President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to remove ineffective public officials.
This statement was made during her recent visit to a flood relief center in the Omusati region at Etunda.
Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised her intention to utilise the authority granted to her by the electorate to dismiss those in public office who fail to meet expectations, prior to the possibility of being dismissed by the Namibian people.
“I have been empowered by the citizens of Namibia, and I will act on your behalf. Those who work alongside me, I will dismiss you before Namibians have the chance to dismiss me,” she stated.
Furthermore, she acknowledged that citizens have the right to remove her from office should she fail to fulfill her responsibilities.
Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated that her presidency will not adhere to the status quo.
Tsumeb Affirmative Repositioning activist Johannes ‘Jay-Jay’ John expressed that while the president makes promising speeches, there is a lack of follow-through.
‘LESS TALK, MORE ACTION’
“What I want is less discussion and more execution. There has been positive talk about good governance, yet implementation appears to be lacking based on my observations,” he commented.
John criticised the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for its inadequate performance and called for accountability from other organisations as well.
He stated that the contract of ACC director general Paulus Noa should not be renewed, citing the commission’s failure to address corruption effectively, with some cases remaining unresolved.
John further asserted that some of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet ministers have a history of involvement in corruption, declaring, “This Cabinet will be her greatest challenge in determining how she responds to underperformance.”
In the meantime, political analyst Henning Melber noted that Nandi-Ndaitwah appears determined to assert her authority through straightforward language.
However, he warned that her stern rhetoric could intimidate public servants and political figures who have grown complacent, reminding them of their obligation to deliver results.
Melber pointed out that the president is setting high expectations for herself.
“If her statements are not backed by action, particularly when non-performance reflects personal accountability, it could lead to negative repercussions,” he remarked.
He highlighted that the president would ultimately be held accountable for any lack of delivery, with her only consequence being the risk of not being re-elected after her first term.
Social justice advocate Shaun Gariseb expressed approval of the president’s efforts to clarify expectations for public officials.
He noted that leaders often disregard citizen complaints regarding service delivery.
“Leaders were quick to take photos for social media upon their appointments; they must now serve the people effectively. We will evaluate our president based on her team’s performance,” Gariseb asserted.
He emphasised that responsible leaders communicate their objectives clearly to ensure alignment and focus within their teams, which aligns with the president’s current approach.
