
Count Me In: San inventiveness at its best
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By Maggie Forcelledo Paz
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed new members of the Executive, including a minister in the presidency, several deputy ministers and an advisor to the minister of defence and veterans affairs, as part of efforts to strengthen government coordination and service delivery.
The announcement was made at State House in Windhoek during an official ceremony where the president outlined the constitutional basis and strategic intent behind the latest appointments.
Addressing the nation, the president reflected on her assumption of office on 21 March 2025, during which she appointed the Cabinet of the 8th administration and restructured various offices, ministries and agencies, noting that the changes were aimed at improving governance, coordination and service delivery, including the decision to initially leave some ministries without deputy ministers.
She explained that the latest appointments are intended to further strengthen the Executive and enhance the implementation of government programmes, ensuring that policies translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
Following the 2025 Regional Councils and Local Authorities elections, the president noted that the ruling SWAPO Party received a renewed mandate. “Therefore, these appointments are mostly drawn from the National Council, which is composed of representatives from the subnational government who are directly elected by the people in their respective constituencies, to tap into regional expertise and expand representation within the Executive, ensuring that governance remains inclusive and responsive,” she said.
Emphasising Namibia’s diversity, the president called for leadership that transcends differences and harnesses unity as a source of strength, underscoring the importance of inclusive governance.
The appointments are:
The president urged the newly appointed officials to align their work with the implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), stressing priorities such as infrastructure development, healthcare, safety and security, job creation and improved access to public services. She further reminded the appointees that public office carries significant responsibility, calling for discipline, accountability and a results-driven approach. She said performance will be measured against tangible outcomes that improve the lives of citizens.
“The 8th administration has been given a clear mandate by the people of Namibia to deliver measurable progress. These are not abstract commitments. They are your key performance indicators, and they will define your tenure as such,” she noted.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah also highlighted her leadership philosophy, centred on pragmatism, integrity, accountability, meritocracy and inclusivity, urging the new leaders to place national interests above personal considerations and to serve with ethical commitment and efficiency.
“History will judge you not on the basis of the titles you hold, but on the impact that you make in the lives of the people you are called to serve,” she said.
The occasion highlighted a broader commitment to strengthening governance and accelerating development under the 8th administration, with a strong focus on accountability, unity and effective service delivery.

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