Lucia Witbooi facts for kids

Lucia Witbooi, born on March 21, 1961, is a Namibian teacher and politician. She became the 4th Vice President of Namibia on March 21, 2025. Before this important role, she was a member of Namibia's National Assembly, which is like their parliament, from 2009 to 2025.

Early Life and Education

Where Lucia Witbooi Grew Up

Lucia Witbooi was born in a place called Gabes, in what was then South West Africa, on March 21, 1961. She was one of twelve children in her family. In 1967, her family moved to Gibeon, Namibia, to work on a farm. However, Lucia moved to Keetmanshoop to go to school.

Lucia Witbooi's Schooling and Teaching Career

Lucia Witbooi finished high school at Suiderling Senior Secondary School in 1979. She continued her studies and earned a higher primary education certificate from the University of Namibia in 1996. She also received a diploma in education from Azaliah College for Further and Higher Education. In 1999, she earned a higher diploma in education from the University of Port Elizabeth. Before becoming a politician, Lucia Witbooi worked as a teacher for 27 years.

Political Journey

Starting in Parliament

Lucia Witbooi began her political career in the Parliament of Namibia. She was elected in the 2009 Namibian general election. She was the 34th person on the list for the SWAPO political party. In 2023, she considered running for a leadership position within SWAPO but later decided not to.

Roles in Government

During her time in parliament, Lucia Witbooi worked on several important committees. These included committees for Foreign Affairs, Defence Safety and Security, and Gender and Family Affairs. She was also the deputy leader of the Information and Communications Technology committee. From 2015 to 2020, she served as the Deputy Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. Later, from 2023 to 2025, she was the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Becoming Vice President

On March 22, 2025, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah chose Lucia Witbooi to be the Vice President of Namibia. This was a very special moment because it made Namibia the only country in Africa to have both a female president and a female vice president at the same time.

Personal Life

Lucia Witbooi's Family

Lucia Witbooi married Adam Hendrik Witbooi when she was 21 years old. They had three children together. She kept her maiden name, which means her last name from before she was married, because her husband already had the same last name. Sadly, Adam passed away in a car accident.

Important Views

Calling for Reparations

Lucia Witbooi has spoken out about an important historical issue. She has asked Germany to pay reparations for the Herero and Nama genocide. This was a terrible event that happened a long time ago, and reparations are payments to make up for past wrongs.