Nangolo Mbumba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba
Mbumba speaking during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in 2024
4th President of Namibia
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 February 2024
Prime Minister	Saara Kuugongelwa
Vice President	Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Preceded by	Hage Geingob
2nd Vice-President of Namibia
In office 13 February 2018 – 4 February 2024
President	Hage Geingob
Preceded by	Nickey Iyambo
Succeeded by	Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Chancellor of the University of Namibia
Incumbent
Assumed office 28 February 2018
President	Hage Geingob
Preceded by	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Secretary-General of SWAPO
In office December 2012 – November 2017
President	Hifikepunye Pohamba Hage Geingob
Preceded by	Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana
Succeeded by	Sophia Shaningwa
Minister of Safety and Security
In office 2010 – 4 December 2012
President	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Preceded by	Nickey Iyambo
Succeeded by	Immanuel Ngatjizeko
Minister of Education
In office 2005–2010
President	Hifikepunye Pohamba
Preceded by	Nahas Angula
Succeeded by	Abraham Iyambo
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
In office 2003–2005
President	Sam Nujoma
Preceded by	Theo-Ben Gurirab
Succeeded by	Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Minister of Finance
In office 1996–2003
President	Sam Nujoma
Preceded by	Helmut Angula
Succeeded by	Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
In office 1993–1996
President	Sam Nujoma
Preceded by	Anton von Wietersheim
Succeeded by	Helmut Angula
Personal details
Born	(1941-08-15) 15 August 1941 (age 83) Olukonda, South West Africa (now Namibia)
Nationality	Namibian
Political party	SWAPO
Spouse	Sustjie Mbumba
Alma mater	Southern Connecticut State University (BS) University of Connecticut (MS)
Occupation	Politician educator

Nangolo Mbumba (born 15 August 1941) is a Namibian politician who is the fourth and current president of Namibia. He became president after the death of Hage Geingob, under whom he had served as the second vice-president of Namibia from 2018 to 2024.

A member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Mbumba has headed several Namibian Government ministries: Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (1993–1996), Finance (1996–2003), Information and Broadcasting (2003–2005), Education (2005–2010) and Safety and Security (2010–2012). From 2012 to 2017, he was the secretary-general of SWAPO.

He was appointed vice-president in 2018 to replace Nickey Iyambo, who departed because of ill health. He succeeded to the presidency upon the death of Hage Geingob in February 2024 and announced that he had no intention of running for election.

Education and early career

Born on 15 August 1941 in Olukonda, Oshikoto Region, South West Africa (now Namibia), Mbumba graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in the United States with a BSc in 1971. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Connecticut with an MSc in biology.

After graduating from the University in Connecticut, Mbumba began teaching at Harlem Preparatory School in New York City. Returning to Africa in 1978, he became the Head of the Science Department at the Namibia Education Centre in Cuanza Sul, Angola. In 1980, he was promoted to Principal of the Centre. He held that post until 1985.

Politics

Mbumba officially took a position with SWAPO in 1985 as Deputy Secretary for Education and Culture. Leaving that position in 1987, he became Personal Secretary to SWAPO President Sam Nujoma. He was the joint administrator of Walvis Bay during its handover to Namibia in 1994.

Beginning in 1993, Mbumba served in the National Assembly of Namibia and government ministries including Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (1993–1996), Finance (1996–2003), Information and Broadcasting (2003–2005), Education (2005–2010), and Safety and Security (2010–2012).

Mbumba was elected SWAPO Secretary-General at its 2012 congress, a position considered #3 in the party's structure. He won with 352 votes against Utoni Nujoma's 244 and pledged before the election that he would resign from his ministerial position if successful. On 4 December 2012, Immanuel Ngatjizeko was appointed to replace him as Minister of Safety and Security in the Cabinet reshuffle that followed the congress.

When Nickey Iyambo, Namibia's first vice president, was removed from the position in 2018 due to poor health, President Hage Geingob appointed Mbumba as his successor.

President of Namibia (2024-present)

Nangolo Mbumba became acting president of Namibia when President Hage Geingob traveled to the United States for cancer treatment on 24 January 2024. He was sworn in about 15 hours after Geingob's death on 4 February 2024 by Chief Justice Peter Shivute at the State House in Windhoek and appointed Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to be his successor as Vice President. She was fielded by Geingob as the SWAPO presidential candidate for the 2024 Namibian general election, as his successor. Mbumba pledged to finish Geingob's term, which expires on 21 March 2025, adding: "I am not going to be around for the elections. So don't panic."

Mbumba was honored with Namibia’s highest award, The Most Ancient Order of Welwitschia Mirabilis. This award is named after Namibia’s iconic desert plant, and this accolade is the highest national honor recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the country. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba presented Mbumba with the award and sash, symbolizing his role as Head of State.