Windhoek, Namibia| Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Namibia, has announced a comprehensive restructuring of the Namibian government alongside the appointment of a new Cabinet.
Speaking at the State House in Windhoek, she outlined a series of strategic changes aimed at enhancing efficiency, eliminating redundancy, and ensuring effective service delivery.
The restructuring, she emphasized, aligns with her administration’s vision for national development and prosperity.
A Mandate for Transformation
In her address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the overwhelming mandate granted to her administration by the Namibian people in the last presidential election.
She stated that the support demonstrated confidence in the ruling SWAPO Party’s agenda, particularly the promises outlined in her Election Manifesto, which is built on the principles of Unity in Diversity, Natural Resources Beneficiation, and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development.
“To realize these goals, we have developed an Implementation Plan that will serve as the blueprint for the new government,” she stated.
“This plan will act as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and human capital investment, particularly through education and youth empowerment.”
She further underscored her government’s responsibility to consolidate democracy, promote good governance, and accelerate the delivery of essential public services.
She pledged to prioritize food security, healthcare, affordable housing, quality education, and job creation to address the needs of the people.
Major Government Restructuring
As part of her administration’s commitment to optimizing governance, President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced several structural changes to government ministries and agencies to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.
One of the key changes involves transferring the trade mandate to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation to ensure better coordination in economic diplomacy and to enhance Namibia’s participation in regional and continental trade, particularly within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Similarly, the responsibility for managing social grants has been placed under the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises to improve efficiency and remove bottlenecks in distribution.
In another significant adjustment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform will now oversee Fisheries and Marine Resources to enhance sustainability and maximize economic benefits.
The Ministry of Education, Arts, Sport, and Culture will take charge of Higher Education and Innovation, streamlining the sector to foster improved coordination and development.
To accelerate industrialization and economic diversification, the government has moved the industrialization portfolio to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ensuring alignment with Namibia’s natural resource development strategy.
Other notable changes include shifting the functions related to marginalized communities and disability affairs to the Office of the Prime Minister to enhance national coordination.
Poverty eradication has been designated as a cross-cutting issue, requiring all government ministries to implement targeted programs addressing socio-economic development.
Labour relations will now be managed by the Ministry of Justice to ensure better coordination and implementation of labour legislation.
Additionally, a new public entity will be established to manage government-owned immovable properties across Namibia’s 14 regions.
Recognizing the significance of the emerging oil and gas sector, the President has placed its management under the Office of the President to ensure maximum national benefit.
The New Executive Structure and Key Appointments
The restructuring of government ministries has resulted in the reorganization of the executive branch.
The new Cabinet structure includes the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister, alongside ministries responsible for key sectors such as Defence and Veterans Affairs; Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; International Relations and Trade; Finance and Social Grants Management; Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.
Other ministries include Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture; Health and Social Services; Industrialization, Mines, and Energy; Environment and Tourism; Information and Communication Technology; Gender Equality and Child Welfare; Works and Transport; Urban and Rural Development; and Justice and Labour Relations.
To lead the newly structured government, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi as Vice President. The position of Prime Minister will be held by the Right Honourable Elijah Ngurare, with Honourable Natangwe Ithete serving as Deputy Prime Minister.
Other key ministerial appointments include Honourable Frans Kapofi as Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Honourable Lucia Iipumbu as Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, and Honourable Selma Ashipala-Musavyi as Minister of International Relations and Trade, with Honourable Jenelly Matundu serving as her Deputy.
Honourable Erica Shafudah has been assigned the Ministry of Finance and Social Grants Management, while Honourable Mac-Albert Hengari will lead the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, supported by Deputy Minister Honourable Ruth Masake.
The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture will be led by Honourable Sanet Steenkamp, with Honourable Dino Balloti as Deputy Minister.
The health sector will be overseen by Honourable Esperance Luvindao, while Honourable Natangwe Ithete will take charge of the Ministry of Industrialization, Mines, and Energy, with Honourable Gaudentia Kröhne serving as Deputy Minister.
Honourable Indileni Daniel has been appointed as Minister of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Emma Theofelus as Minister of Information and Communication Technology, and Honourable Emma Kantema as Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, with Honourable Linda Mbwale as Deputy Minister.
The Ministry of Works and Transport will be led by Honourable Veikko Nekundi, while Honourable James Sankwasa will head the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, supported by Deputy Minister Honourable Eveline Nawases Taeyele.
The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations will be under the leadership of Honourable Fillemon Wise Emmanuel.
In addition to the Cabinet appointments, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has named Mr. Festus Mbandeka as Attorney General, a position not requiring parliamentary membership.
Mr. Kaire Mbuende has been appointed as Director General of Planning, also serving outside the legislature.
A Call for Unity and Action
Concluding her address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged all appointed officials to execute their duties with diligence, integrity, and a sense of national responsibility.
She emphasized the need for collective efforts to drive Namibia’s socio-economic development, reduce inequality, and create a prosperous future for all citizens.
“The success of this government depends on our ability to work together, to remain accountable to the people, and to deliver on the promises we have made,” she affirmed.
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With these strategic realignments and leadership appointments, Namibia embarks on a new chapter of governance, focusing on economic growth, job creation, and improved public service delivery.
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