Government office led by Vice President Lucia Witbooi, overseeing divisions on marginalised communities and disability affairs, reported progress on Indigenous minority access to services.
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August 2026
Informanté
Office of the Vice Presidenthas mandate forMarginalised Communities
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“In line with the mandate of the Office of the Vice President for Marginalised Communities, it was resolved that a comprehensive Livelihoods Options and Development Plan be developed to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the Hai-//om San community.”
Office of the Vice Presidenthas responsibility forIndigenous minorities including San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities
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“Speaking at the 25th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York on Friday, //Khumub said responsibility for Indigenous minorities — including the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities — has been placed under the Office of the Vice President as part of efforts to strengthen inclusive governance under the country's 8th Administration.”
James Unomasa Uerikuaserved inOffice of the Vice President as chief development planner between 2014 and 2020
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“He subsequently served as chief development planner in the Office of the Vice President between 2014 and 2020 and later as governor of the Otjozondjupa region from 2020 until 2025.”
Office of the Vice Presidenthosteda planning workshop for the Divisions of Disability Affairs and Marginalised Communities
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“The workshop, hosted by the Office of the Vice President, aims to review progress, identify challenges and map out strategies to improve service delivery and promote inclusion in line with the government's development agenda.”
Vice President Lucia Witbooi held a high-level meeting with stakeholders in Outjo to discuss the living conditions and future of the Hai-//om San community residing in and around Etosha National Park. It was resolved that a comprehensive Livelihoods Options and Development Plan be developed to address socio-economic challenges confronting the community, with a multidisciplinary technical team to undertake field assessments across designated sites.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi held a high-level meeting with stakeholders in Outjo to discuss the living conditions and future of the Hai-//om San community residing in and around Etosha National Park. It was resolved that a comprehensive Livelihoods Options and Development Plan be developed to address socio-economic challenges confronting the community, with a multidisciplinary technical team to undertake field assessments across designated sites.
Moses //Khumub, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, has called for targeted opportunities in higher education and specialised fields to promote the inclusion and advancement of San, Ovatue, and Ovatjimba Namibians. He stressed that government resources must directly correspond with visible outcomes and criticised the shortage of qualified San-speaking teachers in rural classrooms.
Deputy minister Moses //Khumub said government is overhauling its approach to supporting marginalised communities after acknowledging state shortcomings.
Deputy Minister Moses //Khumub told the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that Namibia has improved access to identity documents, healthcare and education for Indigenous minorities including San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities, while highlighting challenges such as drug-resistant tuberculosis and climate change impacts. A national document registration drive between June and August 2025 issued 22,426 identification documents to San community members.
San families in Eenhana and surrounding settlements live in makeshift structures and face unemployment, lack of identity documents, and inadequate housing, despite government efforts including food assistance, school transport, and housing projects. Officials acknowledge living conditions remain difficult and uneven across communities, with plans to relocate some settlements and continue support programmes.
James Unomasa Uerikua, former governor of Otjozondjupa and Swapo MP, died in a car accident on 3 April along with his son Venturo Uaamakuje Uerikua. Vice President Lucia Witbooi led mourners at the burial ceremony in Otjiserandu, where Uerikua was remembered as a farmer, businessman, philanthropist and prominent voice on Namibia-Germany genocide discussions.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed National Council member Moses //Khumub as deputy minister in the Office of the Vice President, a move that lawmakers have criticised as unnecessary bureaucracy given the limited role of the office. The State House said the deputy minister will provide technical and professional support to Vice President Lucia Witbooi, particularly in overseeing marginalised communities and disability affairs divisions transferred from another ministry.
Swapo parliamentarian and former Otjozondhupa governor James Uerikua died aged 43 in a car accident on Friday, along with one of his sons. President Nandi-Ndaitwah described him as a "young and promising leader" whose loss comes at a time when the country needs clarity and commitment on complex challenges.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi opened a planning workshop for the Divisions of Disability Affairs and Marginalised Communities, calling for stronger efforts to advance the rights and socio-economic development of persons with disabilities and marginalised communities. The workshop aims to review progress, identify challenges and map out strategies to improve service delivery, with Witbooi highlighting recent milestones including a sign language application launch, the Disability Cost Report, and a revised National Policy on Disability for 2025–2035, while acknowledging challenges such as limited financial resources and institutional capacity constraints.