ISTANBUL

Namibia's President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has dismissed Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Natangwe Ithete, the presidency said on Sunday.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah "made an executive decision to relieve Honourable Natangwe Ithete of his duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, with immediate effect," the Namibian presidency said in a statement on US social media platform Facebook.

She will take on the responsibility of industry, mines and energy minister “in the interest of ensuring continuity and effective coordination within this key sector,” it said.

Praising Ithete’s service to the Southern African country, the presidency confirmed he will remain a member of parliament, and reaffirmed its commitment to "sound governance, accountability, and the effective implementation of national priorities."

Ithete has been a member of parliament since 2015, representing the ruling South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) party, which has governed Namibia since its independence from Germany in 1990.

He served as deputy finance minister under the late President Hage Geingob until 2020 and was chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration from 2020, with his term running through 2025.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Ithete as deputy prime minister and industry, mines and energy minister after her inauguration in March.

The 72-year-old won the November elections, securing victory without a runoff, and succeeded Nangolo Mbumba, who served as interim president since the death of Hage Geingob in February 2024.