Nandi-Ndaitwah demands honesty and integrity from Cabinet

By: Envaalde Matheus

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa has urged members of Cabinet to act with clarity, integrity, and honesty, and to serve the Namibian people without fail.

Nandi-Ndaitwah made this call on Tuesday in Windhoek during the official opening of the work of the 8th Administration and first Cabinet meeting at the State House.

“I also urge you to carry out your responsibilities with boldness, transparency, and within the framework of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia,” she said.

The President said there is no room for favoritism or any undue influence, be it from investors, citizens, or external forces, in exchange for service delivery.

“Your duty is to serve the citizens, investors, and visitors timeously and equally,” she said.

She is confident that her administration will make the difference that the people of Namibia expect.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has asked the members to be guided by the Cabinet Handbook, which will serve as a critical guideline when carrying out their ministerial and national responsibilities.

“Your conduct must be ethical and beyond reproach. You must be exemplary and hard-working servants of the Namibian people,” said the President.

“Today marks the beginning of the first steps in an important but long five-year journey that we must walk together as a team, and it is my wish that we finish this journey together with all the required success,” she said.

The president has asked for the full implementation of the Swapo party election manifesto.

“For those of you who may not yet be aware of our commitments, you must apprise and acquaint yourselves with the Swapo Party Election Manifesto and its Implementation Plan, which will serve as your key reference materials in the next five years,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah has further urged members to bear in mind that Namibians need access to improved services in the social and economic clusters.

“The Namibian people, especially our youth, including young women, need employment opportunities; they need housing, and our small and medium enterprises need assistance to become competitive, to be able to grow the economy and to create more jobs,” she said.

She added that the private sector needs an environment that will enable it to grow.

“Our education system must be tailor-made for purpose in order to empower our young people,” she said.

Nandi-ndaitwah said the development has to be supported by evidence-based research outcomes.

“Our health sector must be responsive to the growing needs of our citizens, and every Namibian deserves the best available health service wherever they are in this country.”

“Our agricultural sector must be strengthened to ensure food production for food security. The mining sector must be transformed to serve as a catalyst for our natural resource beneficiation and employment creation,” she said.

The President said Namibia’s economy must be properly planned to serve the people better.