Seven governors on tenterhooks as terms end 20 June
With just under two weeks remaining before their extended contracts expire, seven regional governors are still in the dark about their futures, as the Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah administration has yet to communicate whether they will be retained beyond 20 June 2025.
The governors’ original terms ended on 21 March, but while seven new governors were appointed at the time, another seven incumbents received a three-month extension to allow President Nandi-Ndaitwah time to finalise her long-term administrative plan.
In March, the president replaced Bonifatius Wakudumo (Kavango East), Penda Ya Ndakolo (Oshikoto), and Laura McLeod-Katjirua (Khomas) with Hamunyera Hambyuka, Sacky Kathindi, and Sam Nujoma Jr, respectively.
Other new appointees included Verna Sinimbo (Kavango West), Vipuakuje Muharukua (Kunene), John Julius //Khamuseb (Otjozondjupa), and Riaan Charles McNab (Hardap), replacing Sirkka Hausiku, Marius Sheya, James Uerikua, and Solomon April.
The governors currently awaiting clarity on their futures are Endjala (of Omusati), Sebastian Ndeitunga (Ohangwena), Elia Irimari (Oshana), Lawrence Sampofu (Zambezi), Pijoo Nganate (Omaheke), Neville Andre (Erongo), and Aletha Frederick (//Kharas).
The extensions granted in March allowed these governors to continue serving under their previous terms and with unchanged benefits, giving the president time to consider whether to retain or replace them.
Omusati governor Erginus Endjala, while addressing the Olufuko Cultural Gala Dinner on Saturday in Outapi, appeared to bid farewell, telling attendees that his term was ending this month.
However, speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Endjala clarified his remarks, saying they were misinterpreted. “I said this might be my last time addressing them because my contract ends 20 June 2025. If you are on contract, whatever comes after that is a new arrangement. We are still waiting; the 20th is still far,” he said.
Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga also confirmed that he has not received any official communication. “What is clear is that our term is ending,” he said. “This issue of contracts—you start packing. Come 19 June, you hand over. We have our things already packed. No problem. But we wait to hear if we stay on.”
Another governor, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that none of the seven have been informed of what lies ahead. “Everything is entirely the prerogative of the president. We [governors] are not informed. No one knows if they will be retained. Governor Endjala bidding farewell is a brave act, simply to inform the people that he doesn’t know what will happen after 20 June.”
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The governors’ original terms ended on 21 March, but while seven new governors were appointed at the time, another seven incumbents received a three-month extension to allow President Nandi-Ndaitwah time to finalise her long-term administrative plan.
In March, the president replaced Bonifatius Wakudumo (Kavango East), Penda Ya Ndakolo (Oshikoto), and Laura McLeod-Katjirua (Khomas) with Hamunyera Hambyuka, Sacky Kathindi, and Sam Nujoma Jr, respectively.
Other new appointees included Verna Sinimbo (Kavango West), Vipuakuje Muharukua (Kunene), John Julius //Khamuseb (Otjozondjupa), and Riaan Charles McNab (Hardap), replacing Sirkka Hausiku, Marius Sheya, James Uerikua, and Solomon April.
The governors currently awaiting clarity on their futures are Endjala (of Omusati), Sebastian Ndeitunga (Ohangwena), Elia Irimari (Oshana), Lawrence Sampofu (Zambezi), Pijoo Nganate (Omaheke), Neville Andre (Erongo), and Aletha Frederick (//Kharas).
The extensions granted in March allowed these governors to continue serving under their previous terms and with unchanged benefits, giving the president time to consider whether to retain or replace them.
Omusati governor Erginus Endjala, while addressing the Olufuko Cultural Gala Dinner on Saturday in Outapi, appeared to bid farewell, telling attendees that his term was ending this month.
However, speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Endjala clarified his remarks, saying they were misinterpreted. “I said this might be my last time addressing them because my contract ends 20 June 2025. If you are on contract, whatever comes after that is a new arrangement. We are still waiting; the 20th is still far,” he said.
Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga also confirmed that he has not received any official communication. “What is clear is that our term is ending,” he said. “This issue of contracts—you start packing. Come 19 June, you hand over. We have our things already packed. No problem. But we wait to hear if we stay on.”
Another governor, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that none of the seven have been informed of what lies ahead. “Everything is entirely the prerogative of the president. We [governors] are not informed. No one knows if they will be retained. Governor Endjala bidding farewell is a brave act, simply to inform the people that he doesn’t know what will happen after 20 June.”
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