AGP Executive Report

Cricket Triumph in Windhoek: South Africa wrapped up the T20I tri-series title with a 48-run win over Zimbabwe at the Namibia Cricket Ground. Sports Spotlight: Jordan Hermann top-scored with a career-best 53 off 29 as SA posted 205/5, then Bjorn Fortuin and Duan Jansen struck three wickets each to bowl Zimbabwe out for 157. Injuries & Squad Rotation: Lhuan-dre Pretorius missed the final with a groin injury, while Andile Simelane was also ruled out, but younger Proteas still delivered. Fisheries Reform: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged local landing and processing of fish to boost jobs and value, warning against quota reselling and calling for transparency in quota allocation. Public Safety: Police reported 43 firearms seized this year and highlighted international cooperation that led to arrests, extraditions, and recovery of stolen vehicles. Courts & Procurement: Namibia’s Supreme Court dismissed an appeal over a school hostel food tender, ruling the procurement process continued after bid validity expired. Crime Update: Repeat drug accused Naomi Fisch was arrested again in Rehoboth after an undercover operation allegedly found crack cocaine and cash.

Namibia-US Health Deal: The Trump administration will end $45m support for Namibia’s HIV response after a data-sharing dispute, shifting to a technical cooperation model and urging integration into Namibia’s national health system. Malaria Surge: Namibia reports 122 deaths and 122,612 confirmed malaria cases this year, with indoor residual spraying planned for 1.2 million households and gaps flagged in prevention rollout. Tourism & Safety: Namibia inspected the Naukluft hiking trail to improve hiker safety, checking shelters, toilets, chains and other key infrastructure. Biosecurity Move: Namibia is strengthening foot-and-mouth disease safeguards by assessing 15 livestock truck wash and disinfection facilities in South Africa for possible accreditation. Sports (Windhoek): South Africa beat Zimbabwe in the Namibia T20I tri-series final setup, with the Proteas set to face Zimbabwe in the decider at Windhoek Cricket Ground on 6 September. Road Safety: A Bulawayo man appeared in court for drunk driving after a breathalyser reading above the legal limit. Local Development: Katima Mulilo residents welcome a new N$450m wastewater treatment plant to tackle long-running sewerage problems.

US-Namibia HIV Funding: The Trump administration will end its $45m annual support for Namibia’s HIV response after the 2027 fiscal year, shifting to “technical cooperation” as Namibia rejected proposed data-sharing and specimen access terms. Investment Climate: Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu launched a new up-to-five-year employment permit for investors, aiming to cut red tape and speed up business entry. Road Safety: Okapya Liner apologised after a fatal Ondangwa bus crash that killed one person and injured six, including damage to vendors’ goods. Trade & Customs: NamRA begins a Walvis Bay pilot of a financial security framework from 1 December to 28 February to reduce revenue risks during customs clearance. Youth & Digital Safety: UNICEF-linked reporting flags high exposure of children in Eastern and Southern Africa to online sexual abuse, while Namibia’s cyber initiative urges young people to move from awareness to safer habits. Sports (Namibia): Namibia set a new men’s T20I record for an Associate side vs a Full Member, posting 217/3 against South Africa in Windhoek. Labour-Education: NARETU and Welwitchia University signed an MoU to place law students into practical labour-law internships.

US-Namibia Health Funding: The U.S. will phase out $45m annual support for Namibia’s HIV response after 2027, shifting to “technical cooperation” as a dispute over access to sensitive health data and biological specimens continues. Cyber Safety for Youth: Namibia’s Global Cybersecurity Initiative urges young people to move from awareness to action, citing massive cyber events and vulnerabilities recorded by NAM-CSIRT. Cricket Tri-Series: South Africa beat Namibia by 11 runs in Windhoek to book the T20I tri-series final against Zimbabwe, powered by Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ maiden 101 and Connor Esterhuizen’s 88. Youth and Social Media: Junior MPs are told to use social platforms for real community change, not just fame, as Namibia pushes youth leadership. Local Government & Jobs: Rundu launches a council-owned commercial company to grow revenue and improve services, while new construction minimum wages and emergency care upgrades come into effect. Road Safety Clarification: Police in Usakos say a reported Usakos–Henties Bay “blockade” was staged by minors seeking food and money, not robbery.

