AGP Executive Report

Gender & Sport: Zimbabwe Olympic Committee kicks off ANOCA Zone VI Gender Equality and Diversity Forum in Victoria Falls, spotlighting women in leadership, safe sport, safeguarding, funding and online abuse. Family Law: Namibia’s Dissolution of Marriages Act 2024 takes effect today, ending adultery as an independent divorce ground and shifting to no-fault “irretrievable breakdown.” Social Protection: Government temporarily suspends 15,825 unverified old-age pension beneficiaries, urging people to visit offices with ID and birth certificates for reinstatement and back pay. Education & Youth: NSFAF-funded students can now sit exams and access results while funding processes finalise; separate reports flag only 53% of children have birth certificates. Health & Rights: Germany funds “Pamwe” sexual and reproductive health project targeting teenage pregnancy in Kavango, Kunene and Omusati. Culture & Arts: Windhoek’s Bellhaus opens “Eight Colours Blue,” a multidisciplinary show exploring memory, identity and nature through the colour blue. Community & Safety: Erongo police intensify patrols and urge tourism operators to report security gaps after incidents around remote campsites. STEM: ExxonMobil Foundation launches STEM Africa 2.0 to train 4,000 learners in STEM and AI across Namibia and other countries. Sports & Lifestyle: TransNamib receives an independent report on the Rovos rail derailment, while a new RAV4 feature story turns fuel-saver tech into everyday driving talk.

Family Law Update: Adultery is no longer a standalone ground for divorce in Namibia, as the Dissolution of Marriages Act of 2024 shifts courts to a no-fault approach based on irretrievable breakdown. Education & Youth: Government has ordered universities to let NSFAF-funded students sit exams and access results while funding delays are sorted, after weeks of uncertainty. Health & Care: The Namibia Nurses Union warns that private nursing colleges are producing an oversupply of graduates, driving unemployment and straining clinical training quality. Community & Safety: Erongo police have intensified patrols and community policing, urging lodge and campsite operators to report security gaps fast. Giving Back: Project Never Walk Alone’s Ama2000 campaign aims to raise N$4 million for 10,000 pairs of shoes for vulnerable children across four regions. Culture & Arts: “Eight Colours Blue” opens in Windhoek, bringing together eight artists exploring memory, identity and human experience through the theme of blue. Lifestyle & Mobility: A new Toyota RAV4 feature highlights hybrid fuel efficiency and range for Namibia road trips. Justice & Courts: TransNamib says it has received an independent investigation report into the Rovos rail derailment near Keetmanshoop.

Education & Youth: Namibia’s Ministry of Education has ordered universities and TVETs to let NSFAF-funded students write exams and access results while funding is finalised, after weeks of uncertainty; students’ union leaders now want faster non-tuition payments to cover accommodation and transport. Child Rights: Only 53% of children have birth certificates, with rural distance, poverty, low literacy and irregular visits by officials cited as major barriers. Health & Work: The Namibia Nurses Union warns that an oversupply of graduates from private nursing colleges is driving unemployment and weakening clinical training quality. Culture & Learning: Merck’s Curiosity Cube™ brought hands-on STEM activities to Pretoria schools, turning curiosity into science career inspiration through interactive experiments. Governance at the Border: Home Affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu inspected Zambezi border posts, flagging operational gaps that affect policing, patrols and basic services. Lifestyle & Travel: Onguma launched Onkolo Soundscapes—an immersive “safari massage for the ears” experience using discreet microphones to amplify bushveld sounds. Justice & Community: A Windhoek couple pleaded guilty to fraud, theft and money laundering linked to nearly N$10m stolen from a bus service.

Education & Youth Support: Namibia’s Ministry of Education ordered universities and TVET centres to let NSFAF-funded students sit exams and receive results while funding processes are finalised, after delays left many students stuck. Public Services & Borders: Home Affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu inspected Zambezi border posts, warning that weak discipline and communication failures in the security cluster are eroding public trust. Civil Registration: Namibia is falling short on CRVS targets, with birth certificate coverage dropping from 65% (2016) to 54% (2023), blamed on staffing, funding and planning gaps. Health & Rights: Germany pledged about N$1.9m for a youth sexual and reproductive health project (“Pamwe”) targeting teenage pregnancy and youth-friendly services in Kavango, Kunene and Omusati. Governance & Migration: Namibia is reviewing its 30-year immigration law, with a proposed Immigration Control Bill to enable pre-arrival information and modernise categories for investors and specialised workers. Culture & Community: Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged continued support for Project Never Walk Alone, which has already delivered 12,800 pairs of shoes and aims to reach 31,500 barefoot children. Tourism & Lifestyle: Onguma launched Onkolo Soundscapes, a new mindful “safari massage for the ears” experience using discreet microphones at the Onkolo Hide.

