Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah

Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah
First Gentleman-designate of Namibia
Assuming office
21 March 2025
PresidentNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
SucceedingSustjie Mbumba
(As First Lady)
Second Gentleman of Namibia
Assumed role
4 February 2024
Vice PresidentNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Preceded bySustjie Mbumba
(As Second Lady)
Personal details
Born (1952-12-13) 13 December 1952 (age 71)
Namibia
(then South West Africa)
SpouseNetumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Military service
Allegiance Namibia
Branch/servicePeople's Liberation Army of Namibia
Namibian Army
Years of service1974–2014
Rank Lieutenant General
CommandsChief of Defence Force
Battles/warsNamibian War of Independence

Lt. Gen. Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah (born 13 December 1952) is a Namibian diplomat and former military officer. He served as the chief of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) from 24 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. Being the husband of the President-elect of Namibia[1] (Vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah), Lt. Gen. Ndaitwah is expected to the very first Namibian First Gentleman when the President Elect takes up her role on 21 March 2025.

Born in Ohangwena Region, Ndaitwah joined SWAPO's military wing, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), in 1974 and participated in Namibia's struggle for independence in various positions. He attended military training in Russia, Yugoslavia, India, Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania.

NDF career

At Namibia's independence in 1990, Ndaitwah became the first military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Force, Dimo Hamaambo. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at that time. He became Deputy Commander of the Army in 1997. Until 2006, Ndaitwah served as chargé d’affaires of Namibia to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was promoted to Major General in 2008 and appointed as Chief of Operations, Plans and Training to Lieutenant General, in 2011 at the occasion of his appointment as Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, succeeding Lieutenant General Martin Shalli.[2] He served in that position until the end of 2013 when Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa was appointed new Chief of the NDF.[3]

In 2007, Ndaitwah graduated with a master's degree in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 2011, he was a student of public management at the Polytechnic of Namibia.[2]

Ndaitwah worked at the International University of Management for five years as a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Strategic Management and Business Administration faculty before becoming a member of the Governing council for four years which amounted to a total of 9 years.[4] Ndaitwah resigned from the IUM on 16 May 2024.[5]

Literal work

Ndaitwah authored two books titled 'A life and Views of a Soldier: Author's Perspective' and 'Strategic Leadership and Management the Direction Pointers'.[6][7] Over his career he also he wrote over forty articles to Namibian newspapers and authored one journal article published in the African Armed Forces.

Medals and awards

  • Campaign Medal
  • NDF Commendation Medal
  • UNAVEM Medal
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Force (Namibia)
2011 – 2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Unknown
Chief of Staff Operations
2008 – 2011
Succeeded by
Shaanika Amukwaya
Preceded by
unknown
Deputy Commander Namibian Army
1997 – 2006
Succeeded by
Unknown

References

  1. ^ Namene, John-Colin (2024-12-04). "Nandi-Ndaitwah elected as Namibia's first woman president". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  2. ^ a b Ndjebela, Toivo (25 January 2011). "NDF hails new chief". New Era. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013.
  3. ^ Muraranganda, Elvis (3 January 2014). "'Top Three' absent at Mutwa's NDF inauguration". Namibian Sun. p. 1. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Ndaitwah drops IUM". Truth, for its own sake. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  5. ^ Reporter, Staff (2024-05-17). "Ndaitwah drops IUM". Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  6. ^ Hilukilwa, Placido (2022-02-27). "General Ndaitwah donates books to Swapo". Informanté. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  7. ^ "UNAM to celebrate International Archives Day with an Exhibition | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2024-05-17.