Cabinet Appointments Based on Inclusivity, Not Race – Zahid KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed concerns that Hannah Yeoh’s appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) could affect the Malay agenda in the Federal Territories. He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had weighed various considerations before finalising the appointment, emphasising that Cabinet […]

Cabinet Appointments Based on Inclusivity, Not Race – Zahid #CabinetAppointments #Inclusivity #DiversityInGovernment #MalayAgenda #HannahYeoh

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Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet Blueprint: Key Ministerial Roles for LDP Presidential Rivals Revealed

#SanaeTakaichi #LDP #JapanesePolitics #CabinetAppointments mosmos-jp.blogspot.com/2025/10/sanae-takaichis-...

Swapo cracks show as Shaningwa faction fumes over Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet picks Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa and her followers are allegedly not happy with president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet appointments. Shaningwa and her team allegedly eyed several candidates for various ministerial positions, such as Josef Andreas for the urban and rural development portfolio. This, sources say, is among the reasons for the alleged fallout between the president and her party’s chief administrator. Nandi-Ndaitwah hosted a birthday party for Shaningwa on Tuesday, but sources say the alliance that dominated Swapo’s 2022 elective congress is showing cracks. The fallout centres on the selection of key government appointments. The two leaders last year allegedly agreed to jointly decide on strategic appointments in a bid to maintain party unity ahead of the general elections. After the elections, however, Nandi-Ndaitwah increasingly chose not to consider Shaningwa’s input, instead making unilateral decisions, insiders say. They say Shaningwa’s faction is not happy with businessman and influential Swapo member Josef Andreas not being appointed as minister of urban and rural development. This portfolio was given to James Sankwasa, who didn’t make it to the Swapo pot, but was appointed by Nandi-Ndaitwah to the parliament. ‘THEY WANT US DIVIDED’ Andreas yesterday denied any rift between Nandi-Ndaitwah and Shaningwa. “I was a key influencer during the campaign process for Nandi-Ndaitwah, but not once did I ask to be appointed as minister,” he said. “I am a businessman and commercial farmer and would not accept a government position that would not allow me to do what I’m currently doing. “I will accept a role such as being a board member for Meatco that pays me peanuts (like N$8 000) as retainer, but allows me to continue being a businessman. “To travel from Grootfontein (from the farm) to Windhoek will cost me N$20 000 in accommodation and fuel. Do the math. I will choose to be a businessman instead of a politician. “What’s happening has nothing to do with me, but I can assure you there is no fight . . . Those who are spreading rumours are those who were not supporting the two leaders and now they want to create division. “Those who are including me in their rumours see me as a threat. In Swapo we have what we say ‘united we stand, divided we fall’. Now they want us to be divided,” he said. Shaningwa’s faction allegedly also wanted Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata to be appointed as the minister of industrialisation and trade. The portfolio was, however, dismantled as a standalone ministry and Nghituwamata was appointed as the executive director of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform. It is also claimed that the secretary general’s faction wanted University of Namibia (Unam) vice chancellor of academic affairs professor Ferdinand Gideon to be minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture. Instead, this position was given to Sanet Steenkamp. Another recommendation was allegedly that former minister of environment and tourism Pohamba Shifeta, a Hage Geingob loyalist, be appointed to the Cabinet to unify the party. Shifeta, as well as ex-minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi, were relegated to ordinary parliamentarians. Shifeta yesterday said he was not approached to be minister. “I am not aware [of being caught in the crossfire],” he said. GOING SOLO Nandi-Ndaitwah allegedly started going solo after many of her preferred candidates did not pass formal vetting. The Namibian has reported that the president’s first choice for Cabinet secretary was Louise Shixwameni. Letshego Namibia’s chief executive, Ester Kali, was also earmarked for a key position by Nandi-Ndaitwah, but the vetting feedback did not allow the president to go ahead with her. “I don’t have any comment on that. Thank you so much,” Kali told The Namibian last month. The party’s vetting process is allegedly controlled by Shaningwa’s faction and didn’t return favourable feedback for Nandi-Ndaitwah’s preferred people. Nandi-Ndaitwah was furious as those who were recommended to her, such as minister of health and social services Esperance Luvindao, received positive feedback from Shaningwa’s faction. But when Nandi-Ndaitwah faced criticism on her appointment of Luvindao, she was allegedly furious and considered reversing the appointment. Some have criticised the state’s vetting process for being vulnerable to political pressure and influence from factions within Swapo. Swapo secretary of defence and minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi last month said the party’s department of defence and security does not vet presidential appointees. “This means the department only vets cadres for the electoral college. Thereafter, there is no further vetting of who the president wishes to appoint. “Secondly, the department does not vet the eight appointees of the president whatsoever, nor does it get involved,” he said. Analyst Rui Tyitende last month said no law requires the president to subject ministers or deputy ministers to vetting. He said the legal framework that governs the Public Service Commission as an independent and impartial body as per Article 112 of the Constitution stipulates which public managers should be vetted. “Put differently, a drug trafficker or a person involved in terrorism can be appointed as a minister of safety and security, as no vetting is required by law,” he said. ‘FISHY’ Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says reports suggesting tension among Swapo’s top leaders are fishy, as they are only emerging now. “I believe an agenda is being pushed to fuel the reported tension, which at this stage is not there,” he says. Kamwanyah says such speculation, if not handled with care, could divide a party and impact Swapo’s regional and local authority elections in November. He says it could further create internal factions. Political analyst Henning Melber says he is reluctant to interpret the situation as there could be different reasons for Shaningwa’s absence at party events. “Namibia tends to favour a lot of rumour mongering. One should be careful to draw premature conclusions in the absence of reliable evidence. “Hence I suggest a wait-and-see approach and efforts to verify the reasons for this,” he says. Political analyst Sakaria Johannes, however, says Shaningwa has become a different person since Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed her new Cabinet. He says the tensions could cripple the party’s ambitions in the upcoming elections. Although the tension is not confirmed, Johannes says the party should clarify the reports before speculation gets out of hand. Questions sent to presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari were not responded to yesterday. Swapo spokesperson Hilma Nikanor could not respond to questions as she was in a meeting. Shaningwa did not respond to comment. The post Swapo cracks show as Shaningwa faction fumes over Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet picks appeared first on The Namibian.

#Swapo #NamibiaPolitics #CabinetAppointments #NandiNdaitwah #SophiaShaningwa

3/9 The new premier has held several key roles in government since his 2021 election, including House leader and minister of both Justice and Health portfolios. Hogan will also serve as president of the executive council and minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
#CabinetAppointments

Hengari’s fall casts a shadow over NNN’s start Allexer Namundjembo Political analysts say the arrest of former agriculture minister Mac-Albert Hengari has exposed weaknesses early on in President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership. Political analyst Henning Melber said the situation reflects poor judgement in Cabinet appointments. “This is a bad omen for NNN’s first weeks in office. It indicates that there was no proper vetting process done for the Cabinet appointments. Given the evidence already existing, Hengari should never have become a minister,” he said. Melber added that “innocent until proven guilty has a different meaning”. He said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s image of moral leadership had been damaged and questioned how her Christian values allowed Hengari’s appointment. “I am afraid that NNN has to eat humble pie on a number of matters. A bad, if not incompetent, recruitment of ministers is one of these. Her position, as guided by moral leadership, has been damaged,” said Melber. Political analyst Johannes Sackaria said he was not surprised by Hengari’s arrest. He suggested that investigations were already underway and that the president may have had access to crucial evidence before events unfolded publicly. “Maybe the president had some evidence leading him to write the letter on the 23rd, but it was probably not communicated, as there was some evidence needed before it was made public,” Sackaria said. Sackaria added that the way the case has been managed raises concerns about how the new administration is operating. “If this is how they are operating, the new administration may be questionable,” he added. Director of the Institute for Public Policy Research, Graham Hopwood, said the most important development is that Hengari is now out of both Cabinet and the National Assembly. “Since there is no precedent for such a situation in independent Namibia, there is no established procedure for handling it. The most crucial aspect going forward is to ensure that his replacement – and any future appointments – are subject to stringent due diligence,” he said. He stressed that Cabinet members must be held to the highest ethical standards and that any hint of impropriety should automatically disqualify candidates. The criticism follows an announcement from the Presidency that Nandi-Ndaitwah had relieved Hengari of his duties, effective Wednesday, 23 April. However, confusion grew after it emerged that Hengari did not resign publicly, and the presidency did not confirm his resignation beforehand. Presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari on Sunday only confirmed that the disgraced Hengari is no longer a member of the executive and the National Assembly. The press secretary told the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) that the former minister had indeed resigned only after his arrest.  The resignation letter, according to the press secretary, was submitted following the incident, casting doubt on whether the resignation was voluntary or a reaction to the arrest. Hengari was taken into custody on Saturday after allegedly attempting to bribe the victim to drop charges in an ongoing rape investigation. According to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, Hengari is expected to face formal charges and make a court appearance soon. “The team is working to compile the charges, and he will be charged during the course of the day so he may appear in court later today,” Shikongo said. The police also revealed that the individual arrested alongside Hengari is related to the victim. The other person’s identity was withheld pending court proceedings. The rape allegations stem from a case involving a minor, with whom Hengari is alleged to have had repeated sexual contact between 2019 and September 2024. The bribery incident that led to his arrest reportedly occurred during an attempt to convince the victim to withdraw the case. As the matter develops, questions regarding the timing and communication of Hengari’s resignation and dismissal, as well as questions about the administration’s approach to handling allegations involving high-ranking officials, continue to circulate.

