Current Cabinet (2015)

H.E. President Hage Geingob

The President is the Head of State and Government. He or She is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force. Executive power is vested in the President and Cabinet. He or she is elected by a popular vote for a term of five years with a maximum of two terms and signs the bills passed by both houses of the legislature into law.

The Executive

President: H.E. Dr.Hage Geingob
 Vice President: Dr.Nickey Iyambo

Prime Minister: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
 Deputy: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
 

Minister of Veteran Affairs and Marginalised People: Nickey Iyambo
 Deputy: Alexia Manombe-Ncube
 Deputy: Royal /Ui/o/oo
Minister in the Presidency in charge of the National Planning Commission: Tom Alweendo
 Deputy: Lucia Ipumbu
Minister of Presidential Affairs: Frans Kapofi
 Deputy: Christine //Hoebes
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
 Deputy: Peya Mushelenga
 Deputy: Maureen Hinda
Minister of Finance: Calle Schlettwein
 Deputy: Natangwe Ithete
Minister of Defence: Penda ya Ndakolo
 Deputy: Billy Mwaningange
Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration: Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana
 Deputy: Erastus Uutoni
Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation: Itah Murangi-Kandjii
 Deputy: Becky Ndoze-Ojo
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture: Katrina Hanse-Himarwa
 Deputy: Anna Nghipondoka
Minister of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development: Immanuel Ngatjizeko
 Deputy: Piet van der Walt
Minister of Urban and Rural Development: Sophia Shaningwa
 Deputy: Derek Klazen
 Deputy: Sylvia Makgone
Minister of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare: Bishop Zephania Kameeta
 Deputy: Priscilla Beukes
 Deputy: Reverend Aino Kapewangolo
Minister of Health and Social Services: Berhard Haufiku
 Deputy: Juliet Kavetuna
Minister of Works and Transport: Alpheus Naruseb
 Deputy: Sankwasa James Sankwasa
 Deputy: Kilus Nguvauva
Minister of Safety and Security: Charles Namoloh
 Deputy: Daniel Kashikolo
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry: John Mutorwa
 Deputy: Theo Diergaardt
 Deputy: Anna Shiweda
Minister of Land Reform: Uutoni Nujoma
 Deputy: Priscilla Beukes
Minister of Information and Communication Technology: Tjekero Tweya
 Deputy: Stanley Simaata
Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare: Doreen Sioka
 Deputy: Lucia Witbooi
Minister of Justice: Albert Kawana
 Deputy: Lidwina Shapwa
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation: Erkki Nghimtina
 Deputy: Alpheus Muheua
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Bernhard Esau
 Deputy: Samuel Ankama
Minister of Mines and Energy: Obed Kandjoze
 Deputy: Kornelia Shilunga
Minister of Environment and Tourism: Pohamba Shifeta
 Deputy: Tommy Nambahu
Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service: Jerry Ekandjo
 Deputy: Agnes Tjongarero
Minister of Public Enterprises: Leon Jooste
 Deputy: Engel Nawatiseb

The Constitution

The Constitution promulgates a multiparty democracy with fundamental rights and freedoms, a mixed economy and states that foreign investment should be encouraged. It also follows the principle of a separation of powers, subject to checks and balances, whereby government is divided into three branches, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.

Structure of Government

Executive

The Executive is that branch of the government that sees to it that the laws passed by the National Assemblyand National Council are carried out. The Executive powers of Namibia vests with the President and the Cabinet. The President is therefore the head of State and government. He/she is elected by direct franchise in a national election every five years in which he/she must win more than 50% of the votes.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet consists of the President, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers appointed by the President. Together, they implement the policies guided by the constitution and acts of Parliament. The Prime Minister is the Chief Advisor to the President and the overall coordinator of the Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies. Under him/her are Ministers and Deputy Ministers and their staff members who are running different Ministries. At present there are 20 Ministers responsible for Offices, Ministries and Agencies. Ministers must therefore supervise different activities in their respective government Ministries and explain these actions to the National Assembly as well as to the general public.

Regional and Local Authority Councils

Regional and Local Governments Article 102 of the Constitution provides that the Country be divided into regional and local units. In keeping with this constitutional requirements, thirteen (13) administrative regions and many other Local Authorities have been established in terms of both Regional Councils Act and Local Authorities Acts of 1992.

A common feature in respect of Regional and Local Authority Councils is that they both have substantial fiscal powers and have to adhere to established procedures, systems and regulations in the day to day handling of financial matters. Taxes and levies may be collected in terms of Section 30 and 33 of the Local Authorities Act, 1992 and the Regional Councils Act, 1992 respectively. Each Region has several local governments elected by the Community to take care of the community matters. Cities and urban centers have their own municipal or town bodies that make ordinances to deal with their local issues and have the powers to enforce these ordinances.

Furthermore, all Regional and Local bodies have the power to legislate regarding their own affairs as long as their acts and conduct do not conflict with the overall guidelines in the Constitution. Their laws and acts are subject to judicial review.

Legislative

Namibia has a bicameral legislature consisting of the National Assembly and the National Council.

The National Assembly is the legislative power of the Republic of Namibia, with the power to pass laws with the assent of the President as provided by Chapter 7, article 44 of the Namibian Constitution.

There are 104 members in the National Assembly, as per the Namibian Constitution as amended Article 46 (1) (a) and (b).  The composition of the National Assembly shall be ninety-six (96) elected members (voting members) and eight (8) non-voting members, appointed by the President as per Article 32 (5) (c) of the Namibian Constitution.

Voting Members of the National Assembly are elected based on party lists (article 49) and every National Assembly Continue for a maximum period of five (5) years (article 50).

The National Council was formed in accordance with chapter eight of the Namibian Constitution, in February 1993, after the regional elections held in November 1992. The Council is made up of 2 representatives from each of the 13 Regional Councils, elected every six years. It reviews legislation proposed by the National Assembly and refers bills back or suggests amendments before they receive presidential assent and become law.

Judiciary

The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court (headed by the Chief Justice), the High Court (headed by the Judge President) and the Lower Courts. The Judiciary is independent and subject only to the Constitution. Judges are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission.