The Namibian government imposes a moratorium on official state funerals until April 2026 for a review of the associated costs and criteria.
Namibia Enacts Temporary Ban on State Funerals Amid Cost Concerns
Namibia Enacts Temporary Ban on State Funerals Amid Cost Concerns
Government responds to backlash over exorbitant funeral expenses
Namibia's Cabinet has officially declared a temporary halt to state funerals in response to growing criticism regarding the escalating costs involved. Public backlash has been a driving force behind this decision, primarily focused on the extravagant expenses linked to these state-sanctioned events.
This moratorium, which will last until April 2026, allows only President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah the authority to grant exemptions for specific funerals. Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, announced this measure following a recent Cabinet meeting aimed at addressing concerns from the public.
A review committee, comprising no more than seven members, will be formed to critically evaluate the "criteria and processes associated with bestowing official funerals." The government has not indicated whether this ban is directly related to the criticism surrounding rising expenses for state funerals. However, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare noted earlier in the year that the cost of official funerals for the fiscal year 2024/2025 had already reached a staggering 38.4 million Namibian dollars (about $2.2 million), in stark contrast to just 2.1 million Namibian dollars spent on similar ceremonies the previous fiscal year.
Local media outlets have highlighted that the transport cost alone for founding President Sam Nujoma's funeral amounted to an eye-watering 30 million Namibian dollars. Nujoma, who played a pivotal role in Namibia's struggle for independence, passed away at 95 years old and received extensive state honors during his funeral in February.
Calls for reassessment of state funeral practices began surfacing as early as 2021 when the financial strain of official burials was particularly scrutinized amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The public continues to await the outcomes of the forthcoming review, which seeks to ensure judicious use of state resources in future funerals.
This moratorium, which will last until April 2026, allows only President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah the authority to grant exemptions for specific funerals. Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, announced this measure following a recent Cabinet meeting aimed at addressing concerns from the public.
A review committee, comprising no more than seven members, will be formed to critically evaluate the "criteria and processes associated with bestowing official funerals." The government has not indicated whether this ban is directly related to the criticism surrounding rising expenses for state funerals. However, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare noted earlier in the year that the cost of official funerals for the fiscal year 2024/2025 had already reached a staggering 38.4 million Namibian dollars (about $2.2 million), in stark contrast to just 2.1 million Namibian dollars spent on similar ceremonies the previous fiscal year.
Local media outlets have highlighted that the transport cost alone for founding President Sam Nujoma's funeral amounted to an eye-watering 30 million Namibian dollars. Nujoma, who played a pivotal role in Namibia's struggle for independence, passed away at 95 years old and received extensive state honors during his funeral in February.
Calls for reassessment of state funeral practices began surfacing as early as 2021 when the financial strain of official burials was particularly scrutinized amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The public continues to await the outcomes of the forthcoming review, which seeks to ensure judicious use of state resources in future funerals.
