Masake tells public servants to pull socks up

Ruth Masake, Namibia&#039;s deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform, has issued a strong warning against corruption in the public sector and specifically within the ministry. Speaking at the opening of her ministry’s strategic planning workshop in Swakopmund, she made it clear that the era of mismanagement and unchecked irregularities within the ministry and its affiliated institutions must end.“I want to take this moment to unequivocally caution against corruption in any form,” she declared to senior officials and directorate heads. “Whether through procurement, recruitment, land allocation, fishery quota allocation or service delivery, corruption undermines justice, destroys public trust and steals opportunity from those who need it most.”Her remarks followed mounting public scrutiny of state resource allocations, especially in sectors under her ministry’s purview – land, water, fisheries and agriculture – which have long been plagued by accusations of unfair benefit distribution, quota favouritism and non-transparent land reform processes.“Our loyalty must lie with the people of Namibia,” she stressed. “As senior management, you must lead by example.”Every dollar must countThe workshop, themed ‘Strengthening Our Future through Strategic Action’, will see the development of the 2025–2030 strategic plan and the annual work plan for the 2025/26 financial year.Masake underscored that these plans were “not routine documents,” but blueprints for institutional transformation.“Our ministry is central to Namibia’s socio-economic transformation. We are the custodians of four essential sectoral pillars: agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform – each interwoven with the livelihoods, dignity and prosperity of our people.” Specific strategic goals outlined include the operationalisation of green schemes to boost food production, development of blue economy frameworks, equitable access to marine resources for Namibians, expansion of water supply infrastructure including the second Erongo desalination plant, and sustainable utilisation of the Ohangwena aquifer and Neckartal Dam to support rural agriculture.“We must avoid duplication, eliminate inefficiencies,and ensure that every Namibian dollar invested yields maximum developmental returns,” the deputy minister urged.Amid these structural reforms, Masake also took aim at the culture of fragmentation across the ministry’s agencies.“It is imperative that these institutions do not operate in silos or pursue fragmented agendas. Their efforts must form part of a cohesive, well-coordinated national push toward sustainable development and inclusive growth,” she noted.She further called for a shift in administrative culture, urging officials to “maintain constructive working relationships,” and to prioritise “people over process, outcomes over appearances and service over self-interest”.The workshop continues throughout the week.

Masake tells public servants to pull socks up

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

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Masake tells public servants to pull socks up

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-03

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