Saara Kuugongelwa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
MP
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Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in 2020
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| Speaker of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2025 |
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| President | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| Preceded by | Peter Katjavivi |
| Prime Minister of Namibia | |
| In office 21 March 2015 – 21 March 2025 |
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| President | Hage Geingob Nangolo Mbumba |
| Deputy | Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (2015–2024) John Mutorwa (2024–2025) |
| Preceded by | Hage Geingob |
| Succeeded by | Elijah Ngurare |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 2003 – 21 March 2015 |
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| President | Sam Nujoma Hifikepunye Pohamba |
| Preceded by | Nangolo Mbumba |
| Succeeded by | Calle Schlettwein |
| Director General of the National Planning Commission of Namibia | |
| In office 1995–2003 |
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| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Succeeded by | Immanuel Ngatjizeko |
| Member of the National Assembly of Namibia | |
| Assumed office 1995 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 October 1967 Otamanzi, South West Africa (now Namibia) |
| Nationality | Namibian |
| Political party | SWAPO |
| Alma mater | Lincoln University |
| Occupation | Politician |
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, born on October 12, 1967, is an important politician from Namibia. She is currently the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, a role she started on March 21, 2025. Before this, she served as the Prime Minister of Namibia from 2015 to 2025. She was the first woman to hold the position of Prime Minister in Namibia.
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is a member of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) political party. She has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia since 1995. She also worked as the Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2015.
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Early Life and Education
Saara Kuugongelwa was born in Otamanzi, which is now part of Namibia, on October 12, 1967. She was the youngest of five children. Her father passed away when she was nine, and her mother when she was twelve.
At 13, in 1980, she went into exile with the SWAPO party. She moved to Sierra Leone in 1982 when she was 15. She attended Koidu Girls Secondary School and Saint Joseph's Secondary School. Later, from 1991 to 1994, she studied at Lincoln University in the United States. She earned a master's degree in financial economics.
Political Career Highlights
After finishing her studies, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila returned to Namibia. She started working as an economist in the Office of the President under Sam Nujoma. In 1995, at just 27 years old, President Nujoma appointed her to parliament. He also made her the director general of the National Planning Commission of Namibia, a role that had the same rank as a minister.
In 2003, she was promoted to Minister of Finance. This was another big step in her career.
Becoming Prime Minister
On March 21, 2015, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila became the 4th Prime Minister of Namibia. She was sworn in alongside President Hage Geingob. This was a historic moment because she was the first woman to ever hold this important position in Namibia.
In May 2016, she participated in a special discussion in the United States. She talked about important topics like gender equality. She has often spoken about the need for equal opportunities for men and women. She once mentioned that it could take 70 years to close the gender pay gap across Africa.
Leading the Parliament
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila ran for the leadership of the SWAPO party in 2022. While she did not win that election, she continued to play a key role in Namibian politics.
On March 21, 2025, she was elected as the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Namibia. She won with 55 votes against another candidate. This new role means she leads the discussions and activities in Namibia's parliament.
Personal Life
Saara Kuugongelwa is married to a businessman named Onesmus Tobias Amadhila.
Awards and Recognition
On Heroes' Day in 2014, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila received a special honor. She was given the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, Second Class. This award recognizes her important contributions to Namibia.
See also
In Spanish: Saara Kuugongelwa para niños
