Ministers granted three months to prove their worth
Swapo manifesto the only bible in town
The president says Namibians are 'too few to be poor' as she implores her new team to hit the ground running.
“Your performances will be evaluated regularly – starting with the next three months – based on the key performance indicators in your terms of reference.”
These were the words of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who made it unequivocally clear yesterday that her ministers will be under strict scrutiny, with their performances evaluated quarterly.
During the new administration's first Cabinet meeting Tuesday, she announced that key legislative reforms outlined in the Swapo Party election manifesto must be implemented by May to ensure effective service delivery.
Reiterating her commitment to national prosperity, the president declared: “I shall maintain my position that we are too few to be poor.”
She stressed that "given our resources and population size, there is no justification for poverty in Namibia".
Nandi-Ndaitwah condemned inefficiency and corruption, warning against delays and unethical practices.
“I am not here to conduct a witch-hunt, but from now on, delays will not be tolerated. You are already paid by the Namibian people, yet some of you expect extra income from those you are meant to serve. This drives investors away – investors who should be contributing to our economy. In the end, we all suffer,” she warned.
The president stressed that the Swapo manifesto will serve as the administration’s guiding framework, and ministers will be held to the highest standards of accountability through rigorous performance evaluations.
“There is no room for favouritism or undue influence – whether from investors, citizens or external forces – in exchange for service delivery. Your duty is to serve the people, investors and visitors with efficiency and fairness. Challenges may arise in our pursuit of excellence, but we must confront them head-on," she noted.
Inefficiency not an option
Cabinet members have been directed to uphold the principles of excellence, teamwork and ethical governance, ensuring they serve as exemplary custodians of public trust.
“The Swapo Party election manifesto must be implemented at all costs. It is the contract between me and the people of Namibia, and I have no reason to deviate from it. Each of you has received your terms of reference, which may be adjusted as necessary.”
She added: “A comprehensive dashboard will be established to monitor the progress of every ongoing project, and performance evaluations will commence in three months."
Emphasising that this administration will not tolerate inefficiency, Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded ministers of Swapo’s commitment to improving living standards, fostering job creation, supporting SMEs and transforming the mining sector.
“By accepting your positions in the Cabinet and the executive, you have committed to a process of excellence, teamwork and collective decision-making. Let there be no ambiguity – decisions taken are decisions owned. It is not about ‘they decided’; the question is, what have you decided?” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Streamline operations
Expressing her disdain for bureaucratic inertia, she took a firm stance against delays in decision-making and implementation.
“Decisions must be executed without hesitation. Procrastination will not be tolerated. I must emphasise that I do not like the term ‘work in progress,’ as it is often an excuse for inaction,” she said firmly.
The president has tasked prime minister Elijah Ngurare, alongside justice minister Wise Immanuel and attorney general Festus Mbandeka, with amending laws that hinder the efficiency of government operations.
“I do not want to hear excuses about inheriting empty offices. That is simply untrue. You are expected to build upon what exists and ensure that our economy is strategically structured to better serve our people. I have appointed each of you with confidence in your professional expertise and your ability to execute national assignments with urgency and purpose,” she noted.
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These were the words of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who made it unequivocally clear yesterday that her ministers will be under strict scrutiny, with their performances evaluated quarterly.
During the new administration's first Cabinet meeting Tuesday, she announced that key legislative reforms outlined in the Swapo Party election manifesto must be implemented by May to ensure effective service delivery.
Reiterating her commitment to national prosperity, the president declared: “I shall maintain my position that we are too few to be poor.”
She stressed that "given our resources and population size, there is no justification for poverty in Namibia".
Nandi-Ndaitwah condemned inefficiency and corruption, warning against delays and unethical practices.
“I am not here to conduct a witch-hunt, but from now on, delays will not be tolerated. You are already paid by the Namibian people, yet some of you expect extra income from those you are meant to serve. This drives investors away – investors who should be contributing to our economy. In the end, we all suffer,” she warned.
The president stressed that the Swapo manifesto will serve as the administration’s guiding framework, and ministers will be held to the highest standards of accountability through rigorous performance evaluations.
“There is no room for favouritism or undue influence – whether from investors, citizens or external forces – in exchange for service delivery. Your duty is to serve the people, investors and visitors with efficiency and fairness. Challenges may arise in our pursuit of excellence, but we must confront them head-on," she noted.
Inefficiency not an option
Cabinet members have been directed to uphold the principles of excellence, teamwork and ethical governance, ensuring they serve as exemplary custodians of public trust.
“The Swapo Party election manifesto must be implemented at all costs. It is the contract between me and the people of Namibia, and I have no reason to deviate from it. Each of you has received your terms of reference, which may be adjusted as necessary.”
She added: “A comprehensive dashboard will be established to monitor the progress of every ongoing project, and performance evaluations will commence in three months."
Emphasising that this administration will not tolerate inefficiency, Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded ministers of Swapo’s commitment to improving living standards, fostering job creation, supporting SMEs and transforming the mining sector.
“By accepting your positions in the Cabinet and the executive, you have committed to a process of excellence, teamwork and collective decision-making. Let there be no ambiguity – decisions taken are decisions owned. It is not about ‘they decided’; the question is, what have you decided?” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Streamline operations
Expressing her disdain for bureaucratic inertia, she took a firm stance against delays in decision-making and implementation.
“Decisions must be executed without hesitation. Procrastination will not be tolerated. I must emphasise that I do not like the term ‘work in progress,’ as it is often an excuse for inaction,” she said firmly.
The president has tasked prime minister Elijah Ngurare, alongside justice minister Wise Immanuel and attorney general Festus Mbandeka, with amending laws that hinder the efficiency of government operations.
“I do not want to hear excuses about inheriting empty offices. That is simply untrue. You are expected to build upon what exists and ensure that our economy is strategically structured to better serve our people. I have appointed each of you with confidence in your professional expertise and your ability to execute national assignments with urgency and purpose,” she noted.
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