Cricket Tri-Series: Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed a maiden T20I century (101 off 53) as South Africa beat Namibia by 11 runs in Windhoek, booking a final against Zimbabwe after posting 228/4 and holding Namibia to 217/3. Fisheries Policy: Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani urged stakeholders at the National Fisheries Indaba to manage a growing seal population with an ecosystem-based approach, while also pushing for more onshore processing and transparent quota allocation. Health System Strain: Otjiwarongo doctors at State Hospital are “juggling double shifts” amid a severe shortage—only eight doctors for a requirement of 40—leaving patients waiting across multiple departments. Aviation Uncertainty: Namibia said it is still in talks with Ethiopian Airlines about a new national carrier, but no decisions have been made. HIV Funding Shift: Namibia and the US announced a phased reduction of US financial assistance for Namibia’s HIV response, transitioning toward technical cooperation as Namibia integrates services into its national health system. Business & Energy: ReconAfrica plans to raise about N$174m for further Namibia exploration and testing, while TotalEnergies received approval to become operator of Namibia’s Mopane discovery under PEL83. Governance & Economy: Namibia’s Competition Commission said its tourism investigation won’t disrupt operations, and the IMD 2026 competitiveness ranking placed Namibia 69th globally in Africa’s lower tier.

US-HIV Funding Shift: The United States will phase down financial assistance for Namibia’s HIV response over the next year, moving toward technical cooperation as Namibia hits strong 96-98-98 testing, treatment and viral suppression targets. Youth Jobs Push: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged corporate Namibia to expand internships and apprenticeships and provide start-up equipment to tackle youth unemployment, as government plans to repurpose industrial parks into entrepreneurial centres. Embedded Solar Made Easier: The Electricity Control Board launched an online platform to speed up and standardise applications for rooftop solar and other embedded generation, replacing paper processes. Tourism Competition Reassurance: The NaCC says its probe into alleged exclusive arrangements between conservancies and tourism operators won’t disrupt tourism operations. Sports—Crucial Cricket: Namibia face South Africa in a must-win sixth T20I to reach the tri-series final. CAF Club Football: Unam and Kabuscorp clash in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, with Unam expecting a tough, physical tie. Business—Savanna Beef: Savanna Beef revised cattle weight categories for third-quarter pricing, effective 1 October with retrospective application from 1 September. Health & Policy: Namibia’s Mental Health Bill has cleared the House of Review, with calls for real equity in access beyond the law.

Namibia–Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Zimbabwe beat Namibia by five wickets in Windhoek as Innocent Kaia struck a career-best 72 and Gerhard Erasmus replied with 88*; Zimbabwe now need South Africa to beat Namibia to reach the final. Parliament & governance: Opposition parties renewed calls for National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to step aside, while SWAPO condemned AR MPs’ disruptions and urged sanctions. Phosphate row: Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani appealed the environmental clearance for the Sandpiper marine phosphate project, accusing government of poor coordination; the dispute adds pressure to Namibia’s phosphate approvals. Courts: Windhoek High Court dismissed a government special plea in a N$13m medical negligence claim over a needle left in a patient after surgery. Wildlife fight: A sanctuary linked to Angelina Jolie is battling to prevent the release or killing of 217 animals amid permit and compliance disputes. Economy & business: ICTSI agreed to acquire South Africa’s The Logistics Group, strengthening its Southern Africa ports and logistics footprint. Digital safety: UNICEF says 20 million children a year face online sexual abuse or exploitation, with social media driving many cases.

AFCON Qualifiers: Namibia coach Collin Benjamin named a 29-man provisional Brave Warriors squad for the opening 2027 AFCON qualifier double-header against Congo (Sept 24) and Comoros (Sept 28), with Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto among the picks. Cricket (Tri-Series): Namibia host Zimbabwe in the 5th T20I in Windhoek today, with Zimbabwe needing a win to stay alive while Namibia can book a final spot with victory. Aviation (Namibia Air): Government says talks with Ethiopian Airlines on the proposed Namibia Air are still “analytical” with no binding commitments, after rejecting a leaked document as unauthorised. Energy (Offshore): TotalEnergies and Galp have completed a deal reshuffling stakes across Namibia’s PEL 83, 56 and 91, placing TotalEnergies as operator for Mopane. Digital Trust: CRAN launched DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital and accredited Home Affairs as the first Certification Service Provider to issue and manage digital certificates. Health & Community: UNICEF flags big urban-rural gaps in water and sanitation for children, while Flushh brings sanitation awareness to Rundu’s Ndama settlement.

