Vice President of Namibia

Official Page for the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Lucia Witbooi

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Never forget that your oath of office is not just a ceremonial pledge. It is a solemn commitment to serve the Republic faithfully, to uphold the Constitution without compromise, and to protect all citizens without fear or favour.

Director of Ceremonies,

I also wish to commend the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, particularly the Namibian Police Force, and all training personnel for your continued efforts to strengthen professionalism within the Force. Your dedication to developing capable and ethical officers contributes directly to the safety and stability of our nation.

In conclusion, as we celebrate this important milestone, let us remain steadfast in our shared commitment to safeguarding the peace, stability, and democratic values that define our nation. To our graduates, once again, remember that you are not only representatives of the Namibian Police Force, but also custodians of public trust, guardians of justice, and ambassadors of our nation's highest ideals. The people of Namibia will look to you for protection, leadership, fairness, and compassion. Carry out your duties with courage, integrity, professionalism, and humility, always guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and the oath you have taken.

On behalf of Her Excellency Dr NetumboNandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, and on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Namibia, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you.

With these remarks, it is now my singular honour to declare the Police Basic Training Course 1 of 2025/2026 officially concluded.

I thank you.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Keynote Address By Her Excellency, Lucia Witbooi, Vice President Of The Republic Of Namibia On The Occasion Of The Graduation Ceremony Of The Namibian Police ForceBasic Training, Course 1 Of 2025/2026

Friday, 05 June 2026
Gobabis, Omaheke Region

Allow me, at the onset, to convey warm greetings from Her Excellency, Dr NetumboNandi-Ndaitwah, the President of the Republic of Namibia, and Commander-in-Chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF),who has entrusted me with the responsibility of representing her at this important national occasion.

Her Excellency, the President extends her sincere congratulations to every graduate assembled here today and conveys her profound appreciation to the leadership of the Namibian Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, the training staff, parents, guardians, and all stakeholders whose collective efforts have contributed to the success of this Namibian Police Force Basic Training Course 1 of 2025/2026.

This ceremony reaffirms our country's unwavering commitment to peace, security, justice, and the rule of law. It is also a demonstration of our determination to build a professional, disciplined, and people-centred police force capable of responding effectively to the evolving security challenges of our country.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

This achievement reflects the Government's commitment to ensuring that men and women are afforded equal opportunities to participate and lead in all sectors of society, including law enforcement and security. It sends a powerful message that capability, professionalism, and leadership knows no gender.

To our graduates, today you stand ready to assume responsibilities that are vital to the security and well-being of our nation. Your training has equipped you with knowledge, skills, discipline, and resilience. However, the true test of your character will be measured by how you apply these qualities in your service to the people of Namibia.

You are entering a profession that demands sacrifice, courage, integrity, impartiality, and compassion. The uniform you wear represents far more than authority. It represents public trust. It represents the confidence that citizens place in you to protect their lives, safeguard their property, uphold justice, and defend the values upon which our nation is built.

As you assume your duties, remember that effective policing is not achieved through authority alone. It is achieved through partnership with communities, respect for human dignity, professionalism in conduct, and accountability in decision-making. The relationship between the police and the public must always be characterised by mutual trust and cooperation.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Vice President Lucia Witbooi arrives in Gobabis where she will be officiating the Graduation Ceremony of the Police Basic Training Course tomorrow, Friday, 5 June 2026.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Project Never Walk Alone reminds us that caring for vulnerable children is not the responsibility of Government alone. It is a shared national duty that requires active citizenship, partnership, and compassion from all sectors of society.

As I conclude, allow me to express my sincere appreciation to the organisers of this Gala Dinner, the leadership and volunteers of Project Never Walk Alone, all sponsors and partners, and every individual who continues to support this noble initiative.
I encourage you to let tonight not mark the end of your commitment, but the beginning of renewed and sustained action in support of vulnerable children across our country.

Let us continue to stand together, give together, and act together in service of our children and our nation. May your generosity continue to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of those who need it.

