Female-led government, a first for Africa
Allexer Namundjembo
Namibia has become the first country in Africa where women hold the top three government positions.
This followed the swearing-in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 21 March as the country’s first female president. She previously served as Namibia’s first female vice president, a role she assumed in February 2024 after Nangolo Mbumba became president following the death of Hage Geingob.
Alongside her are Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first woman to serve as Speaker, while Witbooi is the second woman to become Vice President.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has long supported gender equality but believes ability should be the main reason for holding leadership positions.
“As women, we should not ask to be elected to positions of responsibility because we are women, but because we are capable members of our societies to hold those positions,” she said.
Alongside her, the newly appointed Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Speaker of Parliament Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first female speaker of parliament, while Witbooi is the second female vice president.
She called on members of parliament to put aside party differences and serve the nation equally.
“Although we were elected on the tickets of our respective political parties, we have assumed the responsibility to represent all Namibian people without any discrimination,” she said.
Social media users across Africa reacted to the development, with many hailing Namibia as a progressive example.
“Namibia’s historic new cabinet. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Lucia Witbooi as vice president and swore in 14 ministers, including 8 women, and 7 deputies. The cabinet was cut from 21 to 14. Namibia is the only African nation with a female president and vice president,” a tweet from the account @AfricaFactsZone reads.
“Namibia Cabinet – very commendable! May the SADC male peers take notes on diversity, inclusivity, equality, etc.! And being bold and swift,” said @kfphele.
Of the 14 ministers appointed by Nandi-Ndaitwah, eight are women.
She also announced major changes to the structure of government ministries and agencies.
The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation will now handle trade to strengthen economic diplomacy. Social grants will move to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises for better delivery.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has merged with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform.
Education has been restructured under a single Ministry of Education, Arts, Sport, and Culture.
The Ministry of Industrialisation has been combining with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to boost industrial growth, especially in mining.
Responsibilities for disabled people and marginalised groups now fall under the Office of the Vice President.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said poverty eradication will be a cross-cutting goal, with all ministries expected to implement programs that support socio-economic development.
Labour relations will now be handled by the Ministry of Justice.
A new public entity will be set up to manage government properties and assets, with the name to be announced.
Oil and gas sectors will be overseen by the Office of the President.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah welcomed the reduction in ministries and deputy ministers.
“Long overdue, but I’m also concerned about the merging of certain ministries, as announced yesterday,” he said.
He questioned the long-term stability of constant restructuring.
“If every new president keeps dismantling or merging institutions, it risks undermining the continuity and stability of government operations,” Kamwanyah said.
He also warned that giving one minister responsibility for both basic and higher education, along with youth and sports, could be too much.
“This might not be sustainable in the long term, especially if these roles become too broad,” Kamwanyah added.
Political analyst Sackaria Johannes supported the reduction of ministries.
“The division of the education ministry into two was unnecessary. Many of those ministries were divided by the late Hage Geingob, and it was a duplication of ministries from my side,” he said.
Johannes said the workload can be managed within ministries.
“Some ministries can be viewed as if there will be an overload, such as the international and trade ministry because trade and diplomacy are two different things,” Johannes added.
He said the changes would reduce costs.
“Whenever you have a ministry, you’ll be having a set-up of administration in that ministry, and they will be having many expenditures that will cost the government. It was a lot, and the reduction is in the interest of people,” he added.
Johannes added that if there is pressure, it can be addressed with extra staff.
“If there will be pressure, it’ll be a necessary pressure,” he said.
