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
First Gentleman and retired Lieutenant General; addresses boys' education, mental health, strategic leadership, and substance abuse advocacy.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
Windhoek Observer
Denga Ndaitwahis alleged toown Farm 865 Massaus in the Oshikoto Region with President Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Source
“Itula further claimed the project is linked to Farm 865 Massaus in the Oshikoto Region, which he says is owned by President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her husband, retired General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah.”
Denga Ndaitwahcalled forurgent national action on boys' education disengagement and mental health support
Source
“FIRST Gentleman General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah has called for urgent national action to address boys' disengagement from Namibia's education system and to support their mental health.”
Denga Ndaitwahannouncedhis office is developing national programmes targeting educational disengagement, mentorship, mental health, and other issues
Source
“He announced that his office is developing national programmes targeting educational disengagement, mentorship, mental health, SRH inclusion, skills development and father involvement.”
First gentleman Denga Ndaitwahcalled on leaders to adopta self-critical and forward-thinking approach
Source
“First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah has called on leaders to adopt a self-critical and forward-thinking approach, noting that effective leadership requires the ability to reflect, adapt and focus on present challenges.”
Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwahemphasizedthat many boys risk disengaging from school and facing social challenges
Source
“Speaking at the event, His Excellency Lt Gen (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, First Gentleman of Namibia, emphasized that many boys risk disengaging from school, underperforming academically, and facing social challenges that limit their opportunities.”
President NdaitwahdeliveredIndependence Celebration speech at one minute past twelve on 21 March.
Source
“There is no clearer sign of Namibian sovereignty and leadership than for President Ndaitwah to deliver her Independence Celebration speech at one minute past twelve – in honouring 21 March 1990.”
Retired Lieutenant General Denga Ndaitwahwarnedthat dependence on other nations for food leaves a country vulnerable to famine, economic manipulation, and threats to sovereignty
Source
“On the eve of the country's 36th Independence Day, Ndaitwah warns that dependence on other nations for food leaves a country vulnerable to famine, economic manipulation, and threats to sovereignty.”
Ndaitwahhas served asChief of the Defence Force and as a lecturer at the University of Namibia and the International University of Management
Source
“Ndaitwah, who holds a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies, has served as Chief of the Defence Force and as a lecturer at the University of Namibia and the International University of Management.”
Lt Gen (rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwahdelivereda presentation to senior military officers at the Namibia Command and Staff College on strategic leadership, management and national power
Source
“FIRST Gentleman of Namibia, Lt Gen (rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, delivered a presentation to senior military officers at the Namibia Command and Staff College, focusing on strategic leadership, management and the elements of national power.”
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.
Why it matters
Panduleni Itula's direct challenge to transparency around a N$612m solar project linked to the President's family strikes at accountability and governance—core concerns for Namibian readers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An opinion piece praises the 36th Namibian Independence Day celebrations held in all regions as a significant moment for national unity and a counter to factionalism and tribalism, noting that regional events reflect Namibian sovereignty and the freedom of movement that citizens have exercised since 1990.
Retired Lieutenant General Denga Ndaitwah has warned that Namibia's reliance on imported food leaves the country vulnerable to famine and economic manipulation, and urges the government to support commercial and emerging farmers through affordable loans and subsidies to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.
Namibia's First Gentleman Lt Gen (rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah delivered a presentation to senior military officers at the Namibia Command and Staff College on strategic leadership, management, and elements of national power, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership, sound policy formulation, and implementation to achieve national objectives.
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.
Liberation hero and former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials in attendance. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a courageous cadre who served the nation with selfless dedication.
Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah became one of the few male spouses to join the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) during its 30th General Assembly in Addis Ababa, where he called for inclusive empowerment and practical action on climate change and social inequality.
Epafras Ndenga Ndaitwah addressed the 30th session of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Addis Ababa, calling for stronger institutions to build Africa's resilience through community resources, early climate warning systems, and locally-driven solutions.
Lt Gen (rtd) Denga Ndaitwah argues that while tribes are sources of national power and identity, politicians must not exploit tribalism for electoral gain, warning that such divisive politics have destroyed many African nations and are beginning to surface in Namibia.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.
Community members, learners and government officials gathered at Dr Lemmer High School in Rehoboth to address drug abuse affecting the town, with speakers including the First Gentleman warning that substance abuse derails young people's futures and noting Rehoboth records the highest crime rate in the Hardap region. Officials and church leaders called for early intervention, stronger parental accountability, police visibility around schools, and investment in mentorship and skills programmes to combat the crisis.
At a substance abuse awareness campaign at Dr Lemmer Secondary School in Rehoboth, First Gentleman Denga Ndaitwah warned pupils that drug and alcohol use threatens their education and future, urging them to avoid peer pressure and prioritize discipline and academic progress. Hardap Governor Riaan McNab described substance abuse as a "silent and deceptive threat" destroying families and communities, cautioning that nations cannot progress when youth are destroyed.