Stop sexism – Ndeitunga

The newly appointed governor of the Ohangwena region, Sebastian Ndeitunga, has told the regional leadership to avoid infighting, tribalism, regionalism and sexism.

Ndeitunga made these remarks at Eenhana during the official handover of office keys by outgoing governor Walde Ndevashiya yesterday.

Ndevashiya was relieved of his duties last week by president Hage Geingob as regional governor of the Ohangwena region.

He served as the regional governor from April 2020 and took over from Usko Nghaamwa.

“We have to make sure we work together, understand one another and criticise where we can, but keep a positive attitude. No tribalism, regionalism, sexism and all these big ‘isms.’ We should put them aside,” Ndeitunga said.

He said the regional leadership can only do this if they put the interest of the nation above their personal interests.

“Problems will only be solved by a united, cohesive, coordinated and disciplined team, a team that understands the basic interests of the people of this region,” he said.

The governor said challenges have already been identified by the office of the chairperson of the regional council and the governor’s office.

“All of you have identified where these challenges are. I just want to see challenge number one, priority number one and how we are going to address it, what we can do to make sure these government programmes that have already been decided on are implemented,” Ndeitunga said.

“If we have obstacles and bottlenecks, where are the bottlenecks and why?” he asked.

GOOD TEAM

Ndeitunga said that he has joined a team with no infighting.

He said he wants a team that cooperates and coordinates.

“I know there are people who have PhDs in infighting. If I was the head of that university where they acquire those degrees, I would have withdrawn them,” he said.

“We have to either unite and become victorious, or we start or continue fighting among ourselves and fall like fools,” Ndeitunga said.

TOP PRIORITIES

The new governor said immediate priority will be given to addressing water scarcity, improving road infrastructure, enhancing health services, and delivering excellent services.

While handing over the office keys to the new governor, Ndevashiya wished Ndeitunga all the best.

In his acceptance letter of relief of duty as governor of the Ohangwena region, dated 15 November and addressed to president Hage Geingob, which The Namibian has seen, he said he accepted the decision with humility and without prejudice.

“In the premise, I wish to express my profound gratitude to you, your excellency, for having accorded me the privilege to serve my country from the pinnacle of the regional governorship under your able leadership,” the letter reads.

BACKGROUND

Last week, The Namibian reported that Geingob sacked Ndevashiya following complaints from northern leaders about his leadership style.

Ndevashiya’s discharge comes a month after he was linked to a scandal involving a woman’s death.

Although Geingob was allegedly not keen to discharge him, a recent scandal in the region has pushed the president to do so.

Earlier last month, Ndevashiya was accused of being in a romantic relationship with the late Eva-Leena Kalimbo.

Kalimbo was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, Laurence Ndaoya.

Ndevashiya has since denied these allegations, claiming they were defamatory and directed at tarnishing his name.

Community leaders have allegedly for years complained about the governor’s leadership style.