Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Vilho Hangula

2026-01-302026-07-23

What’s been said

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

  1. July 2026
  2. New Era

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula told New Era that officials will meet with communities on 16 and 18 July to discuss human-wildlife conflict

    Source

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula told New Era that officials will meet with communities in Oromauua on 16 July and in Otjokavare on 18 July to discuss the growing human-wildlife conflict and identify a way forward.

    Lions terrorise Kunene …farmers cry foul over payouts
  3. New Era

    Hangula confirmed that ministry plans to begin repairing sections of Etosha National Park fence near Hobatere

    Source

    He also confirmed that the ministry plans to begin repairing sections of the Etosha National Park fence, particularly near Hobatere, where wildlife is believed to leave the park.

    Lions terrorise Kunene …farmers cry foul over payouts
  4. The Namibian

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula says the ministry is among several stakeholders involved in the research

    Source

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula says the ministry is among several stakeholders involved in the research, together with EHRA and Ongava Game Reserve.

    Scientists probe Namibian desert elephant calf deaths
  5. June 2026
  6. New Era

    Vilho Hangula revealed more than 1.2 million hectares destroyed by wildfires across Namibia from 1,300 reported cases

    Source

    This was revealed yesterday by the ministry of forestry's spokesperson Vilho Hangula.

    Fires ravage1.2m hectares
  7. New Era

    Vilho Hangula stressed wildfires can destroy human lives, property and biodiversity

    Source

    Hangula stressed that wildfires can destroy human lives, property and biodiversity.

    Fires ravage1.2m hectares
  8. April 2026
  9. The Namibian

    Vilho Hangula stated that the human-wildlife conflict scheme does not provide meat to affected families, only N$100,000 for funeral expenses

    Source

    Hangula said Namibia's human-wildlife conflict scheme does not make provision for affected families to be given meat, but provides N$100 000 for funeral expenses.

    Elephant victim’s family demands meat
  10. The Namibian

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula says tour operators will still be allowed to take clients to Deadvlei through an operator

    Source

    "Tour operators will still be allowed to take their clients to Deadvlei, but through an operator.

    Sossusvlei shuttle ban ‘monopolising’ national parks
  11. The Namibian

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson Vilho Hangula says Namibia's high-end tourism sector significantly depends on charter aviation

    Source

    "Namibia's high-end and nature-based segment of the tourism sector significantly depends on charter aviation.

    Aviation industry wants foreign pilots
  12. March 2026
  13. The Namibian

    Vilho Hangula confirmed honeybee importation poses significant risks to native bee species

    Source

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism spokesperson Vilho Hangula has confirmed that the importation of honeybees would pose significant risks to Namibia's native bee species as it carries high risk for introduction of diseases, pathogens, mites and pests.

    Possible bee imports set sector abuzz
  14. The Namibian

    Ministry spokesperson Vilho Hangula said ministry recognises prosopis trees as invasive species needing removal

    Source

    "The ministry recognises prosopis trees as an alien invasive species, which need to be removed as they compete against native trees," Hangula says.

    Gibeon community wants makarakasha trees removed
Agriculture & Land

Kunene farmers demand higher wildlife conflict livestock payouts

The News

Communal farmers in Kunene region are calling for an urgent review of the government's human-wildlife conflict offset payment scheme, saying current payments do not reflect the true value of their animals. The Otjikaambuti Farmers Association reports that lions have killed about 40 cattle and over 100 goats and sheep since January this year in villages near Etosha National Park.

13 July 2026 · New Era

Monday 13 July

  1. Kunene farmers demand higher wildlife conflict livestock payouts

    Communal farmers in Kunene region are calling for an urgent review of the government's human-wildlife conflict offset payment scheme, saying current payments do not reflect the true value of their animals. The Otjikaambuti Farmers Association reports that lions have killed about 40 cattle and over 100 goats and sheep since January this year in villages near Etosha National Park.

    13 July 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Scientists investigate rising desert elephant calf mortality rates

    Scientists are expanding research into the deaths of desert elephant calves in north-western Namibia, working with researchers to analyse genetic and field samples as well as stress levels in desert elephants. An experienced safari guide suggests increasing human activity and tourist presence around elephants may be contributing to stress, though the exact cause of calf mortality remains unknown.

    8 July 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 19 June

  1. Wildfires destroy 1.2 million hectares across Namibia

    Since last year, more than 1.2 million hectares of land have been destroyed by wildfires across Namibia from 1,300 reported cases. The ministry of forestry is hosting a national workshop in Oshakati to develop protocols and frameworks for national wildfire management and prevention.

    19 June 2026 · New Era

Thursday 23 April

  1. Family of woman killed by elephant demands compensation meat

    A woman was killed by an elephant in Kavango East on 28 March; the elephant was later shot and found dead but decomposed before the family could access its meat. The family is now requesting the Environment Ministry provide them meat from another elephant, as the killed elephant's carcass could not be recovered in time for the funeral.

