Namibia has suspended all state funerals until April 2026, following mounting public criticism over the escalating costs associated with the ceremonies. The announcement, made by Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus, came after a Cabinet meeting earlier this week. The decision seeks to address concerns surrounding the financial burden of official funerals on taxpayers.
Minister Theofelus stated that only President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah holds the authority to grant exemptions during the moratorium. In the meantime, a review committee of no more than seven members will be established to evaluate the “criteria and processes associated with bestowing official funerals.”
While the government has not explicitly linked the suspension to public backlash, local media has reported increasing unease over the high expenditures. According to The Windhoek Observer, calls for a moratorium date back to 2021, when the economic strain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic brought state spending into sharper focus.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare revealed that in the 2024/2025 financial year alone, official funerals cost the government 38.4 million Namibian dollars (approximately $2.2 million). This marks a significant jump from just 2.1 million Namibian dollars spent on 23 funerals in the 2022/2023 period.
One of the most costly recent ceremonies was for Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, who passed away at the age of 95. Reports indicate the government spent 30 million Namibian dollars to transport Nujoma’s body across the country prior to his state funeral. Nujoma, a revered figure in Namibian history, led the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) in the liberation struggle and served as the country’s first president from 1990 to 2005.
The temporary halt reflects a growing demand for fiscal accountability in government operations. As the review committee begins its work, many Namibians will be watching closely to see if future policies align state honors with the country’s pressing economic realities. The presidency has yet to respond to inquiries on the matter.
