Mulunga appointed as Chairperson of the Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia  Namibia Economist

The Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN) has appointed Paulus Mulunga as its new chairperson, with the renewable energy industry leader pledging to position the association as a central private-sector coordinating force and unified voice for Namibia’s renewable energy sector.

Staff Writer  The Renewable Energy Industry Association of Namibia (REIAoN) has appointed Paulus Mulunga as its new chairperson, with the renewable energy industry leader pledging to position the association as a central private-sector coordinating force and unified voice for Namibia’s renewable energy sector. Mulunga, a long-serving member of REIAoN’s leadership, previously served as secretary of the association before ascending to the chairmanship. He said his tenure would focus on moving REIAoN from advocacy towards coordinated action by making better use of the technical, commercial and institutional expertise within its membership. “A central theme of my tenure will be moving from advocacy towards coordinated action. REIAoN has a diverse membership with significant technical, commercial and institutional expertise, and we need to harness that knowledge more effectively,” Mulunga said. As part of this approach, Mulunga said he would oversee the establishment of specialised task forces, each led by a chairperson with a clear mandate, action plan and measurable deliverables. The task forces will focus on areas including solar PV GreenSeal and installer quality, net metering and distributed energy, independent power producers (IPPs), electric mobility, green hydrogen, suppliers and local manufacturing, as well as government and political engagement. “These task forces are platforms through which members identify industry challenges, develop solutions and engage the appropriate institutions collectively,” Mulunga said. He identified stronger engagement with the Electricity Control Board (ECB) as another key priority, saying structured and constructive engagement with the regulator would be important in creating an enabling environment for renewable energy development. Key areas of engagement with the ECB will include simplifying generator licensing, regulation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and electric vehicles, implementation of Net Metering Rules, regulation of large mini-grids and emerging opportunities in the electricity market. Mulunga also highlighted the Namibia PV GreenSeal initiative as an important mechanism for improving installer competence, installation quality and consumer confidence in the solar PV market. He said REIAoN should bring commercial banks, insurers, training institutions, utilities, regulators and industry players together to ensure that recognised technical competence translates into greater consumer confidence, improved access to finance and stronger opportunities for qualified local installers. Beyond Namibia, Mulunga said REIAoN should contribute to regional discussions on the growing demand for electricity as Southern Africa’s population and industrialisation expand. He said Namibia’s abundant renewable energy resources, strategic geographical position and access to the Southern African Power Pool could enable the country to become an increasingly important regional energy player. “REIAoN should therefore contribute to discussions around regional power trading, transmission and grid expansion, cross-border electricity markets and how Namibia can maximise periods of abundant renewable generation while benefiting from competitive regional electricity when appropriate,” Mulunga said.

YouTube video by mulunga brenda

…as opposition members call for speaker’s head Patience Makwele  The national assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday after the official opposition, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), attempted to table a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in a direct challenge to the leadership of the House. IPC member of parliament Michael Mulunga […]

