Clara Bohitile Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honorable
Clara Bohitile
Office:Deputy Minister of Basic Education and Culture
President:Sam Nujoma
Term Start:21 March 1995
Term End:21 March 2005
Birth Date:19 November 1955
Birth Place:Windhoek
Nationality:Namibian
Party:SWAPO
Profession:Teacher
Occupation:Politician
Alma Mater:Tshiye College
Vista University

Clara Gasebewe Bohitile (born 19 November 1955) is a Namibian businesswoman and former politician.

Early life and education

Bohitile was born on 19 November 1955 in Windhoek.[1] She attended the Catholic School in the Old Location,[2] Windhoek's black resident's suburb until the late 1950s. She also schooled at Gunichas Roman Catholic School near Gobabis and at the Catholic High School in Döbra. Bohitile took up Home Economics on tertiary education at Tshiye College and Vista University, both in South Africa.[3] After graduation she taught at Windhoek's Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School.[4] She also started a farming career and became active in politics.

Political career

A member of SWAPO, Bohitile was a member of the 2nd and 3rd National Assemblies from 1995 to 2005. She also served as the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and Culture from 1995 to 2005 as well.[5] She re-entered the National Assembly from 2007 to 2010 when she replaced Ben Amathila, who retired. She is also a member of the SWAPO Central Committee.[6]

Business career

Bohitile is also a prominent commercial farmer as well as politician. In 2006, she was named the Emerging Farmer of the Year by the Namibia Agricultural Union.[6] In September 2010, she made history when she was elected to the board of the MeatCo Namibia. She was the first woman ever chosen to the chair the MeatCo board.[7] Bohitile also served at the board of Windhoek Country Club and Casino.[3]

Recognition

Bohitile was conferred the Excellent Order of the Eagle, third Class on Heroes' Day 2014.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Farmer Among the Best. Reporter. New Era. 2007-06-13. New Era Live. en-ZA. 2019-10-02.
  2. Web site: Namibia: A Farmer Among the Best. Kangueehi. Kuvee.
  3. News: Clara Bohitile: An Outstanding Politician and Exemplary Farmer (1955 ...). Mashuna. Timoteus. 24 May 2013. New Era. 24 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130619160545/http://www.newera.com.na/articles/52000/Clara-Bohitile--An-Outstanding-Politician-and-Exemplary-Farmer--1955---. 19 June 2013. dead.
  4. Web site: Immanuel Shifidi Secondary students engage with FLON and Irish Minister through #Befree. 2019-04-29. UNFPA Namibia. en. 2019-10-02.
  5. Web site: Bohitile G. Clara. www.parliament.na. 2019-10-02.
  6. http://www.nid.org.na/view_book_entry.php?book_id=24 Clara Bohitile
  7. http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=28&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=72076&no_cache=1 Bohitile to chair Meatco Board
  8. News: Namibians honoured by President. New Era. 28 August 2014. 21 November 2017. 29 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180629064451/https://www.newera.com.na/2014/08/28/namibians-honoured-by-president/. dead.