Anna Nghipondoka

Honourable Anna Nghipondoka
Minister of Education, Arts and Culture
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 March 2020
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
Political party	SWAPO
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Educator

Ester-Anna-Liisa Shiwomwenyo Nghipondoka (born 13 June 1957) is a Namibian politician and member of SWAPO. She was appointed the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture in March 2020 by president Hage Geingob. She served as Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture from 2015 to 2020.

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 Chief Executive Officer for the Namibia Training Authority (2013-2014).

Education

She obtained a Masters of Education (Specializing in Inclusive Education) from the University of Western Cape ; Bachelor of Education ( Specializing in Special Education needs) ; Bachelor of Arts ( Majoring in Psychology) University of Fort Hare; Junior Secondary Teacher Certificate from Ongwediva Teacher Training College.

She was educated under the Bantu education act. A few qualified black students could go on to nonwhite universities, teacher training or technical training institutions in the Republic of South Africa (as there are no universities in Namibia). In 1966 five students pursued mi- versity studies in South Africa; in 1974 this figure had risen only to 33 students; the majority (17) were at Fort Hare, 13 at the University of the North, and 3 at the University of Zululand. Of these, 12 were enrolled in the arts faculties, 5 in law (compared to the relatively large number of lawyers trained elsewhere in Africa during the colonial period) , 4 in economic science, and 12 in science.For these few students, there will be few leadership opportunities when they return to Namibia. The five who are studying law, for example, know well that they nrust serve upon their return as clerks in white lawyer's offices because they are not allowed to practice law on their own.

Career

She is the current minister of Education arts and culture, previously served as the Deputy in the same ministry. Prior to that she was the Acting Chief Executive Officer: Namibia Training Authority (2013-2014); Director of Education: Omusati Region (2008-2013); Director of Education, Oshikoto Region (2004-2008); Deputy Director of Education: Oshikoto Region (2003); Senior Education Officer: Ondangwa West (1996-2002); Principal: Otjikoto Secondary School (1995); Deputy Principal, Otjikoto Secondary School (1993-1994); Teacher (1982-1992).