President Nangolo Mbumba has urged reluctant outgoing ministers to go to their villages and produce mahangu.
He was speaking in Windhoek yesterday at the last official opening of the Cabinet which will end on 20 March, after which a new Cabinet will take effect.
“I know some people are reluctant to think about leaving the office. Some are reluctant to imagine what they are going to do.
“But at least I know I am not one of them. We should just prepare for the future and be ready to work for our country – wherever we are going to be.
“The rain has now come. Don’t run around at towns when you have jobs to do, and then you come begging for mahangu and other things.
“Know where the job is and where you are needed. As they say, ‘if you have nothing to do, don’t do it here’. If you have nothing to do in the place, just leave, don’t do it here,” Mbumba said.
The president said the country is big enough for everyone to do whatever they want to do.
He advised outgoing ministers who may find themselves without jobs in Windhoek to “find something to do for the country, such as working the land”.
The president was referring to eight ministers who are set to lose their jobs or retire as legislators after performing poorly at the party’s electoral college.
Among those ministers are minister of works and transport John Mutorwa, minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula, minister of gender equality, poverty eradication and social welfare Doreen Sioka, minister of agriculture, water and land reform Calle Schlettwein, minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Albert Kawana, and National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi.
Presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari yesterday said Mbumba’s remarks meant “that if there is work to be done on the land, work the land and don’t take it at face value”.
“As Cabinet members we must continue to serve with the utmost loyalty and dedication in the most responsible and effective manner,” Mbumba also said.
Former minister of defence and veterans affairs Peter Vilho yesterday said food self-sufficiency is critical for every country.
“If they are healthy and strong, they should work the land,” he said in support of Mbumba’s remarks.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Cabinet held 22 decision-making meetings last year, during which 320 Cabinet decisions were made and 229 policy initiatives were undertook.
Furthermore, 32 administrative matters, 42 statutory submissions and 17 legislation policy initiative decisions were made.
“As we move to the end of the work of this Cabinet, these should not just be numbers – our decisions should translate into a better quality of life for Namibians,” the president said. Mbumba said the Cabinet’s decisions must lead to economic growth, employment creation, and poverty eradication for all citizens, including the youth.
“Let’s roll up our sleeves and put in the hard work ahead of the inauguration of the new government on 21 March,” he said.
