have reconciled after Kandorozu made unparliamentary remarks telling Ballotti to "go back to Italy" during a National Assembly debate. The two lawmakers announced their peace on social media, with Kandorozu describing the incident as teasing and both committing to move forward.
The Prime Minister says the government has sent the National Disaster Risk Management Unit to the Zambezi Region after rising river levels caused flooding in areas including Linyanti and Sibbinda, with the Hydrological Services warning communities to move to higher ground.
An opinion piece argues that tribalism and racism in the National Assembly, including a recent incident involving NUDO legislator Vetaruhe Kandorozu, undermine democracy and national unity. The author calls for Namibians to reject tribal and racial divisions and pursue a national dialogue based on equality and reconciliation.
The Namibian editorial criticizes NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu for making racial remarks in parliament, calling such divisive statements inappropriate and unworthy of lawmakers sworn to uphold the Constitution. The piece also faults parliament's poor legislative record and calls for accountability, noting that no non-budget law has passed since members were sworn in last year.