
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah honored Namibia’s first National Assembly speaker, Mosé Tjitendero, describing him as a humble patriot, educator, freedom fighter, and nation-builder. Speaking on Sunday at Heroes’ Acre during the 20th anniversary commemoration of Tjitendero’s death, Nandi-Ndaitwah recalled the difficult day of his passing on April 26, 2006. She highlighted Tjitendero’s ability to earn respect through humility, wisdom, and a calm demeanor, particularly during the formative years of Namibia’s diverse parliament. The President urged Namibians, especially the youth, to draw inspiration from Tjitendero’s life and values, emphasizing his discipline, intellectual curiosity, and patriotism.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadReports of suspected fraud within Namibia’s pharmaceutical supply chain, including alleged manipulation of stock records and diversion of medicines at the Central Medical Stores, are causing concern. These issues may explain shortages of critical medicines, such as anaesthetic agents, and the reported suspension of elective surgeries at facilities like Onandjokwe State Hospital. The situation is viewed as a systemic governance problem, with concerns that shortages might have been artificially created to trigger emergency procurement processes. The health ministry has launched investigations and temporarily reassigned staff implicated in the alleged irregularities. However, the article emphasizes that reassignment alone is insufficient without thorough investigation, accountability, and structural reform to prevent recurrence. The current revelations are seen as symptoms of a deeper, chronic issue, with persistent weaknesses in pharmaceutical procurement, delayed deliveries, unexplained stock-outs, and concerns about oversight. These problems create an environment where artificial shortages can occur, impacting patient care through cancelled surgeries, delayed treatments, and compromised care. The article highlights that Namibia possesses the expertise to address these issues, but trained professionals are not adequately integrated into procurement oversight and supply-chain monitoring. Urgent interventions proposed include stronger pharmaceutical representation in procurement
Must ReadNamibians are advised to view statements from Anti-Corruption Commission ACC chief Paulus Noa regarding the 'healthrot' investigation with caution. Noa, whose term concludes in June, informed The Namibian that the ACC is still investigating corruption allegations within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, stating they are "trying to connect the dots." However, the health ministry has been a focal point for corruption allegations for decades. Former health minister Bernard Haufiku provided the ACC with files detailing alleged inflated prices and supplier collusion in 2020. Despite this, the ACC continues to promise investigations. Concerns about potential corruption at the ministry persist. While acknowledging the ACC's need for thoroughness and evidence, the public has been aware of alleged corruption for years. Noa is expected to explain the delays in these investigations, as his indecision could further harm a ministry already affected by chronic corruption allegations. Last June, health minister Esperance Luvindao reported a case to the ACC, requesting an investigation into a syndicate allegedly stealing medicine from her ministry and reselling it to the government. Recently, the health ministry announced the reassignment of staff members at medical stores implicated in fraud through stock data manipulation, theft, and diversion of life-saving medicine. The ministry suggests this scam aimed to create artificial shortages to trigger emergency procurement. While the

Jaythen Orange, a lock forward, has been selected for the South African under-20 Springbok squad for the Sanzaar Under-20 Rugby Championship, which begins on April 27. Orange's former schools in Windhoek have praised his achievement. He debuted in the 2026 Young Guns campaign and was later promoted to the University of Johannesburg's first team, where he reached the semi-finals of the FNB Varsity Cup. The article notes the competitive nature of South African rugby and suggests that Orange could still represent Namibia in the future, as rugby players can change allegiances. It also highlights the need for Namibian rugby to rebuild and expose young talent to well-funded competitions like those in South Africa.
Must ReadFormer liberation movements, including Swapo, often face criticism for not fulfilling their promises once in power, masking a lack of delivery with narratives of patriotic history. This issue is explored through the lens of authoritarian populism, where new elites reproduce aspects of colonial rule under the guise of heroic struggle. The article highlights how the slogan 'a luta continua' has been perverted into 'the looting continues,' citing South African analyst William Gumede's list of failures such as one-partyism, ethnic politics, and a culture of secrecy. The text also discusses how these movements, shaped by armed struggles, often exhibit centralized authoritarianism and repress internal dissent. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, for instance, addressed human rights violations by the ANC, with Nelson Mandela publicly apologizing, though former president Thabo Mbeki reportedly prevented the full publication of findings. In Namibia, the refusal to engage in a similar commission is noted, alongside concerns raised by former diplomat Paul Shipale about 'liberation credentials' evolving into entitlement. The article points to Swapo's 'heroic liberation narrative' inscribed at Heroes' Acre, yet questions its selectivity, particularly concerning the silencing of critical voices and the 'horror of Lubango.' The death of Solomon Hawala, known as the 'Butcher of Lubango,' in 2025, brought back traumatic memories of heinous crimes. Despite his role in brut