Also known as: First gentleman Ndaitwah · Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah · lieutenant general Denga Ndaitwah · Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · His Excellency Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · President Ndaitwah · retired Lieutenant General Denga Ndaitwah · the former Chief of the Defence Force · Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah · lieutenant general (retired) Denga Ndaitwah · General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · First gentleman · Lieutenant General (Retired) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah · First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah · General Denga Ndaitwah · First Gentleman General Denga Ndaitwah · First Gentlemen Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah
First Gentleman of Namibia who advocates for boys' education and male empowerment through the DEN Impact Foundation.
News reports
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New Era
First Gentlemen Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah said Pohamba's dedication, devotion and selfless service enabled Namibia's extraordinary achievement in HIV/AIDS response
“First Gentlemen Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has said Namibia's departed second First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba was the mastermind and driving force behind the country's success in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which has today allowed the country to surpass the UN's global 95-95-95 HIV/AIDS targets.”
‘Namibia’s success in HIV/AIDS fight nothing without Pohamba’The Namibian
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah delivered special remarks at Male Engagement Symposium on Coordinating Namibia's Work with Men and Boys
“Special remarks by Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia, at the Male Engagement Symposium on "Coordinating Namibia's Work with Men and Boys for Gender Equality and Wellbeing in Namibia".”
First Gentleman Ndaitwah Calls for Coordinated National Action to Empower Boys and MenThe Namibian
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah launched DEN Impact Foundation on 18 August 2026
“From the foregoing, I must inform you that I launched the DEN Impact Foundation on 18 August 2026.”
First Gentleman Ndaitwah Calls for Coordinated National Action to Empower Boys and MenNew Era
Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah called for coordinated national efforts to address social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men
“Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has called for coordinated national efforts to address the social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men in Namibia.”
Ndaitwah calls for coordinated action on boy childInformanté
Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has welcomed the Ministry of Gender Equality's efforts to prioritise empowerment of boys and men
“THE First Gentleman, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, has welcomed the Ministry of Gender Equality's efforts to prioritise the empowerment of boys and men in Namibia, citing concerns over a male mental health crisis and declining academic performance among male students.”
First Gentleman commends Ministry of Gender Equality’s efforts to empower boys and menInformanté
Ndaitwah revealed that high suicide rates among boys and men in Namibia are linked to male mental health crisis
“He also drew attention to the high suicide rates among boys and men in Namibia, linking them to a male mental health crisis and a deeply entrenched culture of silence.”
First Gentleman commends Ministry of Gender Equality’s efforts to empower boys and menWindhoek Observer
First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah said the findings confirmed concerns raised during community engagements conducted by his office
“First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah said the findings confirmed concerns raised during community engagements conducted by his office.”
YOUNG OBSERVER | Boy-child faces a three-decade education gapWindhoek Observer
First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has launched the DEN Impact Foundation, a non-profit organisation aimed at addressing challenges facing Namibian youth
“The First Gentleman Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has launched the DEN Impact Foundation, a non-profit organisation aimed at addressing challenges facing Namibian youth, particularly boys and young men, through education, sports, agriculture and vocational training.”
YOUNG OBSERVER | First Gentleman launches foundation to tackle youth challengesInformanté
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah is patron of the Annual Sports Tournament
“According to organisers, they approached Ndaitwah to become patron.”
34 soccer teams join First Gentleman’s tournament at OkongoInformanté
Ndaitwah said the figures demonstrated the need for targeted interventions to address the challenges affecting boys and young men
“Ndaitwah said the figures demonstrated the need for targeted interventions to address the challenges affecting boys and young men.”
DEN Foundation to tackle boys’ education gapFirst Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah attributed Namibia's exceptional performance in fighting HIV/AIDS—achieving a 97-98-98 rate and surpassing UN targets—to the dedication of the departed former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, who championed maternal and child healthcare, HIV/AIDS awareness, and community welfare.
