Nangolo Mbumba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Heinrich Nangolo Klein Mbumba
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| President of Namibia | |
| Assumed office 4 February 2024 |
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| Vice President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Hage Geingob |
| 2nd Vice-President of Namibia | |
| Assumed office 12 February 2018 |
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| President | Hage Geingob Himself (Acting) |
| Preceded by | Nickey Iyambo |
| Chancellor of the University of Namibia | |
| Assumed office 28 February 2018 |
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| President | Hage Geingob |
| Preceded by | Hifikepunye Pohamba |
| SWAPO Secretary-General | |
| In office December 2013 – November 2017 |
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| President | Hifikepunye Pohamba Hage Geingob |
| Preceded by | Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana |
| Succeeded by | Sophia Shaningwa |
| Minister of Safety and Security | |
| In office 2010 – 4 December 2012 |
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| President | Hifikepunye Pohamba |
| Preceded by | Nickey Iyambo |
| Succeeded by | Immanuel Ngatjizeko |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 2005–2010 |
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| President | Hifikepunye Pohamba |
| Preceded by | Nahas Angula |
| Succeeded by | Abraham Iyambo |
| Minister of Information and Broadcasting | |
| In office 2003–2005 |
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| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | Theo-Ben Gurirab |
| Succeeded by | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1996–2003 |
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| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | Helmut Angula |
| Succeeded by | Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila |
| Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development | |
| In office 1993–1996 |
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| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | Anton von Wietersheim |
| Succeeded by | Helmut Angula |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 August 1941 Olukonda, South West Africa (now Namibia) |
| Nationality | Namibian |
| Political party | SWAPO |
| Alma mater | Southern Connecticut State University (BS) University of Connecticut (MS) |
| Occupation | Educator, Politician |
Nangolo Mbumba (born Heinrich Klein Nangolo; 15 August 1941) is a Namibian politician who is the current Acting President of Namibia after the death of President Hage Geingob on 4 February 2024. He has also served as the second Vice President of Namibia since 2018.
A member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Mbumba has headed a number of Namibian ministries: Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (1993–1996), Finance (1996–2003), Information and Broadcasting (2003–2005) Education (2005–2010), and Safety and Security (2010–2012). From 2012 to 2017, Mbumba was the secretary-general of SWAPO.
Education and early career
Born on 15 August 1941 in Olukonda, Oshikoto Region, Mbumba graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in the United States with a BSc in 1971. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Connecticut with an MSc in biology.
After graduating from the University in Connecticut, Mbumba began teaching at Harlem Preparatory School in New York City. Leaving New York in 1978, he returned to Africa and began work as Head of the Science Department at the Namibia Education Centre in Cuanza Sul, Angola. In 1980, he was promoted to the post of Principal of the Centre, lasting in that position until 1985.
Politics
Mbumba officially took a position with SWAPO in 1985 as Deputy Secretary for Education and Culture. Leaving that position in 1987, Mbumba entered the position of Personal Secretary to SWAPO President Sam Nujoma. Continuing in inter-party positions, including as joint-administrator of Walvis Bay during its handover to Namibia in 1994, Mbumba gradually worked his way up the party. Since 1993, he has been a member of the National Assembly. Also beginning in 1993, Mbumba held a succession of ministries, including Agriculture, Water and Rural Development (1993-1996), Finance (1996-2003), Information and Broadcasting (2003-2005) Education (2005–2010), and Safety and Security (2010-2012).
Mbumba won the election for SWAPO Secretary-General at the 2012 SWAPO congress, a position that is considered #3 in the SWAPO party structure. He won with 352 votes against Utoni Nujoma's 244 and pledged before the election that he would resign from his ministerial position if successful. On 4 December 2012, Immanuel Ngatjizeko was appointed to replace Mbumba as Minister of Safety and Security in the Cabinet reshuffle that followed the congress.
When Nickey Iyambo, Namibia's first vice president, was removed from the position on the ground of poor health, president Hage Geingob appointed Mbumba as successor. Mbumba is known for his sharp tongue.
Mbumba became acting president of Namibia following Hage Geingob's death on 4 February 2024.