India–Africa Economic Shift: A diplomat says Indian firms still misread Africa as “high-risk,” arguing the real story is fast-growing, reform-minded markets—and highlights India’s push to share Digital Public Infrastructure like Aadhaar/UPI for sustainable trade. Economic Emancipation: SWAPO SG Sophia Shaningwa says Namibia’s next focus is economic freedom, urging NDP6 and manifesto funds to tackle youth unemployment, housing, hunger, health and water. CRVS Shortfall: Namibia is missing Civil Registration and Vital Statistics targets; birth certificate coverage fell from 65% (2016) to 54% (2023), blamed on weak planning, staffing and steering. Border Trust Under Strain: Home Affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu warns border failures and discipline gaps are eroding public trust, after inspecting Zambezi border posts and police stations. Immigration Overhaul: Namibia is reviewing its 1993 immigration law, proposing pre-arrival traveller information systems to modernise border control and support investment. Student Funding Pressure: SUN urges faster NSFAF non-tuition payments so students can cover accommodation, transport and meals, proposing interns to speed processing. Genocide Remembrance Debate: Analysts and activists say Genocide Day is missing its purpose—dividing rather than healing—while calls grow for genocide education in schools and wider reparations inclusion. Culture & Lifestyle: Homegrown reveals top five finalists in its T-shirt design competition; and Windhoek hosts Mörda’s “Vault by Mörda” on 6 June.

Livestock Health & Trade: The Livestock Producers’ Organisation says Namibia can’t protect its foot-and-mouth disease-free status alone, urging tighter cooperation between government, vets and farmers as regional risks grow. Medicines Oversight: Namibia’s Ministry of Health removed Fransina Nambahu as registrar of medicines at the NMRC, appointing Frieda Shiweda from 1 June—while sources allege the real reason is linked to blocking substandard medicines. Immigration Reform: Home Affairs is consulting on a new Immigration Control Bill to modernise migration management, including pre-arrival traveller information and clearer categories for investors and specialised workers. Genocide Remembrance Debate: Analysts and activists say Genocide Remembrance Day is missing its purpose, with concerns about curriculum gaps and speeches that may deepen division instead of unity. Culture & Creativity: Homegrown’s 2026 T-shirt competition has named its top five finalists, while Windhoek hosts major music energy with Mörda’s ‘Vault by Mörda’ on 6 June. Local Governance & Inclusion: Windhoek’s cashless parking rollout is drawing backlash over limited payment options and poor consultation. Agriculture & Rural Life: President Nandi-Ndaitwah toured the Ekoka Brownfield Green Scheme, highlighting irrigation upgrades and crops ready for harvest.

Agriculture & Rural Jobs: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah toured the Ekoka Brownfield Green Scheme in Ohangwena, praising irrigation upgrades and crop progress (mahangu, maize, cowpeas, sorghum) while urging rural youth to stay committed. Men’s Health: Ray Lane and his brother Frank are walking in Walk for Him during Men’s Health Week to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer support. Education & Memory: Activists and descendants again raised alarms about genocide being absent from the school curriculum, calling for an accurate, educative programme. Publishing & Culture: Microwide Publishing Press launched digitally, pushing Namibian authors toward e-commerce and digital distribution. Inclusion & Daily Life: Windhoek’s cashless parking rollout is sparking anger over confusion and exclusion for people without the right cards. Genocide Remembrance Day: Namibia marked the 1904–1908 Ovaherero and Nama genocide with calls for unity, youth education, and reparatory justice—while debates continue over how the day is handled. Local Economy & Identity: Vice-President Lucia Witbooi opened the Oshakati Totem Expo, linking culture to trade, jobs and local business growth. Disability & Youth: Young Namibians are speaking up on neurodiversity and therapy gaps, urging better support at home. Tourism & Events: The Namibia Annual Wedding Expo & Summit partners with the Namibia Tourism Board to build skills and funding access for SMEs.

