Vice President of Namibia

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, departs for Namibia after participation in Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya.

On the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia held a meeting with Ms Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Change in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya. The Vice President conveyed warmest greetings from Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia and thanked the Green Climate Fund for supporting Namibia in strengthening climate resilience and reducing the country’s emissions. She expressed her appreciation to the Green Climate Fund for providing funding, expertise and relevant assistance to Namibia, particularly through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia. Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi informed the Executive Director that the Agricultural Bank of Namibia is in the process of acquiring the accreditation from the Green Climate Fund, and expressed that Namibia will welcome accreditation of Agribank. She noted that the above accreditation will provide an opportunity for the Bank to access climate finance, aimed at assisting Namibian farmers affected by recurring droughts, among others. In closing the Vice President thanked the Green Climate Change for supporting Namibia in climate-related areas and urged the Fund to continue providing financing and assistance to Namibia in order to help the country cushion climatic pressures and mitigate the effects of climate change.

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Namibia and Kenya are strategically positioned to build a dynamic and mutually beneficial economic partnership. Kenya has established itself as a continental leader in innovation, financial technology, entrepreneurship, logistics, and agribusiness. Namibia, on the other hand, offers political stability, sound governance, strategic logistics infrastructure, abundant natural resources, and significant opportunities in energy, mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.

Together, our countries possess complementary strengths that can support industrial growth, regional value chains, and sustainable economic development. But beyond identifying opportunities, we must also ask ourselves an important question: How do we ensure that economic growth translates into meaningful improvement in the lives of our people?

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, arrives at Tamarind Tree Hotel, Nairobi, to deliver a Keynote Address at the Namibia-Kenya Business Forum. The Namibia-Kenya Business Forum will provide a platform to facilitate structured dialogue between government and private sector leaders, foster partnerships, and identify concrete trade and investment opportunities across priority sectors.

On the margins of the Africa Forward Summit, H.E. Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, held a meeting with Madame Ambassador Eva Nguyen, President of the Institute de France in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya. The Institut de France, is a public institution operating under the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, playing a central role in advancing France’s cultural diplomacy by fostering dialogue across cultures, languages, and societies. The Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) is part of its global network that supports cultural exchange and capacity-building initiatives and collaborations within the cultural creative industries spectrum. The Vice President emphasised that the FNCC cooperation has over the years yielded tangible results, particularly in empowering young creatives through arts and cultural programmes and thanked the French Government for the consistent cooperation through the FNCC in the field of arts and culture. She reiterated that Namibia has placed Cultural and Creative Industries as one of the key priority sectors, adding that the Namibian Government has finalized the National Strategy on Cultural and Creative Industries, and encouraged engagements and collaboration with partners like France. Creative Industry being one of Namibia’s priority area, the Vice President noted that the country would like to empower the youth through the creative industry, arts, fashion, music, film, as well as establishing an incubation hub to nurture innovation and creativity and entrepreneurship. H.E. Lucia Witbooi expressed Namibia’s willingness to participate in programs such as La Fabrique Cinema, Maison des Monde Africains and other residency and exchange of artist mobility. The Vice President also welcomed potential partnerships aimed at capacity building, skills development, mentorship programmes and knowledge exchange within the creative economy. She noted that Namibia is looking for support for the participation of Namibian artists in international festivals, exhibitions, fashion shows, cultural exchanges and creative industry platforms in order to increase visibility and market access.

