Namibia’s 2025–2029 Cabinet: Composition, Context, and Constitutional Framework

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1. Significance

• In March 2025, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was inaugurated as Namibia’s first female President, a historic milestone for the nation.
• Alongside her, Lucia Witbooi was appointed as Vice President, marking the first time Namibia has simultaneously had both a female President and Vice President.
• This new leadership led to a streamlined Cabinet of 14 ministers and 7 deputy ministers, designed to reduce redundancy, lower expenditures, and improve governance efficiency.
• Notably, 9 of the 14 ministerial positions were held by women—a strong shift toward gender representation.

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2. Constitutional and Structural Context

• The appointments were enacted under the authority of Article 32(3)(i)(dd) of the Republic of Namibia’s Constitution. This provision empowers the President to appoint the Vice President, Prime Minister, ministers, deputy ministers, Attorney General, and other senior officials.
• The inauguration of the 8th Administration’s first Cabinet meeting took place on 25 March 2025, reinforcing the formal structure of the executive.

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3. Cabinet Composition at a Glance

Below is a formal summary of the current Cabinet, reflecting both leading and deputy roles:

Position	Office Holder	Deputy (if applicable)
President	Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah	—
Vice President	Lucia Witbooi	—
Prime Minister	Elijah Ngurare	—
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy	Natangwe Ithete	—
Minister of Finance & Social Grants Management	Erica Shafudah	—
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform	Mac-Albert Hengari (until 23 April 2025); then Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi (since 7 May 2025)	—
Minister of Defence & Veterans Affairs	Frans Kapofi	Charles Mubita
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety & Security	Lucia Iipumbu	—
Minister of International Relations & Trade	Selma Ashipala-Musavyi	Jenelly Matundu
Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts & Culture	Sanet Steenkamp	Dino Ballotti
Minister of Health & Social Services	Esperance Luvindao	—
Minister of Environment & Tourism	Indileni Daniel	—
Minister of Information & Communication Technology	Emma Theofelus	—
Minister of Gender Equality & Child Welfare	Emma Kantema (aka Kantema-Gaomas)	Linda Baloyi
Minister of Justice & Labour Relations	Fillemon Wise Emmanuel	—
Minister of Works & Transport	Veikko Nekundi	—
Minister of Urban & Rural Development	James Sankwasa	Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele
Attorney General	Festus Mbandeka	—
Director General, National Planning Commission	Kaire Mbuende	—

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4. Key Highlights & Forward-Looking Context

1. Historic Leadership
   The dual appointments of President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Vice President Witbooi represent a landmark for gender equality in Namibian governance.
2. Strategic Cabinet Downsizing
   Reduction from previous larger cabinets to 14 ministers and 7 deputies exemplifies a push for leaner, more efficient governance.
3. Agricultural Ministry Transition
   The Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform portfolio transitioned from Mac-Albert Hengari to Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi due to legal controversies affecting the former.
4. Gender Representation Progress
   With women holding nine ministerial positions, this Cabinet advances inclusivity and diverse leadership.

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Namibia’s 2025–2029 Cabinet ushers in a transformative era of governance—defined by gender parity, streamlined structure, and strategic appointments—under President Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s principled leadership.