News / Africa
Call to put term limits for ministers
16 Apr 2016 at 11:25hrs | Views
WINDHOEK - The Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Bernard Haufiku feels cabinet ministers should only serve a term of 10 to 15 years and then make way for an infusion of fresh and progressive leaders.
Some members of the current cabinet during the past 26 years initially served as deputy ministers and were eventually elevated to a full ministerial position, with some showing no sign of making way for an infusion of fresh blood.
Among those in cabinet currently referred to as "the old guard" are the Vice President Dr Nickey Iyambo, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Jerry Ekandjo, and Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Erkki Nghimtina.
Utoni Nujoma the Minister of Land Reform, Professor Peter Katjavivi the Speaker of the National Assembly, John Mutorwa the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Sophia Shaaningwa the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Zephania Kameeta the Minister of Poverty Eradication, Phillemon Malima the Director General of Namibia Central Intelligence Service and Nangolo Mbumba the Swapo SG are also listed among the "old guard".
In response to a question on the term of office for ministers, the health minister who assumed office in March 2015 said: "To be honest with you, the position of minister, I think it's better if it could be 10 years, then every 10 years you have new ministers coming in because then they will have enough time to learn and then you don't have someone who has to be there for 20 years."
According to Haufiku, he is not so sure whether it's practically progressive for a member of parliament or a minister to be in that position for 20 years.
"You know such a person can become a consultant or an advisor to government or a new minister or something, but that is my personal opinion, I don't want to speak on behalf of anyone."
"Just like the president's term, 10 years for a minister is a fair period, maybe even 15 years but 20 years in government, it is too much; 10 maximum, maybe 15 years but more than that, I wouldn't even go to that extent," said the health minister.
Some members of the current cabinet during the past 26 years initially served as deputy ministers and were eventually elevated to a full ministerial position, with some showing no sign of making way for an infusion of fresh blood.
Among those in cabinet currently referred to as "the old guard" are the Vice President Dr Nickey Iyambo, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Jerry Ekandjo, and Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, Erkki Nghimtina.
Utoni Nujoma the Minister of Land Reform, Professor Peter Katjavivi the Speaker of the National Assembly, John Mutorwa the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Sophia Shaaningwa the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Zephania Kameeta the Minister of Poverty Eradication, Phillemon Malima the Director General of Namibia Central Intelligence Service and Nangolo Mbumba the Swapo SG are also listed among the "old guard".
In response to a question on the term of office for ministers, the health minister who assumed office in March 2015 said: "To be honest with you, the position of minister, I think it's better if it could be 10 years, then every 10 years you have new ministers coming in because then they will have enough time to learn and then you don't have someone who has to be there for 20 years."
According to Haufiku, he is not so sure whether it's practically progressive for a member of parliament or a minister to be in that position for 20 years.
"You know such a person can become a consultant or an advisor to government or a new minister or something, but that is my personal opinion, I don't want to speak on behalf of anyone."
"Just like the president's term, 10 years for a minister is a fair period, maybe even 15 years but 20 years in government, it is too much; 10 maximum, maybe 15 years but more than that, I wouldn't even go to that extent," said the health minister.
Source - New Era.
