Witbooi, Ithete reveal worth, Ngurare next

Before her appointment this year, vice-President Lucia Witbooi declared ownership of several properties, including a residential house in a village in Gibeon Constituency, an undeveloped communal flat in the Hardap Region, and a house in Windhoek. These assets were listed in the parliamentary asset register and declared in 2024 while she was serving as a Member of Parliament.Prior to becoming vice president, Witbooi served as a member of the National Assembly from 2009 to 2025. It remains unclear whether her net worth has changed since her last asset declaration.Meanwhile, with Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare being new to parliament, his assets are yet to be declared.On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete declared ownership of four residential houses located in Otjiwarongo, Okahao, Oshakati, and Ongwediva. Under the directorship and partnership section, Ithete listed Danat Investment and Misway Investment, both close corporations, without providing further details.Namibian Sun previously reported that before her appointment as state president last year, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared ownership of several properties, including a family house in Windhoek, a plot in Henties Bay, a plot in Okongo, two plots in Eenhana, and a 5 220-hectare farm at an undisclosed location.These assets were listed in the parliamentary asset register and declared in 2023 while she was serving as a Member of Parliament and Minister of International Relations.The asset register does not specify the quantity or value of livestock on her farm. However, it does note the donation of one bull from the Omaheke community and four heifers from the Otjozondjupa community.Her former campaign manager for the 2022 Swapo congress, Kaire Mbuende, gifted her four Bonsmara heifers, a bull, and two oxen. Mbuende, a seasoned farmer, faced scrutiny within Swapo over the gesture, with critics alleging the donation could have been construed as an attempt to curry favour with the then Swapo vice-president, who was widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Geingob. In March, Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Mbuende as director-general of the National Planning Commission (NPC).The president reported no shares, financial interests, or external remunerated employment. She did list the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) under the “sponsorship” section, though no further details were provided.As president, Nandi-Ndaitwah earns an untaxed annual salary of N$1.7 million—, oughly N$146 000 per month, which is guaranteed for life.The vice president also reported no shares, financial interests, or external remunerated employment. She did list her position as board director at Namib //Uib Fishing, with a 12% share, under the “directorships” section.Under the “benefits” section, Witbooi listed workmen compensation under social security contributions, teacher pension from Sanlam, old-age pension from government, and maturity of policy at Metropolitan.Perks of the JobAs vice president, Witbooi earns an untaxed annual salary of N$1.5 million, roughly N$129 000 per month. Her remuneration is fixed at a rate of 15 percent above the remuneration payable at any given time to the prime minister, as determined in terms of the Public Office-Bearers (Remuneration and Benefits) Commission Act, 2005 (Act No. 3 of 2005).In the 2009 election, Witbooi was elected to the Parliament of Namibia as the 34th candidate on Swapo’s electoral list. In 2023, she ran for deputy secretary-general of Swapo but later withdrew.At the time, Namibian Sun reported that Swapo insiders claimed Witbooi withdrew from the ruling party race for deputy secretary-general after she felt her camp had discarded her in favour of the current deputy secretary-general, Uahekua Herunga, who is vying for the same position.Spokesperson of the President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah campaign, then-Ambassador Kaire Mbuende, said it is difficult to comment on the claim that their camp chose Herunga over Witbooi because she did not reveal her exact reasons for quitting the race on the eve of congress.In his analysis, he said Witbooi’s withdrawal was influenced by Shaningwa’s “overwhelming popularity” amongst the delegates, which puts Witbooi at a great advantage to win the race as it eliminates the opportunity for a female deputy.At the time, Witbooi said she decided to “sit out this round to give way for others.” She neither confirmed nor denied that she copped out of the race because of Herunga being the camp’s preferred candidate but said she made a conscious decision for the sake of the party.During Witbooi’s tenure in parliament, she served on the Foreign Affairs, Defence, Safety and Security, and Gender and Family Affairs committees and was deputy chair of the Information and Communications Technology committee. She was the deputy minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare from 2015 to 2020, and deputy minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security from 2023 to 2025.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Witbooi, Ithete reveal worth, Ngurare next

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Republikein 2025-08-22

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