Anna Nghipondoka
Namibian politician (born 1957)
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Ester-Anna-Liisa Shiwomwenyo Nghipondoka (born 13 June 1957) is a Namibian politician and member of SWAPO. She served as a Minister of Education, Arts and Culture from March 2020 to 21 March 2025 after having worked as deputy minister with the same portfolio since 2015. In 2021 under her ministry a new education curriculum, called Advanced Subsidiary (AS), was implemented. She further stated in 2022 that "the new curriculum is not bad".[1] Nghipondoka also encouraged the teachers to embrace the new curriculum despite the challenges it has.[2]
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Anna Nghipondoka | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minister of Education, Arts and Culture | |
| In office 21 March 2020 – 21 March 2025 | |
| President | Hage Geingob |
| Prime Minister | Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila |
| Preceded by | Katrina Hanse-Himarwa |
| Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture | |
| In office 2015 – 21 March 2020 | |
| President | Hage Geingob |
| Prime Minister | Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila |
| Preceded by | Silvia Makgone |
| Succeeded by | Faustina Caley |
| Personal details | |
| Party | SWAPO |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Teacher |
Early life and education
Nghipondoka was born on 13 June 1957 in a village called Ohakweenyanga, near Ongwediva in Ovamboland (today Oshana Region). Nghipondoka was educated under the Bantu Education Act, becoming one of a few qualified black students who could go on to non-white universities, teacher or technical training institutions in the Republic of South Africa, as there were no universities in Namibia.
She obtained a Master of Education (specialising in inclusive education) from the University of the Western Cape, a Bachelor of Education (specialising in special education needs), a Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychology from the University of Fort Hare, and a Junior Secondary Teacher Certificate.[3]
Career
Prior to entering politics, Nghipondoka was a teacher, school principal and director of education for Oshikoto Region and thereafter Omusati Region followed by a stint as acting CEO for the Namibia Training Authority (2013-2014).[3]
Education minister Anna Nghipondoka became a member of the National Assembly in 2015 and was appointed the deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture. In 2020 she was promoted to minister by president Hage Geingob.[4][5]
