Surprise picks emerge for incoming Cabinet

Speculation is mounting that finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi is set to become Namibia's next prime minister, replacing Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who is reportedly being considered for the role of speaker of the National Assembly. The new Cabinet is expected to be announced next week.According to reliable sources, Shiimi’s position at the finance ministry will be taken over by Ester Kali, the CEO of Letshego Namibia.Kali, who joined Letshego in 2014 after a 27-year career at FNB Namibia – where she last served as head of retail and business banking – is believed to be one of the eight non-voting members of parliament that incoming president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will nominate.“The plan right now is that everyone who will be nominated among the eight will be appointed as a minister because there’s simply not enough quality on the list that was voted to parliament," a source revealed yesterday.Attempts to obtain comment from Kali proved futile.Shiimi yesterday said he was unaware of the alleged impending reshuffle of his roles, telling Namibian Sun: "To be honest, I am not aware of that."More namesSwapo insiders said the current list of Swapo members elected to parliament does not inspire much confidence, which has allegedly prompted Nandi-Ndaitwah to seek technocrats from outside the list to lead key ministries.Among those reportedly set for ministerial positions is Charles Mubita, a Swapo politburo member and holder of a PhD in international affairs from the University of Southern California. Mubita, who previously served as general manager for news and current affairs at the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), is rumoured to be the next minister of information. However, Mubita expressed surprise at the rumours yesterday, saying: “I have no clue about that. I am hearing it for the first time from you.”Mubita was among those elected to parliament during last year's November elections. Meanwhile, the current CEO of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company, Fluksman Samuehl, is tipped to become the new secretary to Cabinet, succeeding George Simataa, who has reached retirement age. Samuehl, however, denied receiving an official offer.“I have not been offered a position as Namibia's next Cabinet secretary," he said yesterday. New CabinetThe reshuffle comes amid significant changes within the ruling Swapo Party. About 16 current ministers failed to secure re-election to parliament, while others, including Kalumbi Shangula (health), John Mutorwa (works), Doreen Sioka (gender) and Calle Schlettwein (agriculture), have indicated their intention to retire. The future of justice minister Yvonne Dausab remains uncertain, as she neither participated in the Swapo electoral college nor signalled any intention to step down.In a surprising turn, former lands minister Alpheus !Naruseb is reportedly being considered for the role of vice-president. !Naruseb's inclusion in Nandi-Ndaitwah's list of 10 nominees for parliament last year was unexpected, given his resignation in 2020 and subsequent retreat from the political spotlight.The list of nine senior ministers who did not make the parliamentary cut includes Peya Mushelenga (international relations), Tom Alweendo (mines and energy), Itah Kandji-Murangi (higher education), Frans Kapofi (defence), Utoni Nujoma (labour), Christine //Hoebes (presidential affairs), Erastus Uutoni (urban and rural development), Obeth Kandjoze (national planning), and Anna Nghipondoka (basic education).A source close to the developments remarked: “Netumbo is really in a difficult position to appease everyone, which is not possible following Swapo’s dismal performance in the November elections. Some of the senior ministers have been told to prepare to become ambassadors.”

Surprise picks emerge for incoming Cabinet

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Surprise picks emerge for incoming Cabinet

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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