…as opposition members call for speaker’s head Patience Makwele  The national assembly descended into chaos on Wednesday after the official opposition, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), attempted to table a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in a direct challenge to the leadership of the House. IPC member of parliament Michael Mulunga moved, without notice, for the national assembly to resolve that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila be removed from office, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over parliament. He invoked the House’s Standing Rules alongside Article 51(2) of the Namibian Constitution, which provides for the removal of the speaker by a resolution of the national assembly. Mulunga argued that Standing Rule 27 requires the speaker to apply the rules fairly and impartially while ensuring the participation of all members, while Standing Rule 111(1) provides that complaints alleging contempt of parliament should be referred to the Committee of Privileges. The motion placed Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in an unusual procedural dilemma as she questioned her ability to rule on a motion directly concerning her own position. “I cannot make a ruling on an issue that concerns me,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, before instructing Mulunga to take his seat and indicating that he would have an opportunity to address the matter at an appropriate time. As noise and disorder escalated across the floor, the speaker briefly walked out of the chamber before returning moments later. Order could not be restored, leading prime minister Elijah Ngurare to move for the house to adjourn until next Tuesday, bringing parliamentary proceedings to an abrupt end for a second consecutive day. Amupanda attacks speaker, calls for elections The parliamentary standoff follows a dramatic confrontation on Tuesday, when Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda was escorted out of the chamber by security officials. Addressing a press briefing in Windhoek on Wednesday morning, Amupanda attacked Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s leadership, accusing her of managing the legislature through emotion rather than established parliamentary procedure. “She does not read the rules,” Amupanda said. “You have a speaker who is disorganised and incompetent… They cannot debate intellectually, so they just bulldoze by saying, ‘let’s vote.’” Amupanda described what he called Swapo’s strategy as a “park the bus” tactic, accusing the ruling party of deploying the speaker to obstruct opposition voices. He challenged Swapo veterans and intellectuals to intervene before the institution’s functioning deteriorates further. “If they want to dissolve the National Assembly because they cannot get their way, let them do it,” Amupanda said, adding that the AR would welcome a fresh election to test its growing support. He claimed the AR could help reduce Swapo’s current 51 seats to as few as 20, while warning that his movement would continue confronting the ruling party. “We will not show any pity to any corrupt party or tolerate any funny business. We are going to confront them every single day for the next five years,” he said. IPC cites legislative backlog Backing the motion in a formal statement issued Wednesday afternoon, official opposition leader Immanuel Nashinge said it marked the first motion to remove a speaker since independence. Nashinge said the action was not aimed at Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s character, but at what the IPC considers a failure to fulfil her constitutional and parliamentary duties. He pointed to what he described as a legislative bottleneck, saying that of approximately 550 questions tabled by lawmakers since the current parliament began, the speaker’s office has processed only 166. “A question is not paperwork,” Nashinge stated. “It is a crew in Walvis Bay waiting to hear why a quota moved, a contractor in Ondangwa never told why he lost a tender, a nurse in Rundu whose clinic was promised equipment two budgets ago. Question Time is where their question has standing.” NEFF blames Swapo Party infighting The motion has also drawn support from other opposition benches. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu backed the censure, accusing Kuugongelwa-Amadhila of failing to act as a neutral arbiter. “The speaker must be an impartial person, someone who does not choose sides,” Iipumbu said, contrasting her tenure with that of her predecessor, Peter Katjavivi. “Katjavivi could handle the house effectively. But now we have a speaker who chooses sides. If she cannot be impartial, she must take leave and let someone else preside,” he said. Iipumbu argued that the Swapo Party’s internal succession battles ahead of its 2027 Congress are spilling over into parliament and affecting the functioning of government. “The ruling party is not focusing on bettering the lives of the people on the ground, they are fighting each other towards their 2027 Congress,” he said. On the backlog of nearly 400 unanswered parliamentary questions, Iipumbu called for an urgent meeting between the speaker, deputy speaker, parliamentary secretariat and opposition chief whips to establish a mechanism for clearing the backlog. Analysts divided over political fallout Political commentator Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi described the motion as “long overdue”, placing responsibility for the current impasse on the Speaker. “The speaker is the problem,” Ya Shiindi said. “The moment she gets in that chair, she is supposed to preside over the house without taking sides. Using her emotions to adjourn the House or defend rulings is unbecoming.” Ya Shiindi also raised concerns over the security presence around the chamber during recent sessions and suggested that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila temporarily step aside. “Saara needs to go for emotional intelligence coaching or further induction on parliamentary rules. In the meantime, the deputy speaker should preside over the business of the House,” she said. Political analyst Sakaria Johannes, however, took a more cautious view of Amupanda’s call for parliament to be dissolved and his prediction that AR could reduce Swapo to 20 seats. “I don’t think it’s realistic,” Johannes said. “Swapo might lose some votes or percentages, but losing down to 20 seats is not a realistic assessment. Namibian voter behaviour is still heavily influenced by history.” Johannes also cautioned against dissolving parliament, citing the financial burden a fresh election would place on taxpayers. “We have to look at the cost. Are we really ready for such an undertaking? Is it reasonably necessary? I don’t think so.” While acknowledging that opposition parties are expected to challenge the ruling party, Johannes said prolonged parliamentary gridlock ultimately affects the public. “There must still be a constructive working relationship to advance the country’s business.” With parliament adjourned until Tuesday, attention now turns to whether the speaker will rule on the IPC motion and how the ruling party and opposition benches will respond when the house reconvenes.

