Renthia Kaimbi
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce new ambassadorial appointments before Friday.
Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo confirmed the timeline to the Windhoek Observer.
“The news is coming out soon. Definitely before Friday,” he said.
Sources say as many as 23 new diplomatic appointments are planned.
The Windhoek Observer has also learnt that the ministry of international relations and trade has reportedly already sent 23 requests for agrément, the official approval from host countries, to those being considered.
The sources said so far, 15 have accepted the offers, while responses from the remaining eight are still pending.
The terms of Namibia’s ambassadors to Cuba, Samuel Goagoseb, and the United States, Margareth Mensah-Williams, have been extended to ensure continuity for crucial meetings scheduled later this month.
The High Commission in Ghana has been vacant since Selma Ashipala-Musavyi was recalled to serve as minister of international relations and trade in March. Japan is also without a confirmed candidate.
Several high-profile names are circulating in diplomatic circles.
Former presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari is tipped for a posting in Europe.
Former National Planning Commission (NPC) director general, Obeth Kandjoze is being considered as high commissioner in West Africa.
Former Erongo governor Neville Andre is linked to an appointment as ambassador in Asia.
Ester Simon, the first female president of the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso), is said to be lined up for a posting as high commissioner in SADC.
Plans for former deputy finance minister Maureen Hinda-Mbuende to become ambassador to Germany appear unlikely after she was appointed interim managing director of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) three weeks ago.
The reshuffle follows the recent appointment of former ministry executive director Penda Naanda as Namibia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
Naanda presented his credentials to UN secretary general António Guterres last week.
When asked about the speculation, the executive director of the ministry of international relations and trade, Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati, said, “The ambassadors’ appointments are vested in the Office of the President.”
