Nickey Iyambo

The Honourable
Nickey Iyambo
1st Vice President of Namibia
In office
21 March 2015 – 8 February 2018
President Hage Geingob
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Nangolo Mbumba
Minister of Veteran Affairs and Marginalised People
In office
March 2010 – March 2015
President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Preceded by Ngarikutuke Tjiriange
Succeeded by position abolished
Minister of Safety and Security
In office
8 April 2008 – March 2010
President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Preceded by Peter Tsheehama
Succeeded by Nangolo Mbumba
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry
In office
30 March 2005 – 8 April 2008
President Hifikepunye Pohamba
Preceded by Helmut Angula
as Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development
Succeeded by John Mutorwa
Minister of Mines and Energy
In office
31 August 2002 – 30 March 2005
President Sam Nujoma
Preceded by Jesaya Nyamu
Succeeded by Erkki Nghimtina
Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing
In office
August 1996 – 31 August 2002
President Sam Nujoma
Preceded by Libertina Amathila
Succeeded by Joel Kaapanda
as Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing
Minister of Health and Social Services
In office
21 March 1990 – August 1996
President Sam Nujoma
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Libertina Amathila
Personal details
Born (1936-05-20) 20 May 1936
South West Africa
Nationality Namibia Namibian
Political party SWAPO
Children 4
Residence Windhoek, Namibia
Alma mater University of Helsinki, (Finland)
Occupation Vice President of Namibia
Profession Medical doctor

Nickey Iyambo, M.B.O.S. (born 20 May 1936) is a Namibian politician and physician who served as the first Vice President of Namibia, in office 2015 - 2018. A member of SWAPO, Iyambo has been a member of the Cabinet of Namibia since independence in March 1990. He was the Minister of Health and Social Services from 1990 to 1996, Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing from 1996 to 2002, Minister of Mines and Energy from 2002 to 2005, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry from 2005 to 2008, Minister of Safety and Security from 2008 to 2010, and Minister of Veterans' Affairs since 2010. He retired as Vice-President due to poor health in 2018 but continues to head the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs.

Early life and education

Iyambo was born in Onayena, Oshikoto Region. He earned four separate degrees from University of Helsinki in Finland, beginning with a MSc in 1969. In 1970, he earned an MA in political science, a BA in medicine in 1974 and MD in medicine in 1980.[1] During his time studying at the University of Helsinki, Iyambo was an active member of the Student Union and a representative of SWAPO at the University. His roommate at the university was current Governor of the Bank of Finland Erkki Liikanen.[2]

Career

Iyambo was Namibia's first Black postmaster from 1962 to 1963 but fled into exile with SWAPO in 1964. He was amongst the earliest SWAPO members to go into exile and helped establish SWAPO's close relationship with Julius Nyerere's Tanzania.

At independence in March 1990, Iyambo became Minister of Health and Social Services, serving in that post until 1996. Subsequently he was Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing from 1996 to 2002, Minister of Mines and Energy from 2002 to 2005, and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry from 2005 to 2008. He was moved to the post of Minister of Safety and Security on 8 April 2008.[3] After two years in that post, he was instead appointed as Minister of Veterans' Affairs in President Hifikepunye Pohamba's second Cabinet, serving in that post from 2010 to 2015. He was SWAPO's oldest Member of Parliament as of 2014.[4]

Alongside President Hage Geingob, Iyambo was sworn in as Vice President of Namibia on 21 March 2015, becoming the first person to hold that title.[5] As Vice President, he continued to head the Ministry of Veterans Affairs with two deputy ministers: Alexia Manombe-Ncube and Royal /Ui/o/oo.[6]

Speaking in April 2016, Geingob and Iyambo dismissed suggestions that Iyambo had been relegated to a largely ceremonial role. Iyambo explained that he had a full agenda of work that kept him busy until midnight every day.[7]

In February 2018 Hage Geingob removed him from the position of vice president on the ground of poor health, and appointed Nangolo Mbumba as his successor. Iyambo retained the ministerial portfolio of Veteran Affairs and Marginalised People, and also kept his seat in parliament.[8]

Awards and honours

2011: On 18 March 2011 President of Finland Tarja Halonen conferred Iyambo the rank of Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[9]

2014: On Heroes' Day 2014 he was conferred the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, First Class.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Suomen Lääkärit 1992, Suomen Lääkäriliitto, Helsinki, Finland
  2. ↑ "Nickey Iyambo toi Afrikan vapautusliikkeet suomalaisten asialistalle". Ulkoasiainministeriö. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
  3. ↑ Christof Maletsky, "Pohamba reshuffles Cabinet", The Namibian, 9 April 2008.
  4. ↑ Shinovene Immanuel, "A country for old men", The Namibian, 7 March 2014.
  5. ↑ Shinovene Immanuel and Theresia Tjihenuna, "Emotional transition", The Namibian, 23 March 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Vice President". MOVA.gov.na. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  7. ↑ Elvis Muraranganda, "Geingob defends vice-president's role", New Era, 19 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Matthys, Donald (8 February 2018). "President reshuffles Cabinet—Vice President relieved of duties". Namibia Economist.
  9. ↑ "Ministeri Nickey Iyambolle myönnettiin Suomen Leijonan ritarikunnan 1. luokan komentajamerkki". Embassy of Finland in Windhoek. 13 April 2011.
  10. ↑ "Namibians honoured by President". New Era. 28 August 2014.
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