I will address Fishrot innuendos at right time

Dr Hage Geingob To suggest that the year 2020 was challenging would be an understatement. When we commenced our work as Cabinet at the beginning of last year, none of us anticipated what lay ahead for us.Over the course of a challenging six-year period, this administration successfully staved off the negative effects of unprecedented headwinds, brought about by a global economic downturn, and an extended period of severe drought.Having adopted a policy of fiscal consolidation while deploying economic intervention measures aimed at stimulating the economy, we were optimistic about rebounding, but alas, the arrival of Covid-19 put all of our plans into disarray.Covid-19 has brought untold destruction to Namibia. Lives have been lost prematurely, many Namibians are in hospital and have had their health compromised, our economy has suffered adverse effects and we have been forced to adapt our lives in ways that have affected us physically, psychologically and spiritually. Despite the gloomy circumstances, government, in conjunction with our development partners, the private sector and citizens of Namibia, have worked tirelessly over the past several months to fight the war against the invisible enemy, Covid-19. Ministers who worked I wish to thank the minister of health for the sterling job done under very difficult circumstances. Together with his team, he has led from the front, tirelessly and with unwavering commitment to preserve Namibian lives.I also commend the right honourable prime minister [Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila], the minister of justice [Yvonne Dausab] and attorney-general [Festus Mbandeka], the ministers of finance [Iipumbu Shiimi], education [Anna Nghipondoka], safety and security [Frans Kapofi], defence [Peter Vilho] and information [Peya Mushelenga] - alongside all other ministers who have played an instrumental role in coordinating our national response to Covid-19. We are aware that we are faced with a difficult balancing act; protecting Namibian lives while ensuring our economy is not compromised. It is a precarious situation and one that can only be overcome through ingenuity, collaboration and hard work.To this extent, we are doing the utmost to surmount the resultant economic crisis. In 2020, government, as a matter of urgency, delivered measures of relief through the N$8 billion stimulus package, N$1 billion health response and N$500 million small- and medium-sized enterprise financing intervention.Furthermore, this year I will be launching the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, which will contain a detailed economic recovery component, outlining specific measures to encourage investment and provide greater certainty in the business environment, as well as detailing key projects that will be implemented as catalytic interventions to stimulate economic activity, recovery and growth. Year of ResilienceYou may recall that in my New Year’s message for 2021, I christened this year as the Year of Resilience. In coming up with this theme, I am not merely alluding to the difficult year we had, but more so, I am expressing the inspiration I have received from Namibians from all walks of life. In his book ‘Life, the Truth and Being Free’, motivational speaker Steve Maraboli states: “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient”.Indeed, living under the scourge of Covid-19 has not been easy and the effects of the virus have been unforgiving. However, I believe that as a people, as a nation, while we have lost much, we have also gained new strength and resilience. I am confident this renewed strength and resilience - which draws inspiration from the sons and daughters whose sacrifice liberated Namibia - will help us rebuild our lives, families, society and economy so that we will stand stronger than ever.Psychologists have identified some factors that augment resilience such as a positive attitude, optimism, conviction, the ability to regulate emotions, and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback. An American author, Napoleon Hill, once said: “Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit”. Therefore, when we said to the people of Namibia “we have heard you”, this was in response to the feedback we received when the citizens of this country exercised their democratic rights by participating in the 2019 presidential and national assembly elections as well as the 2020 local authority and regional council elections. As government, we are mindful that our economic, social and environmental future rests on our ability to place people at the centre of decision-making. Therefore, effective governance, responsive institutions and an engaged citizenry are the bedrock of democracy and sustainable development. Optimistic recovery prospectsWe remain optimistic about our prospects to recover from the devastation of 2020 and, together with the people of Namibia, there is no doubt this country can return to a path of sustainable and inclusive growth and development. Namibians have proven that they possess the ability to endure, adapt and overcome. In the face of unprecedented difficulties and changes, Namibians have become the principal agents for preventing and controlling the spread of this virus.The projections we had received for the worst-case scenario were startling, but to date, we have, to the best of our ability, kept the situation under control. The integrity of our health sector remains intact and Cabinet has begun working in earnest to ensure the most vulnerable citizens will soon get access to much needed and sought-after vaccines.In this regard, rest assured that all avenues will be exhausted when it comes to safeguarding the health of Namibians. As the constitutional body responsible for the determination of policy, and for directing, coordinating and supervising the activities