Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Namibian courts and several ministries are yet to display the official portrait of President Nangolo Mbumba.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s (MICT) spokesperson, Shoki Kandjimi confirmed the situation.
“None of the courts have the new presidential portraits; this is because of procurement. However, I have advised them to at least put a ribbon on the late president’s picture. All offices, ministries and agencies were given the directive,” he said.
In July, the ministry issued a directive following the death of President Hage Geingob, announcing the availability of President Mbumba’s official portrait for display in public and private institutions.
Kandjimi urged institutions to maintain the status quo for now.
“The Cabinet will soon make a public pronouncement on the availability and hanging protocols associated with the presidential portraits,” he said.
“Until such a directive is issued, the portrait of the late president Geingob should remain hanging, wrapped in a black ribbon as a mark of respect,” he added.
The MICT’s executive director, Audrin Mathe earlier in the year explained that President Mbumba’s portrait will replace that of the late President Geingob.
He said the portraits of the founding president, Sam Nujoma, will continue to be displayed alongside Mbumba’s.
Mathe also noted that the Namibia Press Agency would exclusively produce and distribute the portraits, with framed versions costing N$1 800 and unframed ones priced at N$500.
Despite the absence of an act of parliament regulating the display of presidential portraits, a cabinet directive exists that specifies the positioning of the founding president’s portrait to the left of the current president in line with some African practices.