#Hengari #NNN #PoliticalAnalysis #Leadership #CabinetAppointments

2/11 The former Army major and Fox News host "was never qualified" according to Nichols, who argues Trump shouldn't have nominated him, Hegseth shouldn't have accepted, and the Senate shouldn't have confirmed him. Now his "proven failure" demands accountability.
#CabinetAppointments

Tainted ministers: President’s ‘informal vetting’ backfires President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opted not to involve the Namibia Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) or the police before appointing her Cabinet. She mostly relied on an informal vetting process, and now faces criticism for appointing tainted politicians. Swapo’s defence department, typically tasked with conducting background checks, says it had no role in the screening process. Traditionally, the NCIS vets candidates for key government positions like executive and deputy executive directors. However, this established protocol was reportedly bypassed for Cabinet ministers. Nandi-Ndaitwah allegedly chose not to fully implement the state vetting system used by her predecessor. Since the president’s introduction of health minister Esperance Luvindao and agriculture minister Mac Hengari to the Cabinet, her vetting process has sparked controversy. Presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari this week declined to comment on the matter, saying: “The Presidency has already provided comment on these matters.” Mac Hengari ALLEGED RAPE, MISCONDUCT The question, however, remains whether Nandi-Ndaitwah knew one of her appointees was under investigation for rape at the time of his appointment. Hengari, the new minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, is currently under police investigation over rape allegations in a case opened last year. Luvindao, the new minister of health and social services, has been accused of professional misconduct, also including a police case. The president’s ‘vetting team’ is said to be investigating the minister to determine the truth to the allegations. Government sources insist that the NCIS did not vet the new ministers. One official has suggested involving the intelligence agency in the vetting process would have made it near impossible for Nandi-Ndaitwah to appoint ministers of her liking. The president’s list of potential Cabinet ministers allegedly kept changing until the last minute, with some being recommended by those close to her. When the allegations about Hengari and Luvindao surfaced, Nandi-Ndaitwah was allegedly furious and considered reversing some of her appointments. Analyst Rui Tyitende yesterday said no law requires the president to subject ministers or deputy ministers to vetting. He said the legal framework that governs the Public Service Commission as an independent and impartial body as per Article 112 of the Constitution stipulates which public managers should be vetted. “Put differently, a drug trafficker or a person involved in terrorism can be appointed as a minister of safety and security, as no vetting is required by law,” he said. Esperance Luvindao SWAPO Swapo secretary of defence and minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi earlier this week said the party’s department of defence and security does not vet presidential appointees. “This means the department only vets cadres for the electoral college. Thereafter there is no further vetting of who the president wishes to appoint. “Secondly, the department does not vet the eight appointees of the president whatsoever, nor does it get involved,” he said. Nekundi himself initially failed to make the National Assembly list after placing in 70th position during the Swapo Electoral College, known as ‘The Pot’, last year. Nekundi only made it to the National Assembly after Nandi-Ndaitwah included him on her list of 10 hand-picked presidential nominees at the expense of Erastus Haitengela, who initially made the list. Sources say Nandi-Ndaitwah added Nekundi to her list after information about Haitengela was presented to her. But questions about her vetting process persist. Inspector general Joseph Shikongo this week told The Namibian “we are not involved” in the vetting of Cabinet ministers. Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa referred questions to the Presidency. Veikko Nekundi ‘VULNERABLE TO PRESSURE’ Some have criticised the state’s vetting process for being vulnerable to political pressure and influence from factions within Swapo. The ruling party’s internal vetting process is often embroiled in controversy too. In 2022, former president Hage Geingob’s faction within Swapo was concerned about attempts by a party security operative to conduct background checks on senior politicians, such as then prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu, and Katrina Hanse-Himarwa. These individuals were linked to top positions and were supported by Geingob. The vetting process, overseen by a security official appointed by Geingob’s then