Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam), Windhoek, 18 July 2025
I wish to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you, both those attending in person and those joining online, to this historic occasion – the first-ever address by the president of the Republic of Namibia to the public service.
It is with great humility that I stand before you today, not only as your president but also as a fellow servant of the Namibian people. This moment was created intentionally, with a clear outcome in mind – to realign our public service with the values of pragmatism, integrity, accountability, meritocracy and inclusivity.
Public servants are an indispensable national resource – the gears of the state machinery and the bridge between policies and people. Your dedication, hard work and ethical conduct are key to the effective functioning of government. Public service is not merely a job – it is a professional calling.
The state must protect, promote and fulfil the rights of its people, and it does so through its institutions and the work of its servants. Understanding our role within this system is crucial. Inefficiency and apathy must be replaced with purpose and responsibility.
The government cannot afford to fail its people. A basic-needs and service-excellence approach is not optional – it is necessary. All Namibians, regardless of background, must have equal access to essential services. Let us remember that while public service may not lead to material wealth, it offers something more valuable – the chance to shape lives and build legacies.
I urge all public servants to familiarise themselves with and be guided by the Swapo Manifesto Implementation Plan (Smip) and the National Development Plan 6 (NDP6), which I will launch on 21 July 2025. These are not merely policy documents – they are blueprints for uplifting our people, especially the youth and women.
If you lack passion for people and use public service for personal gain, you are in the wrong place. We have heard the public’s complaints about poor service. This must change immediately. Government salaries and benefits – from pensions to medical aid – come with a responsibility to serve with humility and gratitude.
The public service wage bill exceeds N$35 billion for over 100 000 employees. We must achieve more with less and ensure the highest level of fiscal discipline. While the government facilitates employment, the private sector must be the primary engine of job creation. Our system is one of a mixed economy.
We must reform service delivery with citizen-friendly approaches, especially for a tech-savvy younger generation. We must embrace innovation, teamwork and performance-based accountability. Non-performance and inefficiency will no longer be tolerated.
Corruption must be treated as treason. Public resources belong to the people, and mismanagement of these resources is a betrayal of public trust.
Let me leave you with an African proverb: “What you give, you get 10 times over.”
Let us give our best – the rewards will multiply for generations.
As your president, I am committed to a stronger, more responsive public sector. Let us serve with one heart and one mind, and honour our founding president’s call for unity in striving towards the common good.
I thank you – together we will go higher.
Address-to-Public-Servants-by-Her-Excellency-Dr.-Netumbo-Nandi-Ndaitwah-President-of-the-Republic-of-Namibia-18-July-2025Download
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
