Richard Kamwi


Richard Nchabi Kamwi is a Namibian medical physician and politician. A member of the National Assembly with the South West Africa People's Organization since 1999, Kamwi was the Minister of Health and Social Services from March 2005 to 2015.

Pre-independence

After graduating from the Technikon Mmadikoti in Pietersburg, South Africa in 1980, Kamwi became the first black health inspector in Katima Mulilo. After being relieved of his position in 1984, and subsequently arrested for political subversion in 1985, Kamwi went into exile in Botswana. He served in the 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.