I thank you.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Keynote Address by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Occasion of the 2nd Project Never Walk Alone Fundraising Gala Dinner

30 May 2026 | Windhoek, Khomas Region

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you this evening at the 2nd Project Never Walk Alone Fundraising Gala Dinner. This special event is convened with the purpose to mobilise financial resources, strengthen partnerships, and inspire national solidarity in support of vulnerable and barefoot children across our country. Therefore, tonight, it is about our national call to compassion, unity, and shared responsibility. Our common goal is to ensure that no Namibian child is denied dignity, confidence, or access to education simply because they do not own a pair of shoes.

Our presence here reflects a collective commitment to restoring hope, self-worth, and opportunity to vulnerable children across our country.
This noble initiative is truly commendable and is also in line with the priorities of our Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), particularly in the areas of Human Development and Community Resilience.

Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In Namibia, the true measure of our society is reflected in how we care for one another, and most importantly, how we care for our most vulnerable children. Our children are the architects of our nation’s tomorrow. But they can only build that future if we lay a solid foundation for them today.
Therefore, by our donations and contribution tonight, we are not just giving money; we are giving a child a chance to dream, to grow, and to eventually give back to our country.

This Gala Dinner represents nation-building in action. It reflects the spirit of solidarity and the values of One Namibia, One Nation that continue to define us as a nation. It reminds us that the true strength of a nation is measured not by the wealth of a few, but by the care and protection extended to its vulnerable citizens.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am deeply encouraged to learn that Project Never Walk Alone has already delivered more than 12,800 pairs of high-quality leather shoes across nine regions of our country. This remarkable achievement deserves recognition and the continued support of all Namibians.

I have further noted of the project’s ambitious three-year vision to assist more than 31,500 barefoot children at an estimated cost of N$12.9 million. Such a vision requires courage, sacrifice, and a united national commitment from Government, the private sector, development partners, civil society, and individual citizens alike.

Therefore, tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the achievements of Project Never Walk Alone, but also to mobilise the support necessary to expand the reach and impact of this noble initiative.
The funds raised through this Gala Dinner will directly contribute towards the procurement and distribution of quality footwear to vulnerable children across our country, while strengthening the project’s capacity to reach more communities in need.

Beyond the providing shoes, this initiative seeks to restore dignity, strengthen educational participation and inclusion, and create equal opportunities for every Namibian child. It is within this context that I call upon corporate entities, financial institutions, development partners, faith-based organisations, civil society, and individual stakeholders to continue supporting and investing in Project Never Walk Alone.
As a nation, we must continue to build a Namibia where every child, regardless of social or economic background, has the opportunity to walk proudly, learn confidently, and dream freely.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Dust rose along the Oshakati–Ompundja–Aluvanda Road (DR3607) today as Vice President Lucia Witbooi conducted an inspection visit to assess progress on the upgrading of the strategic road infrastructure project in the Oshana Region. She was accompanied by Oshana Regional Governor, Hon. Hofni Iipinge, and officials overseeing the development works.

The visit forms part of the Vice President’s ongoing familiarisation mission aimed at monitoring service delivery, infrastructure development and the implementation of projects intended to improve the living conditions of communities.

The road project is expected to strengthen connectivity between communities, improve access to essential services and economic opportunities, while enhancing the movement of people and goods within the region and between neighboring regions.

Vice President Witbooi emphasised the importance of quality infrastructure development in advancing rural development, stimulating local economic activity and supporting government’s broader agenda of inclusive growth and national development.

The Vice President further encouraged contractors to expedite the completion of the project within the agreed timelines, while calling on relevant authorities and stakeholders to urgently address outstanding challenges to avoid delays in the official opening and full utilisation of the road by the public.

