… ation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has sought urgent legal advice from the office of the attorney general to cancel a lease agreement with northern businessman Erastus ‘Chicco’ Shapumba for an unoccupied building in Independence Avenue, documents seen by the Windhoek Observer …
Education ministry wants out of Chicco building deal …as it pays N$1.1 million monthly for empty buildingNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization
Windhoek Observer
Windhoek Observer — Namibian news outlet covering politics, security, transport, and government accountability.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- May 2026
… Venaani made the remarks while responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday following the suspension of Joseph Shikongo as inspector general of the Namibian Police Force. …
Venaani defends President’s right to hire and fire… The Windhoek Observer has, however, come across a poster in which Seibeb was reported missing. …
State House intruder case hinges on mental fitness… However, sources close to the investigation told the Windhoek Observer that only the two nurses and the driver were ministry staff. …
‘Health ministry wrong about crash victims’ …as sources allege eight were hitchhikers, not patients… The ministry of defence did not take over the security of the president,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. …
Army ready to protect President if required- April 2026
… Speaking to the Windhoek Observer yesterday following a week-long consultation meeting with traditional authorities held in Otjiwarongo last month, Sankwasa said his ministry has asked traditional chiefs to prove their lineage to the throne. …
Sankwasa warns of ‘mushrooming’ traditional chiefs …orders lineage proof to amend relevant acts- March 2026
… A year later, Hannes Smith along with Gwen Lister founded the Windhoek Observer, working together to change the narrative and challenge the colonial regime’s depiction of Swapo as “terrorists” or a “black threat.” After resigning, Lister founded The Namibian, an independent publi …
Namibia’s evolving media landscapeThe National Youth Council of Namibia (NYC) has rejected claims published by Windhoek Observer regarding the resignation of former acting director Mzingisi Gqwede, describing them as false and misleading. …
NYC rejects claims about former acting director’s resignation- February 2026
… Former chief executive Mwilima Mushokabanji last year told Windhoek Observer that Meatco’s new operational profitability could be attributed to the Norwegian quota. …
Exports drive Meatco’s beef revenue… Windhoek Observer reported at the time that the ministry’s chief petroleum inspector has acknowledged reports of vehicle engines experiencing poor combustion due to the fuel’s content. …
Motorists face N$80 000 repair bills as high-metal fuel damages modern cars
Politics
Education ministry seeks to cancel costly empty building lease
The News
The Ministry of Education has sought legal advice to cancel a lease agreement for an unoccupied Independence Avenue building that has cost the state N$1.1 million monthly since 2024. The building, leased from northern businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba since December 2023, was found unsuitable for office use and remains empty.
Why it matters
The Education Ministry's effort to cancel a costly empty-building lease demonstrates accountability for wasteful government spending.
12 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Today
Education ministry seeks to cancel costly empty building lease
The Ministry of Education has sought legal advice to cancel a lease agreement for an unoccupied Independence Avenue building that has cost the state N$1.1 million monthly since 2024. The building, leased from northern businessman Erastus 'Chicco' Shapumba since December 2023, was found unsuitable for office use and remains empty.
12 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Thursday 7 May
Venaani defends President's constitutional authority to hire and fire
PDM leader McHenry Venaani said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the constitutional authority to dismiss senior officials without necessarily giving public explanations, in response to the suspension of police inspector general Joseph Shikongo. Venaani argued that leaders make key decisions based on sensitive information unavailable to the public.
7 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Wednesday 6 May
State House intruder case depends on mental fitness assessment
A 29-year-old man accused of trespassing and housebreaking at State House must undergo mental evaluation to determine fitness to stand trial, though a legal expert notes mental illness does not automatically remove criminal responsibility. The accused was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had left a mental health facility without formal discharge.
6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Tuesday 5 May
Road crash claims eleven lives; dispute over victim identities
A minibus operated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services crashed between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday, killing eleven people including two nurses and a driver. Sources dispute the ministry's claim that eight victims were patients, alleging they were hitchhikers picked up along the route, which has complicated identification efforts.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence minister denies military takeover of presidential security
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi denied reports that the Namibian Defence Force has assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying the military could step in only if required. The denial comes after an alleged security breach at State House on Thursday, when an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended, though details of how he gained access and whether he was arrested remain unclear.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Thursday 30 April
Minister warns of rapid growth in traditional authorities
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has expressed concern over what he calls a "mushrooming" of traditional chiefs across Namibia, with the number of recognised traditional authorities rising from 34 in 1998 to over 50 today. He has ordered traditional chiefs to prove their lineage to clarify jurisdictions and prevent overlap in the administration of communal land.
30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Friday 20 March
Namibian media evolves from SWABC monopoly to diverse digital landscape
Namibia's media sector has expanded significantly from a single state broadcaster before independence to today's mix of state, private, and community outlets. While the country maintains strong media freedom protections and has weathered challenges including rising printing costs and the shift to digital publishing, new pressures from AI and ethical standards in online content present ongoing challenges for journalists.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Friday 6 March
NYC denies misconduct claims about former acting director
The National Youth Council of Namibia has rejected allegations published by the Windhoek Observer regarding the resignation of former acting director Mzingisi Gqwede, saying the report contains inaccurate information and misrepresents internal matters. The council denied claims that its executive chairperson made belittling statements, disputed allegations over sitting fees, and dismissed reports of excessive travel expenditure.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 26 February
Meatco derives 84% beef revenue from exports
The Meat Corporation of Namibia earned 84% of its beef revenue from international markets in 2024/25, with 80% of that coming from the European Union, 18% from Norway, and 2% from China. Despite a slight decline in realisation prices, the company managed to secure decent prices across international and regional markets, reporting N$1.514 billion in direct sales from its Windhoek factory.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 11 February
High-metal fuel imported to Namibia damaging modern vehicles
Automotive industry representatives have warned that imported fuel entering Namibia since February 2024 may contain high metal content that damages modern cars, with repairs costing up to N$80 000. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, responsible for fuel quality, has not responded to questions, while Namcor says imported fuel met specifications at transfer but cannot account for downstream handling.
11 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Friday 23 January
NYC interim chief's N$100,000 salary draws youth leader criticism
Acting National Youth Council executive chairperson Patience Masua says she does not set her own salary, responding to backlash over her reported N$100,000 monthly remuneration for three months. Youth leaders, including the National Council of Students president and Popular Democratic Movement Youth League spokesperson, have criticized the amount as disproportionate given the council's limited financial support to affiliate organizations.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC president Itula denies party division reports
Panduleni Itula, president of the Independent Patriots for Change, has dismissed media reports of internal division and a power struggle with parliamentary leader Imms Nashinge as false and malicious. Itula clarified that the party's leadership structure is constitutionally defined, with Nashinge's authority limited to parliamentary matters while strategic decisions remain with party headquarters.
23 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 6 January
CRAN renews CEO Emilia Nghikembua's contract through 2030
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has renewed the contract of CEO Emilia Nghikembua for a second term running from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, citing her exemplary leadership and outstanding performance during her first term. The CRAN board credits her with spearheading transformative reforms in Namibia's telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
6 January 2026 · New Era →