Parliament & Governance: Opposition IPC MPs walked out again during an ECN appointments vote, and IPC has tabled a motion to remove National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially. Labour & Mining: The Mineworkers’ Union of Namibia is demanding a bigger worker voice in mining licences and policy decisions. Economy & Work: A labour expert warns many Namibians can’t afford to retire at 60, with 14,000 people working beyond that age in the 2023 census. Health: Namibia recorded over 122,000 malaria cases and 122 deaths since the start of the year; government is launching an indoor spraying campaign. Public Safety & Environment: Scientists warn of rabies among seals in the Benguela Current and a virus in sardines; people are urged not to touch sick or dead marine animals. Water: NamWater will upgrade the Okahao Pump Station, causing scheduled water interruptions in Okahao and nearby areas. International Stance: Namibia calls for stronger global solidarity and renewed efforts to end nuclear testing. Sports & Youth: Namibia targets raising sport’s employment contribution from about 1% to 3.5% by 2030, while UNICEF highlights online sexual abuse risks for youths.

Airline Watch: Namibia’s Ministry of Works and Transport says a leaked Namibia Air document about talks with Ethiopian Airlines is not official and no binding commitments were made, as government weighs options to avoid repeating Air Namibia’s collapse. Digital Trust: CRAN launched DigiNam, with the regulator set as Namibia’s Root Certification Authority to anchor secure digital identities, e-signatures and safer online transactions. Mental Health Law: The National Council unanimously passed the Mental Health Bill, now heading to the National Assembly Speaker and then President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Embedded Solar Go-Live: The Electricity Control Board rolled out an online platform for embedded generation applications, aiming to speed approvals for rooftop solar and other small-scale systems. Human-Wildlife Pressure: Namibia recorded 11,508 human-wildlife conflict cases (2022–2026), including 77 human deaths, with new measures like water points and predator-proof kraals. Youth & Jobs: A Rundu lawyer launched his own practice after receiving N$200,000 from the National Youth Development Fund, while youth agriculture support also backed new farming ventures. Sport & Business: South Africa beat Zimbabwe in the Namibia-hosted T20 tri-series, and Shoprite announced it will buy coffee chain Vida e Caffè in a deal worth about $62m.

Cricket Tri-Series: Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed a career-best 94 as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs in Windhoek, setting up the next round of Namibia vs Zimbabwe with both sides still in the hunt. Housing Crunch: A new affordability report says Namibians need nearly N$44,000 a month to buy an average home, blaming a severe supply shortage and rising re-sale prices. Politics & Integrity: UNODC-backed talks heard deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo warn that undisclosed campaign cash can distort democracy and political decisions. Digital Trust: Namibia launched DigiNam, its National Public Key Infrastructure, to strengthen secure online identity checks and e-signatures for public services. Immigration Reform: MHAISS introduced a five-year Employment Permit to Conduct Business to simplify investor processes while keeping security central. Weather Watch: Cloud cover is building across parts of Namibia, with rain showers and thunderstorms expected in central, eastern and north-eastern areas. Energy & Mining: Deep Yellow’s Nova JV earn-in deal with Core Energy moves ahead, while Kaoko Metals reports broad visible copper hits at its Chalkos project.

Oil & Gas Local Value Push: Namibia’s 4th Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek wrapped with a clear demand: turn discoveries into jobs, skills, businesses and long-term benefits, not just extraction. Digital Trust for Services: CRAN launched DigiNam: Trust is Now Digital, letting verified digital identities and electronic signatures support online government services, contract signing and secure identity checks. Aviation Plan Under Scrutiny: Namibia Air talks with Ethiopian Airlines reportedly include management control as a condition, raising questions about aviation sovereignty and local capacity. Marine Phosphate Fight: Namibia granted environmental clearance for seabed dredging for phosphate near Walvis Bay, drawing strong criticism over impacts on the Benguela ecosystem and fisheries. Human Rights on Remand: Experts called for stronger dignity and rights protections for vulnerable remand detainees, including age and vulnerability considerations. Agriculture & Work: A survey says most generational farm workers already have retirement homes off farms, while training and lifelong learning drives continue. Business & Markets: Skeleton Basin Investments listed on NSX’s DevX as a Capital Pool Company; Andrada reported record FY2026 gains at its Uis mine. Sports (Namibia in focus): Namibia’s tri-series comeback fell short against Zimbabwe by five runs, keeping the race tight.