The inspection comes amid her engagements across northern regions, where she has continued to highlight the importance of responsive governance, social upliftment, youth empowerment and improved service delivery to communities.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Director of Ceremonies;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we attend this expo, let us also actively support our local business people. Let us give them courage by buying their products so that they can be motivated to produce more and exhibit their products and service.
In conclusion, may this expo inspire all of us to embrace our cultural diversity, foster unity, and strengthen the fabric of our communities, so that together, we can build a harmonious and prosperous nation.
With these remarks, I now have the honour and privilege to declare the 12th Oshakati Totem Expo 2026, officially opened.
I thank you

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Statement by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia at the occasion of the Oshakati Totem Expo
Friday, 29 May 2026

Oshakati Independence Stadium, Oshana Region

It is my distinct honour to be with you here today, at this special occasion marking the official opening ceremony of the 12th Oshakati Totem exposition, held under the befitting theme, “strengthening Ties Through culture”.
Allow me at the onset to commend the Oshakati Town Council, the organizing committee, traditional authorities, sponsors, exhibitors, and all stakeholders involved for continuously growing this important event every year.
The Oshakati Totem Expo has evolved far more than a cultural event. Today, it stands as a symbol of identity, unity, economic participation, and social cohesion. It is a platform that reminds us of who we are as people while at the same time, creating opportunities to define and strengthening our identity of where we want to be as a nation.
Director of Ceremonies;
As Namibians, cultural diversity is our defining national asset, it remains one of our greatest strengths. We are a people of different languages, traditions, customs, and histories, yet united under one flag and one national identity. It is at Events such as the Oshakati Totem Expo, where we use our diverse traditions, languages, and histories as a foundation for unity, fostering mutual respect and national progress.
The theme for this year’s Expo is “Strengthening Ties Through Culture”. This theme speaks directly to the importance of preserving our identity while promoting national unity and development.
Culture is not merely about tradition or remembrance of the past. Culture is also an economic resource. Around the world, countries are increasingly investing in cultural tourism, heritage infrastructure, creative industries, and local entrepreneurship as drivers of economic growth and job creation.
I am pleased to note that the Oshakati Totem Expo continues to demonstrate that culture and business can coexist successfully.
I am encouraged by its continuous growth into one of Namibia’s most important economic and urban centers. The town continues to expand in infrastructure, trade, investment, and population growth, making it a strategic hub not only for the northern regions but for Namibia as a whole. I therefore call upon all town in Namibia, especially those without expos and trade fairs taking place in their towns, to emulate the examples of these towns that have come up with initiatives to boost local businesses for their people.
Director of Ceremonies,
As Government, we continue to invest in infrastructure and platforms that support socio-economic developments. I was informed that Oshakati Town Council is planning to develop Oshakati Totem Expo centre which will serve as commercial and cultural hub. This initiative is commendable. Therefore, we should support the Council to realize this project.
Our desire is to see not only Oshakati town growing, but also other towns across our country. Let our towns innovate and embrace news ways of doing business by positioning themselves as centers for cultural tourism and economic activities for the benefit of our nation.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Director of Ceremonies,
Government recognize expos and trade fairs as vital catalysts for economic growth and grassroots development. Events such as this serve as strategic platforms to empower especially Small and Medium Enterprises, and promote cultural heritage.
Moreover, we recognize the important role local authorities continue to play in driving development at grassroots level. We therefore encourage continued collaboration between central government, regional leadership, traditional authorities, private sector, and communities in ensuring that platforms such as the Oshakati Totem Expo continue to grow and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country.

Director of Ceremonies,
At this juncture, all me to speak directly to the young people present here today and those watch and listening on various media platforms across the country. Events where we celebrate diverse culture are very crucial. Let our young people never detach themselves from their identity and heritage. Let them learn their language, their culture and their history. Learn and understand your clan and your totems. Respect your traditions while embracing education, innovation, and technology. The future belongs to a generation that understands both where it comes from and where it is going.
Our cultural identity should never be viewed as outdated. Rather, it should serve as a foundation upon which we build modern and united communities.
As the late Founding President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, once reminded us that “a nation without culture is like a tree without roots.”
Indeed, Oshakati Totem Expo has established itself as an important platform enabling us to embrace our cultures, define our identity, so that together as a united people, will work in unison to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Vice President Lucia Witbooi arrives at the Official Opening of the Oshakati Totem Expo 2026 at the Oshakati Independence Stadium, joining communities from across the country in celebrating Namibia’s rich cultural heritage, unity, and identity.

Organised annually by the Oshakati Town Council, the Oshakati Totem Expo has become an important national platform dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Namibia’s rich cultural heritage, traditional values, and ancestral identity.

