Namibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Organization

Windhoek Observer

Windhoek Observer — Namibian news outlet covering politics, security, transport, and government accountability.

2025-05-232026-05-11

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. January 2026
  2. Masua, a former Swapo parliamentarian who was announced last Friday as NYC interim executive chairperson, was responding to inquiries following a report by the Windhoek Observer this week that she will be earning a monthly salary of N$100 000 for three months.

    The Namibian

    I don't pay myself – Masua on N$100 000 p/m salary
  3. Reports from the Windhoek Observer on Monday suggested a power struggle between Itula and IPC parliamentarian Imms Nashinge, who serves as leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly.

    The Namibian

    Itula shrugs off IPC division claims
  4. Additionally, in 2023, she was honoured by the Windhoek Observer as one of Namibia’s 50 Meritorious Individuals in the corporate leadership category.

    New Era

    CRAN renews CEO’s contract
  5. September 2025
  6. June 2025
  7. May 2025
  8. He fled the country after being tipped off that South African security forces were searching for him following the publication of the photographs in the Windhoek Observer and abroad.

    The Namibian

    Oshikuku – hidden gem of the north
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

Education ministry seeks to cancel expensive empty building lease costing N$1.1 million monthly, addressing wasteful government expenditure.

12 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Today

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  1. 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

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