Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) has rejected claims in the Windhoek Observer on 15 May that diplomatic missions, including the High Commission in London, had not displayed the official portrait of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Executive director Penda Naanda said the article was “inaccurate and misleading” and confirmed the portrait is displayed at the London mission.
“Upon consultation with the Mission, it was confirmed that the official portrait has indeed been displayed at the High Commission in London, contrary to the impression created in the article that no official portrait has been displayed,” Naanda said.
The ministry later provided photos showing the official portrait of President Nandi-Ndaitwah hanging at the London High Commission.
However, the Windhoek Observer maintains that images from a source who recently visited the mission showed only the portrait of founding president Sam Nujoma, with no image of the current president.
In March 2025, the government announced the availability of President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s official portrait, produced and distributed exclusively by the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA).
The framed A2 portrait costs N$1 800, and schools may buy unframed versions for N$500.
The directive requires all state offices, ministries, agencies, and missions to display the portrait of the sitting president at the top, with the founding president’s portrait below it.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) explained in 2024 that procurement challenges delayed the display of the portrait of former president Nangolo Mbumba in some institutions.
MICT advised entities to place a black ribbon over the portrait of President Hage Geingob until replacements were available.
