Anna Nghipondoka | |
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Minister of Education, Arts and Culture | |
In office 21 March 2020 –21 March 2025 | |
President | Hage Geingob |
Prime Minister | Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila |
Preceded by | Katrina Hanse-Himarwa |
Deputy Minister of Education,Arts and Culture | |
In office 2015 –21 March 2020 | |
President | Hage Geingob |
Prime Minister | Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila |
Preceded by | Silvia Makgone |
Succeeded by | Faustina Caley |
Personal details | |
Political party | SWAPO |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Teacher |
Ester-Anna-Liisa Shiwomwenyo Nghipondoka (born 13 June 1957) is a Namibian politician and member of SWAPO. She served as a Minister of Education,Arts and Culture from March 2020 to 21 March 2025 after having worked as deputy minister with the same portfolio since 2015. In 2021 under her ministry a new education curriculum,called Advanced Subsidiary (AS),was implemented. She further stated in 2022 that "the new curriculum is not bad". [1] Nghipondoka also encouraged the teachers to embrace the new curriculum despite the challenges it has. [2]
Nghipondoka was born on 13 June 1957 in a village called Ohakweenyanga,near Ongwediva in Ovamboland (today Oshana Region). Nghipondoka was educated under the Bantu Education Act,becoming one of a few qualified black students who could go on to non-white universities,teacher or technical training institutions in the Republic of South Africa,as there were no universities in Namibia.
She obtained a Master of Education (specialising in inclusive education) from the University of the Western Cape,a Bachelor of Education (specialising in special education needs),a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology from the University of Fort Hare,and a Junior Secondary Teacher Certificate. [3]
Prior to entering politics,Nghipondoka was a teacher,school principal and director of education for Oshikoto Region and thereafter Omusati Region followed by a stint as acting CEO for the Namibia Training Authority (2013-2014). [3]
Education minister Anna Nghipondoka became a member of the National Assembly in 2015 and was appointed the deputy Minister of Education,Arts and Culture. In 2020 she was promoted to minister by president Hage Geingob. [4] [5]