Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT)
Ministry overview
JurisdictionNamibia Republic of Namibia
HeadquartersWindhoek
Minister responsible
Websitewww.met.gov.na

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) is a government ministry of Namibia, with headquarters in Windhoek.[1] It was created at Namibian independence in 1990 as Ministry of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism.[2] The first Namibian environment and tourism minister was Niko Bessinger,[3] the current minister is Pohamba Shifeta.[4]

Mandate

MEFT official during field inspection with a drone

The ministries self-declared mission is "to promote biodiversity conservation in the Namibian environment through the sustainable utilization of natural resources and tourism development for the maximum social and economic benefit of its citizens." Its mandate is derived from the Constitution of Namibia, specifically Chapter 11 "Principles of State Policy" and Article 95 "Promotion of the Welfare of the People".[5]

Namibia is the first African country that has integrated environmental conservation in the national constitution.[6]

Structure

The ministry has three departments:[7]

  • Tourism, Planning and Administration
  • Natural Resources Management
  • Environmental Affairs and Forestry

It further consists of seven directorates:

  • Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP)
  • Directorate of Forestry (DoF)
  • Environmental Affairs (EA)
  • Planning and Technical Services
  • Scientific Services
  • Tourism and Gaming
  • Administration, Finance and Human Resources

Ministers

All environment and tourism ministers in chronological order are:[2]

# Picture Name (Birth–Death) Party Term start Term end
Minister of Wildlife, Conservation and Tourism
1Niko Bessinger1948–2008SWAPO19901995
Minister of Environment and Tourism
2Gert Hanekom1930–1999SWAPO19951997
3Philemon Malima1946–SWAPO19972005
4Willem Konjore1945–2021SWAPO20052008
5Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah1952–SWAPO20082012
6Uahekua Herunga1969–SWAPO20122015
7Pohamba Shifeta1968–SWAPO20152020
Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism
Pohamba Shifeta1968–SWAPO2020

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Contact Us". Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  2. 1 2 Sherbourne, Robin. Guide to the Namibian Economy 2013/14. Institute for Public Policy Research. pp. 302, 303. ISBN 978-99945-78-14-6.
  3. ↑ Christof Maletzky (26 March 2008): Niko Bessinger passes away The Namibian
  4. ↑ "Geingob announces Cabinet". The Namibian. 20 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia - About Us". www.met.gov.na. Government of Namibia. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Namibia: Environmental Law Context Report". africanlii.org. African Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia - Tourism, Planning and Administration". www.met.gov.na. Government of Namibia. Retrieved 8 October 2021.


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