Keynote Address by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia on the Occasion of the Round Table on Blue Economy "Industrial Transformation, Value Retention, and Trade Systems Implementation" Nairobi, Kenya 13 May 2026 Ladies and Gentlemen; 1. I bring warm greetings from Namibia, where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. And where the highest sand dunes in the world are located. As a coastal state, we are actively promoting the blue economy as a vital component for sustainable development, focusing on harnessing Africa’s vast aquatic resources for economic growth and resilience. 2. At this Africa Forward Summit, we must decide on whether the blue economy will be another chapter of the mere extraction of marine resources or a tangible step towards enhanced African industrial transformation. A Shared Ocean calls for Shared Responsibility. 3. Africa’s coastline stretches over 30,000 kilometers, endowed with significant aquatic resources, including fisheries, aquaculture, and marine tourism. However, the region faces challenges such as illegal fishing, pollution, and climate change, which hinder the full realization of its blue economy potential. 4. Data from Extraction to Innovation Africa shows that the world’s blue economy is valued at over US$300 billion, yet 70% of our fish, especially in Africa, is exported with minimal processing. 5. This cannot continue. Excellencies; 6. When we speak of a thriving blue economy, we must move beyond the mere extraction of our marine resources and focus squarely on value addition within our borders. True value addition should result in retaining more of this value chain on the African soil. Excellencies; 7. Namibia’s position is very clear: Industrial transformation must start where the resources are found. In Namibia, we are moving from “catch and ship” to “catch, process, package, and brand.” By 2030, under our National Development Plan 6, 60% of all Namibian marine products will undergo secondary and tertiary processing on Namibia’s shores. 8. For too long, the value chain of African resources has followed an unequal pattern. Africa must no longer remain only a supplier of raw materials, but must become a driver of beneficiation, industrialization, innovation and equitable economic growth. We must change that equation. 9. It is important to note that with French academic partners, we are establishing a Franco-Namibian Marine Institute to train 1,000 technicians in shipbuilding, aquaculture, and marine robotics by 2030. This is the kind of partnership that will bring about structural changes in the blue economy ecosystem in Namibia and the Region. 10. Through the Atlantic Blue Corridor, we shall link Walvis Bay, Dakar, Abidjan, and Marseille in a green shipping lane. With French shipping and port management expertise, we can cut clearance times to 24 hours and deploy hydrogen-powered feeder vessels by 2029. 11. Blue Finance Architecture: We commend France’s support for the Great Blue Wall initiative. However, we are further proposing a Franco-African Blue Investment Fund to de-risk marine processing projects. 12. In conclusion, let us commit, at this Summit, that by 2035, the Atlantic Blue Economy will be defined by two things: African factories at the shore, and shared prosperity across the water. Namibia stands ready. Our ports are open. Our policies are clear. Our people, including the youth, are waiting. I thank you

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, is attending the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Forward Summit, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Republic of Kenya.

Statement by H.E. Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia on the Occasion of a Meeting with French Businesses and the MEDEFI Delegation. Nairobi, Kenya, 11 May 2026 Ladies and Gentlemen, 1. First and foremost, I wish to express that Namibia and France maintain a longstanding relationship and excellent bilateral relations; hence, I am profoundly pleased and honoured to join you here this morning as French and Namibian businesses interact to further strengthen investment cooperation and trade between Namibia and France. 2. This event is especially important for Namibia, as we present opportunities for investment in our country and look for investors in our identified priority areas, focusing on seven key pillars, namely: • Agriculture, • Youth empowerment, • Sports • Creative Industries • Quality education, • Quality health, • Land, housing and sanitation. Distinguished Guests; 3. Namibia is a leading investment prospect in sub-Saharan Africa and a fast-growing, prosperous, and peaceful investment destination, with solid good governance and adherence to democratic values. 4. We have made notable progress in diversifying our economy beyond traditional primary sectors such as mining and agriculture. The growth of industries like Oil and Gas exploration and development, Tourism, Manufacturing, Mining, General Services, Digital and Global Business Services, and Technology, has created new investment opportunities in Namibia, with great potential for growth and long-term profitability to prospective investors. We are inviting you to partner with us in value addition to our mineral resources. 5. In short, we look forward to receiving you in the Land of the Brave, Namibia. I wish to urge you to partner with Namibian businesses in your respective areas of interest. I also wish to encourage you to consider Namibia as your next investment destination. It is my hope that discussions at this event will lead to tangible results for our mutual benefits. I thank you.

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi arrives in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya, to participate in the #AfricaForwardSummit, scheduled to take place from 11 to 12 May 2026. The Summit presents an important opportunity for Namibia to promote investment and economic cooperation, and advance the country’s development priorities in line with Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (#NDP6).

Vice President Lucia Witbooi has departed for Nairobi, Kenya, on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to attend the Africa Forward Summit 2026, held under the theme “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.”

Vice President Lucia Witbooi has departed for Nairobi, Kenya, on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to attend the Africa Forward Summit 2026, held under the theme “Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth.” The summit will bring together African leaders, investors, business leaders, and international partners to discuss opportunities for economic growth, trade, innovation, and strengthened cooperation between Africa and France. Speaking ahead of her departure, Vice President Witbooi said Namibia looks forward to participating in discussions that align with the country’s development priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), particularly in areas such as youth empowerment, innovation, sports development, and the growth of creative and cultural industries. “These sectors have strong potential to create jobs, empower young people, and contribute to economic growth. We are therefore looking forward to exploring partnerships, attracting investment, and exchanging ideas that can support Namibia’s development agenda,” she said. The Vice President further noted that the summit will serve as an important platform for Namibian business representatives travelling with the Vice President delegation to network and explore business and investment opportunities with Kenyan, French, and other international partners.