Genocide Education & Memory: Activists and descendants of 1904–1908 victims are pushing for genocide to be formally taught in schools, warning that silence in the curriculum leaves young Namibians without accurate knowledge. Reparations & Inclusion: San and Damara leaders are demanding seats at the reparations table with Germany, arguing that affected communities must directly benefit and not be managed from the outside. Remembrance Sites Protected: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare urged communities to preserve genocide locations as “national sanctuaries,” warning against attempts to dilute history through “slick public relations.” Culture in Action: Swakopmund remembrance stories continue to surface, while theatre creatives are using stage work to tell the genocide story and keep it alive. Local Business & Skills: Vice-President Lucia Witbooi opened the Oshakati Totem Expo, framing culture as an economic engine, and Namibia’s Wedding Expo & Summit is partnering with the Tourism Board to build SME skills. Digital Publishing Push: Microwide Publishing Press launched a digital push for Namibian authors, linking storytelling to e-commerce and wider distribution. Everyday Inclusion: Windhoek’s cashless parking rollout is sparking anger over exclusion and extra costs, with calls for inclusion to come first. Disability & Youth Voices: Young Namibians are speaking up on neurodiversity and disability inclusion, while youth are urged to protect history and strengthen participation.

Genocide Remembrance Day & memory politics: Namibia marked 28 May with calls to protect genocide sites and keep history alive beyond slogans, as leaders urged youth to learn, document and resist “trivialising” narratives while reparatory justice and reconciliation with Germany stayed in focus. Local heritage, identity & inclusion: Traditional leaders warned that development could repeat exclusion if communities are sidelined from ownership and decision-making, while Vice President Lucia Witbooi urged young people to embrace modernisation without abandoning language, clans and totems. Culture as an economic engine: Witbooi also backed local trade fairs and expos, pointing to Oshakati Totem Expo as proof that culture and business can grow together. Rural development through festivals: President Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Okongo, stressing agriculture-tourism links, youth participation in farming, and development that preserves cultural identity. Education & jobs debate: UNAM’s Redefining Education Summit raised alarm over degree-to-labour-market mismatches, pushing more technical and vocational pathways. Border professionalism: Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu called for discipline and consistent service at border posts, amid complaints about shortages and maladministration. Disability inclusion push: Young Namibians are speaking up for neurodiversity support, with advocates highlighting therapy gaps that force families to seek help abroad. Everyday justice & safety: A Windhoek High Court sentenced Mechthilde Karomo to an effective 35 years for the double murder and arson linked to a shack fire in 2022. Youth sport & community health: Tsandi’s Chairperson’s Cup in Omusati showcased football, netball and volleyball alongside health outreach, with Ayoba Lifestyle FC taking the title. Lifestyle & travel: A Namibia-focused travel piece highlights lesser-known African destinations, while a wedding expo partnership aims to build skills and funding routes for SMEs in the creative economy.

Genocide Remembrance Day: Namibia marked 28 May with calls for unity, justice and the protection of genocide sites, as leaders urged young people to learn the 1904–1908 history and resist “slick public relations” that could dilute memory. Cultural identity & youth: Vice-President Lucia Witbooi opened the 12th Oshakati Totem Expo, urging youth to embrace education and technology without losing language, clan ties and heritage. Agriculture meets tourism: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah backed the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Okongo, stressing that development must not erase cultural identity and that culture, tourism and farming can drive rural jobs. Disability inclusion: Young Namibians are pushing for better neurodiversity support and therapy access, after advocates highlighted families forced to seek treatment abroad. Education & jobs: UNAM’s Redefining Education Summit warned of a mismatch between degrees and labour market needs, urging more TVET pathways. Local community sport: Tsandi Village’s Chairperson’s Cup in Omusati wrapped with Ayoba Lifestyle FC winning the youth football final on penalties. Home Affairs ID concerns: A Windhoek resident alleges duplicate ID records were issued to the wrong person, blocking access to services including banking. Budget update: Government gazetted the Appropriation Act, 2026, authorising N$87.93bn for 2026/27, with education and health among the biggest allocations.

Oshakati Totem Expo: Vice-President Lucia Witbooi opened the 12th Oshakati Totem Expo, urging towns to use culture as an engine for local trade and jobs, and reminding youth to modernise without losing language, clan ties and heritage. Genocide Remembrance Day: Namibia marked 1904–1908 with calls for unity, truth and reparatory justice, as leaders urged protection of genocide sites like Ozombuzovindimba and Shark Island from neglect or “erasure,” while youth were pushed to learn history through education and memorials. Culture meets development: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah backed the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Okongo, stressing that agriculture and tourism can boost rural livelihoods while preserving identity. Women in tech: The UN Economic Commission for Africa launched a regional push to foster women’s digital entrepreneurship in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Namibia and Congo, targeting over 1,000 women with training and policy support. Sports & community: The Nashua Junior Franchise Competition wrapped up, spotlighting emerging Namibian cricket talent across U12, U14 and U19. Court update: A Windhoek High Court sentenced Mechthilde Karomo to an effective 35 years for the double murder and arson of her boyfriend and another woman in 2022.