The expo further highlights the enduring significance of totems in strengthening cultural identity, preserving indigenous knowledge systems, and promoting national unity through cultural exchange, exhibitions, and traditional performances.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Dr. Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, the Second President of the Republic of Namibia, at his homestead in Okanghudi Village during her official mission to the Ohangwena Region.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Vice President Lucia Witbooi visited the San Community at Ombili Location in Eenhana to engage residents and assess the living conditions and socio-economic challenges facing the community.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi today paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency Dr. Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, the Second President of the Republic of Namibia, at his homestead in Okanghudi Village during her official mission to the Ohangwena Region.

The visit provided an opportunity to seek the former Head of State’s wisdom and guidance, while also engaging on matters of national interest, unity, and sustainable development. The engagement reflects the importance of intergenerational leadership dialogue and the continued role of former statesmen in strengthening Namibia’s democratic foundations and social cohesion.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Vice President Witbooi reaffirmed Government’s commitment to improving the welfare and dignity of marginalised communities, noting that land has already been identified for the provision of housing, water, and other essential services to improve the living conditions of the San community in the area.

The Vice President further encouraged parents and community leaders to support Government efforts aimed at ensuring children remain in school and complete their education, while also urging community members to safeguard their national documents and make responsible life choices for the betterment of future generations.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Vice President Lucia Witbooi today visited the San Community at Ombili Location in Eenhana to engage residents and assess the living conditions and socio-economic challenges facing the community.

During the visit, community members raised concerns relating to access to water, electricity, sanitation, housing, and serviced land for gardening and small-scale farming initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and food security.

The engagement also highlighted social challenges affecting the community, including alcohol abuse, gender-based violence, school attendance among children, and concerns that some elderly persons are being deprived of the benefits of their pension grants due to exploitation and alcohol-related challenges within the community.

Officials informed the Vice President that Government currently provides transport for approximately 60 learners from the area to attend school, while three students from the San community successfully graduated from the International University of Management (IUM) Ongwediva Campus last year through Government-supported programmes.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Let us preserve our rich history and ensure that future generations grow up with a clear understanding of where we come from, who we are as a people, and the responsibility they carry in safeguarding the sovereignty and future of this Republic.

No Namibian must ever be left behind in our national journey toward dignity, equality, and prosperity. For this is what our forebears stood for.

In conclusion, allow me, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia, to thank the Namibian people for embracing this important national day.
I further urge the nation to continue speaking with one voice as we advance the process of engagement and negotiations with the German government, in pursuit of justice, healing, and closure for the affected communities and the nation at large.

Once again, let us move forward together as one people, determined and committed to building the peaceful, just, and prosperous Namibia we want.
Let us foster and protect the enduring spirit of One Namibia, One Nation.

I thank you.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

Statement by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, on the occasion of the Genocide Remembrance Day

28 May 2026 | Eenhana, Ohangwena Region

Fellow Namibians,

Today, we gather in different parts of our beloved Namibia, the Land of the Brave, as a proud and united people to commemorate Genocide Remembrance Day.

On this day in 2025, during the inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day, Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, stood before the nation and declared, and I quote:
“Genocide Remembrance Day enters our calendar of public holidays to symbolize unity of purpose, inclusivity, and nation-building. This Day of memory brings hope, not only to the affected communities, but also to all Namibians who seek to build a future that is grounded in the shared understanding and appreciation of our collective history, including our ongoing efforts in reconciliation and nation-building.” End of quote.

And rightly so, today we gather as a nation in solemn remembrance and honour of the victims of the 1904–1908 Genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during the German colonial occupation of Namibia.

At this juncture, may I ask that we stand and observe a minute of silence in honour of all victims of the Genocide, as well as the forebears who championed the recognition of this painful chapter in our history.

Director of Ceremonies,

The struggle for the soul of Namibia did not begin in the 1960s. Long before the organized liberation struggle took the form we later came to know, the seeds of resistance had already been planted in the blood-soaked soil of this land.
The events we remember today were not isolated tragedies. They were defining moments in our national story. They revealed the brutality of colonial oppression, but they also revealed the courage, dignity, and unbroken spirit of our people.

