President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's Approach to Foreign Travel: A New Chapter?
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has embarked on 28 foreign trips during her initial 10 months in office. This marks the lowest number of international excursions by a Namibian head of state in the past eight years. But what does this shift signify, and what are the implications?
According to calculations by The Namibian, the president spent a total of 28 days outside the country, visiting 10 nations since assuming office. Over this period, she was eligible to claim approximately N$1.3 million in subsistence and travel (S&T) allowances. This raises the question: Is this a fiscally responsible strategy, or does it limit Namibia's global engagement?
From March 21st to mid-September, President Nandi-Ndaitwah undertook only six regional trips, all within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Political analyst Henning Melber suggests this significantly reduces costs, "Not only in terms of S&Ts, but also for the operation of the presidential plane, including the crew." But here's where it gets controversial: Melber also points out that some international trips and participation in meetings are necessary investments.
He further scrutinizes the entourage, questioning the necessity of certain individuals accompanying the president. He highlights events like G20 summits, wondering if the expenses are justified, especially when invited leaders have limited speaking roles. Melber adds, "At the same time, it presents an opportunity to be recognized and to put Namibia on the global map." He notes that the recent G20 summit was held on the African continent for the first time in neighboring South Africa. "One can therefore argue it was a justified expenditure, even though it can be assumed that most major players hardly took note of Namibia’s presence."
Another political analyst, Rui Tyitende, argues that the value of foreign travel should be assessed based on its tangible benefits to ordinary Namibians. "My argument will always remain: Of what value are these foreign excursions to the ordinary Namibian?" he asks. He questions whether the trips solidify relationships, benefit taxpayers, and align with the national development agenda. If not, he suggests, the president should stay home and delegate duties to ambassadors.
Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo stated that the president has intentionally prioritized domestic affairs during her early months in office. He noted that when necessary, Nandi-Ndaitwah has relied on her ministers and the vice president to represent the country abroad. “That is exactly why she appointed them. It is a sign of trust in their ability to carry Namibia’s message abroad,” he said. Mbambo also mentioned that every invitation to the president is carefully considered. He emphasized that the president believes leadership begins at home and that delegating foreign duties promotes teamwork and continuity within the government. “It shows Namibia’s leadership does not rest on one person alone, but on a trusted team that can effectively represent the country wherever needed. At the right time, she will engage more broadly beyond the continent,” he said.
The Itinerary:
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's travel pattern reveals a strong regional focus. Her first foreign visit was to Luanda, Angola, on May 8th. From March 21st to mid-September, she undertook only six regional trips, all within the SADC region. Her largest S&T claims stem from her stays in New York and Belém, Brazil, where she qualified for N$609,500, N$196,600, and N$177,200, respectively. She is entitled to N$77,700 a day in Luanda. This was followed by a regional tour from May 15th to 16th, covering Gaborone, Botswana, and Lusaka, Zambia. On May 19th, she traveled to Maputo, Mozambique, followed by Harare, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania on May 20th, returning to Namibia on May 21st.
Personal Significance:
Tanzania holds personal and historical significance for the president, where she lived from 1980 to 1986 as a Swapo representative during Namibia’s liberation struggle and is known as ‘Mama Swapo’. On June 20th, Nandi-Ndaitwah made a one-day official visit to South Africa. From August 16th to 18th, she attended the 45th SADC Summit in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Delegation and Representation:
In addition to traveling less, President Nandi-Ndaitwah has delegated some international engagements to senior officials. In April, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi represented her at the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican. In early September, Vice President Lucia Witbooi attended the Intra-African Trade Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on the president’s behalf.
Recent Engagements:
On September 19th, the president flew to New York for the 80th United Nations General Assembly, spending nine days there. Five days later, she traveled to Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (Conference of the Parties). She then attended Angola’s 50th independence celebrations in Luanda and a G20 leaders summit in Johannesburg. This contrasts sharply with the extensive international travel of former presidents Hage Geingob and Nangolo Mbumba.
What do you think? Does President Nandi-Ndaitwah's focus on domestic issues and regional travel represent a beneficial shift in Namibia's international strategy? Or does it risk limiting the country's global influence? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
