| Intro | Namibian politician |
| Is | Politician |
| From | Namibia |
| Type | Politics |
| Gender | male |
| Birth |
20 May 1936 |
| Age | 84 years |
Nickey Iyambo (born 20 May 1936) is a Namibian politician and physician who is the first and current Vice President of Namibia since 2015. A member of SWAPO, Iyambo has been a member of the Cabinet of Namibia since independence in March 1990. He was the Minister of Health and Social Services from 1990 to 1996, Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing from 1996 to 2002, Minister of Mines and Energy from 2002 to 2005, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry from 2005 to 2010, and he was Minister of Veterans Affairs in President Hifikepunye Pohamba’s second Cabinet from 2010 to 2015. As Vice President, he continues to head the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
Early life and education
Iyambo was born in Onayena, Oshikoto Region. He earned four separate degrees from University of Helsinki in Finland, beginning with a MSc in 1969. In 1970, he earned a MA in political science, a BA in medicine in 1974 and MD in medicine in 1980. During his time studying at the University of Helsinki, Iyambo was an active member of the Student Union and a representative of SWAPO at the University. His roommate at the university was current Governor of the Bank of Finland Erkki Liikanen.
Career
Iyambo was Namibia’s first Black postmaster from 1962 to 1963 but fled into exile with SWAPO in 1964. He was amongst the earliest SWAPO members to go into exile and helped establish SWAPO’s close relationship with Julius Nyerere’s Tanzania.
Alongside President Hage Geingob, Iyambo was sworn in as Vice President of Namibia on 21 March 2015, becoming the first person to hold that title. As Vice President, he continues to head the Ministry of Veterans Affairs with two deputy ministers: Alexia Manombe-Ncube and Royal /Ui/o/oo.
Awards and honours
2011: On 18 March 2011 President of Finland Tarja Halonen conferred Iyambo the rank of Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
2014: On Heroes’ Day 2014 he was conferred the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, First Class.