Ten senior ministers have been dropped from their positions after failing to secure spots on president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s handpicked National Assembly list.
Following their exclusion from Swapo’s electoral college list last year, some ministers had hoped for appointment through Nandi-Ndaitwah’s discretionary eight-member selection.
However, only former defence and veteran affairs minister Frans Kapofi was retained.
The outgoing ministers include Peya Mushelenga, formerly the minister of international relations and cooperation, and Tom Alweendo, who served as the minister of mines and energy.
Others who are out are Itah Kandjii-Murangi, the former minister of higher education, Yvonne Dausab, previously the minister of justice, and Agnes Tjongarero, former minister of sport, youth and national service.
The long-serving Utoni Nujoma, who held the position of minister of labour, industrial relations and employment creation, has also been left out.
Christine //Hoebes, the former minister in the presidency responsible for presidential affairs, also won’t be making a comeback.
//Hoebes reportedly asked Nandi-Ndaitwah to consider her for the position of secretary to Cabinet, which does not require her to be a member of parliament. However, this could not be verified.
Erastus Uutoni, who served as the minister of urban and rural development, and Obeth Kandjoze, who served as director general of the National Planning Commission and minister of economic planning, have also exited Cabinet.
Anna Nghipondoka, who led the Ministry of Basic Education, Arts and Culture, is out as well.
The eight National Assembly members handpicked by the president for the new administration include former deputy minister of works and transport James Sankwasa and former Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture executive director Sanet Steenkamp.
Diplomat Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, medical doctor Esperance Luvindao, Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund company secretary Fillemon Immanuel, former defence minister Frans Kapofi, former Ministry of Finance executive director Ericah Shafudah and scholar and technocrat Mac Albert Hengari have also made the cut.
Speaking to The Namibian after her swearing-in ceremony on Saturday, Steenkamp said she looks forward to her new role.
“It’s a great honour. I’m truly grateful to president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the confidence she has in me and nominating me as one of the eight. I’m looking forward to vibrant and in-depth discussions in parliament. With the right energy and the right mindset, we will be able to do justice and serve with the required integrity,” Steenkamp said.
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