of various offices, ministries and agencies, we have a huge task ahead of us.Let me stress, therefore, that if we do not adopt a progressive approach to executing our duties, then we will not overcome the big challenges that are with us. Failure is not an option. The people, who are the ultimate sovereigns, are looking to us for leadership and we should be able to articulate effective and implementable strategies to get Namibia back on course. To this extent, each one of you should get out of the comfort zone of your offices and avail yourselves to meet with community leaders, ordinary citizens, the media and members of the business community.The path towards recovery is a collective effort. It is pertinent, therefore, that the prime minister, deputy prime minister and cabinet ministers regularly engage with traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, large and small businesses, academia, the media and the youth, amongst others, to engage in constructive discourse to identify effective solutions to implement projects and programmes. This should be an ongoing process, because as we address existing issues, new problems may arise.The Year of Resilience must be defined by a collective approach to nation-building and the challenges we face. For that reason, the channels of communication between government and the people must be enhanced so that every citizen can participate in shaping the policies that affect his/her life. A privilege to leadAs president, I have made it explicitly clear that I view the public’s trust as sacrosanct. Leading the people of this great nation is the ultimate privilege. My ultimate priority and commitment are to advance the interests of all Namibians.All of you present here today must share the same sentiment and remain committed to ensuring that our processes, systems and institutions are characterised by greater transparency and accountability.As we work towards safeguarding the Namibian population against Covid-19 and restarting our economy, we should take cognisance of the fact that many Namibians faced untold loss and made tremendous sacrifices.We cannot ask others to make sacrifices without making sacrifices ourselves. It is, therefore, crucial that as government, we continue to spend wisely and cut costs, wherever possible. Furthermore, I wish to reiterate a very important point I made during last year’s landmark Cabinet retreat: Delivery and execution is the key. Ministers should not delay implementation of crucial projects through procrastination and indecision. I am aware that the aversion towards taking decisive action on the implementation of projects could stem from the fear of being perceived as corrupt, but I have always said that if one is not corrupt, then you have nothing to hide or fear. Do your job with a clear conscience and to the best of your ability. Corruption not systemicI have stated on several occasions that I believe that corruption is not systemic in Namibia, but perceptions have been created that Namibia is a corrupt society.Although corruption is not systemic in Namibia, we recognise that some corrupt officials have tainted the name of our country. It is, therefore, important for all citizens to emphasise that corruption in any form, eg kickbacks or percentage commission for the amount of a contract, is unacceptable. Corruption and perceptions thereof erode public trust in institutions. We should, therefore, intensify the fight against corruption in order to ensure that each and every cent earmarked for development reaches the intended beneficiaries.An Afrobarometer survey released on 26 January 2021 revealed that out of 18 African countries surveyed, Namibia and Cabo Verde emerged as the top two countries where citizens don’t have to pay a bribe to access public services. In other sections of the report, where Afrobarometer asked the opinions of respondents, the results were different due to the fact that the opinions are based on perceptions.For example, where respondents were asked do you think corruption has increased, many responded yes. However, in this particular instance, respondents were asked whether they have paid a bribe to government personnel responsible for issuing identity documents, etc.In terms of reporting corruption, let us take a cue from a local transport company, which recently reported attempts of bribery to the relevant authorities. This is the level of vigilance required from all of us in order to deal with the scourge of corruption decisively.It is a welcome development because I have said many times that citizens are often afraid to report corruption out of fear of losing their jobs, licences, etc. However, we must appreciate that Namibians paid the ultimate sacrifice for our independence; therefore, if we are intent on destroying corruption, we must be willing to make great sacrifices as well. Fishcor allegationsWith regard to the allegations pertaining to Fishcor, I will maintain the same position I have shared with the Namibian public. The case concerned has now reached a sensitive stage as the prosecutor-general has taken a decision, and the case will soon proceed to trial. I will not seek to jeopardise or influence the administration of justice through public statements induced by the media.When trial-related rules and ethics allow and at an appropriate time, I will extensively address the unfortunate insinuations, conjecture and mischievous interpretations, with a view to demonstrating their falsity. Dr Hage Geingob is President of Namibia. This is an abridged version of his address to Cabinet yesterday in Windhoek.

I will address Fishrot innuendos at right time

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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I will address Fishrot innuendos at right time

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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