By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed her newly appointed Cabinet, setting a clear tone for her administration’s priorities and the challenges ahead. This meeting marked the first Cabinet session since her swearing-in on 21 March 2025, after she won the Presidential election in December 2024, with a strong mandate from the Namibian people.
The SWAPO Party, under her leadership, emerged victorious in the elections, which has now paved the way for a new government under the 8th Administration.
The atmosphere in the room was one of anticipation and focus as President Nandi-Ndaitwah spoke to the Cabinet members. Her speech was a mix of gratitude, responsibility, and urgency. “Today marks the beginning of the first steps in an important but long five years’ journey that we must walk together as a team,” she remarked. The President emphasized the need for her Cabinet to uphold the high expectations of the Namibian people, noting that the promises made during the 2024 election campaign must be honored.
Nandi-Ndaitwah’s speech underscored the fundamental role of the Cabinet members in delivering on the commitments laid out in the SWAPO Party Election Manifesto, which she called the “binding contract” with the citizens of Namibia. She stressed that the work ahead would require collective decision-making, teamwork, and adherence to ethical standards. “You must be exemplary and hard-working servants of the Namibian people,” she stated, setting the tone for a government that is committed to service delivery and accountable governance.
One of the key themes of the speech was the urgency with which the government must act. President Nandi-Ndaitwah made it clear that there would be “no business as usual” in her administration. “This is not a time for complacency,” she said, emphasizing that delays in policy implementation would not be tolerated. She also underlined that every project, initiative, and decision must be based on the SWAPO Party Election Manifesto, as it is the cornerstone of the government’s agenda for the next five years.
The President highlighted the key areas of focus for the Cabinet, including creating employment opportunities, improving the education system, ensuring food security, and growing the economy. She acknowledged the challenges faced by the youth, women, and other marginalized groups and urged the Cabinet to prioritize their well-being. Furthermore, she urged Cabinet members to ensure that the country’s natural resources, particularly in the mining and agricultural sectors, are harnessed to create jobs and support economic growth.
One of the boldest aspects of the President’s address was her call for the Cabinet to confront challenges head-on and with clarity. “We must act decisively and with focus, to deliver tangible and lasting change,” she stated. Her remarks made it clear that failure to meet the expectations of the people would not be acceptable.
Additionally, Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the importance of accountability within the administration. She placed significant emphasis on ethical conduct and transparency, noting that public service should be free from favoritism, corruption, or undue influence. Public servants, she said, must adhere to high standards of service delivery, ensuring that every Namibian has equal access to services.
As the President concluded her remarks, she made it clear that the success of her administration would depend on collaboration and effective communication. “At all times, we must be guided by the principle of ‘One Heart and One Mind,’” she said, stressing that the Cabinet must work as a united team to ensure the success of their shared mission.
The President’s strong leadership and clear direction set the stage for a new government committed to delivering on its promises. With high expectations from the Namibian people, the Cabinet now faces the task of meeting these challenges and delivering tangible improvements in the lives of all Namibians. The work of the 8th Administration is now officially underway.
