VP Lucia Witbooi to represent Namibia at IATF2025 in Algeria VP Lucia Witbooi to represent Namibia at IATF2025 in Algeria NBC Online Mon, 09/01/2025 - 13:14

#Namibia #IATF2025 #LuciaWitbooi #TradeFair #Algeria

VP Witbooi urges Kwe San to engage on development VP Witbooi urges Kwe San to engage on development NBC Online Mon, 08/25/2025 - 19:50

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VP pledges to monitor indigenous youth participation in National Youth Fund VP pledges to monitor indigenous youth participation in National Youth Fund NBC Online Sun, 08/10/2025 - 13:34

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VP Witbooi pays tribute to Jonathan Goliath VP Witbooi pays tribute to Jonathan Goliath NBC Online Sat, 07/05/2025 - 17:34

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Vice President leads State house cleanup campaign Vice President leads State house cleanup campaign NBC Online Fri, 06/27/2025 - 19:03

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Swapo Party Berseba Disrict claims sabotage behaviour against VP Swapo Party Berseba Disrict claims sabotage behaviour against VP NBC Online Mon, 06/02/2025 - 17:55

#Swapo #BersebaDistrict #LuciaWitbooi #CulturalFestival #Namibia

We hope this day brings some level of comfort — Witbooi Vice president Lucia Witbooi says she hopes the introduction of an annual Genocide Remembrance Day will bring some level of comfort to the affected Ovaherero and Nama communities. The country marked the first genocide remembrance day at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday, despite some Ovaherero and Nama communities rejecting the day with some arguing that the day should be commemorated on 22 April when their ancestors were massacred or on 2 October, when an extermination order was given by Lothar von Trotha. The day is held in honour of the victims of the 1904-1908 genocide perpetrated under German colonial rule. At the commemoration, Witbooi stated that the day is of national importance in the history of the country. “The Remembrance Day is a day to reflect on the 1904-1908 genocide victims and to honour them,” she says. Witbooi also noted that the genocide affected not only the Nama and Herero people, but also the San and Damara communities. She urged all Namibians to honour the victims, as the loss affects all tribes. She acknowledged that the pain and scars of the genocide continues to haunt the descendents. She said the day signals a new chapter as 28 May will be a day dedicated to honour those who lost their lives. She added that the day does not mean the genocide will be forgotten, adding that this chapter of the country’s history will live on. However, she said the government hopes it will bring comfort to the descendents who can now look forward to commemorating it each year. The post We hope this day brings some level of comfort — Witbooi appeared first on The Namibian.

#GenocideRemembrance #Ovaherero #Nama #LuciaWitbooi #HistoriesMatter

VP Lucia Witbooi attends inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome VP Lucia Witbooi attends inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in Rome NBC Online Sun, 05/18/2025 - 19:24

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President, VP no-show sparks funeral fury The absence of both president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and vice president (VP) Lucia Witbooi at the funeral of Ovambanderu Traditional Authority councillor Gerson Katjirua has upset the community. Katjirua (84), also known as ‘Mutize’, died on 27 April after a short illness and was laid to rest at the Ovambanderu Heroes’ Acre at Okahandja on Sunday. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani has criticised Nandi-Ndaitwah for attending the Omagongo Cultural Festival in the Ohangwena region, while Witbooi recently attended the /Hai-/Khaua annual festival at Berseba in the //Kharas region. Venaani says the vice president, who is responsible for the genocide portfolio, should have prioritised Katjirua’s funeral. The traditional leader served as chairperson of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and Nama Council for Dialogue on Genocide. “She chose to attend with state arsenal vehicles a Swapo braai at Berseba, as opposed to burying the key leader on genocide. It’s disrespectful at the highest level,” Venaani says. He claims both the Nama and Ovambanderu communities shared his concerns. Venaani has also questioned the decision to send newly appointed minister Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi to the funeral as a representative. “If you don’t bury us, why should we believe you are serious about dealing with the genocide? Sending Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, a daughter of that community, who is a fresh 10-day-old minister, is not a representation we can respect. “The VP owes the Ovambanderu people an apology.” Venaani says while he was pleased the president attended the Omagongo festival, failing to send the VP to the funeral was a serious oversight. Questions sent to the Witbooi remained unanswered at the time of going to print. Ovaherero Traditional Chiefs Council chairperson Tjizapouzeu Uahupirapi says the Ovambanderu community feels used by the Swapo-led government while their socio-economic conditions remain unchanged. He points to continued poverty in the Epukiro constituency and criticised those who put their personal ambitions above the needs of the community. Uahupirapi has called for an apology from the government, saying Katjirua deserved respect for his role in the genocide dialogue and his broader contribution to the Ovambanderu and Namibian society. In a statement issued on Sunday, Nandi-Ndaitwah described Katjirua’s death as a major loss to the Ovambanderu community and the nation. Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba remembered Katjirua as a dedicated figure in the liberation struggle, recalling his role in accompanying chief Munjuku Nguvauva on trips to Zambia to meet founding president Sam Nujoma in exile. Ovambanderu Traditional Authority spokesperson Uazenga Ngahahe has described Katjirua as an iconic leader who stood firm in his beliefs and commitment to his community. The post President, VP no-show sparks funeral fury appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #FuneralFury #NetumboNandiNdaitwah #LuciaWitbooi #GersonKatjirua