Genocide Remembrance Day: Vice-President Lucia Witbooi, Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp and National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila all used the 1904–1908 Ovaherero and Nama commemorations to push unity, justice and reconciliation, with repeated calls for youth to learn history and reject tribalism. Memory sites under watch: Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo urged protection of Shark Island from “erasure” and distortion, stressing truth and restorative justice. Youth, education & governance: Student leader Bernard Kavau urged a Namibia-/Africa-centred curriculum and warned that without it, young people risk losing identity; Steenkamp also warned exclusion from decision-making could fuel future instability. Culture meets development: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah backed Omaludi Festival’s theme—agriculture and tourism for sustainable growth—linking it to NDP6 and rural jobs, while also stressing culture as a tourism asset. Community needs: Witbooi visited the Nakayale Disability Centre’s 1995-Omusati Project, calling for support to revive workshops and supply materials for training and a planned special school. Sport & lifestyle: Namibia’s NMB Half Marathon demand is surging toward capacity, while endurance running continues to spotlight women’s dominance. Arts & environment: A new documentary, “Unseen Line,” will premiere on World Ocean Day, following seal rescue efforts from fishing lines and ocean pollution.

Genocide Remembrance Day: Namibia marked 28 May with calls for unity, justice and reconciliation over the 1904–1908 Ovaherero and Nama genocide, as Vice President Lucia Witbooi, National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp urged young people to reject tribalism and keep historical truth alive through education, research and storytelling. Youth & mental health: Leaders at the National Prayer Breakfast warned that hopelessness, unemployment, substance abuse and mental health pressures are putting young Namibians at risk, urging stronger cooperation between government, churches, traditional leaders and civil society. Culture meets development: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah backed the Omaludi Agricultural Festival as proof that cultural heritage and agriculture-tourism can drive rural jobs and entrepreneurship, while also pushing farmers toward commercially sustainable production. Sports & community: Windhoek hosted the Vivo Energy Marathon with record participation, and the NMB Half Marathon is nearing capacity as organisers push for a big June 27 turnout. Conservation & film: A new short documentary, “Unseen Line,” will premiere 8 June on World Ocean Day, spotlighting seal rescue efforts and the pollution trapping marine life. Education & inclusion: UNAM hosted a summit on transforming higher education into skills-based learning, while a report highlighted how visually impaired youth still struggle to find meaningful work despite progressive disability laws.

Youth & Governance: Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture minister Sanet Steenkamp warns Namibia risks long-term instability if young people are excluded from decision-making and economic opportunities. Disability & Work: A new reflection highlights how visually impaired youth still struggle to land meaningful jobs despite progressive disability laws, pointing to workplace bias and inaccessible recruitment. Culture & Memory: Otjozondjupa prepares Namibia’s first regional Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration at Ohamakari, inviting youth to attend and learn. Heritage & Local Identity: Katima Mulilo’s council backs a streets-renaming proposal honouring local leaders, framed as decolonisation and heritage preservation. Education & Skills: UNAM hosts a Redefining Education Summit pushing skills-based learning and TVET alongside degrees. Sports & Community: The Vivo Energy Windhoek Marathon’s growth continues, while the NMB Half Marathon nears capacity with limited spots left. Food Security: FAO says Namibia produces only 52% of its mahangu demand, with imports covering the rest. Policy Update: Namibia’s Child Care and Protection Act now allows safe newborn abandonment at approved places under strict conditions. Tech & Cooperation: China-Africa space ties get a boost, with Namibia’s Windhoek ground station project highlighted.

Conservation & Tourism: African Parks, backed by major donors, says it’s ramping up local staffing and pushing for more tourists from the countries where it operates—arguing conservation only works when communities benefit, not just when wealthy visitors arrive. Local Governance: Windhoek’s mayoral trip to the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan is drawing heat, with residents demanding full costs, programme details and outcomes. Land Reform Tensions: Chiefs in Kavango East and West warn communal land reforms could weaken customary authority and increase pressure on ancestral land, especially if registration leads to more sales. Child Protection Law: Namibia’s Child Care and Protection Act now allows safe newborn abandonment at approved places without criminal charges—if strict conditions are met. Food Security: FAO says Namibia produces only about 52% of its mahangu needs, leaving the rest to imports. Wildlife Watch: India’s cheetah reintroduction faces scrutiny after a report says cheetahs were tranquilised 110 times in two years. Health & Culture: Namibia’s Genocide Remembrance Day build-up continues, with Miss Namibia finalists visiting historic sites in Omaheke.