    23 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 17 April

  1. Government shuttle monopoly plan sparks tourism industry outcry

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has announced that driving between Sossusvlei's parking areas will be limited to a single operator (About Africa Co) from 1 May, restricting access for independent tour operators and self-drivers. Tour operators and industry figures warn the exclusive concession will harm competition, raise prices, create liability concerns, and damage the tourism sector despite ministry claims it will generate revenue and protect the environment.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Elephants destroy crops across Omusati region villages

    A herd of elephants has destroyed crops in several villages in Okahao and Tsandi constituencies of Omusati region since last month, with animals feeding on mahangu, maize, melons and damaging property at night. The Environment Ministry says it has requested authorisation to cull one elephant to scare others away and is preparing a helicopter to drive the elephants from affected areas.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Aviation industry calls for faster foreign pilot work permits

    Namibia's aircraft operators say restrictive visa and work permit processes are constraining pilot availability, threatening aviation safety and tourism. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association notes that Namibia's pilot pool is exhausted, with only 2% of recent pilot job applicants being Namibian nationals, and calls for the Home Affairs ministry to expedite work permits for qualified foreign commercial pilots and flight instructors.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Namibia considers bee imports; local beekeepers warn against plan

    Namibia is considering importing honeybees from South Africa to improve pollination for blueberry farms in Kavango East, but beekeepers, environmentalists, and government officials warn the imports could introduce diseases, weaken native bee populations, and threaten food security. The Beekeeping Association of Namibia and Ministry of Environment and Tourism both oppose the plan, citing risks of genetic dilution and resource competition, and recommend instead investing in local beekeeping capacity.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 15 March

  1. Gibeon vocational centre plans invasive prosopis tree removal initiative

    The Johanna Jacobs Vocational Training Centre at Gibeon is proposing a biodiversity and restoration programme to remove invasive prosopis (makarakasha) trees that consume large quantities of water and damage infrastructure. The centre plans to harvest timber for productive use and introduce fish farming and superfruit orchards to transform the area into an agricultural hub.

    15 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 13 March

  1. Etosha to inaugurate wildlife protection and waste facilities

    Namibia's environment and tourism ministry will inaugurate new light infrastructure, a solid waste management facility, and Wildlife Protection Service duty stations at Etosha National Park on 28 March. The improvements aim to strengthen ranger patrols against poaching, improve wildlife monitoring, and manage visitor waste to protect animals and the park's natural environment.

    13 March 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Three arrested after elephant shoots injures, kills woman

    Three men were arrested and granted bail after allegedly shooting an elephant in Omusati region that subsequently killed a 46-year-old woman who was provoked the animal. Police registered a case of illegal hunting; the suspects allegedly used a .303 hunting rifle on the protected animal, valued at about N$295,000.

    11 March 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Woman killed by elephant in Omusati, widower seeks government aid

    Klaudia Amunyela was trampled to death by an elephant in Omusati's Tsandi constituency after approaching what she believed was a dead animal to take photographs. Her widower, left to care for three young children, is calling on the government for funeral assistance and citing chronic livestock losses to wildlife in the area; the ministry says it is launching awareness campaigns and intensifying patrols to address human-wildlife conflict.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 9 March

  1. Woman killed by elephant in Omusati village after approaching it

    A 46-year-old woman, Klaudia Mwaala, died in Omugulugombashe village after being attacked by a roaming elephant while attempting to take pictures with it. The incident has sparked calls from residents for improved government response and wildlife awareness, and ministry officials have urged the public to refrain from engaging with wild animals and report sightings to authorities instead.

    9 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 19 February

  1. Conservancies challenge Goantagab tin mine viability and environmental impact

    Conservancies representing the Sorris Sorris area have submitted an assessment to government arguing that the Goantagab tin mining project is financially unfeasible and environmentally damaging, disputing figures from Andrada Mining's agreement to buy ore from the mine. The project has faced a protracted legal battle over environmental clearance, with conservancies requesting the ministers of mines and environment withdraw the area from mining exploration.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 31 January

  1. Poor waste management blamed for Windhoek baboon attacks

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has linked baboon attacks on Goreangab residents to poor waste management and urged proper disposal of waste, after failed attempts to scare the animals away. The City of Windhoek acknowledged the recurring incidents and said it lacks a comprehensive policy on human-wildlife conflict, but is investigating the provision of waste management facilities in the affected area.

    31 January 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 30 January

  1. Ministry calls for waste management as baboons invade Windhoek

    The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has urged Windhoek residents to manage waste responsibly after increased baboon sightings in areas like Goreagab and Kwanangombe, where the animals have been entering homes, damaging property, and stealing food. The ministry's spokesperson said the baboons are drawn to urban areas by improperly managed waste and called on residents to work together to fence off the animals or relocate them without harm, as only law enforcement are permitted to use firearms in the city.

    30 January 2026 · New Era

Vilho Hangula — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute