President Nangolo Mbumba reflected on Cabinet decisions made in 2024, urging politicians that these must lead to economic growth, employment-creation and poverty eradication for all citizens, including the youth.

Yesterday, he presided over the first Cabinet meeting for 2025, and highlighted the importance of ethical leadership, transparency and effective governance.

Heaping praise on his executive team, Mbumba said they held 22 decision-making meetings, resulting in 320 Cabinet decisions.

These included 229 policy initiatives, 32 administrative matters, 42 statutory submissions and 17 pieces of legislation.

“These numbers must not merely represent decisions on paper. They should translate into a better quality of life for Namibians, fostering economic growth, employment-creation and poverty eradication,” he stressed.

Mbumba continued: “Cabinet is one of the pivotal institutions in our constitutional democracy, accountable to the people of Namibia. Therefore, as Cabinet members,
we must continue to serve with utmost loyalty and dedication in the most responsible and effective manner”.

As the current administration nears the end of its term, the Head of State instructed ministers to finalise their handing-over reports, and submit them to the Office of the President via Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

Mbumba underscored the need for diligence in ensuring a seamless transition to the incoming government.

“This occasion also marks my final Cabinet opening. However, we will only say our goodbyes and thank you at the last Cabinet meeting. Until then, we have work to do. Let’s roll up our sleeves, and put in the hard work ahead of the inauguration of the new government on 21 March,” he remarked.

Acknowledging the difficulties posed by persistent droughts over the past 12 months, Mbumba commended the government’s ability to navigate these adversities, while successfully conducting the Presidential and National Assembly elections in 2024.

With only weeks remaining before the transition of power, the President urged Cabinet members to focus on concluding key government programmes, including the Green Schemes’ initiative. 

He stressed the need to implement policies which would stimulate economic growth and remove service delivery bottlenecks.

“I am pleased with the economic prospects that lie ahead, mainly driven by mining, oil and gas, critical raw materials and green hydrogen. The Namibian economy has recovered to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels, with growth in the non-mineral sector, particularly tourism, opening up opportunities for job-creation in 2025 and beyond,” he noted.

 He emphasised the importance of ensuring a smooth transition ahead of the inauguration of Namibia’s first female Head of State, current Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on 21 March.

Well-wishes

“I also take this opportunity to convey a message of strength and goodwill to our Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation, President Sam Nujoma, who is currently under medical observation,” he continued.

He expressed hope for his recovery, acknowledging his enduring contributions to the nation.

Retirement

Mbumba then turned to his colleagues, particularly those who failed to make the cut during last year’s National Assembly elections.

He urged them to prepare for the future, saying some ministers may not be part of the incoming Cabinet.

“We should just prepare for the future and be ready,” the Head of State said.

He added that “those of us who may have no jobs in Windhoek, the country is big enough for us to do whatever we want to do”.

The current Cabinet was constituted in 2015 by late president Hage Geingob.

He died in office on 4 February 2024 after an illness.

-ljason@nepc.com.na

-Additional reporting by Nampa