Hendrik Witbooi (politician)
Reverend Dr Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi (traditional name ǃNanseb ǀGabemab; 7 January 1934, in Gibeon – 13 October 2009, in Windhoek) was a Namibian politician and the seventh Captain of the ǀKhowesin clan. A member of SWAPO from 1976 until his death, Witbooi brought with him several clans of Namaqua into the liberation organisation.
The Honorable Hendrik Witbooi | |
|---|---|
| Deputy-Prime Minister of Namibia | |
| In office March 1990 – March 2005 | |
| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Succeeded by | Libertina Amathila |
| Minister of Labour and Manpower Development | |
| In office 21 March 1990 – 1995 | |
| President | Sam Nujoma |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 7, 1934 Gibeon, Hardap Region |
| Died | October 13, 2009 (aged 75) Windhoek |
| Nationality | Namibian |
| Political party | SWAPO |
| Occupation | Politician |
Imprisoned numerous times during the Namibian War of Independence, Witbooi was first elected as Vice-President of SWAPO in 1984 and was re-elected for the last time in 1997. A member of the Constituent Assembly in 1989–90, Witbooi served in the National Assembly until his 2004 retirement, including a stint (1990-1995) as Minister of Labour and Manpower Development.
Witbooi became Namibia's first Deputy-Prime Minister of Namibia in 1990. He served in that position until 2005.
In October 2009 Witbooi was facing major medical problems and had slipped into a coma at the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek. He died on 13 October due to cancer.