“As a minister, the buck stops with me” – Emma Theofelus

By Finna Kahili via News on One

Unlike her previous position as deputy minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, who has now been elevated to minister, says the public has shown some level of confidence in the leadership of young people, especially women. In a recent interview, Theofelus shared insights on how she has transitioned in her role and what her day is like, among others.

Theofelus is the youngest minister in the country and on the African continent. The 28-year-old says, this time around, her appointment did not come as a surprise because President Nangolo Mbumba called her to his office and informed her of his intentions. When asked what the transition has been like, this is what Theofelus responded:

“As minister now, the final decision lies with me, it requires that I am solely responsible for the institution that I lead. The overview of work, the work culture, and how we are able to account to the nation. And as a public office bearer, I should be available to the public when necessary and at the same time execute my duties and perform according to the performance agreement I signed with the president,” said Theofelus.

Theofelus explained that her appointment to the higher office feels like 2020 all over again, which created a lot of expectations then.

“The sentiments people had in 2020 are completely different now. I was actually surprised to see and it was a good tester to see that people have some level of confidence in young people’s leadership capabilities. And I saw the positive messages really overflowed, in terms of people talking about how this portfolio needs a young person and that ICT is the future and needs young people to take up the position,” remarked Theofelus

When asked what her typical day is like, Theofelus responded that she is a national minister and is not entirely confined to the office, time, or Windhoek but depends on her assignments. Among her responsibilities, she ensures she crafts policies that are aligned with the country’s development, focuses on administrative matters, and attends parliamentary sessions between 14h30 and 17h45.

After this government position, Theofelus, a trained lawyer, shared that she would like to practice law, with a focus on family law.