The story of Emma Theofilus has it all. Not only is she a young African woman who’s achieved a law degree, she’s also just been appointed to the position of Information and Technology Deputy Minister in Namibia at the tender age of 23.
An Inspiration to Namibian Women
Few young Namibian women ever dare to dream of achieving a university degree, much less a position in parliament, directly appointed by the President. That’s why Emma’s story is an important lesson to African women everywhere about what they can achieve.
Emma was part of President Hage Geingob’s list of eight non-voting members of parliament announced and sworn in during March this year.
Dealing with Resistance
Her appointment came as an unwelcome surprise to the old guards of the Namibian government with remarks about inexperience echoing among the halls of power.
Never one to mince her words, Emma cautioned them that experience means nothing as long as you’re willing to set your mind to the tasks at hand and do the job to the best of your ability. She also cautioned them to expect some lively debates in parliament in the future.
Well-Suited to the Job
Clearly, Emma’s background in debating will serve her well in this new role, as it did in her previous job as a legal officer in the Ministry of Justice, as Deputy Mayor of Nanso High School and Deputy Speaker of the Children’s Parliament of Namibia.
She’s also worked with youth groups like Global Shapers Windhoek.
Despite her confidence and glowing reviews from her peers, Emma doesn’t intend to go into the ministry thinking she knows it all.
She welcomes advice and guidance from her predecessors but is also committed to making the role her own, starting with bills pertaining to access to information and the cyber bill. She feels these issues are a vital part of modern-day human rights and should be pulled off the backburner as soon as possible.
More in Store
While Emma’s role for now is as a non-voting deputy minister, she’s aware of how important the tasks ahead are. It’s a certainty that we can expect great things from this driven, young woman in future.
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