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Michael Mulunga has tabled a motion calling for the removal of National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office. Mulunga argued that the Speaker had failed to discharge the duties of her office in accordance with Standing Rule 27. He particularly said the rule requires a presiding officer to act fairly and impartially and to apply the Standing Rules with due regard to ensuring the participation of all MPs in a manner consistent with democracy. “We therefore move that this House accordingly resolves that a resolution be, and is hereby, passed by the National Assembly in terms of Article 51(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, which provides for the Speaker to be removed from office by resolution of the National Assembly, and that the Honourable Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila be removed from the Office of Speaker of the National Assembly.” Mulunga further called for the vacancy arising from the Speaker's removal to be reported to the Secretary of the House and filled in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Rules. However, the Speaker deferred the ruling on the matter, saying she could not make a ruling on an issue concerning herself.

Staff Reporter PARLIAMENT adjourned this afternoon after the second consecutive day ended in chaos, after the official Opposition IPC, for the first time in Namibia’s parliamentary history, attempted to table a motion seeking a vote of no confidence in National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. She is accused of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion was tabled by Michael Mulunga, a Member of Parliament from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), who invoked the National Assembly’s Standing Rules and Article 51(2) of the Namibian Constitution, which provides for the removal of the Speaker by a resolution of the National Assembly. Mulunga moved, without notice, for the House to resolve that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila be removed from office as Speaker. He argued that Standing Rule 27 requires the Speaker to act fairly and impartially, apply the Standing Rules with due regard to ensuring the participation of all members in a manner consistent with democracy, and ensure the consistent and strict observance of the Standing Rules, Standing Orders and applicable legal provisions. Mulunga further argued that the Speaker’s conduct is particularly important given Parliament’s constitutional responsibilities, including holding ministers accountable for the administration of their ministries and upholding and defending the Constitution. The motion calls for the vacancy created by the removal of the Speaker to be reported to the Secretary of the National Assembly and filled in accordance with Article 51(4) of the Constitution and the relevant Standing Rules. It also seeks to censure Kuugongelwa-Amadhila for allegedly failing to discharge the duties imposed on her under Standing Rule 27, particularly the requirement to act fairly and impartially. Mulunga further argued that any complaint alleging that a member had committed contempt of Parliament should be referred by the House to the Committee of Privileges in terms of Standing Rule 111(1), rather than being dealt with by the Speaker. After Mulunga tabled the motion, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila raised concerns about her ability to make a ruling on a matter directly concerning her own position as presiding officer. “I have to consider whether the matter can be tabled under the procedure while the member is presiding,” she said, indicating that a ruling on the procedural issue would be deferred. She said it would present a challenge for her to preside over a matter concerning the conduct and position of the presiding officer. “I can’t make a ruling on an issue that concerns me,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said. The Speaker then instructed Mulunga to take his seat, saying he would have an opportunity to address the motion at the appropriate time. “I cannot make a ruling now. You will have an opportunity to deal with that issue another time,” she said. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also cautioned members against engaging one another while the matter was being dealt with, reminding the House that only one member could hold the floor at a time. The Speaker, however, could not bring the House to order and walked out, returning later. One parliamentarian said: “We don’t know what’s going to come out of the room there and what they are going to do.” Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila returned to the National Assembly moments later but could not bring the House to order. Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare then moved for the House to adjourn until next Tuesday. Photos: NBC Digital News The post IPC attempted unprecedented motion to remove National Assembly Speaker appeared first on Informanté.

