Justice and labour minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel yesterday spent more than N$22 000 from his pocket to treat more than 100 ministry members to a kapana lunch in Katutura, following their opening annual engagement.

At the heart of choosing the kapana in Single Quarters was to support informal traders and promote people-centred leadership.

“It shouldn’t be looked at just in the context of being a social gesture, but it should also be looked at from the perspective that it’s a genuine act of human servant leadership,” Immanuel said in an interview.

He added that leadership must be shown through action.

“Leadership must not only be exercised in boardrooms and through policy statements, but it must equally be demonstrated through action and through conduct,” he said.

“It should also be looked at as a support to the local economy, which in any event underpins the economic patriotism that our small and medium enterprises need to be supported,” he said.

When asked how much he spent, the minister at first said it was a personal matter. However, he later confirmed the amount was significant. “If it’s anything, I think I have not spent anything less than N$22 000 just today,” he said.

Most of the ministry’s staff in Windhoek attended the lunch.

“They are excited, they feel valued, and they feel they are part of the collective mission. And that’s what is important,” he said.

He added that the justice ministry, which deals with labour relations and job market matters, must also show practical support to self-employed Namibians.

Reactions

When New Era arrived at Single Quarters, kapana sellers were smiling and thanking the minister for the support.  Some were seen shaking his hand, while others continued serving customers with visible excitement. One trader, Simon Andreas, sold meat worth N$3 200 to the ministry’s team alone.

“I am very grateful to see our leaders coming from the office with the entire staff to come and support us. We are happy. We want them to come back to us again,” he said.

Other vendors said they also benefitted, with some receiving support ranging between N$400 and N$1 800 in sales.

Several traders described the visit as unusual, saying it is not every day that senior government officials visit the open market in large numbers. Another vendor, Johannes Stephanus, who was supported by N$1 800, also showed appreciation to the minister.

“I am happy to be supported by the minister. He must keep it up,” he said with a smile.

– ljason@nepc.com.na