By Stefanus Nashama

Information and communication technology (ICT) minister, Emma Theofelus has dismissed allegations that Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leaders, Dr. Panduleni Itula and Immanuel Nashinge were not officially invited to attend the Heroes Day Commemoration event recently. Theofelus also reiterated government position on the debate on who between Itula and Nashinge is recognised as leader of the official opposition in The National Assembly, a convensation that for sometimes now has brought much confusion in the country's State protocol procedures.
At this year’s commemoration in Katima Mulilo, Zambezi region, Nashinge who is officially recognized as leader of the official opposition in the National Assembly attended the event while Itula who according to the party is the leader of the official opposition in Namibia was not present.
This has sparked serious conversation as who between the two enjoys precedence in state protocol.
Speaking to Confidente recently, Theofelus explained that the allegations that Itula was snubbed from the event are not true neither accurate.
“The ministry of ICT together with the Ministry of International Relations and Trade have long refuted these allegations since they first surfaced during the inauguration of our 5th President, Dr. Netumbo 
Nandi-Ndaitwah,” said Theofelus.
“⁠The ministry wishes to clarify that as a standard procedure, like all other dignitaries, the Leader of the Opposition Party in the National Assembly was expected to attend national events like all other leaders who participated in these types of events,” she added.
According to her, most of the IPC members of Parliament equally attended the Heroes Day event in Katima Mulilo and were seated in the main VIP tent like all other national leaders. 
“I am also sure that if you followed the proceedings on 26 August 2025, you would have noted that the Leader of the Official Opposition was recognized in the protocol as it was read out by the Director of Ceremonies and all the speakers of the day including the Keynote Speaker our Head of State.” 
She added that the Ministry wishes to clarify that it under no circumstances undermines the credibility of leaders of the opposition parties and rejects these allegations made against the Namibian government. 
Also weighing-in on the matter, former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian, Maximalliant Katjimune, defended the government’s position, saying invitations are strictly extended to state functionaries.
“In this case, it would be Nashinge, the leader of the official opposition party in the National Assembly. Dr. Itula is not an elected state functionary. He is only the president of the IPC,” Katjimune explained.
He argued that if Itula wanted to attend in an official capacity, he should have entered Parliament.
“It is too late because Itula is not on the gazetted list of IPC for Parliament,” Katjimune added.
Sources close to IPC confirmed that Itula did not attend the commemoration because he was not invited. The absence, they said, caused unease among IPC members who felt their leader had been disrespected.
The controversy deepened when critics noted that Swapo Party secretary-general, Sophia Shaningwa, was invited to the same event. 
“The conversation should be about why Dr. Itula and many other leaders of political parties were not invited to the event if Shaningwa was invited,” one source questioned.
This is not the first time IPC has been allegedly left out of national events. Neither the party nor its leader, Itula, was invited to the swearing-in of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibia’s first female head of state. Similarly, no invitation was extended to IPC for this year’s Independence Day celebrations on 21 March, which coincided with the inauguration, it is claimed.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes criticised the government’s approach, arguing that as the official opposition, IPC deserved recognition at national commemorations.
“IPC was not invited, which is wrong,” Johannes said.
He added that Namibia’s national events must be inclusive.
“There is a misconception of public events and party events. We see people going to national events in party regalia. Such events are meant for all Namibians, not for political parties. Not all heroes are part of the government or Swapo.”
Johannes said IPC’s exclusion from the invitation has not only blurred the lines between state protocols and the expectations of opposition parties, but also raised wider questions about inclusivity, political recognition, and the true national character of public commemorations.
Political science graduate, Titus Shikomba, questioned the government’s apparent reluctance to recognise IPC as the official opposition.
Shikomba noted that PDM’s McHenry Venaani was regularly invited to state events in his capacity as leader of the official opposition. He asked why the same courtesy is not being extended to the IPC.
He stressed that the government’s failure to acknowledge IPC and its leadership undermines democratic principles and shows disrespect toward the party’s position.
“If they cannot extend an invitation to the party or its president, they should at least do that to Nashinge,” he said, referring to IPC’s current parliamentary leader.