Cabinet of Namibia

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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] The death of the president in February 2024 necessitated a reshuffle in the top leadership.[4]

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.[9][10]

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.[11] 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.[12][13]

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".[20]

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.[34]

1995–2000

The second cabinet under Sam Nujoma was announced on Independence Day 1995.[35] In 1999 a re-shuffle took place, mainly affecting deputy ministers.[36]

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:[37]

References

Notes

  1. ^ The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia
  2. ^ Sasman, Catherine (22 March 2013). "Mbumba's presence in Cabinet under spotlight". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 2013-04-13. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  3. ^ a b Nakatana, Festus (23 March 2020). "Geingob drops Cabinet surprises". New Era. p. 1.
  4. ^ "Nangolo Mbumba sworn in as Namibia's fourth President", The Star Kenya, 4 February 2024, archived from the original on 4 February 2024
  5. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene (6 April 2021). "Defence minister resigns". The Namibian.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Tjitemisa, Kuzeeko (22 April 2020). "Geingob shuffles his pack … Kapofi gets defence, Klazen promoted". New Era. p. 1.
  7. ^ a b c d Petersen, Shelleygan (12 September 2023). "Geingob reshuffles deputy ministers, sacks Kashikola". The Namibian. Only online edition.
  8. ^ Staff Reporter (1 December 2022). "Ministry of Public Enterprise merged with Finance Ministry". The Namibian. p. 0.
  9. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene; Mongudhi, Tileni (20 March 2015). "Costly Democracy". The Namibian. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Deputy ministers announced". New Era. 20 March 2015.
  11. ^ Matthys, Donald (8 February 2018). "President reshuffles Cabinet—Vice President relieved of duties". Namibia Economist.
  12. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene; Shapwanale, Ndapewoshali (19 February 2018). "Presidency keeps 3 deputies". The Namibian. pp. 1–2.
  13. ^ Nakale, Albertina (14 February 2018). "Deputy ministers reduced". New Era.
  14. ^ Shikongo, Arlana (11 July 2019). "Geingob gives Andjaba education portfolio". The Namibian. p. 1.
  15. ^ a b Iileka, Sakeus (14 November 2019). "Disgraced ministers resign". The Namibian. p. 1. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  16. ^ Nakale, Albertina (21 December 2018). "Haufiku mum on his 'advisory' appointment". New Era. p. 1.
  17. ^ "Swartbooi resigned, not fired – Kapofi". New Era. 14 December 2016. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  18. ^ "President appoints new deputy for lands". The Namibian. 15 December 2016.
  19. ^ "Andjaba appointed presidential affairs minister". New Era. 5 April 2019.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Shipanga, Selma; Immanuel, Shinovene (5 December 2012). "Transition team picked". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  21. ^ Duddy, Jo-Mare (8 April 2013). "Karuaihe-Martin tipped for top finance job". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  22. ^ Immanuel, Shinovene (22 February 2013). "Pohamba confirms Namwandi". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 2013-04-13. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  23. ^ a b Pohamba appoints 2 deputy ministers Archived 2012-01-07 at the Wayback Machine The Namibian, 21 January 2011
  24. ^ Namibia’s new Cabinet announced Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine 22 March 2010; The Namibian
  25. ^ Hopwood 2007, Entry for Immanuel Ngatjizeko.
  26. ^ Kuvee Kangueehi, "Cabinet Shake Up", New Era (allAfrica.com), April 9, 2008.
  27. ^ Hopwood 2007, Entry for Raphael Dinyando.
  28. ^ "Konjore Willem". Parliament of Namibia. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  29. ^ Hopwood 2007, Entry for Kazenambo Kazenambo.
  30. ^ "Stefanus Mogotsi nimmt Kapias Stelle ein" [Stefanus Mogotsi takes Kapia's position]. Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 24 October 2005.
  31. ^ Hopwood 2007, Entry for Angelika Muharukua.
  32. ^ Background Note: Namibia United States Department of State, update July 2008
  33. ^ Hopwood 2007, Entry for Pohamba Shifeta.
  34. ^ Dierks, Klaus. "Chronology of Namibian History, 2000". klausdierks.com. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  35. ^ Dierks, Klaus. "Chronology of Namibian History, 1995". klausdierks.com. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Two-prong strategy in latest reshuffle". The Namibian. 29 March 1999. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  37. ^ "Namibia's First Cabinet". 30th Independence anniversary supplement to several Namibian newspapers. March 2020. pp. 6–7.

Literature