Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Jafet Penda Ya Ndakolo (born March 23, 1960 at Oshigambo) is a NamibianSWAPO politician and current governor of Oshikoto Region. He served as minister of defence from 2015 to 2020. After losing his position as minister in 2020 he was appointed to his old position as governor again.
Ya Ndakolo fought for the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). He studied at the Eastern and Southern Management Institute (ESAMA), and was from 1980-1989 a Specialist in Radio Communication Warfare.
He was a SWAPO District Coordinator became in 1990-1992 before 1993was elected as Regional Councillor for Omuthiya Gwiipundi Constituency in Oshikoto Region, eventually being elevated as the Region's governor since 2004, he replaced Nico Kaiyamo as a member of the National Council the same year.
In 2014, he was awarded The Most Distinguished Order of Namibia: First Class by Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba.