President signs off new leave benefits for politicians
• Key provisions for maternity leave
New regulations set out leave entitlements for Namibia's top public office-bearers.
Elizabeth KheibesWINDHOEK
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has signed off comprehensive regulations governing leave benefits for designated public office-bearers, formalising entitlements ranging from sick leave to study leave, compassionate leave, and maternity leave.
The new regulations detail leave entitlements for designated public office-bearers, including ministers, regional governors and members of regional councils, formalising how annual, sick, study, compassionate and maternity leave are to be applied and approved.The regulations, issued under the Public Office-Bearers (Remuneration and Benefits) Commission Act of 2005, were signed by Nandi-Ndaitwah on 13 November 2025 and published in Government Gazette No. 8811 on 19 December.Maternity leave provisions
A key provision grants female office-bearers a minimum of 14 weeks’ unpaid maternity leave in relation to childbirth. According to the regulations, maternity leave may begin four weeks before an expected date of confinement, as certified by a medical practitioner, and extends to a total of at least 14 weeks post-confinement. Office-bearers may opt to use up to 25 days of their annual vacation leave to supplement the unpaid period.
During maternity leave, office-bearers retain all benefits attached to medical aid and pension schemes, provided they maintain contributions, and are guaranteed job security, eligibility for promotion, and salary increases. The regulations expressly forbid termination of service on the sole basis of taking maternity leave.
Conversion of maternity leave to sick leave
Additionally, provisions enable the conversion of maternity leave to paid sick leave, subject to medical evidence, in certain circumstances, such as complications during pregnancy or recovery following a caesarean section.
Under the new framework, designated public office-bearers are entitled to 25 working days of annual vacation leave per year, which must be taken within a single leave cycle and may not be carried over. Unused leave may, however, be paid out as a leave gratuity upon termination of service, calculated on the office-bearer’s final salary and qualifying allowances.
Sick leave provisions are set on a three-year cycle, during which office-bearers are entitled to 120 days of sick leave on full pay and a further 120 days on half pay. Any unused sick leave lapses at the end of the cycle and cannot be carried over. Special sick leave with full remuneration is provided for injuries or illnesses sustained in the course of official duties, unless caused by serious or wilful misconduct.
Study leave arrangements
The regulations also introduce clear rules on study leave, granting office-bearers up to 12 days per year with full pay, accrued monthly. Unused study leave may be carried forward, but cannot be paid out on exit from office. Special study leave is allowed for examinations conducted by accredited or recognised institutions.
Compassionate leave is capped at 10 days per year and may be used in cases of death or serious illness of a family member, with unused days lapsing at the end of each calendar year. Applications must be supported by an affidavit and, where applicable, a medical certificate.
Approval and record-keeping
The regulations further set out approval processes for leave, with the president, prime minister, line ministers and other designated authorities responsible for approving leave applications depending on the office held. Leave registers and records must be maintained for audit purposes.
The new rules apply to a wide range of political and senior public offices, including the prime minister, ministers and deputy ministers, the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, regional governors, members of regional councils, and special advisers.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has signed off comprehensive regulations governing leave benefits for designated public office-bearers, formalising entitlements ranging from sick leave to study leave, compassionate leave, and maternity leave.
The new regulations detail leave entitlements for designated public office-bearers, including ministers, regional governors and members of regional councils, formalising how annual, sick, study, compassionate and maternity leave are to be applied and approved.The regulations, issued under the Public Office-Bearers (Remuneration and Benefits) Commission Act of 2005, were signed by Nandi-Ndaitwah on 13 November 2025 and published in Government Gazette No. 8811 on 19 December.Maternity leave provisions
A key provision grants female office-bearers a minimum of 14 weeks’ unpaid maternity leave in relation to childbirth. According to the regulations, maternity leave may begin four weeks before an expected date of confinement, as certified by a medical practitioner, and extends to a total of at least 14 weeks post-confinement. Office-bearers may opt to use up to 25 days of their annual vacation leave to supplement the unpaid period.
During maternity leave, office-bearers retain all benefits attached to medical aid and pension schemes, provided they maintain contributions, and are guaranteed job security, eligibility for promotion, and salary increases. The regulations expressly forbid termination of service on the sole basis of taking maternity leave.
Conversion of maternity leave to sick leave
Additionally, provisions enable the conversion of maternity leave to paid sick leave, subject to medical evidence, in certain circumstances, such as complications during pregnancy or recovery following a caesarean section.
Under the new framework, designated public office-bearers are entitled to 25 working days of annual vacation leave per year, which must be taken within a single leave cycle and may not be carried over. Unused leave may, however, be paid out as a leave gratuity upon termination of service, calculated on the office-bearer’s final salary and qualifying allowances.
Sick leave provisions are set on a three-year cycle, during which office-bearers are entitled to 120 days of sick leave on full pay and a further 120 days on half pay. Any unused sick leave lapses at the end of the cycle and cannot be carried over. Special sick leave with full remuneration is provided for injuries or illnesses sustained in the course of official duties, unless caused by serious or wilful misconduct.
Study leave arrangements
The regulations also introduce clear rules on study leave, granting office-bearers up to 12 days per year with full pay, accrued monthly. Unused study leave may be carried forward, but cannot be paid out on exit from office. Special study leave is allowed for examinations conducted by accredited or recognised institutions.
Compassionate leave is capped at 10 days per year and may be used in cases of death or serious illness of a family member, with unused days lapsing at the end of each calendar year. Applications must be supported by an affidavit and, where applicable, a medical certificate.
Approval and record-keeping
The regulations further set out approval processes for leave, with the president, prime minister, line ministers and other designated authorities responsible for approving leave applications depending on the office held. Leave registers and records must be maintained for audit purposes.
The new rules apply to a wide range of political and senior public offices, including the prime minister, ministers and deputy ministers, the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly, regional governors, members of regional councils, and special advisers.
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