21 October 2026 · New Era →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah attributed Namibia's exceptional performance in fighting HIV/AIDS—achieving a 97-98-98 rate and surpassing UN targets—to the dedication of the departed former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, who championed maternal and child healthcare, HIV/AIDS awareness, and community welfare.
21 October 2026 · New Era →
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of the Republic of Namibia, addressed a Male Engagement Symposium on coordinating Namibia's work with men and boys for gender equality and wellbeing, commending the UNFPA and partner organisations, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035.
9 October 2026 · The Namibian →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah called for coordinated national efforts to address social, educational and psychological challenges facing boys and men in Namibia, saying fragmented programmes have limited impact on gender equality and wellbeing.
8 October 2026 · New Era →
The First Gentleman, Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, commended the Ministry of Gender Equality's Third National Gender Equality and Equity Policy 2025–2035 and Strategic Plan 2025–2030 for prioritising the empowerment of boys and men, citing concerns over male mental health and declining academic performance among male students in higher education.
8 October 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will co-chair a high-level event on water investment in Africa in New York on 21 September during the 81st UN General Assembly session, where she will advance Namibia's priorities on water security, investment and international cooperation.
20 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah heads to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to secure investment and partnerships for economic development, with Namibia's success measured by concrete outcomes rather than speeches alone. The delegation will seek concessional development and climate finance, as well as investment in green hydrogen, energy, water and logistics infrastructure.
18 September 2026 · New Era →
Chula Chula FC were crowned champions of the First Gentleman Lieutenant General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Annual Sports Tournament after defeating DT Meds on penalties in the football final in Okongo. The three-day tournament from 20 to 23 August brought together about 23 teams competing in youth and legends football, netball and volleyball, with Namibia Correctional Services winning both netball and volleyball titles.
24 August 2026 · Informanté →
Research by UNAM found that more Namibian boys than girls repeat grades and leave school early, while women have made up the majority of tertiary students and graduates for over three decades. Male learners had a promotion rate of 75.1% versus 78.4% for females, a repetition rate of 18.5% versus 14.7%, and a school-leaving rate of 6.3% versus 4.9%.
21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The First Gentleman, Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, has launched the DEN Impact Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation aimed at addressing challenges facing Namibian youth through education, sports, agriculture and vocational training, operating under a four-year strategic plan with four strategic pillars.
21 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The 2026 edition of First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah's Annual Sports Tournament began at Elia Weyulu Sports Field in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, with 24 youth soccer teams, 10 Legends teams, five netball teams, and two volleyball teams competing over four days through Sunday, with prize money across all codes.
20 August 2026 · Informanté →
Research presented at the launch of the Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah Impact Foundation shows girls outnumber boys in secondary and tertiary enrolment, with boys experiencing higher repetition and school-leaving rates. The foundation aims to provide targeted interventions to address declining male participation and academic outcomes while complementing existing support for girls.
20 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Denga Epaphras Ndaitwah (DEN) Impact Foundation, established by First Gentleman retired Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, was officially launched to empower Namibia's boys and young men through education, sport, agriculture, vocational training and mentorship. The foundation's four key pillars are agriculture, sport, education, and vocational and technical training.
19 August 2026 · Informanté →
The First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Annual Sports Tournament will run 20–23 August 2026 in Okongo, Ohangwena Region, featuring youth soccer, legends soccer, netball and volleyball with prize money across the four codes. The tournament was initially launched in 2003, became inactive, and was revived in 2022 with Ndaitwah as patron, with its first major edition in 2023.
18 August 2026 · Informanté →
Ohangwena recorded about 1,750 school dropouts in 2025, with boys accounting for the majority, prompting the First Gentleman to call for coordinated community action. The region recorded the highest number of school dropouts among all regions visited during the First Gentleman's national consultations on the boy-child.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah addressed boys in Kavango West, urging them not to abandon education despite peer pressure, embarrassment and financial hardship. Education director Pontianus Musore reported that 650 pupils dropped out of school during the first semester this year, with boys making up the majority, citing economic hardship, child-headed households, poor parental involvement, limited supervision and limited hostel facilities as factors.
