Political heavyweights dropped as NNN overhauls Cabinet

Big names were the biggest losers from the new Cabinet announced by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday.

Some of the major casualties included former minister of environment, forestry and tourism Pohamba Shifeta, former minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo, former minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi, and former minister of education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka.

Others who have fallen from grace include Peya Mushelenga, the former minister of international relations and cooperation, Itah Kandjii-Murangi, former minister of higher education, technology and innovation, former minister of justice Yvonne Dausab, and former minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation and son of founding president Sam Nujoma, Utoni Nujoma.

Christine //Hoëbes, the minister of presidential affairs, Erastus Uutoni, the minister of urban and rural development, and Obeth Kandjoze of national planning also failed to make the cut.

Despite dropping out, Shifeta and Shiimi managed to secure spots as members of parliament.

‘HIGH TIME’

Political commentator Erika Thomas yesterday expressed excitement, citing it is about time women are given a chance to lead.

She said the president has picked a formidable, vibrant team of young people who are capable of leading Namibia.

Thomas, however, said those who did not make the cut should not feel it’s the end of the road, but should continue serving the nation in whatever portfolios they will occupy.

“Change is hard but necessary, and Namibia needs change and a team of dynamic leaders to propel us to success and address issues in sectors such as job creation, agriculture and fisheries among others,” she said.

Thomas said she has waited for the moment to finally have a woman at the forefront for 35 years.

She believes women are incorruptible and can therefore be great leaders if supported.

Former ambassador Pius Dunaiski yesterday said the major Cabinet reshuffling by the president came as a surprise.

“It was worth the long wait. I don’t know whether it was intentional or not, but Nandi-Ndaitwah completely dismantled former president Hage Geingob’s Harambee legacy and foundations,” he said.

Dunaiski said instead of seeking broad consensus or validation, the president used a sharp political knife to boldly do the necessary.

“I didn’t see any timidity, but a self-confident head of state, deeply conscious of the dire political and economic crisis the country was facing after 35 years of misrule to a great extent,” he said.

The big shock, he pointed out, was the chopping of Shiimi from the Cabinet.

Nandi-Ndaitwah sent a strong message against corruption in her inaugural speech, calling it treason.

Dunaiski said he hopes the president would retain many years of experience and skills by including some outgoing Cabinet members as special advisers and ambassadors.

The axing of senior Swapo members from the executive, he cautioned, may impact the party’s performance in the November 2025 elections as well as the 2027 Swapo ordinary congress.

“We shall have to wait to see how, though,” he said.

The best of the Cabinet announcement, Dunaiski said, was that Namibia took notice that Nandi-Ndaitwah means business, and it is surely not business as usual.