Congratulations, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for being the first female President of the Republic of Namibia, and the second elected female Prisident in Africa.You have achieved a historic milestone in the political landscape of the Republic of Namibia. 

Namibia has shown the rest of the world that it’s not only about men ascending to the Presidential seat, but women as well can, and you have done it. Your courage and determination has encouraged many in our society, and proved that anything can happen or is possible under the sun and women are not limited in leardership positions.

Namibia as a country is proud to be led by a Queen Mother who understand and know how to raise a child and give proper quidance to a child on a daily basis. Greetings to the first Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia. Once again Congratulations Madam President and indeed Namibia is in Good Hands.

The selection of your Cabinet is highly commendable (worthy of high praise) as you properly trimmed or reduced Goverment Ministries and Ministerial positions. Reducing the number of ministries to 14 marks the beginning of a new era aimed at cutting government spending, improving efficiency and avoid over-utilisation of government resources.

Appointing Hon. Esparance Luvindao as the Minister of Health and Social Services is highly appreciated as she is young and vibrate born Namibian who is fit, proper and qualified to be in that position. Allegations levelled against her of not being a Namibian and born from foreign nationals and her association with other Namibians who are of high profile are unfounded.

I do not know Hon. Luvindao personally neither her societal involvement. So, her nationality and her personal association or societal involvement is a Constitutional right that everyone in Namibia enjoys. Hon. Luvindao was born in Namibia and became a citizen of the Republic of Namibia by birth despite her parents being foreign nationals, Article 4 (1) (a) to (d). Hon. Luvindao’s citizenship is within the cofinement of Article 4 (1) and among (a) to (d) of Article 4 (1).

Hon. Luvindao is entitled to freedom of association eshrined in the Namibian Constitution under Article 21, Fundamental Freedoms. Her rights as to who she should associate herself with should not be determined by anyone but herself. Hence its unfair for society to judge her based on who she associete herself with and associeting with a person does not neccessarily mean doing the same thing that a fellow associete is doing.

The appointment of Hon. Luvindao by Her Excellency is confined within the executive mandate of the President in terms of Article 46 (1) (b), read together with Article 35 (1) (a) of the Namibian Constitution. Her appointment according to my understanding is in accordance with her special expertise, status, skills, or exprience as per Article 46 (1) (b). 

Her qualifications speak the best language when it to comes to her expertism as she possesss the following qualifications: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery MBChB) degree from the University of Namibia School of Medicine, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA), Executive and Management Studies from the University of Cape Town and Diploma in Public Health at the University of Pretoria. Her appointedment to the ministrerial position was based on merits and relevant experience as per Article 46 (1) (b).

In conclusion, indeed wisdom comes with age and was demostrated in the reduction of government ministries, the appointment’s of ministers and Deputy Ministers. As a nation we are grantful to have you as a the first female President of the Republic of Namibia, the second female elected President in Africa and the third female President in Africa.

*Eddy Maiba has experience and training in arbitration and dispute resolution. He writes in his personal capacity.