10 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of gender equality and child welfare Emma Kantema said Namibia cannot afford to leave boys behind, and that investing in boys leads to stronger families, safer communities and a brighter future for the country. She was speaking at an engagement session in Nkurenkuru themed on empowering the boy child and creating responsible men.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has advocated for an inclusive approach to gender equality, arguing that empowerment of women and girls and the well-being of boys are not competing priorities. Speaking at a fundraising gala of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Angola, he said men and women are mutually inclusive partners and cited global data showing boys lagging in education and facing crises in mental health and social development.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called for an inclusive approach to gender equality, arguing that empowering women and girls and addressing the well-being of boys are complementary rather than competing priorities. He cited global data showing that 132 million primary and secondary age boys are out of school worldwide and proposed renaming the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development to include male spouses.
31 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah visited China General Nuclear Power Corporation during a state visit to China, calling for stronger cooperation on clean energy, uranium value addition, technology transfer and skills development. Namibia aims to move beyond exporting raw uranium and develop partnerships that support industrialisation and job creation in the clean energy sector.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The 11th edition of the First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah Sports Tournament will be held at Elia Weyulu Sports Field in Okongo village, Ohangwena Region, from 20–23 August, featuring youth soccer, legends soccer, netball and volleyball with prize money across four categories.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
At a high-level conference in Accra, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the UN resolution on the Transatlantic Slave Trade marks the beginning of a long journey toward truth, healing and restorative justice for Africans and the diaspora, linking it to Namibia's own pursuit of restorative justice.
20 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is participating in a high-level international conference in Accra, Ghana, from 17–19 June 2026, aimed at developing practical steps to implement a United Nations resolution on the trafficking and enslavement of Africans. The conference brings together heads of state, ministers, and civil society representatives to advance discussions on reparatory justice, historical recognition, and restitution.
18 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to Ombara Kahimemua Nguvauva's legacy during the 130th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Otjunda in Okahandja, calling on Namibians to uphold unity and reject division as the country reflects on its liberation history.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah praised anti-colonial Ovambanderu Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva at a 130-year commemoration, saying the chief chose dignity over surrender when confronted by colonial power and was executed on 12 June 1896 for his refusal to abandon his people's freedom and identity.
15 June 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to Ombara Kahimemua Nguvauva at a commemoration of the 130th anniversary of his execution in Okahandja, calling on Namibians to uphold unity and reject division as the country reflects on its liberation history.
15 June 2026 · Informanté →
IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.
5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
First Gentleman General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has urged urgent national action to address boys' disengagement from Namibia's education system and support their mental health, citing Ministry of Education data showing 8,720 boys dropped out of school in 2023 and a 2023 UNICEF report finding that only 76% of boys progressed from Grade 5 to Grade 6 compared to 85% of girls. Ndaitwah attributed the trend to absent fathers, lack of mentorship, substance abuse, violence, and gaps in sexual and reproductive health education, and announced that his office is developing national programmes targeting educational disengagement, mentorship, mental health, and father involvement.
16 May 2026 · Informanté →
An opinion piece argues that Swapo, like other former liberation movements in government, has failed to deliver on promises and uses patriotic narratives of its struggle history to justify remaining in state control, drawing parallels to critiques of post-colonial African governments by Frantz Fanon and Angolan author Pepetela.
26 April 2026 · The Namibian →
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called on leaders to adopt a self-critical and forward-thinking approach that reflects, adapts and focuses on present challenges rather than the past. Speaking at a public lecture on strategic leadership at the International University of Management, he distinguished leadership—getting people to want to do what needs to be done—from management, emphasizing that both are mutually inclusive.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Hope Initiatives Southern Africa Namibia hosted an event where stakeholders, including the First Gentleman, discussed challenges facing boys in education and the promotion of positive masculinity rooted in responsibility, empathy, and accountable leadership. The First Gentleman cited 2023 data showing 8,720 boys dropped out of school and called for evidence-based interventions and strategic programs to support boys' holistic development.
21 March 2026 · Informanté →