Monica Nashandi facts for kids

Monica Nashandi, born on October 12, 1959, is a well-known diplomat and politician from Namibia. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. She has served as Namibia's ambassador to countries in Scandinavia (like Sweden and Norway) and as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. She also worked as Namibia's ambassador to the United States of America from 2019 to 2020.

Early Life and Education

Monica Nashandi was born in a village called Ompundja in the Oshana Region of Namibia. This was on October 12, 1959.

When she was a refugee in 1978, she survived a big attack. This attack was called the Battle of Cassinga. It was an air attack by South Africa on a group called SWAPO in Angola. After this, she received military training. She joined the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). This was the armed part of SWAPO during Namibia's fight for independence.

Monica Nashandi is also very educated. In 1983, she earned a diploma in youth and development from the University of Zambia. Later, in 2002, she completed a master's degree in diplomatic studies. She got this degree from the University of Westminster while she was working as a diplomat.

Career as a Diplomat

After Namibia became an independent country in 1990, Monica Nashandi started her career in government. She first worked as the Deputy Chief of Protocol in the State House of Namibia. This role involves managing official ceremonies and visits for the President.

Later, she moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, she became the Under-Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs. This meant she helped manage Namibia's relationships with other countries.

Representing Namibia Abroad

From 1995 to 1999, Monica Nashandi served as Namibia's ambassador to several Scandinavian countries. These included Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat representing their country in another nation.

After that, from 1999 to 2005, she became her country's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland. A High Commissioner is similar to an ambassador, but the title is used between countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Business Leadership Roles

Beyond her diplomatic work, Monica Nashandi has also held important positions in the business world. Since 2006, she has been the acting non-executive chairperson of the board at Trustco Group Holdings Limited. This company is publicly traded and offers services like micro-insurance and financial help.

In November 2007, she joined the board of directors for Africon. Africon is an engineering company in Namibia. At the time she joined, she was the only woman on the board. This showed her leadership and influence in different fields.

Political Journey

Monica Nashandi has also been involved in politics. She was a member of the SWAPO party.

Removed from the Party List

In September 2009, there was a SWAPO party meeting. Monica Nashandi was placed 30th on the party's list for the upcoming elections. This list decides who gets a seat in the National Assembly of Namibia, which is like Namibia's parliament. She was one of ten people personally chosen by President Hifikepunye Pohamba for this list.

Because of a rule for public employees, she had to resign from her job. She was a Deputy Executive Director in the State House. This was necessary to run for the National Assembly. Her high position on the SWAPO list meant she was almost certain to get a seat.

However, about a month before the elections, Monica Nashandi was removed from the SWAPO list. The Electoral Commission of Namibia found that she did not have a valid voter's card. This meant she was not a registered voter. To be elected to the National Assembly, you must be a registered voter.

Priscilla Beukes, who was the mayor of Mariental at the time, took her place on the list. Monica Nashandi later called her removal a "technical oversight." She explained that she had not registered to vote in the 2004 election. This was because she was serving as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom at the time. Foreign missions did not conduct voter registrations back then.

Personal Life

Monica Nashandi is married to a lieutenant colonel in the Namibian Defence Force. He is based in Otavi.

She has two children. Her daughter, Anna Svetlana Nashandi, was born in 1984. Anna won the 2006 Miss Namibia beauty pageant. This competition was held at the Windhoek Country Club Resort. Monica Nashandi's son, Iyambo Erastus Nashandi, was born in 1990.