Oil & Gas Governance: Namibia’s government has warned against “unreasonable” demands for excessive state ownership in oil and gas projects, arguing Namibia can still secure benefits through royalties, taxes on exceptional profits, and tighter cost control. Lüderitz Oil Project: Namibian businessmen Josef Andreas and Jason Kasuto have quit the proposed N$4 billion Lüderitz oil and gas supply-base bid, leaving questions over stakes in the consortium and Namport’s renewed process. Editorial: A fresh opinion piece says ownership alone won’t deliver oil benefits—policy design matters more than headline shares. Environment & Trade: The Namibian Chamber of Environment criticised France’s planned hunting trophy import restrictions. Agriculture Tech: Namibia cancelled a N$40m AI crop monitoring deal with US firm 6th Grain over procurement and legal-procedure failures. Fuel Prices: Motorists face a Wednesday fuel hike after under-recoveries were factored in. Cricket (Tri-series): Zimbabwe edged Namibia by five runs in a Windhoek thriller after a late Namibia surge fell short. Youth & Water: The Junior National Council opened its new term, with leaders urging practical solutions to water and sanitation gaps. Weather: Thunderstorms are expected this week in several regions, with road users warned about slippery conditions and reduced visibility.

Banking & Deals: Nedbank has received Central Bank of Kenya approval to buy up to a 66% stake in NCBA, a major step in reshaping ownership across East Africa. Fisheries & Health: Authorities suspect sardine/pilchard mass deaths along South Africa’s coast and Namibia’s shoreline are linked to pilchard herpesvirus, with investigations ongoing. Mining & Jobs: Government says it is working with workers to restart the Scorpion Zinc mine and refinery at Rosh Pinah “responsibly,” after the 2024 closure cost about 500 jobs. Business & Growth: Andrada Mining reports revenue up 34.4% to N$658m and rising net assets, while officials push entrepreneurship beyond local markets. Road Safety: Thousands of Ford Ranger Double Cab vehicles (including units exported to Namibia) are recalled over side-curtain airbag concerns. Governance & Justice: A former NDF cleaner in Ondangwa, Claudia Hatutale, gets N$10,000 bail on corruption charges; case postponed to February 2027. National Identity: Namibia mourns liberation icon Helao Shityuwete, remembered for workers’ rights and Robben Island imprisonment. Tech & Policy: Namibia secures a seat on the AI for Good Global Commission, aiming to shape AI governance and use it for public services.

T20I Tri-Series Update: South Africa’s Lutho Sipamla is ruled out with a left hamstring injury and replaced by Andile Simelane, as the squad also deals with Jason Smith’s groin problem and Kagiso Rabada’s ODI absence. Education Standards: Namibia’s education ministry rolls out new frameworks to strengthen standards in schools and hostels. National Honours Debate: The Presidency defends granting hero status to 16-year-old Cornelius Shimuafeni, saying courage and selflessness matter beyond the liberation struggle. Media Loss: EFN mourns veteran NBC cameraman Lamech Mwanyangapo. Justice & Crime: A man faces eight charges over an alleged N$3.8m illegal abalone export attempt. GBV Mental Health: A new piece highlights how GBV’s psychological toll varies across Namibia. Labour & Industry: Luderitz’s Marco Fishing locks out about 300 workers amid a wage dispute. Liberation Legacy: Namibia mourns Helao Joseph Shityuwete, with condolences from President Nandi-Ndaitwah and renewed focus on workers’ rights and Robben Island imprisonment. Digital Skills Push: An ICT bootcamp trains learners and teachers for Namibia’s national ICT in Education convention. Environment Watch: Sardine deaths continue to spread, with Namibia agreeing to provide samples for pilchard herpesvirus testing.

Cricket & Tri-Series: Namibia’s home T20I tri-series is back in focus after South Africa bounced from an 18-run loss to Namibia by beating Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in Windhoek, with Dewald Brevis blasting an unbeaten 75 to power the chase. Injuries & Scheduling: South Africa also faces a major fitness headache: Kagiso Rabada is ruled out of the ODI series against Australia with a hamstring injury, while Lutho Sipamla is out of the Namibia-based tri-series after a left hamstring problem. Public Safety: Namibian Police warn fraudsters are using vulnerable people’s identities to register SIM cards for scams, urging residents not to let others register SIMs with their details. Politics & Diplomacy: A petition has gathered 500+ signatures calling for the US ambassador to be declared persona non grata, amid claims about foreign influence as Namibia’s oil and gas sector draws attention. Health Policy: Namibia’s mental health bill has cleared the National Council and now goes to the president for consideration. Energy & Investment: Namibia’s energy minister urged investors to back offshore oil and gas opportunities, while Paladin reports a 71% jump in Langer Heinrich uranium sales revenue.