President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has issued a firm directive to her newly- appointed Cabinet, emphasising performance, accountability and rapid service delivery as the cornerstones of her administration.
Addressing the first sitting of the 8th Cabinet at State House yesterday, she made it clear that there will be no room for complacency.
“You have all received your terms of reference, which I have assigned to you, and can be amended as the situation demands. There will be a dashboard where I will monitor the progress of every project under implementation. Also, be mindful that your performance will be evaluated regularly, starting with the next three months, based on the key performance indicators in your terms of reference,” the President stated. She reiterated that it will not be business as usual.
“This is not a time for us to be complacent. Decisions taken must be implemented without any delay. Delays in the implementation of decisions taken will not be accepted.
We must work together as a team, and I expect all of us to finish this five-year journey with success,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.
She reminded ministers that they were entrusted with the responsibility of serving the Namibian people to the best of their abilities.
“The Namibian people have spoken through their votes. They expect us to efficiently deliver services, based on the promises we made in the Swapo Party election manifesto,” she continued.
Accountability
Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the importance of collective decision-making, cautioning against individualistic tendencies.
“Decisions must not be about ‘they decide’, but rather ‘we decide’. It must always be a collective decision,” she insisted.
“Your conduct must be beyond reproach. You must be exemplary and hardworking servants of the Namibian people. There is no room for favouritism or undue influence, whether from investors, citizens or external forces. Our duty is to serve with integrity,” she said.
Priorities
The President emphasised the urgent need to create employment and provide adequate housing, particularly for young people and women.
She said Small and Medium Enterprises needed support to grow and contribute to the national economy.
The private sector likewise required an enabling environment to thrive, and ministers were tasked with ensuring that policies supported business growth and job-creation.
“Our agricultural sector must be strengthened to ensure food production for food security. The mining sector must be transformed to catalyse our natural resources’ beneficiation and employment- creation. Our economy must be properly planned to serve our people better,” she emphasised.
Education also featured prominently in her speech, as she underlined the need for an education system which is tailored to empower young people.
She stressed the importance of evidence-based research in shaping policy decisions, noting that Africa had fallen behind in this regard. Collaboration with other countries to strengthen research capabilities was, therefore, crucial.
On the issue of healthcare, she was adamant that every Namibian deserved the best available medical services, regardless of their location.
“We cannot continue to have two health systems in one country when we promised every Namibian that no one should be left out,” she said.
Furthermore, she stressed the importance of proper economic planning to ensure inclusive development.
No excuses
President Nandi-Ndaitwah made it clear that delays in implementing government decisions will not be tolerated.
“I do not like the term ‘work in progress’ because it is often used to mean nothing has been done. This administration will not be business as usual,” she declared strongly.
“We have an urgent duty to execute the mandate which was given to us by the Namibian people. I urge you, colleagues, to act with gravity, integrity and honesty, and to serve the Namibian people without failure and to the best of your ability,” the President advised.
She warned against excuses from ministers regarding challenges in their ministries.
“I don’t want to hear, ‘When I got into this office, I found nothing.’ That is not true. You must build on what you found and move forward,” she instructed.
Anti-corruption
The President also took a firm stance against corruption, recounting instances where foreign investors complained about being asked for bribes.
She pointed out that immediately after she was elected as president-elect, several corporations approached her office to register their dismay that some government officials asked them for kickbacks for their investments to flow.
She recalled an investor saying to her, “They said there are specific people asking for payment,” she said.
“I’m not going to follow things that happened before I was here, but things happening from 20 March [2025]. Those, I have to follow them. I’m not going to witchhunt anybody. But from now, please, there should be no delay,” she warned.
The President continued: “You are already paid by the people of Namibia. Why do you want people who want service to give you an extra income? And in the process, make all of us poor because some investors are going back, and they were supposed to contribute to our economy.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah did not mince her words.
“From 20 March onwards, I will be following up on any corruption complaints”, she said.
She further directed the prime minister, attorney general and minister of justice to review and amend any laws which hinder effective governance by the end of May.
“Ministers must be accountable. You are in charge of your ministries, and you must ensure that all staff members uphold the highest standards of service,” she underscored.
One government
President Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated the need for unity and coordination among ministries. “We cannot afford to work in silos. We are one government, and all decisions must align with the aspirations of the Namibian people,” she insisted.
She also acknowledged the role of the media in communicating government policies.
“The media is the fourth arm of the State, and they must perform their duties objectively to contribute to national development,” she said.
Action
The President then implored her Cabinet to act with urgency, saying, “Namibia is too small to be poor. We have the resources and the capability to improve the lives of our people. We must hit the ground running.”
Photo: Heather Erdmann