Hosting a festival of this magnitude requires effective preparation, coordination, logistics, hospitality, security, cultural programming, and financial resources. It requires the active support of all who understand that cultural preservation cannot be left to traditional authorities alone. The Government remain committed to supporting initiatives such as this one. I therefore call upon traditional leaders, private sector, state-owned enterprises, development partners and community members to continue supporting these initiatives. Tonight, let us not approach this fundraising dinner as a matter of obligation. Let us approach it as an investment in heritage. Let us approach it as a contribution to national unity. Let us approach it as support to a community that is carrying a responsibility on behalf of all of us. Every pledge made tonight, whether large or modest, is a statement that Namibian culture matters. It is a statement that our heritage deserves to be preserved; a statement that we are prepared to support those who carry the responsibility of hosting this important national celebration. Director of Ceremonies; As we implement the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) under the capable leadership of Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the President of the Republic of Namibia, we must understand that development is not only about roads, buildings and budgets. Development is also about people. It is about identity. It is about social cohesion. It is about ensuring that every Namibian sees themselves reflected in the national story. Omagongo Festival is one such platform where our national story is told with authenticity, dignity and pride. As leaders, partners and citizens, let us leave this evening with a renewed sense of purpose. Let our commitments go beyond words. Let our pledges become practical support. Let our support enable the successful hosting of a Festival that will bring honour not only to the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, but to the entire Republic of Namibia. To conclude, I call upon all of us to give generously, to participate actively, and to continue preserving the cultural heritage that binds us together as one people. May the Omagongo Festival continue to grow as a symbol of peace, hospitality, unity and national pride. I thank you.

Keynote Address by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of the Fundraising Gala Dinner of the Omagongo Festival “Embracing Cultural Diversity Through Omagongo” 9 May 2026 Windhoek, Khomas Good evening to you all! It is a pleasure to be here, and it is indeed an honour to be invited to the fundraising gala dinner in support of Omagongo Festival 2026, scheduled to take place on 23 May 2023 at Onamega in Omusati region. This evening is not just a social gathering. It is a gathering of purpose. It is a gathering in defence of memory, identity, heritage and nationhood. It is a gathering that reminds us that the strength of a nation is not measured only by the size of its economy, the reach of its infrastructure, or the efficiency of its institutions, but also by the depth of its roots, the dignity of its culture, and the unity of its people. The Omagongo Festival occupies a special place in the cultural life of our people. It celebrates Omagongo, the traditional fermented beverage made from the Marula fruit, however, its meaning extends far beyond the drink itself. Omagongo represents the community. It represents hospitality. It represents respect for elders. It represents the passing of knowledge from one generation to another. Director Ceremonies; The Omagongo season has historically been a season of peace, sharing and hospitality. It was a time when families and communities came together, when visitors were welcomed, when strangers became guests, and when the first brew was presented with dignity and respect to traditional authority. In this spirit, the Omagongo Festival reminds us that our communities have always possessed systems of social cohesion, order, generosity and mutual care. Long before modern development frameworks, our people understood that no society can prosper where there is no respect, no unity, and no sense of belonging. It is therefore fitting that tonight, as we mobilise resources for the successful hosting of this Festival, we also recommit ourselves to the values that the Festival represents: unity, peace, dignity, respect, generosity, and the preservation of our national heritage. Director of Ceremonies; We must pay special tribute to our late Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, who served as Patron of the Omagongo Festival and who played a pivotal role in transforming separate Marula celebrations into a united annual cultural festival. Our Founding President understood very well that culture is the foundation of identity. Therefore, in honouring the Omagongo Festival, we are also honouring the vision of those who understood that culture is not a backwardslooking one. Culture is forward-looking. Director of Ceremonies; In 2015, Omagongo-making was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition was not only an honour for one community or one region. It was an honour for the entire Republic of Namibia. It confirmed that what our communities have preserved through practice, discipline and continuity is of value not only to us, but to humanity at large. The Omagongo Festival must therefore remain a living platform of cultural education. It must continue to bring together elders, youth, women, men, traditional authorities, Government, the private sector, development partners, and communities from across our fourteen regions. Director of Ceremonies; This year, the Omagongo Festival will be hosted by the Uukwambi Traditional Authority under the able leadership of Tatekulu Omukwaniilwa Herman Iipumbu at Onamega on 23 May 2026.

