Richard Kamwi

Richard Nchabi Kamwi (b. 3 June 1950 in Ioma, Caprivi Region) is a Namibian medical physician and politician. [Hopwood, Graham. Guide to Namibian Politics, 2007 edition. Namibia Institute for Democracy, Windhoek, 2007] A member of the National Assembly with the South West Africa People's Organization since 1999, Kamwi has been the Minister of Health and Social Services since March 2005.

Pre-independence

After graduating from the Technikon Mmadikoti in Pietersburg, South Africa in 1980, he became the first black Health Inspector in Katima Mulilo. He was fired from his position in 1984, was arrested for "subversive activities" the next year. Fleeing on foot to Botswana in January 1986, he joined SWAPO's military wing (People's Liberation Army of Namibia) until repatriation in 1989.

Return to Namibia

Kamwi resumed his position of health inspector until joining the National Assembly in 1999. In 2000, President Sam Nujoma appointed him to the post of Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services under Libertine Amathila. Upon the promotion of Minister Amathila to the post of Deputy Prime Minister along with the election of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Kamwi was appointed to his current position.

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