FORMER international relations and cooperation minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to jet into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday to attend a high-level education summit for the first time as vice president of Namibia.
The summit is being held under the theme ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’.
Her attendance is widely seen as symbolic, given the fact that president Hage Geingob is currently being celebrated in Namibian schools under the theme ‘President Hage Geingob’s Lifelong Commitment to Education’.
Geingob’s last public interaction was with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture on 9 January, where he was briefed on the national examination outcome by minister Ester Nghipondoka and her delegation.
Namibia is among a few countries on the continent that allocates the biggest chunk of its budget to education.
The education ministry, represented by Nghipondoka, executive director Sanet Steenkamp, as well as the Namibian embassy and international relations ministry deputy minister Jennely Matundu, have been at the summit since the beginning of the week.
Nghipondoka and deputy education minister Faustina Caley have so far attended a two-day executive council meeting.
In the meantime, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s arrival will see her being part of the African Union’s Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government (C10), which will convene later on Friday to pledge support for the 2024 AU education roadmap.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
