Breaking News: AME member sworn in as Vice President of Namibia

On March 22, 2025, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi was sworn in as the fourth Vice President of Namibia. Mrs. Witbooi was born in Gabes, Namibia. She has a Grade 12 Certificate from Suiderling Senior Secondary School, Keetmashoop (1979), a Higher Primary Education Certificate at the University of Namibia [UNAM] (1996), a Diploma in Education from Azaliah College for Further and Higher Education (1997) and Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Port Elizabeth (1999). As a career educator, Mrs. Witbooi taught for over twenty years as Head of Department at Dr. W.M. Jodl Primary School and  Gibeon Schools cluster convenor for counseling. Since 2009, she has served in the National Assembly of Namibia, representing the SWAPO (South West African People's Organization) Party of Namibia. Per the Namibian Constitution, the President of Namibia is vested with the power to appoint a Vice President from among the elected members of the National Assembly. The last election was held in December 2024. The appointment of Mrs. Witbooi by the recently elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is historic, as it is the first time in Namibian history that the top executive offices are held by women. Bishop Henry A. Belin III, Presiding Prelate of the 15th Episcopal District, was at the Government House swearing-in ceremony. Mrs. Witbooi is a member of St. Mark AME Church in the Gibeon District of the Namibia Annual Conference. She has served in various capacities in the Women's Missionary Society at the local, area, and conference levels.  She was married to the late Rev. Adam Witbooi and has three children. Her father-in-law, the late Rev. Hendrick Witbooi, was the former deputy prime minister and an AME pastor.   This is a photo of Bishop Henry A. Belin III greeting Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of Namibia, at the swearing-in ceremony at the State House in Windhoek, Namibia.

Not on our list? Join Here Buy Here

The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.   Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Dr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder Copyright ©  2025 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.