Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus at a senior leadership retreat of state-owned media 

11 June 2024

Today, we stand at a pivotal moment, bringing together the board chairpersons, chief executives and senior managers of our key institutions under one roof. 

This assembly represents a unique opportunity to chart a collective course for the future of information and communication technology (ICT) in Namibia.

Yesterday, 10 July 2024, was International Human Duties Day. Today, we have the opportunity to reflect on our duties as we play our part in building a better Namibia. We are all under immense pressure to deliver tangible results for our people. Our mandate is clear: to lay the foundation for

the accelerated use and development of ICT in Namibia and coordinate information management within the government. 

Therefore, our approach must remain people-centred. Every decision we

make, and every strategy we implement must be aimed at uplifting the lives of Namibians and inspiring hope for the future of all Namibians.

We know that ICT will be the cornerstone of tomorrow’s society. Therefore,

it is the tool through which we can bridge gaps, create opportunities and inspire a new generation filled with hope and optimism. I am eagerly looking forward to the presentations by our administrators. Your successes and the challenges that you have encountered will provide valuable

insights as we move forward. 

This retreat is a safe space for open dialogue. Let us interrogate these

matters without fear or prejudice, leveraging our collective wisdom to address our common challenges. Sharing resources and avoiding duplication of efforts is crucial. Doing so can maximise our impact

while conserving our scarce resources. This collaborative spirit will be particularly important as we approach the upcoming ICT summit. 

This year’s summit must be a high-level event where we reach a consensus on key issues. Difficult conversations will be necessary, and we must align our efforts to ensure that the summit fosters business engagements and partnerships and drives substantial progress in our sector. In today’s global economy, countries increasingly partner to procure goods and services, leveraging their bilateral relations to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. These partnerships open up new avenues for innovation, growth, and development. I encourage you to explore and exploit opportunities within our bilateral relations. 

By doing so, we can bring in new technologies, foster international collaborations, and ensure that our ICT sector remains at the cutting edge.

As we enter the second quarter of the financial year, our people need to see the combined tangible impact of our work. The late president Hage Geingob often said that nations go to war when dialogue fails. Let us heed his wisdom and make a concerted effort to maintain open, honest, and constructive communication. 

I do not wish to lead institutions tainted by infighting. Any signs of discord must be addressed immediately. Our track record of good relations in

leadership should continue to be a hallmark of our work together. Leadership is a catalyst for change which is what we are tasked with, we are all driving this country from wherever we serve. The entire country depends on our leadership and we have to deliver on our mandate.

As a ministry we are embarking on many programmes and projects and responsibilities accorded to us by the Cabinet, some of which include the merger of the Namibia Press Agency and New Era and the dismantling of the Namibia Post and Telecommunications Holdings.

Poverty, unemployment and the high cost of living are contemporary pressing challenges for our country. As government institutions, we must devise strategies to address these issues effectively. Over the next few days, our discussions should focus on how our industry can contribute to the alleviation of unemployment, poverty and the high cost of living. It is possible through the digital economy. It is our responsibility to harness the power of ICT to create jobs and foster economic growth.

Colleagues, we are all civil and public servants for the Namibian people. When we accepted citizenship at birth, by descent or otherwise, we accepted the Constitution and its spirit. To uphold the values and ideals of this republic. So when we find ourselves at positions of leadership of service at various institutions, this is elevated.

Finally, let us use this retreat for collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning. Together, we can steer the ICT sector towards a future of prosperity and inclusivity for all Namibians.