Namibian institution
The Cabinet of Namibia is an appointed body that was established by Chapter 6 (Articles 35-42) of the Constitution of Namibia . It is mandated to include the following positions: the President of Namibia , the Prime Minister of Namibia and any positions that the President so appoints.[1]
All cabinet members also sit in the National Assembly . This situation has been criticised by Namibia's civil society and the opposition as creating a significant overlap between executive and legislature , undermining the separation of powers . Moreover, the seniority of cabinet members generally relegate ordinary MPs to the back benches.[2]
List of cabinets of Namibia
Current cabinet (2020–)
The current cabinet was announced on 21 March 2020. Several deputy minister positions have been disestablished as a cost-cutting measure. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has been merged with the Ministry of Land Reform, and The Ministry of Veteran Affairs is now part of Defence.[3]
President : Hage Geingob
Vice-President : Nangolo Mbumba
Prime Minister : Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Deputy-Prime Minister : Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Minister of Presidential Affairs: Christine ǁHoebes
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform: Calle Schlettwein
Attorney General: Festus Mbandeka
Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs: Peter Vilho (until April 2021),[4] Frans Kapofi [5]
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture: Anna Nghipondoka
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism: Pohamba Shifeta
Deputy: Heather Sibungo (from April 2021)[5]
Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises: Iipumbu Shiimi
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Albert Kawana (until April 2021), Derek Klazen [5]
Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare: Doreen Sioka
Minister of Health and Social Services: Kalumbi Shangula
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: Frans Kapofi (until April 2021), Albert Kawana [5]
Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation: Itah Kandjii-Murangi
Minister of Industrialization and Trade: Lucia Iipumbu
Minister of Information and Communications Technology: Peya Mushelenga
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Minister of Justice: Yvonne Dausab
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation: Utoni Nujoma
Minister of Mines and Energy: Tom Alweendo
Director General of the National Planning Commission: Obeth Kandjoze
Minister of Public Enterprises: Leon Jooste (resigned 31 March 2022) (merged with finance ministry on 1 December 2022) [7]
Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service: Agnes Tjongarero
Deputy: Emma Kantema-Gaomas
Minister of Urban and Rural Development: Erastus Uutoni
Deputy: Derek Klazen (until April 2021), Natalia ǀGoagoses[5] (until September 2023), Eveline !Nawases-Tayele[6]
Minister of Works and Transport: John Mutorwa
2015–2020
The 6th Cabinet was announced on 19 March 2015. The position of Vice-President was established for the first time, as well as five ministries with two deputy ministers each. Their double appointments significantly increased the number of top positions in public administration.[8] [9]
A major cabinet reshuffle occurred in February 2018 when two ministers were fired, the vice-president retired on health grounds, and several other rotations took place.[10] In the wake of the February cabinet reshuffle the number of deputy ministers was reduced again to one per ministry, with the Office of the Vice-President the only exception. This move was announced as a cost-cutting measure.[11] [12]
President : Hage Geingob
Vice-President : Nickey Iyambo (until February 2018), Nangolo Mbumba
Prime Minister : Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Deputy-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs : Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Attorney-General: Albert Kawana
Director General of the National Planning Commission and Minister of Economic Planning: Tom Alweendo (until February 2018), Obeth Kandjoze
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry: John Mutorwa (until February 2018), Alpheus ǃNaruseb
Minister of Defence: Penda ya Ndakolo
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture: Katrina Hanse-Himarwa (until July 2019), Martin Andjaba (acting),[13] Anna Nghipondoka (From March 2020)
Minister of Environment and Tourism: Pohamba Shifeta
Minister of Finance: Calle Schlettwein
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Bernhard Esau (until 13 November 2019), Albert Kawana (acting)[14]
Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare: Doreen Sioka
Minister of Health and Social Services: Bernard Haufiku (until December 2018), Kalumbi Shangula [15]
Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation: Itah Kandjii-Murangi
Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration: Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana (until February 2018), Frans Kapofi
Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development: Immanuel Ngatjizeko (until February 2018), Tjekero Tweya
Minister of Information and Communication Technology: Tjekero Tweya (until February 2018), Stanley Simataa
Minister of Justice: Albert Kawana (until February 2018), Sackeus Shanghala (until 13 November 2019), Frans Kapofi (acting)[14]
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation: Erkki Nghimtina
Minister of Land Reform: Utoni Nujoma
Minister of Mines and Energy: Obeth Kandjoze (until February 2018), Tom Alweendo
Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare: Bishop Zephania Kameeta
Minister of Presidential Affairs: Frans Kapofi (until February 2018), Immanuel Ngatjizeko (until February 2018), Martin Andjaba [18]
Minister of Public Enterprises: Leon Jooste
Minister of Safety and Security: Charles Namoloh
Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service: Jerry Ekandjo (until February 2018), Erastus Uutoni
Minister of Urban and Rural Development: Sophia Shaningwa (until February 2018), Peya Mushelenga
Minister of Veterans' Affairs: Nickey Iyambo
Minister of Works and Transport: Alpheus ǃNaruseb (until February 2018), John Mutorwa
2010–2015
This Cabinet was appointed in 2010. The SWAPO congress end of November 2012 resulted in "one of the biggest Cabinet reshuffles the country has seen since independence".[19]
President : Hifikepunye Pohamba
Prime Minister : Nahas Angula (2010-2012), Hage Geingob (2012-2015)[19]
Deputy-Prime Minister : Marco Hausiku
Speaker of Parliament: Theo-Ben Gurirab
Minister of Trade and Industry: Hage Geingob (2010-2012), Calle Schlettwein (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Justice: Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana (2010-2012), Utoni Nujoma (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Safety and Security: Nangolo Mbumba (2010-2012), Immanuel Ngatjizeko (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Presidential Affairs and Attorney General: Albert Kawana
Minister of Defence: Charles Namoloh (2010-2012), Nahas Angula (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration: Rosalia Nghidinwa (2010-2012), Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Finance: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development: Jerry Ekandjo (2010-2012), Charles Namoloh (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Utoni Nujoma (2010-2012), Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (2012-)[19]
Minister of Health: Richard Kamwi
Minister of Education : Abraham Iyambo (until 2 February 2013), David Namwandi (from 21 February 2013)
Minister of Lands and Resettlement: Alpheus ǃNaruseb
Minister of Works and Transport: Erkki Nghimtina
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry: John Mutorwa
Minister of Environment and Tourism: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (2010-2012), Uahekua Herunga (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Labour and Social Welfare: Immanuel Ngatjizeko (2010-2012), Doreen Sioka (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Veterans' Affairs: Nickey Iyambo
Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare: Doreen Sioka (2010-2012), Rosalia Nghidinwa (2012-2015)[19]
Minister of Information and Information Technology: Joel Kaapanda
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Bernard Esau
Minister of Mines and Energy: Isak Katali
Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture: Kazenambo Kazenambo (2010-2012), Jerry Ekandjo (2012-2015)[19]
Auditor General: Junias Kandjeke[23]
2005–2010
Below is a list of the cabinet of the Republic of Namibia from appointment in 2005 until replacement in 2010:
2000–2005
The third cabinet of Sam Nujoma was announced on Independence Day 2000.[33]
1995–2000
The second cabinet under Sam Nujoma was announced on Independence Day 1995.[34] In 1999 a re-shuffle took place, mainly affecting deputy ministers.[35]
1990–1995
The first cabinet after Namibian independence consisted of 19 ministers appointed by inaugural president Sam Nujoma . In 1991, two further ministries were established:[36]