Miss Teen International Namibia 2025, Chantel Boeren, has arrived in India to represent Namibia at the Miss Teen International competition. Chantel is accompanied by her mother, Frieda Ndjambula-Boeren, and Miss Namibia National Director Beaulah Boois-Beukes. The Namibian delegation received a warm welcome from representatives of the Namibian diplomatic mission in India, including First Secretary Tangeni Mulunga as well as Namibian students studying in India. Chantel now begins her international pageant journey, carrying the Namibian flag onto the global stage. “I'm super excited; I can't wait to represent our country on the international stage and show them what we've got.” Miss Namibia National Director Beaulah Boois-Beukes said the team is ready for the international stage and determined to place. “We are ready for Mustin International 2026 where we will be represented by Mustin Namibia 2025, Chantal Buren Namibia now is the time to stand behind and support our girl and the public voting continues all you need to do is download the OneZone app look for Chantal Buren and vote for her vote vote vote we're looking forward to revealing our national costume we are looking forward to Chantal representing us on the international stage Namibia this is your time it's our time to shine because Mustin Namibia is ours.” The Grand Finale will take place on 30 August 2026.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masake, says that despite efforts to drill boreholes for communities in remote areas, saline water remains a persistent challenge. The minister was responding to Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP, Michael Mulunga, who claimed that little to no effort has been made to provide water for people in remote and rural areas since the country's independence. Masake stated that the ministry is planning to construct a mini desalination plant to mitigate the issue of saline water, forming part of the broader programme designed to benefit all affected communities in various regions. She says several boreholes in the northern regions have been identified for replacement due to depletion and saline water. "The ministry remains committed to ensuring suitable access to safe drinking water for all Namibians and continues to pursue innovative and sustainable solutions for communities expecting difficult water issues. Honourable Speaker, several boreholes throughout the region, particularly in Ndiyona, Mukwe and Mashare constituencies, have been identified for replacement due to the issue related to salons and depleting into these drilled boreholes."

Allexer Namundjembo Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Michael Mulunga has denied allegations that he illegally acquired and fenced communal land in the !Kharoxas area.  !Kharoxas is seven kilometres south of Groot Aub.  Mulunga said he followed all required procedures and only occupies a two-hectare plot. Mulunga was responding to questions from the […]

Justicia Shipena  Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Michael Mulunga warned that the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill could drive Namibia into a “resource curse” if adopted in its current form.  A resource curse is when a country has valuable natural resources like oil but ends up worse off economically. He was speaking in parliament […]

Justicia Shipena Fugitive Victor Malima paid a deposit of just over N$900,000 in 2023 for the luxury Audi Q8 he allegedly bought for former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) managing director Immanuel Mulunga, the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.  The payment was made before the vehicle was collected in August 2023, months after […]

Hertta-Maria Amutenja An audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) flagged questionable financial practices at Namcor.  It highlighted irregular payment arrangements with Enercon Namibia (Pty) Ltd, the company at the centre of a N$53 million fuel supply deal. The audit was presented during the ongoing bail application of former Namcor managing director Immanuel Mulunga and eight others in […]

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which last year praised former Namcor managing director Immanuel ‘Imms’ Mulunga for saving the company and the country, has now arrested him on potential corruption-related charges.

In March 2025, Ruth and a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide to support 'Mulunga' self-help group and their community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In March 2025, Robert and a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide to support 'Mulunga' self-help group and their community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In March 2025, a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid supported Sand Dams Worldwide and community members in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. Hear from one of the community members, Pius Kithumbi from 'Mulunga' self-help group, about what the sand dam and access to safe water will mean to him. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In Match 2025, Olivia and a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide to support 'Mulunga' self-help group and their community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In March 2025, Moses and a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide to support 'Mulunga' self-help group and their community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In March 2025, a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid supported Sand Dams Worldwide and community members in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. Hear from one of the community members, Mary Mbithe from 'Mulunga' self-help group, about what the sand dam and access to safe water will mean to him. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk

In March 2025, Luke and a group of volunteers from Jersey Overseas Aid teamed up with Sand Dams Worldwide to support 'Mulunga' self-help group and their community in southeast Kenya to build a sand dam. The sand dam will go on to provide the community with a local lifelong supply of clean water. If you'd like to find out more or join a sand dam expedition, visit https://www.sanddamsworldwide.org.uk/Pages/Category/about-our-expeditions or contact expeditions@sanddamsworldwide.org.uk