Mbakumua Tjaveondja
For as long as memory serves, government halls have been associated with seasoned figures.
But in recent years, there have been records of elected young persons into prominent leadership positions in countries around the world, such as former-president of the United States, President Barack Obama who ruled the country at age 42 and Emmanuel Macron, the current president of France, who was elected in May 2017 at the age of 40, Thomas Sankara, was 33 when he became President of Burkina Faso in 1983 while Abiy Ahmed was appointed Ethiopian Prime Minister in 2019 at the age of 41.
When we refer to women in leadership, Ms. Bogolo Kenewendo who was only 29 when she was appointed minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, the youngest in Botswana’s history.
A local name that can accompany these powerful leaders is Honourable Emma Inamutila Theofelus.
This marks a fresh wave crashing on the political shores, with young leaders shattering age barriers and proving that youth can be a potent force for change.
Background and Education
Emma Theofelus was born in Windhoek, Namibia to police officers on March 28, 1996 and is the youngest Cabinet Minister Namibia has had.
She attended primary education at People’s Primary School and matriculated at Khomas High School in the capital city.
Prior to her appointment, Honourable Theofelus was a member of the Namibia Chapter of AfriYAN, a youth network composed of young people from eastern and southern Africa.
The network promotes sexual education, reproductive health, rights and issues facing the girl child, where she led pioneering efforts to fight teen pregnancy and protect young people’s sexual and reproductive health.
Honorable Theofelus served as the Deputy Speaker of the Children’s Parliament of the Republic of Namibia from 2013 to 2018 as Secretary for the Namibian National Students Organisation (Nanso) between 2015-2017 as well as a Board Member of the National Council of Higher Education and a former Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek in 2013/14 . In 2015 she served as a member of the Children’s Parliament, starting as a Deputy speaker and later becoming the speaker.
She also served as Secretary-General of the University of Namibia (UNAM) Student Representative Council (SRC) serving over 25 thousand students.
In addition to these achievements, Honorable Theofelus holds a Bachelor of Laws Honors Degree from the University of Namibia but her thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop there as she also holds a Diploma in Business Management and a Diploma in African Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and Amity University, respectively, which prove to be invaluable in navigating the complex issues around of gender, children’s rights, and sustainable development and against youth unemployment.
Career
Honourable Theofelus started her career after she completed her law degree at the University of Namibia as a legal officer in the Ministry of Justice from 2019 to 2020.
She is quoted by various media outlets that she was enjoying a regular afternoon at home during the weekend and then the call from the State House came and changed the course of her life.
The call was to confirm her appointment as one of the eight presidential nominees for the National Assembly as well as to serve her nation in a deputy minister capacity.
Theofelus was only 23 years old and two months when she was sworn in as Cabinet Minister by Former President Dr. Hage Geingob, a week after corona virus hit Namibia in March 2020.
Her appointment was to serve as Namibia’s Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Deputy Minister and was tasked with assisting in leading public communication on preventive steps against the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the tragic loss of the Former Head of State, Dr. Hage Geingob who passed away on 4 February 2024, Namibia as per constitutional provision elected a new president, His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba.
Honorable Emma Theofelus was appointed by President Nangolo Mbumba as Minister of Information and Communication and Technology (ICT) on 9 February 2024, therefore she currently serves as a Minister of Information, Communication and Technology. This appointment was made in terms of Article 32 (3) (i) (dd) of the Namibian Constitution.
As Minister, Honorable Theofelus is expected to strengthen the foundation for the accelerated use and development of ICT and ensure the inter-operability/comparability of the ICT systems.
She is also expected to oversee effective implementation of communications legislation to address accessibility and affordability of information communication technologies by the majority of Namibians.
As the Official Government Spokesperson, Honorable Theofelus must ensure prompt and effective dissemination of information regarding government programmes, communicate cabinet decisions and proactively act as media focal point.
She is further expected to promote unfettered access by the media to public information, in order to strengthen democracy and good governance; consolidate government information systems to ensure cohesive and integrated media communications from all offices, Ministries and Agencies.
Achievements
Honorable Theofelus boasts a remarkable track record of achievements that belie her years.
Awards:
- Laureate in the Individual Category of the United Nations Population Award, 2022.
- Awarded as the BBC 100 Most Influential Women in the World 2021.
- Named as Avance Media 100 Most Influential Young Africans 2020 & 2021.
- St. Gallen Leader of Tomorrow.
- Named as Avance Media 100 Most Influential African Women 2020 & 2021.
- Named as the New African 100 Most influential Africans of 2020.
- Named as the Reputation Poll 100 Most reputable Africans 2020.
- World Economic Forum Global Shaper.
Nominations:
- Nominated for the One Young World Politician of the Year Award 2020 & 2021.
Other:
- Namibia’s youngest Minister. Member of Parliament and appointed Deputy Minister of
- Information and Communication Technology in the Republic of Namibia at age 23
- Southern African country’s youngest member of parliament.
- Named the Emerging African Young Leader by the African Leadership Magazine 2022
- A board member of the Leadership Council of Africa REACH and council member of
- Nala Feminist Movement.
As a new era in our nation’s political landscape rises, Honorable Theofelus’ story leaves us with an undeniable sense of hope and possibility.
This does however lead us to confront the question: Does age truly define leadership potential?
The appointment of younger leaders to high office is not entirely new in Africa but Honourable Theofelus is a particularly young female from a continent where almost 60% of the population is under 25 years old, and where many presidents are among the oldest in the world.
Her presence and engagements should serve as an inspiration to the youth to aspire for greater heights and not be deterred by their age and it’s not just about breaking age barriers, but about embracing fresh perspectives and the boundless potential that lies within each generation.
Youthful leadership is the “in thing” in many political scenes across the globe, and is gradually invading the political scene of Africa without putting out the women.
The notion is that young people are the leaders of tomorrow and have to be prepared today, therefore, if it’s the right person for the job and the right responsibility, I believe age makes no difference.
