The Ministry of Health and Social Services walked away with the overall award at the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) Public Sector Awards in Windhoek last Wednesday.
The awards were presented during Nipam’s second public sector awards ceremony, where public institutions and individual public servants were honoured for investing in professional development and excellence in public service.
Nipam executive director Heroldt Murangi says the awards recognise institutions that understand investing in employees is a strategic investment in organisational performance.
“We believe that public institutions that invest in the development of their people deserve to be recognised and celebrated,” he says.
Murangi says capacity development remains central to effective public administration because institutions ultimately rely on the competence and commitment of their employees to deliver quality public services.
He says this year’s ceremony was particularly significant because it also celebrated 38 public servants who completed Nipam’s accredited public sector management programmes at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels 6, 7 and 8.
The health ministry won the public sector capacity development award in the offices, ministries and agencies category.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security received the silver award in the same category, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform took bronze.
The Khomas Regional Council claimed gold in the regional councils category, followed by the Ohangwena and Oshana regional councils.
The City of Windhoek received top honours among local authorities, while the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation was recognised in the public enterprises category.
The top academic award in the postgraduate certificate in public sector management (NQF Level 8) went to David Nathinge for his outstanding academic performance.
Nipam governing council chairperson Emilia Mkusa says countries that invest in developing their public servants are better positioned to build responsive, accountable institutions.
“The public sector awards are more than a celebration. This is a platform that promotes a culture of excellence in the public sector,” she says.
Mkusa says the institutions recognised had demonstrated that investing in employees is not an expense but an investment that delivers lasting value through improved governance and service delivery.
Public Service Commission chairperson ambassador Patrick Nandago says strong public institutions are built by capable people. He urges government institutions to view employee development as a strategic responsibility rather than a compliance exercise.
“The more important question should be how can we build an institution where every employee has the opportunity to learn, develop and contribute meaningfully,” he says.
Nandago says initiatives such as the public sector awards encourage institutions to prioritise learning, leadership development and innovation, ultimately strengthening service delivery to Namibians.
The annual awards recognise public institutions that demonstrate a sustained commitment to developing the skills and competencies of their employees while promoting a culture of continuous learning across the public sector.
