Editorial: Leadership by fear is not leadership at all

A troubling pattern is emerging in government — ministers resorting to threats as a substitute for leadership. In recent weeks, health minister Esperance Luvindao and works minister Veikko Nekundi have both publicly threatened to dismiss officials for alleged non-performance. Such language may sound tough, but it is neither professional nor productive.

Threats are not tools of motivation; they are weapons of intimidation. They create fear, not focus. When leaders shout, “perform or be fired,” they reveal frustration, not authority. True leadership inspires accountability through example, communication, and respect — not through public humiliation or coercion. Civil servants deserve discipline and oversight, yes, but also dignity. Namibia’s public service already faces low morale, understaffing, and limited resources. Intimidation only deepens that fatigue. What the country needs are ministers who engage, not ministers who bully. True leadership inspires accountability through communication and respect, not fear. Leadership is not about flexing power; it is about earning trust and building confidence in the system. Ministers who lead by fear forget a simple truth: people do not give their best when they are threatened — they give their best when they are valued.