rivals, was seen as significantly influencing the list of candidates and congress delegates. This led to tensions between Geingob and Shaningwa, with allegations that Shaningwa frustrated the former president by blocking some of his supporters in the party’s restructuring process, potentially impacting delegate selection for the congress. In 2022, Willem Amutenya, at the time a candidate for the Swapo Party Youth League secretary position, demanded that the incumbent secretary, Ephraim Nekongo, release the vetting report. Amutenya said Nekongo had asked him to withdraw his candidacy, but he refused, saying he had not received any instruction from the vetting committee to step down. At the time, Amutenya said he had the right to contest for the position as a full member of the party, and only the vetting committee could disqualify him. George Simataa ‘COMRADE SECRETARY TO CABINET’ Nandi-Ndaitwah’s informal vetting process also involved the ongoing search for a Cabinet secretary. This job was held by George Simataa since 2015 and ended on 20 March. Sources say Simataa has been given a one-month extension. It’s unclear who will take over from Simataa, but some names have been circulating. Former minister in the Presidency Christine //Hoebes is said to be eyeing the position. The Namibian understands that deputy executive director of finance and social grants management Louise Shixwameni was checked for the job. Shixwameni, a strong supporter of Air Namibia and Meatco, dropped off the list in recent months. She used to be the executive director when public enterprises was a standalone ministry. When this ministry was merged with finance, she became a deputy executive director in charge of state-owned enterprises. Now that Nandi-Ndaitwah has decided to separate the two again, Shixwameni has been left without a clear role. “I’m at the office . . . I am still doing work,” she told The Namibian earlier this week. Shixwameni was expected to take up a senior post in the new administration as she was the chairperson of the Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan committee, helping shape the ruling party’s agenda for the next five years. Letshego chief executive Ester Kali was allegedly also considered for a senior position in Nandi-Ndaitwah’s administration. Like Shixwameni, she did not make the final cut either. “I don’t have any comment on that. Thank you so much,” Kali said yesterday. The post Tainted ministers: President’s ‘informal vetting’ backfires appeared first on The Namibian.

#NamibiaPolitics #CabinetAppointments #PoliticalControversy #VettingProcess #GovernmentTransparency

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Appoints Groundbreaking Cabinet with Historic Gender Balance President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s strategic cabinet appointments, featuring nine women among 14 ministers, underscore her commitment to gender equality and efficient governance. By streamlining ministries and eliminating redundancies, she aims to enhance policy implementation and fiscal responsibility. The post President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah Appoints Groundbreaking Cabinet with Historic Gender Balance appeared first on The Namibian.

#GenderEquality #WomenInLeadership #CabinetAppointments #EmpowerWomen #GenderBalance

Only seven deputy ministers appointed PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed only seven deputy ministers to her new Cabinet. The president’s selection was announced at State House in Windhoek on Saturday. Dino Ballotti was announced as the deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture. The deputy minister of agriculture is Ruth Masake, the deputy minister of industries, mines and energy is Gaudentia Kröhne, the deputy minister of gender equality and child welfare is Linda Mbwale, and the deputy minister of urban and rural development is Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele. The deputy minister of international relations and trade is Jennelly Matundu, and the deputy minister of defence and veterans affairs is Charles Mubita. The post Only seven deputy ministers appointed appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #DeputyMinisters #CabinetAppointments #NetumboNandiNdaitwah #Government

Nandi-Ndaitwah announces new Cabinet: Lucia Witbooi vice president, Ngurare prime minister 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 Nandi-Ndaitwah announces new Cabinet: Lucia Witbooi vice president, Ngurare prime minister appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #Government #CabinetAppointments #Leadership #Politics

What do people think about the appointment of RFK Jr to HHS Secretary? I have my doubts but I am curious as to what others think. #Opinions #HealthHumanServices #TrumpAdministration #Trump2.0 #DonaldTrump #CabinetAppointments #RFK #LetsDiscuss #News #AmericanNews #USPolitics

Trump want's you to focus on a 60 Minutes interview from October 2024 as evidence of failures of "the Media."

