2025 - 2026 CABINET SCORECARD

President Netumbo Nandi-NdaitwahScore 7The president's efforts to curb wastage – particularly by removing unnecessary middlemen from government operations – have yielded tangible benefits, such as improved availability of medicines in state hospitals. Initiatives like the Namibian National Youth Development Fund (NYDF) and the recent allocation of millions of dollars to develop regional sports infrastructure have sparked hope among the country’s youth. Similarly, the cancellation of the costly Independence Day ‘main event’ in Windhoek, which previously consumed significant travel allowances, has been widely welcomed.That said, Nandi-Ndaitwah campaigned on ambitious goals, yet Namibia’s fiscal realities – N$177 billion in national debt and a development budget of just N$7 billion – pose significant constraints. This raises a pressing question: how can Swapo realistically fulfil the promises outlined in its manifesto and implementation plan?Lucia WitbooiVice-PresidentScore 5Mostly ceremonial, the role has been a masterclass in appearing busy while achieving very little. Beyond ribbon-cutting optics, there is little of substance to report. Her rise to the vice presidency was driven more by the politics of identity and symbolism than by a proven track record of success in government.Elijah NgurarePrime MinisterScore 7The prime minister’s tenure so far has been marked by a focus on simplifying government processes and cutting through bureaucratic complexity. He has championed what he calls a “common sense” approach, emphasising practical solutions over red tape and the over-complication that characterised some previous administrations. He continues to stay closely connected to grassroots communities – a habit he honed during his days with the SPYL – attending local events and engaging directly with citizens. While this has led some critics to dismiss his presence at such gatherings as "frivolous", many see it as a sign of a leader who understands the pulse of the nation, arguing that staying in touch with the grassroots is far more valuable than being confined to armchair office governance.Selma Ashipala-MusavyiMinister: International Relations &amp; TradeScore 5While her calendar is full of high‑level meetings and symbolic events, tangible outcomes for trade growth and domestic economic impact remain limited, leaving her record a mix of visible activity but modest measurable results.Lucia Iipumbu Minister: Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and SecurityScore 6Leads one of the most visible ministries in the country, though she inherited many of its structures when she took over in 2025. Overall, her record shows initiative, such as Operation Lucia to tackle crime and modernisation efforts at Home Affairs. However, key challenges remain, with crime levels still sky-high and public service delivery inconsistent amid persistent unemployment and economic pressures.Modestus AmutseMinister: Industries, Mines &amp; EnergyScore 5 Plucked from obscurity, Modestus Amutse was a surprising choice for such a critical portfolio.He lacks any real knowledge of the mining industry, let alone the oil and gas sector. With responsibility for the latter now shifted to State House, he has effectively become a lame-duck minister, stripped of influence over the nascent oil and gas industry.Esperance LuvindaoMinister: Health &amp; Social WelfareScore 7Luvindao formally approached the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate allegations of corruption within the health ministry, including suspected theft of medicines. She also backed the president’s drive to eliminate unnecessary middlemen from the ministry’s medical supply procurement systems. However, her push for government employees to use state health facilities in their current condition remains problematic and difficult to accept.Sankwasa James SankwasaMinister: Urban &amp; Rural DevelopmentScore 7Sankwasa began his tenure on a high note, taking rogue local authority leaders to task and laying the groundwork for ethical land allocation across several councils. His combative style has been widely welcomed by a nation long starved of decisive, disruptive leadership. The downside, however, is that in some instances he neglected due process while confronting these leaders, undermining the very standards he seeks to enforce.Wise ImmanuelMinister: Justice &amp; Labour RelationsScore 6An activist minister who takes labour issues seriously, Immanuel has pushed for faster arbitration awards, enforced compliance with minimum wage laws among state contractors, and engaged directly with workers to resolve disputes. His proactive approach signals that government is attentive to working conditions. After a chaotic approach to the magistrates' strike last year, he has since redeemed himself to a considerable extent.Emma KantemaMinister: Gender Equality &amp; Child WelfareScore 6Persistent gaps in funding for GBV shelters, systemic challenges in child welfare, and the slow pace of tangible, on-the-ground impact mean her ministry’s