Vice President Lucia Witbooi has arrived at the Khomas Regional Council for the Omagongo Gala Dinner, where she is expected to deliver the keynote address. The event is graced by the presence of Chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority. Held under the theme, “Roots of Our Unity, Seeds for Our Future,” the gala dinner aims to raise funds in support of the 2026 Omagongo Cultural Festival, scheduled to take place at the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in Onamega, Elim Constituency, Omusati Region, on 23 May 2026. The Omagongo Cultural Festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Aawambo people and rotates annually among the eight traditional authorities. In 2015, the festival was inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising its cultural significance and contribution to preserving indigenous knowledge and traditions.

Today, we confront the destructive impact of drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among our youth. We confront gender-based violence that continues to rob families of peace and safety. We confront unemployment, hopelessness, crime, and social decay. These are the battles of our generation. And just as the people of Sam !Khubis stood together in defence of their future, we too must stand together as families, churches, traditional authorities, community leaders, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and Government to defeat these social and economic ills. The future of Rehoboth and the Hardap Region cannot be built by Government alone. It requires all of us to hold hands as one people. It requires fathers to guide their sons. It requires mothers to nurture hope. It requires communities to protect young people from addiction and violence. And it requires young people themselves to choose purpose over destruction. I call upon law enforcement agencies to continue working closely with communities to root out drug-related activities and all other forms of criminality affecting our society. I also urge continued vigilance and cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure safety and security in Rehoboth and across all communities in our country. Government remains fully aware of the challenges facing our people, not only here in Rehoboth, but throughout Namibia. The 8th Administration has identified key priority areas and enablers to drive socio-economic development across the country. We remain committed to ensuring that our people have access to quality healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. On youth empowerment, Government has implemented subsidised tertiary education for undergraduate and TVET students at institutions of higher learning to increase access to education. We have also implemented the National Internship Programme to help address high youth unemployment. I call upon the young people of the Hardap Region, particularly those in Rehoboth, and indeed the nation at large, to take education seriously. Now that registration and tuition fees are fully covered by Government, the future is in your hands. Study hard. Improve your lives and those of your families. Become productive citizens and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country. As young people, I implore you to resist alcohol and drug abuse. Use your time wisely, invest in yourselves, and your future will be filled with opportunities. Director of Ceremonies, This day is not only about honouring the past, but also renewing our collective commitment to building a better Namibia. As we leave Sam !Khubis today, may we carry with us more than memory. May we carry responsibility. Responsibility to honour those who suffered by building a Namibia worthy of their sacrifice. A Namibia where our diversity strengthens us. A Namibia where young people have hope. A Namibia where communities heal. And a Namibia where the pain of our past becomes the foundation of a more united and compassionate future. The people of Sam !Khubis endured so that future generations could live. Let us ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain. May the Lord bless you. I thank you.

As we stand on this historic ground, we must honour the past not as a distant memory, but as a living guide that challenges us to rise above division, strengthen our national identity, and work collectively toward a Namibia where the promise of a new tomorrow is realised for every citizen. Fellow Namibians, One of the greatest strengths of our country is our diversity. Namibia is home to many communities, languages, traditions, and historical experiences. Yet too often, we remain strangers to one another’s histories, and in that distance, stereotypes and misunderstandings can easily grow. I therefore wish to encourage Namibians, especially our young people, to attend and participate in commemorations, cultural gatherings, and important historical events across different communities and regions of our country. When we take time to learn about one another’s pain, struggles, victories, and traditions, we begin to see each other not through stereotypes, but through our shared humanity. Events such as Sam !Khubis are not only important to the Rehoboth Baster community. They form part of the broader Namibian story and the collective memory of our nation. National unity is not built by erasing our differences. It is built by understanding them, respecting them, and embracing them as part of the rich tapestry that makes Namibia unique. The more we learn about one another, the stronger we become as a people. As we reflect on the solemn events of 8 May 1915, we are reminded that courage and resilience were not only acts of resistance, but also expressions of an enduring belief in a better future for generations yet unborn. Director of Ceremonies, Fellow Namibians, As we commemorate this historic event, allow me to reflect on the progress our Government has made in improving the lives of the people of Rehoboth and surrounding areas. Government remains committed to ensuring that all communities, including the Rehoboth Basters, are fully integrated into the national development agenda. Several development initiatives have been undertaken to enhance infrastructure development and service delivery in Rehoboth. These include the allocation of N$6 million for the upgrading of the Reho Spar swimming pool and accommodation facilities. The 8th Administration has also identified Rehoboth for the construction of a new sports stadium to boost sports development in the Hardap Region, with the groundbreaking ceremony having already taken place on 11 March 2026. Our aim is to empower young people, create employment opportunities, strengthen social order, and unlock grassroots development in line with the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Furthermore, an amount of N$21 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of sewerage ponds to improve sanitation and environmental health. I am further informed of the completion of the housing alienation project aimed at addressing historical grievances linked to the displacement of people from the old location in 1878. Treasury has approved the writing off of municipal debt amounting to N$26 million under this programme. On the education front, new schools such as /Anes High School and Northside Primary School have been constructed, while a Community Learning and Development Centre has also been completed and awaits official inauguration. These investments are a testament to Government’s commitment to human capital development and inclusive growth. While we acknowledge this progress, I am also aware of the challenges that continue to affect the Rehoboth community and surrounding areas, including limited economic opportunities, land development challenges, unemployment particularly among the youth, decentralisation of essential services, and the expansion of health facilities. While the enemy of yesterday came with guns, colonial power, and oppression, the enemies confronting many of our communities today wear different faces.

