Martin Endjala
The appointment of Emma Theofelus as the new Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Minister, has been praised by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Secretary General Ephraim Nekongo, who described the move as inclusion and youth empowerment.
Teofelus was appointed as the ICT Minister, replacing Peya Mushelenga who is the new International Relations and Cooperation Minister on 9 February 2024 by President Nangolo Mbumba.
Nekongo said Teofelus’s appointment is an extraordinarily proud moment not only to him but to the entire rank and file of the SPYL
“The SPYL has always advocated for genuine youth empowerment and inclusion, both by deployment in strategic positions of power such as cabinet and utilizing resources allocation,” he said.
The Nekongo stated that the collective leadership of SPYL, have for years advocated for a youth quota, to enable young people to be absorbed in leadership positions both in the Swpo Party and government.
This he believes, will enable young people to shape programs and policies that represent the hopes and aspirations of fellow young people from all works of life, including non-Swapo members.
Thereby determining that it is a step towards the right direction, to see a young person being bestowed such a responsibility to be a cabinet Minister, adding that in itself is a vote of confidence in young party leaders.
However, Nekongo reiterated that as a national leader, she is expected to lead and serve all people equally, and not necessarily those from the party she represents.
Nekongo further believes that the President’s appointments are inclusive in terms of diversity, well thought and meritorious.
“I do not doubt that our cabinet has been greatly enriched. I therefore wish to congratulate all those who have been entrusted to lead new portfolios, with confidence that they will serve at the best of their abilities,” he expressed.
John Mutorwa was also appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister replacing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah who was sworn in as the vice-president while Modestus Amutse was appointed as Deputy Minister for ICT.
Teofelus also serves as the SPYL Secretary of ICT and Mobilisation in the Samora Michel constituency.
