Windhoek
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Wednesday advised staff at foreign missions to work hard and be dedicated to duty.
Nandi-Ndaitwah gave the advice to 39 personnel to be posted as first, second and third secretaries at Namibian high commissions in different countries.
“To be posted is not a right but a privilege that is earned through hard work, dedication and proficiency,” stressed Nandi-Ndaitwah who also serves as the deputy prime minister.
She said their posting is a trust by the government that they would protect and promote Namibia’s interests and market the country at international level.
“This trust should never be broken or taken for granted,” she said.
She also also reminded staff to be guided by the law and the constitution of the country.
“As you enter the active field of diplomacy, let me point out that diplomatic services are indispensable to our pursuit of social-economic achievement as a nation.”
She said diplomacy was an effective tool during the struggle for national liberation. “Diplomacy remains equally important today for attaining Vision 2030. Indeed, as we all know diplomacy is the art of interaction among states,” she added.
However, she said they must remember that states are by nature adversarial and often compete for the same thing, at the same time.
“African countries are also in competition with other states and this is where diplomatic skills matter, for you to able to identify the country interest and regional interest,” she stated.
“President Hage Geingob has declared war on poverty therefore everything you do while on the mission should be in line with the president’s declaration,” she said.
The first group of the 39 being posted is expected to leave this weekend, the second in August and the last group will leave to their new external duty stations in September.