Lucia Witbooi

Vice president Lucia Witbooi reflects on her 2025 tenure, highlighting social inclusion, genocide reconciliation, and transformative youth initiatives aimed at fostering national unity and prosperity.

• What were the last three things you spent money on?

I support the church in its work of nurturing values and compassion. I contribute to the community to uplift and empower others. I also spent money on my family for support.

• What was the last text you sent?

As we draws to a close, my final message of the year is one of Christmas and new year that offers gratitude and reflection. In it, I commend every citizen who has contributed to the continued stability and upward trajectory of our nation. Above all, it reaffirms our shared commitment to unity, inclusion and compassion, especially with the most vulnerable among us.
Finally, it is a message of hope and determination. As we transition into 2026, it calls on all of us to strengthen our resolve to build a future of Namibia’s shared prosperity and longlasting peace, and call for continued strengthening of our collective efforts to reduce poverty and gender-based violence, expand access to essential services, empower our youth, and protect the most vulnerable among us.

• What were your key projects in 2025?

As the vice president of Namibia, my role is centred on strengthening coordination, oversight and inclusion across the government. In 2025, a key focus was social development and inclusion, especially the advancement of the rights and welfare of people with disabilities and indigenous communities.

This includes providing accessible services, implementing an inclusion policy, and strong collaboration between line ministries and stakeholders to ensure that national programmes respond effectively to the needs of all citizens.
Equally important was the focus on historical justice and reconciliation – specifically the 1904 genocide.

• What did 2025 teach you?

It has been a year of reflection, learning and purposeful leadership. It has reaffirmed for me the critical importance of listening attentively
to all Namibians from our communities. The year 2025 has also underscored that collaboration and coordination are essential for national progress.

• What is the single most important line that defined your outlook in 2025?

As the vice president of Namibia, I am reminded that the measure of leadership lies in our ability to listen, act decisively, and ensure that no Namibian is left behind.

• If artificial intelligence (AI) could magically fix one everyday task for you, what would you pick?

To ensure that decisions taken in the interest of Namibian citizens are followed through efficiently, transparently, and consistently so that the government delivers a timely impact for all Namibian citizens.

• What was the song you listened to the most this year?

‘Hoa !khamdi ge ≠gose ma se !kham he tama ha’, loosely translated to “Not all battles are fought and won while standing”.

• What puts your office in the spotlight?

Its people-centred approach, being visible, accessible and responsive to citizen concerns, specifically to people with disabilities, indigenous communities, and the genocide-affected communities.

• What is your dream Namibian holiday destination?

It’s not a single place but the opportunity to spend time across our country with Namibians from all walks of life.

• What tested your leadership this year?

Ensuring inclusive governance while addressing matters on indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and the 1904 genocide.

• What advice would you give young Namibian leaders observing your work?

I urge you to embrace service with humility and integrity. Leadership is not about authority, but about the responsibility to uplift communities, to listen deeply, and to make decisions that prioritise the collective good.

• Which initiative do you see as the most transformative in 2025?

The National Youth Development Fund and the free tertiary education policy. These initiatives are designed to empower young Namibians, the backbone of our country.

• What was the biggest blunder of 2025?

As a servant of the people, let that judgement come from them.

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