Otto Herrigel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otto Herrigel
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|
|---|---|
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 21 March 1990 – 10 April 1992 |
|
| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Gert Hanekom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 June 1937 Walvis Bay |
| Died | 13 May 2013 (aged 75) Windhoek |
| Nationality |  Namibian |
| Political party |  SWAPO |
| Spouse | Karin Herrigel |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Heidelberg University of Basel |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Otto Herrigel (27 June 1937 – 13 May 2013) was a Namibian businessman and politician. He served as Namibia's first Minister of Finance. This important role lasted from 1990 to 1992.
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Otto Herrigel: Namibia's First Finance Minister
Otto Herrigel was born in Walvis Bay on June 27, 1937. He spent his childhood growing up in Swakopmund, another coastal town in Namibia.
Education and Early Life
Otto Herrigel was a very educated person. He studied economics at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. Later, in 1971, he earned a special degree called a doctorate from the University of Basel in Switzerland. His big research project was about how the population and economy of South West Africa (which is now Namibia) had changed since 1921.
Political Career and Public Service
Before Namibia became independent, Otto Herrigel was already a member of SWAPO. This is a major political party in Namibia. He worked as a businessman and also as a farmer.
After Namibia gained its independence, Otto Herrigel was chosen for a very important job. On March 21, 1990, he became Namibia's first ever Minister of Finance. This means he was in charge of managing the country's money. A well-known businessman at the time, Harold Pupkewitz, said that Dr. Herrigel was a person who could make good decisions.
Resignation and Later Roles
Otto Herrigel left his role as Minister of Finance in 1992. He reportedly had different ideas from President Sam Nujoma about how the country's money should be managed. After leaving this position, he continued to serve his country. He was on the board of the Bank of Namibia from 1998 to 2008. He also served on the board of directors for TransNamib, a transport company, from 2001 to 2002.
Family Life
Otto Herrigel and his wife, Karin, had a special family. They raised two foster children. These children were known as GDR kids. They were children who had been brought up in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).
