Emma Theofelus

Emma Inamutila Theofelus (born 28 March 1996) is a Namibian politician, currently serving as deputy minister of Information, Communication and Technology.

Emma Theofelus
Deputy minister of Information, Communication and Technology
In office
27 March 2020  20 March 2025
PresidentHage Geingob
Personal details
Born (1996-03-28) March 28, 1996
Namibia
Alma materUniversity of Namibia

Career

Theofelus is a former youth activist, having served as deputy speaker of the Children's Parliament from 2013 to 2018.[1] She started her career after she completed a law degree[2] at the University of Namibia, as legal officer in the Ministry of Justice. The call from the State House came as a surprise.[3]

The appointment of younger leaders to high office is not entirely new in Africa.[4] Theophelus was appointed Namibia's deputy minister of Information, Communication and Technology in March 2020, as part of Hage Geingob's second term cabinet.[5] In her role, she was tasked with assisting in leading public communication on preventative steps against Namibia's COVID-19 pandemic.[6] At the time of cabinet appointment, Theofelus was 23 and one of Africa's youngest cabinet ministers.[6] She is also a board member of the National Council of Higher Education.[7] In 2020 she was judged to be one of 100 most influential African women, the youngest person on this list.[8]

Her legislative interests are parliament oversight, parliamentary self-development, E-parliament, climate change legislation, youth participation in parliament, and parliamentary research[1]

References

  1. "Theofilus, Emma". www.parliament.na. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  2. Ngatjiheue, Charmaine (24 March 2020). "Nam's youngest MP takes office". The Namibian.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Plessis, Carien du (2020-04-17). "Namibia's youngest MP enters the crucible as Africa's youth lead the way". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  4. "Namibia's youngest MP enters the crucible as Africa's youth lead the way". TheGuardian.com. 17 April 2020.
  5. Ikela, Selma (2020-03-24). "Born-free prepares for ministerial job". New Era Live. Retrieved 2020-04-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. du Plessis, Carien (17 April 2020). "Namibia's youngest MP enters the crucible as Africa's youth lead the way". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  7. "Ms. Emma Inamutila Theofelus". NCHE. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  8. Siririka, Paheja (21 August 2020). "Geingos, Theofelus among 100 most influential women". New Era.
  • "Deputy Minister". Republic of Namibia: Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.
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