Lt. Gen. Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah (born 13 December 1952) is a Namibian diplomat and former military officer. He served as the chief of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF) from 24 January 2011 to 31 December 2013. Being the husband of the President-elect of Namibia[1] (Vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah), Lt. Gen. Ndaitwah is expected to the very first Namibian First Gentleman when the President Elect takes up her role on 21 March 2025.
Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah | |
|---|---|
| First Gentleman-designate of Namibia | |
| Assuming office 21 March 2025 | |
| President | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Succeeding | Sustjie Mbumba (As First Lady) |
| Second Gentleman of Namibia | |
| Assumed role 4 February 2024 | |
| Vice President | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Preceded by | Sustjie Mbumba (As Second Lady) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 December 1952 Namibia (then South West Africa) |
| Spouse | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Namibia |
| Branch/service | People's Liberation Army of Namibia Namibian Army |
| Years of service | 1974–2014 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Chief of Defence Force |
| Battles/wars | Namibian War of Independence |
Born in Ohangwena Region, Ndaitwah joined SWAPO's military wing, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), in 1974 and participated in Namibia's struggle for independence in various positions. He attended military training in Russia, Yugoslavia, India, Nigeria, Zambia and Tanzania.
NDF career
editAt Namibia's independence in 1990, Ndaitwah became the first military assistant to the Chief of the Defence Force, Dimo Hamaambo. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel at that time. He became Deputy Commander of the Army in 1997. Until 2006, Ndaitwah served as chargé d’affaires of Namibia to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was promoted to Major General in 2008 and appointed as Chief of Operations, Plans and Training to Lieutenant General, in 2011 at the occasion of his appointment as Chief of the Namibian Defence Force, succeeding Lieutenant General Martin Shalli.[2] He served in that position until the end of 2013 when Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa was appointed new Chief of the NDF.[3]
In 2007, Ndaitwah graduated with a master's degree in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 2011, he was a student of public management at the Polytechnic of Namibia.[2]
Ndaitwah worked at the International University of Management for five years as a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Strategic Management and Business Administration faculty before becoming a member of the Governing council for four years which amounted to a total of 9 years.[4] Ndaitwah resigned from the IUM on 16 May 2024.[5]
Literal work
editNdaitwah authored two books titled 'A life and Views of a Soldier: Author's Perspective' and 'Strategic Leadership and Management the Direction Pointers'.[6][7] Over his career he also he wrote over forty articles to Namibian newspapers and authored one journal article published in the African Armed Forces.
Medals and awards
edit
Campaign Medal
NDF Commendation Medal
UNAVEM Medal
References
edit- ^ Namene, John-Colin (2024-12-04). "Nandi-Ndaitwah elected as Namibia's first woman president". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ a b Ndjebela, Toivo (25 January 2011). "NDF hails new chief". New Era. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013.
- ^ Muraranganda, Elvis (3 January 2014). "'Top Three' absent at Mutwa's NDF inauguration". Namibian Sun. p. 1. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ^ "Ndaitwah drops IUM". Truth, for its own sake. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Staff Reporter (2024-05-17). "Ndaitwah drops IUM". Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ Hilukilwa, Placido (2022-02-27). "General Ndaitwah donates books to Swapo". Informanté. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ "UNAM to celebrate International Archives Day with an Exhibition | Namibia Economist". Retrieved 2024-05-17.