Penda Ya Ndakolo

Jafet Penda Ya Ndakolo (born March 23, 1960 at Oshigambo) is a Namibian SWAPO politician and current Minister of Defence.

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 1993 was 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.