Hon. Kandjoze was appointed Director General of the National Planning Commission and Minister of Economic Planning on February 8th, 2018, a portfolio which was subsequently amended to that of Director General in March 2020.
Hon. Kandjoze is a member of the Cabinet of the Republic of Namibia and is the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Trade and Economic Development. Hon. Kandjoze serves as a Member of the following Cabinet Committees: Cabinet Committee on Land and Social Issues; Cabinet Committee on Legislation; Cabinet Committee on Treasury; Cabinet Committee on Water Supply and Security; and the Cabinet Committee on Public Enterprises. On July 5th, 2021, His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia, appointed Hon. Kandjoze as the Chairperson of the Green Hydrogen Council.
Hon. Kandjoze is the former Minister of Mines and Energy. Hon Kandjoze has for the last 8 years been actively involved in politics given his appointment as Minister of Mines and Energy on 21 March 2015.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Geology with the University of Helsinki-Finland, a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with Cape Town University (UCT-RSA) and a Management Development Program Certificate with the University of Stellenbosch.
Prior to the appointment of his first Ministerial role as Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. Kandjoze began his career in private sector, Government and parastatal organizations within the Namibian oil and gas sector, bringing his total industry experience to over 18 years. Before assuming the ministerial positions, Hon Kandjoze held the position of Managing Director (MD) of National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR).
During his period as MD, Hon. Kandjoze successfully drafted and implemented NAMCOR’s Interim Strategic Plan. Amongst the many achievements and milestones achieved by Hon. Kandjoze, it is imperative to mention, that he also successfully spearheaded the Kudu Gas Project, which is in its Final Investment Decision and is the biggest project of that kind in SADC. Prior to his appointment as NAMCOR’s MD, in 2012, he held several positions within NAMCOR such as Exploration & Production Manager (2007-2012), New Venture & Promotion Unit Manager (2006-2007), Senior Petroleum Geologist (1999-2006), just to mention a few.
Hon. Kandjoze is also a researcher. His publication reference is: O.M. Kandjoze (1994), “Regional Mapping in the north-western Namibia and Satellite Imagery” Unpublished MSc Thesis, University of Helsinki, Finland.
A negotiator, strategist and implementer of strategy, Hon. Kandjoze has been positioned to ensure that this Agency, in the Presidency, achieves Government’s plans set through the following policies: National Development Plan and Harambee Prosperity Plan, to drive the growth of the Namibian economy and creating wealth for all Namibians
