Agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani reminded ministry staff last week of their vital role in ensuring food security and supporting livelihoods across Namibia.
In a comprehensive address to staff, she emphasised the agriculture sector as the nation’s top priority and called for renewed dedication to providing food for all Namibians.
Speaking to ministry employees, deputy executive directors and CEOs of state-owned enterprises, Zaamwani described the ministry as the “ministry of livelihoods”, highlighting its central role in providing land, water and food to every citizen.
“We are responsible for the livelihood of all Namibians,” sh
e said, urging staff to recognise the weight of their collective responsibility.
One of the minister's key concerns is the fragmentation within the ministry, with departments operating in silos rather than collaboratively.
"Every department is on its own, not minding what the other department is doing," she observed, quoting an African proverb: "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together."
Zaamwani did not shy away from addressing bureaucratic challenges plaguing the ministry, including procurement delays, communication breakdowns and files requiring approval from eight different levels before reaching her desk.
She expressed particular concern about correspondence backlogs, noting instances where letters from September 2024 were only being acknowledged in 2026. "We have to deal with bureaucracy," she declared, proposing that staff might need to work overtime on Saturdays to clear outstanding matters.
The minister outlined strategic priorities for 2026 to 2027, emphasising sustainable economic transformation, improving water security, strengthening natural resource management and enhancing productivity to promote food and nutrition security.
She also stressed the importance of research and development, questioning whether the ministry's research papers were accessible to farmers and stakeholders.
Integrity and accountability a must
Drawing on recent government discussions on public procurement, Zaamwani underscored the importance of integrity and accountability. "When you have integrity and you are accountable, nobody needs to watch over your shoulder," she said.
She urged ministry employees to foster a culture of collaboration and operational excellence to achieve measurable results in the coming year.