Statement by Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of the 111th Commemoration of Sam !Khubis, as delivered by Vice President Lucia Witbooi. Rehoboth, Hardap Region 08 May 2026 Fellow Namibians, There are places in a nation that do not merely exist on a map. They exist in the soul of a people. Sam !Khubis is one of those places. For over a century, the winds that pass through this landscape have carried the memory of fear, resistance, sacrifice, prayer, and survival. Beneath this soil lies not only history, but the pain and courage of men, women, and families who stood in the face of possible extermination and refused to surrender their dignity. Today, we do not gather here merely to remember a battle. We gather here to honour a people who, in one of the darkest chapters of colonial Namibia, chose courage over fear, faith over despair, and unity over submission. Today we gather at this sacred site to mark the 111th commemoration of Sam !Khubis. On 8 May 1915, the Rehoboth Basters faced the threat of total extermination at the hands of German colonial forces here at Sam !Khubis. On this very ground, they endured hardship, siege, and unimaginable loss. Yet even in those difficult moments, your forefathers demonstrated remarkable courage, unity, and resilience. During those dark days, they made a solemn vow to Almighty God that if He spared them from the German colonial forces, they would forever commemorate this day in gratitude and remembrance. It is because of that faith, courage, and vow that we gather here today for the 111th commemoration of Sam !Khubis Day. The events of 8 May 1915 did not happen in isolation. They formed part of a broader and painful history of colonial brutality experienced by many Namibian communities under German colonial rule. Families were torn apart. Communities were displaced. Lives were lost. Trauma was passed from one generation to another. Even today, more than a century later, some descendants are only now discovering that their great-grandparents were among those who suffered, fought, disappeared, or never returned from this encounter. Yet history also teaches us something profound. The spirit of resistance shown here at Sam !Khubis did not end in 1915. Across Namibia, these early acts of resistance against colonial oppression planted the seeds of a broader national consciousness that would later inspire the liberation struggle from the 1960s onwards and ultimately contribute to the independence we attained in 1990. The history of the Rehoboth Basters is marked by resilience in the face of adversity. From the battle with German colonial forces in 1915 to the Rehoboth Rebellion of 1925 under South African rule, your struggle forms part of Namibia’s broader liberation history and shared national heritage. When Namibia finally attained independence in 1990, a new chapter began, founded on unity, equality, reconciliation, and constitutional democracy. To date, the Baster community, like all Namibian communities, continues to play a meaningful role in nation-building and in the social, cultural, and economic development of our country. We must preserve these stories. Not to reopen wounds, but because nations that forget their pain risk forgetting their purpose. Our young people must know what happened here. They must understand that freedom, dignity, and nationhood were not handed to us freely, but came through sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering faith. Director of Ceremonies, Today’s event is commemorated under the theme “A New Tomorrow on the Horizon.” The theme speaks to renewal, hope, and our collective responsibility to transform our shared history into a foundation for progress and national cohesion. The resilience of the Rehoboth Basters reminds us that while history may be marked by struggle, it also provides inspiration to build a future anchored in unity, reconciliation, and shared prosperity.