"The Media" wants you to focus on #DOGE, #ElonMusk, unqualified #CabinetAppointments, illegal #ExecutiveActions and complicity by congressional #Republicans.

I trust "the Media."

As a #Pennsylvanian, I am deeply disappointed in @fetterman.senate.gov 's lack of upholding of standards and qualifications for #cabinetappointments. The #health and #security of people in PA, in all states, are at risk. #Freedom is now at risk.

My thoughts on the RFK hearings today. Credit for the art goes to the AI image generator. The idea was all mine. I have no idea why it stuck the letters WRL in there. Perhaps someone can come up with what it might mean? #RFK #vaccines #healthandhumanservices #cabinetappointments

PIR News: Senator Marco Rubio has been confirmed as the 72nd Secretary of State. As a faculty member at FIU, Secretary Rubio has taught many classes in the PIR department over the past two decades. #FIU #PIR #politicalscience #politics #internationalrelations #secretaryofstate #cabinetappointments

Trump names several new White House picks to work on AI, crypto and more: 'America First Patriots'

Trump names several new White House picks to work on AI, crypto and more: 'America First Patriots'

President-elect Donald Trump unleashed a slew of nominations on Sunday night, naming several new ...

#trump2024 #cabinetappointments #aitrends #cryptoinnovation #americafirst

CALL TODAY AND EVERYDAY. #Cabinetappointments INSANITY #resist. #FightTrump #Revolt #Dissent

Sure. Ehh, why not. Knock yourself out. #cabinetappointments #troymcclure

Based on his #CabinetAppointments alone, there's no doubt that Trump is being paid by Putin.

a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a group of people . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a group of people .

Don’t forget to give thanks to Oprah this holiday season for the rancid gifts of “Dr.” Oz and “Dr.” Phil. The gifts that never stop giving. #cabinetappointments

Trump taps former congressman Sean Duffy as transportation secretary - Yes Punjab News Donald Trump nominates Fox host Sean Duffy as secretary of transportation, continuing his trend of appointing television personalities to key cabinet positions in his administration.

Trump taps former congressman Sean Duffy as transportation secretary yespunjab.com?p=62925

#DonaldTrump #Trump2024 #CabinetAppointments #SeanDuffy #FoxBusiness #TransportationSecretary #PeteHegseth #MattGaetz #KristiNoem #RobertFKennedyJr #DougCollins #ChrisWright #RepublicanParty #US

I get it! These cabinet nominees are disgusting. But none are worse, sans the rapist, than some two-bit real world muppet as Sec. of Transportation. What in the actual F!?! #realworldboston #cabinetappointments #cabinet

Would a Stephen King novel be better? 🤦‍♀️
#cabinetappointments #trumpera

Either a shit show or these appointments are going to make for fascinating TV!

#cabinetappointments

Mike Pence speaks out in opposition if RFK. Just one. The rest of the clown show is apparently okay. 🤦‍♀️ #cabinetappointments

I remember that one time I applied for a teaching position, and they wanted to do a background check? I said, “Nah, my buddy can vouch for me. Besides, if there is something sketchy in my background, I won’t tell you about it anyway.” Admin: Cool, cool. 🤦🏽‍♀️ #cabinetappointments #facistregime

youtube.com/watch?v=lTrH...

This is a MUST watch. It helps explain the chaos we are living through right now in 🇺🇲. #cabinetappointments

#usa
#trump
#cabinetappointments

At this point I’m just waiting for the Hannibal Lector cabinet nomination - and it still wouldn’t be the craziest cabinet nomination this week. #cabinetAppointments

This is going to be the worst, most dysfunctional cabinet in US history #CabinetAppointments