Joseph Kaula
OHANGWENA – Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has warned that a culture of self-sabotage developing in the region must be addressed with urgency.
Addressing regional councillors and officials, Hamutumwa said leaders often undermine their own efforts, resulting in poor service delivery and limited progress for communities.
“We must do away with the culture of self-sabotage. Most of the time, we are very good at sabotaging ourselves, and when we do that, we cause our own downfall,” she said.
She urged leaders to approach their responsibilities with urgency, saying Namibia should be governed as if there is “no tomorrow and duties carried out with the seriousness of having only 24 hours to live.”
Hamutumwa emphasised that effective leadership is grounded in influence, service delivery and urgency, which she said are critical to achieving long-term national transformation.
“It will not happen today, but the seeds we are sowing now will take us there in 10 or 15 years. We must start sowing those seeds today, and we must do it in unity,” she said, reiterating her vision of turning Namibia into the “Singapore of Africa.”
The governor stressed that political differences should never interfere with service delivery, adding that instructions and requests from offices such as the governor, chief regional officer or regional councillors must be implemented without delay.
“People on the ground do not eat politics. They eat bread and butter. Politics must be used properly to bring that bread and butter, but it must not stand in the way of work,” she said.
Hamutumwa further called on regional leaders to strengthen their engagement with central government to unlock funding and fast-track development, warning that weak advocacy could result in reduced budgets and stalled projects. She also encouraged councillors to remain visible and active in their constituencies.
“The office does not serve people. Serving people is going on the ground, understanding their needs, and delivering,” she said.
*Joseph Kaula is an information officer in the ministry of ICT, based in Ohangwena.
