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]

Contents

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]

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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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tjitemisa, Kuzeeko (22 April 2020). "Geingob shuffles his pack … Kapofi gets defence, Klazen promoted". New Era . p. 1.
  7. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 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. 1 2 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