Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Place

Walvis Bay

Also known as: Walvis-Bay

Business

Foreign crew trapped on fishing vessel without pay in Walvis Bay

The News

Fifteen foreign crew members aboard the fishing vessel Venus 1, docked in Walvis Bay, have accused Hodago Fishing of withholding their salaries for five months and confiscating their passports; the company denies claims of hostage-taking but attributes the dispute to financial and operational challenges. The crew, comprising 13 Russian nationals, one Ukrainian, and one Estonian, claim they have received no wages since December despite successful fishing operations, and are appealing to the Russian embassy and Namibian authorities for intervention.

13 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 13 April

  1. Foreign crew trapped on fishing vessel without pay in Walvis Bay

    Fifteen foreign crew members aboard the fishing vessel Venus 1, docked in Walvis Bay, have accused Hodago Fishing of withholding their salaries for five months and confiscating their passports; the company denies claims of hostage-taking but attributes the dispute to financial and operational challenges. The crew, comprising 13 Russian nationals, one Ukrainian, and one Estonian, claim they have received no wages since December despite successful fishing operations, and are appealing to the Russian embassy and Namibian authorities for intervention.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Namibia's road safety crisis demands stronger enforcement and cultural change

    An opinion piece argues that Namibia's persistently high road-crash death rate—among the world's highest per capita—stems from preventable human behaviours like speeding, drunk driving, and reckless overtaking, worsened by societal tolerance and weak enforcement. The author calls for zero tolerance policies, licence suspensions for repeat offenders, and strict consequences for traffic violations to protect lives.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Fishing workers petition for jobs after years of unemployment

    Former United Fishing Enterprises workers and others in Namibia's fishing industry have submitted petitions to the Erongo governor, demanding stable employment after years without work since 2018. They cite the pilchard moratorium and quota allocation systems as obstacles to permanent jobs and call for government intervention to create opportunities in the sector.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Global oil volatility pushes Namibian petrol near 2022 record

    Brent crude prices have swung sharply amid Middle East tensions, with Namibian pump prices at Walvis Bay reaching N$22.08 per litre—just 20 cents below their 2022 all-time high. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will set May fuel prices based on developments over the coming two weeks, as vessel traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Ministry de-proclaiming landfill area to boost municipal oversight

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will remove part of the Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park to allow the municipality full management authority and ability to enforce bylaws. The ministry has issued a compliance order against illegal tyre burning at the site, which residents report creates toxic smoke affecting the town, and has flagged health risks from living near the landfill.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Walvis Bay dumpsite becomes informal settlement amid health risks

    A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Windhoek entrepreneur builds mobile salon from bedroom startup

    Fransina Nikodemus started a hair salon from her bedroom in 2018 to help pay off a family debt, and has since expanded into a mobile "Salon on Wheels" serving Windhoek and Walvis Bay, now supporting nearly 20 employees and permanent staff. The business reflects the broader role of Namibia's estimated 40,000 small and medium enterprises in the economy, though entrepreneurs like Nikodemus say they receive little government support.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Government allocates N$512 million to judiciary for 2026/2027

    The government has allocated N$512 million to the Office of the Judiciary for the 2026/2027 financial year, with N$497 million for operations and N$15 million for development projects including construction of magistrates' courts in Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo. The allocation reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the justice system and expanding court capacity in underserved areas.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

  3. Ministry receives N$2b budget; housing backlog priority

    The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has been allocated N$2 billion for 2026/2027, with an additional N$1.5 billion from the National Housing Enterprise to accelerate housing construction and address Namibia's housing backlog. The ministry has prioritised informal settlement formalisation and rural development, though infrastructure constraints—particularly ageing sewer systems requiring an estimated N$2.5 billion in upgrades—threaten to slow progress.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

  4. Marine Advisory Council tasked with sustainable fisheries management

    Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture has inaugurated a Marine Advisory Council chaired by executive director Teofilus Nghitila to advise on sustainable management of marine resources. Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani highlighted the council's role during a critical period for the fishing sector, which faces declining catches due to overfishing, natural conditions, and population pressures.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

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