By P. T. Shipale
The Confidénte newspaper (March 14-20, 2025) reports that Namibia’s President-elect and newly appointed SWAPO leader, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is taking decisive action to reform the executive branch of government. In a bold move to improve efficiency, cut costs, and facilitate more effective decision-making, the President-elect plans to restructure the Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to between 12 and 15. Additionally, she is considering eliminating the positions of Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Deputy Ministers.
In 2004 when the government amended the constitution in order to create a Vice-President’s position, I asked the question to find out about the constitutional implications with regard to the semi-presidential system adopted by the Constituent Assembly on the 9th of February 1990? Indeed, Namibia has a semi-presidential system characterized by three features: A president who is popularly elected; the president has considerable constitutional authority; there exists also a Prime Minister and Cabinet, subject to the confidence of the Assembly Majority. I am just glad that we are going back to our hybrid president-parliamentary semi-presidential system.
A Leaner Cabinet for Greater Impact
Currently, Namibia operates with 21 ministries, including the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). According to reliable sources, the President-elect is determined to curb unnecessary expenditure and establish a leaner, more agile Cabinet. This approach aligns with her commitment to swiftly implement the SWAPO Party’s Manifesto and ensure that governance is both streamlined and results-driven.
A smaller Cabinet is widely regarded as more effective than a bloated one. Excessive government structures often lead to inefficiencies, unnecessary bureaucracy, and increased operational costs, all of which hinder service delivery. By consolidating ministries, the President-elect aims to enhance coordination, strengthen accountability, and direct resources toward key national priorities such as job creation, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
Reports also suggest that the President-elect seeks to introduce youthful leadership into her administration. Among the key figures being considered for top roles is Dr. Elijah Tjitunga Ngurare, a former SWAPO Youth League leader and current Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, who is rumored to be a potential candidate for the position of Prime Minister. Other possible appointments include Pohamba Shifeta for the Ministry of Justice and Dr. Charles Mubita for either the Ministry of Defence or International Relations.
However, concerns have been raised about the reported plan to place the National Planning Commission under the Ministry of International Relations. Given the strategic role of national planning in economic policy formulation and execution, such a move should be reconsidered to ensure its effectiveness.
A Three-Pronged Strategy for Economic Transformation
Much like SWAPO’s three-pronged strategy during the liberation struggle—focused on political mobilization, diplomatic engagement, and armed struggle—the new administration should adopt a similar approach to achieve economic transformation. The key priorities should be:
Restructuring and reducing the Cabinet to enhance operational efficiency and accountability.
Prioritizing quality over quantity by selecting competent, results-driven individuals for leadership positions.
Eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies to ensure that decision-making and implementation processes are streamlined.
Lessons from South Africa: The Case for a Smaller Cabinet
Namibia can draw valuable insights from South Africa, where a recent report by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) titled: Action One – Reorganise the Presidency and the Cabinet highlights how an oversized government weakens governance and public service delivery. The report, presented to the South African Presidency in June 2024, details how excessive bureaucracy, political appointments, and systemic corruption have compromised state efficiency.
Ann Bernstein, Executive Director of CDE, argued that “the state’s ability to develop policies and deliver services has been severely undermined by political patronage, inadequate skills at critical levels, and a lack of accountability.” She emphasized that a leaner Cabinet, composed of highly skilled individuals, fosters agility, improved coordination, and greater accountability.
The CDE report recommended to reduce South Africa’s Cabinet from 30 ministries to approximately 20, ensuring that only essential government functions are retained. By adopting a similar approach, Namibia can not only improve governance but also ensure that public funds are allocated toward tangible development outcomes.
Reorganizing the Presidency for Strategic Leadership
Beyond reducing the number of ministries, the effectiveness of government depends on the structure of the Presidency itself. Experts suggest several key reforms:
• Establishing a dedicated policy coordination unit within the Presidency to oversee implementation and ensure alignment with national priorities.
• Adopting a results-driven approach, modeled after South Africa’s Operation Vulindlela (OV), a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury in South Africa to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms and support economic recovery.
• Strengthening accountability frameworks to prevent inefficiencies from being replicated within a smaller government structure.
A Proposed Cabinet Structure (12-14 Ministers) To create a more effective and results-driven government, Namibia could consolidate ministries into three key clusters
Economic Cluster
Finance & Public Enterprises – Merging fiscal oversight with public asset management.
Industrialization, Trade & National Planning – To strengthen planning & industrial growth.
Mines, Energy & Fisheries – Focused on resource beneficiation and employment creation.
Labour & Employment Creation – Enhancing labor market policies and job creation strategies.
Housing, Local Government & Traditional Authorities – Addressing housing shortages and urban planning.
Agriculture, Water, Land Reform & Environment, Forestry and Tourism– Consolidating land and resource management.
Works, Transport & Infrastructure Development – Overseeing infrastructure expansion and modernization.
Social Services Cluster
Higher Education, Innovation & Basic Education – Integrating primary, secondary, and tertiary education with a focus on innovation.
Health, Social Welfare & Gender Equality – Strengthening public health services and social inclusion through social safety-nets.
Youth, Sports & Vocational Training – Prioritizing skills development and infrastructure for youth empowerment.
Safety, Security & Foreign Affairs Cluster
Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety & Security – Enhancing national security and immigration control.
Justice, Attorney General & Correctional Services – Unifying the legal and correctional systems.
Defence, Veterans Affairs & State Security – Ensuring national defence and veterans’ welfare as well as state security.
International Relations & Information, Communication and Digital Technologies – Merging foreign policy with modern communication strategies.
Execution Will Determine Success
While the proposed reforms are promising, their success hinges on effective execution. Angola, for instance, attempted a similar restructuring by reducing its Cabinet, but inefficiencies persisted due to weak Quality Management Systems (QMS) and a lack of accountability mechanisms.
For Namibia to avoid these pitfalls, the following must be prioritized:
• Robust performance evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of ministries.
• Transparency and anti-corruption measures to ensure that public funds are managed responsibly.
• Capacity-building initiatives to ensure that ministries are staffed with competent professionals.
Without these safeguards, restructuring risks becoming a superficial exercise that does not translate into improved service delivery. The leadership of the President-elect will be critical in ensuring that the transition to a leaner government yields tangible benefits for Namibia’s citizens. Now is the time for bold, strategic governance reforms that align with Namibia’s long-term developmental goals. A smaller, well-structured Cabinet, equipped with skilled leaders and supported by efficient institutional frameworks, will be key to unlocking the country’s full economic potential. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of my employer and this newspaper but solely my personal views as a citizen.
