{{Infobox military installation |name= Naval Base Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa |ensign= |native_name= |partof= <!-- for elements within a larger site --> |location= |nearest_town= Katima Mulilo<!-- used in military test site infobox --> |country= {{NAM}} |image= |caption= |pushpin_map= |pushpin_label_position= |pushpin_mapsize= |pushpin_map_caption= |coordinates= |type= Naval base |site_area= <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc --> |height= <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level --> |ownership= Ministry of Defence (Namibia)<!--government department such as the MoD or the United States DoD--> |operator= Namibian Navy <!--where different from ownership such as the RAF or the USAF--> |controlledby= Namibian Defence Force <!--such as RAF Bomber Command or the Eighth Air Force--> |open_to_public= <!--for out of use sites/sites with museums etc--> |condition= Active |built= <!-- {{Start date|YYYY}} --> |builder= |used= <!--{{End date|1946}} --> |materials= |fate= <!--changed from demolished parameter--> |battles= |events= |current_commander= Commander |past_commanders= <!-- past notable commander(s) --> |garrison= <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group --> |occupants= <!-- squadrons only --> |TC= |LID= |GPS= |WMO= |website= |footnotes= }} '''Naval Base Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa''' is a riverine base of the Namibian Navy. It is located on Impalila Island at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe rivers.
==History== The base was originally constructed by the South African Defence Force and used by the South African Marine Corps. It was abandoned in 1989 during South Africa's withdrawal from Namibia. After Namibia's independence it was used as a secondary school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/security/maritime-security/namibia-commissions-new-naval-facility/|title = Namibia commissions new naval facility|date = 26 June 2019}}</ref> In 2011 the Namibian Navy conducted a Navy Coastal-land, Riverine and Meteorological survey, which found critical security gaps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://neweralive.na/posts/impalila-naval-base-officially-opened|title = Impalila naval base officially opened}}</ref> The report led to the creation of the naval district in the Zambezi region covering Zambezi, Chobe and Okavango rivers. Rehabilitation of the base began in 2014 and was completed in 2017. On 21 June 2019 Naval Base Impalila was commissioned into service. In March 2024 it was renamed in honour of the former Chief of Defence Lieutenant General John Mutwa.<ref>https://www.namibiansun.com/government/impalila-naval-base-renamed-in-honour-of-mutwa2024-03-22</ref>
==Current status== The base was commissioned into service by the Minister of Defence Penda ya Ndakolo on 21 June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nampa.org/index.php?model=featured&function=display&id=152748|title = Ya Ndakolo inaugurates Impalila Naval Base}}</ref> A Namibian Marine Corps Operational Boat Team is permanently stationed at the base and conducts riverine patrols.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbc.na/news/minister-defence-inaugurates-impalila-island-naval-base.21271|title = Minister of Defence inaugurates Impalila Island Naval Base}}</ref>
==Commandants== {{Post-start|caption=Naval Base Lieutenant General John Sinvula Mutwa|float=}} {{Post-header|post-name=Commandant}} {{Post-member|from-date=21 June 2019|post-incumbent=Commander Christian Keendjele<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.namibian.com.na/189893/archive-read/Impalila-naval-base-commissioned|title=Impalila naval base commissioned|access-date=2020-04-15|archive-date=2022-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513171407/https://www.namibian.com.na/189893/archive-read/Impalila-naval-base-commissioned|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://www.lelamobile.com/content/80696/Ya-Ndakolo-inaugurates-Impalila-Naval-Base/ Article title] {{Dead link|date=September 2022}}</ref> ||to-date=Unknown}} <!--{{Post-member|from-date=XXX|post-incumbent=XXX|to-date=XXX}} --> {{Post-end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Military of Namibia Category:2019 establishments in Namibia