An inclusive leader: Nujoma’s first Cabinet (1990-1995)

The first Cabinet appointed after Namibia gained independence consisted of ministers appointed by inaugural president Sam Nujoma. Here they are:

Hage Geingob

Hage Geingob became Namibia’s first prime minister at the age of 48. He held the position for 12 years until his demotion in 2002.

Marco Hausiku

At 36, Marco Hausiku was one of the two youngest Cabinet members, alongside Hartmut Ruppel. He was the first minister of lands before switching to works and transport and later overseeing prisons and other subsequent portfolios.

Theo-Ben Gurirab

A career diplomat, the then 51-year-old Theo-Ben Gurirab held the foreign affairs portfolio until he was appointed prime minister in 2002. He was the Speaker of the National Assembly, a position he held from 2005 to 2015, when he was replaced by Peter Katjavivi.

Richard Kabajani

The first minister of works, Richard Kabajani was 47 in 1990. In 1992, he became minister of lands before moving on to the youth and sport portfolio in 1996.

Nangolo Mbumba

Nangolo Mbumba was 51 when he was appointed agriculture minister in 1993, before transitioning to finance in 1996. He subsequently served in the ministries of information and later education.

Hendrik Witbooi

At 56, Hendrik Witbooi was appointed as Namibia's first labour minister. He held that position from independence until he was appointed deputy prime minister in 1995, serving in that capacity until 2004.

Ngarikutuke Tjiriange

Aged 46 in 1990, Ngarikutuke Tjiriange served as justice minister until 2003, before becoming a minister without portfolio for three years. In 2006, he became the minister of veterans’ affairs before heading into retirement.

Ben Amathila

Ben Amathila, at the age of 51, was appointed the country’s first trade minister in 1990 and then, in 1993, took over the information portfolio.

Otto Herrigel

Aged 52 in 1990, Otto Herrigel was the country’s first finance minister. He resigned in 1992, reportedly due to differences with Nujoma over fiscal policy and the procurement of a presidential aircraft.

Nahas Angula

Aged 46, Nahas Angula was the country’s first education minister. He was appointed prime minister by former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, among other Cabinet positions.

Nickey Iyambo

Nickey Iyambo was the health minister from 1990 to 1996 and the regional and local government and housing minister from 1996 to 2002. He took on other subsequent postings in government.

Hifikepunye Pohamba

Aged 54, Hifikepunye Pohamba was appointed as the country’s first home affairs minister and also served as fisheries minister before becoming a minister without portfolio for two years between 1998 and 2000.

Libertina Amathila

Libertina Amathila became the first minister of local government at the age of 49. In 1996, she took over the health portfolio before becoming deputy prime minister in 2005.

Hartmut Ruppel

He served as the country’s first attorney general between 1990 and 1995. After leaving parliament in 2000, he returned to private practice.

Niko Bessinger

Niko Bessinger was 41 when he was appointed minister of environment in 1990, a position he held until 1995.

Gert Hanekom

Gert Hanekom was 59 upon resumption of his tenure as agriculture minister in 1990. In 1992, he became the finance minister, a position he held until 1995.

Hidipo Hamutenya

Hidipo Hamutenya became Namibia’s first minister of information at the age of 50. Between 1993 and 2002, he worked as trade minister before he was appointed as foreign affairs minister in 2002.

Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana

At just 37, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana was appointed to the newly formed youth ministry in February 1991 and served until 1995. She then became lands minister and later attorney general and justice minister.

Zedakia Ngavirue

At 57, Zedakia Ngavirue became the first director-general of the National Planning Commission, a position he held until 1995. Since then, he has been appointed as Namibian ambassador to the European Union and Belgium, among other diplomatic postings.

Andimba Toivo ya Toivo

At 65, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo was the oldest Cabinet member when he was appointed as mines and energy minister. He had stints at the labour and prisons ministries before retiring in 2005.

Peter Mweshihange

Peter Mweshihange was 59 when Nujoma appointed him as the country’s first minister of defence until 1995.

Helmut Angula

Helmut Angula was 44 when he became the country’s first minister of fisheries in 1991, a new ministry then. He had a brief stint as finance and later agriculture minister.

Anton von Wietersheim

Aged 38, Anton von Wietersheim was the country’s first agriculture minister before he resigned (or was sacked by Nujoma) in 1993.