The resistance of our forebears against dispossession, extermination, and injustice became the moral and political foundation upon which later generations built the struggle for independence. Those who rose in 1904, and those who suffered through the years that followed, lit a flame that would later guide Chief Hosea Kutako, Dr Sam Nujoma, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, and many others in the long march toward freedom.

That is why, when we sing in our National Anthem that “their blood waters our freedom,” we are not merely reciting poetic words. We are acknowledging a sacred truth: that the freedom we enjoy today was paid for through the suffering, sacrifice, and blood of those who came before us.

Their pain became our purpose. Their resistance became our foundation. Their sacrifice became the freedom of the Republic of Namibia.

The 1904–1908 war of resistance stands as one of the most defining and solemn chapters in our nation’s history. It was a difficult period in which our people confronted a heavily armed colonial force with limited means, yet with extraordinary courage and resolve.

The Herero and Nama uprisings against German colonial rule marked a turning point in our resistance against oppression.

This resistance, which started in 1904 under the leadership of Chief Samuel Maharero and was later joined by Nama leaders including Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi and others, reflected a united stand against dispossession and oppression.
In response, Imperial Germany deployed an overwhelming military force under General Lothar von Trotha, culminating in the tragic Battle of Waterberg and the issuance of extermination orders that drove many of our people into the Omaheke Desert to perish from thirst and starvation. Survivors were confined to brutal concentration camps, subjected to forced labour and inhumane racial experiments.

[Vice President of Namibia @VPofNamibia]

The devastating consequences of this war of resistance led to the loss of tens of thousands of lives. This extermination of our people remains one of the darkest chapters in our country’s history and is rightly recognised today as the Ovaherero and Nama Genocide. As a nation, we shall never forget this history.

Director of Ceremonies,

The Genocide Remembrance Day carries profound historical, political, and social significance for us as Namibians. On this solemn occasion, we stand together as one people in remembrance and tribute to the gallant sons and daughters of this soil who courageously resisted colonial oppression and paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their land, dignity, and future generations.

As we commemorate this Day, we must continue to preserve historical truth, promote justice and reconciliation, and strengthen our collective commitment to nation-building and social cohesion. This Day serves as a unifying platform for all Namibians to deepen our shared understanding of the painful experiences that shaped our history, while reaffirming our common aspiration to build a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Namibia.

As we preserve the memory of these atrocities, we must also encourage continued academic research, documentation, and publication on this dark chapter of our history.

The stories, testimonies, and historical realities of the 1904–1908 Genocide must continue to find expression through books, archives, universities, museums, films, and scholarly work, both in Namibia and across the world.
For remembrance without documentation risks silence over time. Future generations, both at home and abroad, must have access to truthful and well-preserved historical literature that ensures the suffering, resistance, and resilience of our people are never erased from human memory.

Local creatives, artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers, poets, and storytellers also have a critical role to play in preserving and amplifying the truth about the Genocide. As Namibians, we must continue to tell our own stories through our own voices and lived experiences, rather than depend solely on others to narrate our history on our behalf.

For when a people do not document and tell their own story, there is always a risk that the truth may be diluted, distorted, or reduced to a mere footnote in history.

Future generations must never be deceived into believing that the suffering, sacrifice, and resistance of our forebears were insignificant events. They were defining moments that shaped the soul of our nation and laid the foundation for the freedom and independence we enjoy today.

To our youth, Genocide Remembrance Day must serve as an important educational platform through which they can learn about Namibia’s painful history.

Let this Day also be a call to action for the youth of our nation to take ownership of Namibia’s economic and social development by striving for educational excellence, innovation, and economic empowerment.

The Day should further remind us that courage in the face of adversity can alter the course of history. The struggles of our forebears teach us the value of resilience and determination, proving that a united people can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

Together as a nation, this Day promotes healing, unity, and a collective commitment to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
Fellow Namibians,

The best way to honour those who sacrificed their lives in defence of our country is to uphold the values they fought for: unity, justice, peace, equality, and shared prosperity.

Let us therefore move forward as One Namibia, One Nation, united in purpose and determined to build a better future for all our people and generations yet to come.

Let us reject tribalism, division, hatred, and exclusion in all their forms.