The Namibian government has announced a temporary moratorium on state funerals amidst rising concerns about their exorbitant costs. Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus made the announcement after a Cabinet meeting, stating that only President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has the authority to grant exemptions from this moratorium, which is to remain in effect until April 2026.
This decision comes against the backdrop of growing public scrutiny regarding the national expenditures on these funerals, particularly after the state reportedly spent 30 million Namibian dollars (approximately $1.7 million) just on transport for the state funeral of founding President Sam Nujoma in February 2023.
The moratorium will facilitate the establishment of a review committee tasked with examining the criteria and processes involved in bestowing state funerals, comprising no more than seven members. There are indications that calls for such a moratorium have existed since 2021 when the rising costs associated with official funerals drew public attention, particularly during the financial strain of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare revealed earlier this year that the expenditure on state funerals reached 38.4 million Namibian dollars (around $2.2 million) for the 2024/2025 financial year, highlighting a stark contrast to the mere 2.1 million Namibian dollars spent on 23 funerals during the previous financial year.
As the government seeks to address these financial concerns, the review process may lead to significant changes in how state funerals are handled moving forward, emphasizing fiscal responsibility in a country still trying to navigate its post-colonial landscape.