Witbooi to meet traditional leaders for Remembrance Day talks Vice president Lucia Witbooi will be engaging traditional leaders of various communities this week for Genocide Remembrance Day, slated for 28 May. Former president Nangolo Mbumba on 28 May last year declared 28 May as Genocide Remembrance Day with effect from 2025. The day was also declared a public holiday to allow Namibians, especially the affected communities of Ovaherero, Nama and San people, to pay homage to their forefathers who were killed between 1904 and 1908 by the German colonial forces. A statement indicates that Witbooi will kick off her visit in the //Kharas and Hardap regions today, accompanied by chief Dawid Gertze, Charles Eiseb and Timotheus Tiboth. The engagement will take place at Keetmanshoop. On the same day, Witbooi’s envoy, including former National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, assisted by Michael Tjivikua, Moses !Omeb and Ueriuka Tjikuua, will visit the Otjozondjupa region to meet with traditional leaders there. Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua will also join the vice president’s envoy supported by John Kasaona and Naledi /Uiras to meet traditional leaders at Khorixas. Tomorrow, Witbooi will be at Gobabis in the Omaheke region, where she will be in the company of Freddy Nguvauva and Willem Abusé as her supporting staff. Also tomorrow, Katjavivi, with the support of Tjiviku and !Omeb, will head to the Erongo region to meet the affected community leaders at Omaruru. Muharukua will also meet the traditional leaders at Opuwo tomorrow, and he will be accompanied by Kasaona and /Uiras. The dates for the Khomas regional engagements, as well as the venues for all meetings in each region, are yet to be announced. Each traditional leader is requested to be accompanied by two councillors or advisers, and is also urged to contact the vice president’s supporting staff as per their respective regions. Former member of parliament Usutuaije Maamberua in 2016 tabled a motion for a Genocide Remembrance day. His reason at the time was that it was on this day that the commander of the colonial German Schutztruppe ordered the formal closure of all Ovaherero and Nama concentration camps in then German South West Africa, now known as Namibia since independence in 1990. “This day is for all Namibians, and is not just about commemoration. It is to educate our children and for nation building,” he had said. The post Witbooi to meet traditional leaders for Remembrance Day talks appeared first on The Namibian.

#GenocideRemembranceDay #LuciaWitbooi #Namibia #Ovaherero #NamaPeople

Vice President Witbooi to Meet Traditional Leaders for Remembrance Day Talks [Namibian] Vice president Lucia Witbooi will be engaging traditional leaders of various communities this week for Genocide Remembrance Day slated for 28 May.

#Namibia #GenocideRemembranceDay #TraditionalLeaders #LuciaWitbooi #RemembranceDay

Vice president Witbooi to meet traditional leaders for Remembrance Day talks Vice president Lucia Witbooi will be engaging traditional leaders of various communities this week for Genocide Remembrance Day slated for 28 May. Former president Nangolo Mbumba on 28 May last year declared 28 May as Genocide Remembrance Day with effect from 2025. The day was also declared a public holiday to allow Namibians, especially the affected communities of Ovaherero, Nama and San people, to pay homage to their forefathers who were killed between 1904 and 1908 by the German colonial forces. A statement indicates that Witbooi will kick off her visit in the //Kharas and Hardap regions on Tuesday, 22 April, accompanied by chief Dawid Gertze, Charles Eiseb and Timotheus Tiboth. The engagement will take place in Keetmanshoop. On the same day, Witbooi’s envoy, including former National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi, assisted by Michael Tjivikua, Moses !Omeb and Ueriuka Tjikuua, will visit the Otjozondjupa region to meet with traditional leaders there. Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua will also join the vice president’s envoy supported by John Kasaona and Naledi /Uiras to meet traditional leaders at Khorixas. On Wednesday, Witbooi will be at Gobabis in the Omaheke region, where she will be in the company of Freddy Nguvauva and Willem Abuse as her supporting staff. Also on Wednesday, Katjavivi, with the support of Tjiviku and !Omeb, will head to the Erongo region to meet the affected community leaders at Omaruru. Muharukua will also meet the traditional leaders at Opuwo on Wednesday, and he will be accompanied by Kasaona and /Uiras. The dates for the Khomas regional engagements, as well as the venues for all meetings in each region, are yet to be announced. Each traditional leader is requested to be accompanied by two councillors or advisors, and is also urged to contact the vice president’s supporting staff as per their respective regions. Former member of parliament Usutuaije Maamberua in 2016 tabled a motion for a genocide remembrance day. His reason at the time was that it was on this day that the commander of the colonial German Schutztruppe ordered the formal closure of all Ovaherero and Nama concentration camps in then German South West Africa, now known as Namibia since independence in 1990. “This day is for all Namibians, and is not just about commemoration. It is to educate our children and for nation building,” he had said. The post Vice president Witbooi to meet traditional leaders for Remembrance Day talks appeared first on The Namibian.

