Old faces resurface in ambassadorial race

As government prepares to announce a new wave of ambassadorial appointments, several veteran diplomats are set to be pulled out of retirement to take up fresh postings abroad.Others who have long passed the official retirement age are also being lined up, with the Presidency confirming yesterday that the announcement will be made “soon”. According to sources, it could come as early as this week.Veiccoh Nghiwete, Namibia’s high commissioner to South Africa, is earmarked for London to take over as high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The former foreign affairs permanent secretary retired from public service at 60 in 2013. Now 72, he is expected to succeed Linda Scott, who is retiring at 61.Sources say Nghiwete will be replaced in Pretoria by former ambassador Frieda Nangula Ithete, who last served in that capacity in 2018. She is 69.Namibia’s ambassador to Tanzania, Lebbius Tangeni Tobias, is reportedly headed to Cuba, though the fate of current envoy Samuel Goagoses remains unclear. Tobias will in turn be replaced in Tanzania by Gabriel Sinimbo, the current high commissioner to India.Veteran diplomat Monica Nashandi is set to return to the Scandinavian region as ambassador, while Sabine Böhlke-Möller, head of bilateral relations and cooperation at the international relations ministry, is tipped for France, replacing Albertus !Aochamub, who recently became Meatco’s interim CEO.Former ambassador Tonata Itenge-Emvula, who has been out of the diplomatic space for some time, is understood to be lined up for Norway, while presidential head of protocol Leonard Iipumbu is destined for Angola. Iipumbu previously served as Namibia’s ambassador to the United States.Recycled roles Meanwhile, Penda Naanda was recently appointed as Namibia’s permanent representative to the United Nations. Namibian Sun understands that he will be replaced as executive director in the international relations ministry by Julia Imene-Chanduru, currently Namibia’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva.Former Erongo governor Neville Andre is also reportedly being considered for an ambassadorial posting, although his prospective destination remains unclear.Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo yesterday reiterated that the official announcement will follow soon.However, some insiders have expressed concern about the profile of the nominees.“We had expected new blood to be injected, but the picture that is emerging is one of recycling old, tired people,” a senior government source remarked.

Old faces resurface in ambassadorial race

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Old faces resurface in ambassadorial race

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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