ambitions have yet to fully translate into results. Her public advocacy on gender issues and pushing for strategic direction for child welfare and gender equality are visible. A work-in-progress record so far.Emma TheofelusMinister: Information &amp; Communication TechnologyScore 6A vocal advocate of digital literacy, innovation hubs and private‑sector partnerships, Theofelus has proactively steered Namibia’s digital economy, expanding ICT infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks and promoting digital inclusion. Yet, despite recent SIM card registration initiatives led by her ministry, Namibians continue to fall victim to mobile phone scams, highlighting that significant challenges in consumer protection and online safety remain.Ericah ShafudahMinister: FinanceScore 7Shafudah has guided Namibia’s finances through a challenging period, advancing tax reforms, financial inclusion and redeeming the N$13 billion Eurobond to strengthen fiscal credibility. However, budget execution and development spending lag, growth forecasts have been revised down, and high debt servicing continues to constrain fiscal flexibility.Indileni DanielMinister: Environment, Forestry and TourismScore 5Also plucked from obscurity, Daniel has taken steps on environmental and tourism issues, including human‑wildlife conflict, community compensation and launching the Namibia Convention Bureau. However, progress has been uneven, with ongoing poaching, unregulated sand mining, slow budget execution, and indecision in conflicts such as clashes between mining companies and self‑styled conservationists.Sanet SteenkampMinister: Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts &amp; CultureScore 6Her steady hand ensured the smooth rollout of subsidised tertiary education, silencing doubting Thomases. Yet systemic challenges remain – national learning outcomes are still low, teacher shortages persist in critical subjects and her broader agenda in sport and the creative industries has yet to deliver lasting results.Namibia’s national football teams continue to play abroad because local stadiums remain unfit to host international matches.Frans KapofiMinister: Defence &amp; Veteran AffairsScore 5A long‑serving Cabinet member, Kapofi has kept national security intact. However, his tenure is marred by repeated concerns over defence overspending, stalled delivery on veterans’ promises, and controversies at subsidiaries under his ministry, where executives appear to operate with little oversight. These issues raise questions about his effectiveness in enforcing accountability and reform.Inge ZaamwaniMinister: Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land ReformScore 6Brought in to replace Mac Hengari after the scandal that rocked the 8th administration in its formative days, Zaamwani has pushed for reforms in industries under her portfolio. However, persistent problems in the fishing sector – retrenchments, salary delays and a failing government redress programme – have undermined progress. Land reform remains largely stalled, and broader portfolio ambitions are hampered by slow delivery and limited tangible results.Veikko NekundiMinister: Works and TransportScore 7Nekundi has brought energy and an unconventional, hands-on approach to the works and transport portfolio, pushing reforms in road safety, licensing and public service delivery while taking a hard line against underperformance. His combative leadership style – often marked by public ultimatums and threats of dismissal – has resonated with those frustrated by bureaucracy but risks creating a climate of fear rather than sustainable reform.Kaire MbuendeDirector-General: National Planning CommissionScore 5His impact so far has been more visible at the level of ideas than execution. The Planning Commission remains largely technocratic and removed from the urgency of Namibia’s economic challenges, with limited tangible progress on accelerating development outcomes or translating plans into visible results on the ground.Fallen by the waysideMac Hengari (Former Minister: Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform)Score - 0His tenure came to an abrupt and ignominious end following a scandal that exposed serious lapses in judgement and leadership. Hengari’s fall from grace was swift, reducing his time in office to a cautionary tale about the cost of poor ethics in leadership.Natangue Ithete (Former Minister: Industries, Mines &amp; Energy)Score - 1Ithete’s Cabinet career imploded under the weight of an oil licensing scandal that exposed either breathtaking incompetence or a reckless disregard for governance standards – neither of which inspires confidence. Now a backbencher in parliament, he left barely a footprint before being unceremoniously ushered out of the executive.

2025 - 2026 CABINET SCORECARD

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-20

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2025 - 2026 CABINET SCORECARD

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-20

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