#GenocideRemembranceDay #Namibia #LuciaWitbooi #TraditionalLeaders #Ovaherero

It’s not an easy road — Witbooi on Namibia’s push for reperations Vice president Lucia Witbooi on Tuesday said Namibia and other African countries will not have an easy road to claim reparations for past injustices but should push for dialogue to receive compensation for past colonial atrocities. Speaking at the Open Societey Africa in Windhoek themed ‘Understanding Namibia: the Land of the Brave’, Witbooi said women should guide countries to achieve restorative justice. She told those in attendance that the issue of restorative justice is not a favour to Africans but an important issue that needs urgent redress. She was speaking in relation to the push by Namibia to get reparations from Germany for the attrocitoes committed by the former colonial power in 1904. German is responsible for the massacre of over 100 000 Nama and Ovaherero people in an ethnic cleansing meted out against the native resistance againstcolonial rule. The dark chapter has been recorded on the continent as one of the worst colonial atrocities against Africans. “The faithfulness of the process is paramount and that means listening to the voices of the people. Reparations are not a matter of political expedience; we must listen to the people. Reparations must not divide us,” she said. Witbooi said Namibians have proven their ability to fight oppression in both pre and post independence eras. “Restorative justice must be holistic. It is not only about compensation but environmental restoration. Therefore the issue of Shark Island must be treated with care,” she said. She said the role of women in the fight for justice cannot be underestimated, adding that African women who have been the victims of sexual abuse have stood firm in to advocate for the rights of all. The post It’s not an easy road — Witbooi on Namibia’s push for reperations appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #Reparations #ColonialJustice #RestorativeJustice #LuciaWitbooi

Africa welcomes 18th female vice president as Lucia Witbooi is sworn in - Business Insider Africa Africa welcomes 18th female vice president as Lucia Witbooi is sworn in  Business Insider Africa

#FemaleLeadership #WomenInPolitics #LuciaWitbooi #VicePresident #AfricaNews

Lucia Witbooi appointed as Namibia’s new vice president - Namibian Lucia Witbooi appointed as Namibia’s new vice president  Namibian

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Lucia Witbooi appointed as Namibia’s new vice president President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Lucia Witbooi as her vice president. The president also appointed Elijah Ngurare as prime minister, Natangwe Ithete as deputy prime minister and mines minister, while the country’s new finance minister is Erica Shafudah. The new minister of international relations is Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, while Albert Hengari is the minister of agriculture, water and land reform. Emma Teofelus remains the minister of information and communication technology, and Festus Mbandeka the attorney general. Frans Kapofi also retains his position as minister of defence. Veikko Nekundi was appointed as minister of works transport and Fillemon Wise Immanuel as justice minister. Lucia Iipumbu is the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security. The country’s new urban and rural development minister is James Sankwasa. Esperance Luvindao is the new health and social services minister. Indileni Daniel was appointed as environment minister, while Sanet Steenkamp is Namibia’s new minister of education. Emma Katema was appointed as gender equality minister, and the head of the National Planning Commission is Kaire Mbeunde. The president announced her new Cabinet at State House in Windhoek on Saturday. The post Lucia Witbooi appointed as Namibia’s new vice president appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #LuciaWitbooi #VicePresident #PoliticalAppointments #Leadership

Witbooi Linked to Vice President Position [Namibian] DEPUTY minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Lucia Witbooi, is reportedly being considered for the vice president position.

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Witbooi linked to vice president position DEPUTY minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Lucia Witbooi, is reportedly being considered for the vice president position. This move, according to at least three sources, is seen as a strategic and cautious move by president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Another candidate linked to the vice president position is Alpheus ǃNaruseb, a former lands minister who was previously investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over the allocation of a resettlement farm. The ACC said it dropped the case after the death of former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa. Witbooi, a member of parliament since 2010 but never a full minister, has emerged as a surprise front runner for the position. According to sources, Nandi-Ndaitwah initially preferred to leave the vice presidency vacant but may be compelled to appoint someone. Insiders suggest that Nandi-Ndaitwah is leaning towards Witbooi as a politically safe choice, given Witbooi’s perceived lack of presidential ambition. Swapo is reportedly looking to appoint a vice president in 2027 who could succeed Nandi-Ndaitwah. The decision to opt for Witbooi is also being framed as a commitment to women’s empowerment. Swapo sources indicate that party leadership is wary of appointing a younger vice president who might later challenge for the presidency. Witbooi did not respond to questions. Two years ago, she withdrew from the party’s deputy secretary general position. Witbooi also supported Nandi-Ndaitwah for the Swapo leadership contest in 2022. “I decided way back already that the legacy should continue. At this stage, that’s my opinion. “We cannot really tamper with the foundation. It was the culture, although the president said he will not endorse any candidate, we feel, let the legacy continue and we will try our best to make sure the legacy continues,” Witbooi said. The post Witbooi linked to vice president position appeared first on The Namibian.

#LuciaWitbooi #VicePresident #NamibiaPolitics #NetumboNandiNdaitwah #PoliticalStrategy