Samuel Ankama
Encyclopedia
Chief Samuel Ankama is a Namibia
n politician and educator. A member of SWAPO, Ankama has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia
since 2004.
and the SWAPO-affiliated National Union of Namibian Workers. In 1989, as Namibia's independence became closer, Ankama earned a bachelor's in education from the University of Edinburgh
in Scotland
. In 1992, Ankama became the first mayor of Oshakati
. Ankama left that position in 1995 when he received a scholarship to study at the University of Warwick
in England
, where he graduated from in 1996 with a M.A. in language studies. In 2001, he received a Fulbright scholarship
to study in the United States
towards his Ph.D., which he earned in 2003 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in literacy and culture. His Ph.D. dissertation was in indigenous Namibian languages in the national education system. From 2003-2005, Ankama worked in several senior positions at the University of Namibia
's northern campus in Oshakati. In 2005, he was selected for the SWAPO's list for the National Assembly at the 54th slot and was elected to the 4th National Assembly
. Prior to the 2009 elections, Ankama moved up to the 37th spot on SWAPO's electoral list. He was re-elected and appointed Deputy Minister of Works and Transport.
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
n politician and educator. A member of SWAPO, Ankama has been a member of the National Assembly of Namibia
National Assembly of Namibia
The National Assembly of Namibia is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament. It has a total of 78 members. 72 members are directly elected through a system of party-list proportional representation and serve five-year terms. Six additional members are appointed by the President.The...
since 2004.
Career
Ankama was an internal SWAPO activist beginning in the early 1980s. He was an Information Officer in various organizations, including the Council of Churches in NamibiaCouncil of Churches in Namibia
The Council of Churches in Namibia is a Namibian ecumenical body which deals with religious, educational and social matters. Formed in 1978, it spoke against apartheid and the South African occupation of Namibia...
and the SWAPO-affiliated National Union of Namibian Workers. In 1989, as Namibia's independence became closer, Ankama earned a bachelor's in education from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In 1992, Ankama became the first mayor of Oshakati
Oshakati
Oshakati is a town of 30,000 inhabitants in the Oshana Region of Namibia. It is the regional capital and was officially founded in July 1966. The city was used as a base of operations by the South African Defence Force during the South African Border War and Namibian War of Independence...
. Ankama left that position in 1995 when he received a scholarship to study at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he graduated from in 1996 with a M.A. in language studies. In 2001, he received a Fulbright scholarship
Fulbright Program
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright-Hays Program, is a program of competitive, merit-based grants for international educational exchange for students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists, founded by United States Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Under the...
to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
towards his Ph.D., which he earned in 2003 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in literacy and culture. His Ph.D. dissertation was in indigenous Namibian languages in the national education system. From 2003-2005, Ankama worked in several senior positions at the University of Namibia
University of Namibia
The University of Namibia is the national university of Namibia, located in the Pioneers Park district of Windhoek. Established by an act of National Assembly on 31 August 1992, UNAM includes Colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Economics & Management Science Education, Humanities and...
's northern campus in Oshakati. In 2005, he was selected for the SWAPO's list for the National Assembly at the 54th slot and was elected to the 4th National Assembly
Members of the 4th National Assembly of Namibia
Below is a list of members of the 4th National Assembly of Namibia. They were selected by their parties based on the results of the 2004 parliamentary election...
. Prior to the 2009 elections, Ankama moved up to the 37th spot on SWAPO's electoral list. He was re-elected and appointed Deputy Minister of Works and Transport.