At 27, Emma Theofelus is the current youngest serving government minister in Africa

Theofelus was appointed as the new Minister of Information and Communication Technology soon after the death of Namibia's former President Hage G. Geingob by his successor President Nangolo Mbumba.

While celebrating her appointment, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of ICT Aminah Zawedde heaped praises on the youthful minister, while also sending her best wishes.

"Congratulations to the now Minister of ICT, Namibia- Hon.Min. @EmmaTheofelus! Your zeal and passion for innovation & communication during our previous interactions are commendable! Best wishes to you my sister in your service to @MICTNamibia & Africa as a whole," she said.

57-year old former radio journalist Modestus Amutse was also announced as Theofelus' deputy - a staggering 30-year difference in the unique Namibian office pecking order. 

Before her appointment as the new head of the ICT ministry, Theofelus had herself served in the same ministry as the deputy for four years, starting 2020 having being appointed at just 23. She was tasked with the hectic responsibility of leading Namibia’s official Covid-19 communication program. 

Before catching the eye of the former President, Theofelus had always been policy adjacent - she was a Youth Activist around issues of gender, children's rights, and sustainable development and had also served as the Deputy Speaker of the Youth Parliament of the Republic of Namibia, Board Member of the National Council of Higher Education and the Junior Mayor of the City of Windhoek.

In 2021, Theofelus, who holds a LLB Honours Degree from the University of Namibia as well as diplomas in Business Management and Afrikan Feminism and Gender Studies from the University of South Africa, was recognised as the BBC 100 Most Influential Women in the World.

She also received the 2022 United Nations Population Award for her work advocating for women’s empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Namibia.

The previous year, Theofelus had proposed a motion on the removal of the tax on sanitary pads in Parliament. In 2022, the motion was put into effect when the Minister of Finance Iipumbu Shiimi announced the abolishment of Value Added Tax on sanitary pads.

Her history-making appointment has continued to portray Namibia as a youth-friendly and gender-sensitive country.

Theofelus also follows an earlier historical achievement made by Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who became Prime Minster of Namibia in March 2015, making her the first-ever woman to hold the role.