President’s worth revealed

Before her appointment as state vice-president last year, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared ownership of several properties, including a family house in Windhoek, a plot in Henties Bay, a plot in Okongo, two plots in Eenhana and a 5 220-hectare farm at an undisclosed location.These assets were listed in the parliamentary asset register and declared in 2023 while she was serving as a member of parliament and minister of international relations. Nandi-Ndaitwah vacated her parliamentary seat in February 2024, following her appointment as vice-president after the passing of then-president Hage Geingob.It remains unclear whether her net worth has changed since her last asset declaration.The asset register does not specify the quantity or value of livestock on her farm. However, it does note the donation of one bull from the Omaheke community and four heifers from the Otjozondjupa community.Her former campaign manager for the 2022 Swapo congress, Kaire Mbuende, gifted her four Bonsmara heifers, a bull and two oxen. Mbuende, a seasoned farmer, faced scrutiny within Swapo over the gesture, with critics alleging the donation could have been construed as an attempt to curry favour with the then Swapo vice-president, who was widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Geingob.In March, Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Mbuende as director-general of the National Planning Commission (NPC).Perks of the top job According to her parliamentary declaration, the president reported no shares, financial interests or external remunerated employment. She did list the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) under the “sponsorship” section, though no further details were provided.As president, Nandi-Ndaitwah earns an untaxed annual salary of N$1.7 million – roughly N$146 000 per month – which is guaranteed for life. Under the Former Presidents’ Pension and Other Benefits Act, she is also entitled to a newly built retirement home upon leaving office.Her predecessor, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, received a retirement home valued at approximately N$35 million before stepping down in 2015. That same year, he was awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, accompanied by a US$5 million (about N$57 million at the time) cash prize.In 2015, Geingob voluntarily declared personal assets exceeding N$50 million. His holdings included a farm near Tsumeb, the Casa Rosalia villa east of Windhoek, N$5 million invested in PointBreak’s money market and a government-funded retirement home in Swakopmund.35 years on the job Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a member of the National Assembly since Namibia’s independence in 1990. She served as deputy minister of international relations and cooperation from 1990 to 1996 before being appointed director-general of women’s affairs in the Office of the President, a post she held until 2000. That year, she became minister of women&#039;s affairs and child welfare.Between 2005 and 2010, she served as minister of information and broadcasting before moving to the environment and tourism portfolio. In 2012, a Cabinet reshuffle led to her appointment as minister of foreign affairs, a role later rebranded as minister of international relations and cooperation.Under Geingob, she was named deputy prime minister in 2015 while retaining her foreign affairs role. She currently serves on Swapo’s central committee and politburo and holds the position of secretary for information and mobilisation, making her one of the party’s key public figures.– nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

President’s worth revealed

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

Please login to leave a comment

President’s worth revealed

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content