Angula cautions Sankwasa to build trust, not fear Angula cautions Sankwasa to build trust, not fear
• Former PM says combative approach unhealthy
• Former PM says combative approach unhealthy
Nikanor NangoloWIndhoek
Former prime minister Nahas Angula has cautioned urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa against adopting a combative approach when dealing with local authorities, urging him instead to build trust and understanding.
Last week, Sankwasa accused the Landless People’s Movement (LPM)-dominated Stampriet Village Council of partisan bias in recruitment and of deliberately refusing to appoint a substantive council CEO, allegedly to allow councillors to continue meddling in administration.
Prior to that, Sankwasa dismissed former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo, who continued to hang onto his position while working full time in Windhoek – some 600 km away. The minister said the situation contravened the Local Authorities Act, but a defiant Ndeutepo remains in his position to date.
This week, Sankwasa remained in the headlines after it emerged that he had dissolved the Katima Mulilo Town Council on 14 August for allegedly failing to implement his directives.
A government gazette dated 15 August, seen by Namibian Sun, states that Sankwasa used powers vested in him under section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992 to remove all council members from office.
It is unclear what the minister’s specific directives were, although in May he ordered the Katima Mulilo council to return vehicles they had reportedly received in exchange for land at the town. The town council has consistently maintained that the controversial transaction was above board.
Well-considered,
consistent action
Speaking on Network Television’s The Evening Review talk show last night, Angula stressed that while accountability is critical, leaders must guard against turning every interaction into a fault-finding mission.
“Well, I am not in a position to judge, but sometimes it is better to reflect quietly rather than rushing to build a rapport. When you take drastic action, it must be well-considered and consistent so that people understand why you made that decision. They must feel it was properly thought through,” Angula said.
He cautioned that a minister who constantly issues reprimands without first engaging constructively risks alienating local authorities and undermining cooperation.
“If every day you have something to say, whether you are in Stampriet or in a small town like Ondangwa, why not first study the situation and say: ‘May I ask for a retreat with you? Let us examine the laws governing your institutions. Are you truly in line with these regulations and standards?’ In doing so, you also come to understand them better,” Angula advised.
“People should not feel that whenever you show up, you are only there to find faults. Build rapport, build camaraderie, and work together with people. Mistakes will always happen, but they should be corrected constructively,” he noted.
Too early to tell
Angula, who served as Namibia’s prime minister from 2005 to 2012, also reflected on the performance of the current administration, saying it is premature to make sweeping judgements about ministers’ effectiveness less than six months into their terms.
“Well, it is really too early to judge. We are not even six months down the road, and these people are still trying to find their footing,” he remarked.
He noted that while some office-bearers, including Sankwasa, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi, and industries minister Natangwe Ithete, have been visible in the public sphere, others have remained relatively quiet as they familiarise themselves with their new responsibilities.
Angula said a period of adjustment is normal, as ministers inherit complex institutions with pre-set policies and budgets.
“If you are suddenly placed in a ministry, on top of a brokerage of responsibilities, you have a lot of work to do: to understand the laws, the regulations, the people, and the dynamics of the ministry. Who works with whom, and how things operate. That takes time,” he said.
“In fact, it is likely to take at least 12 months as you review the policies you found in place, deciding whether to strengthen them or introduce something new,” he said.
“And we must remember, the budget they are implementing is one that was planned before they were sworn in. They only tinkered here and there.”
[email protected]
Nikanor NangoloWIndhoek
Former prime minister Nahas Angula has cautioned urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa against adopting a combative approach when dealing with local authorities, urging him instead to build trust and understanding.
Last week, Sankwasa accused the Landless People’s Movement (LPM)-dominated Stampriet Village Council of partisan bias in recruitment and of deliberately refusing to appoint a substantive council CEO, allegedly to allow councillors to continue meddling in administration.
Prior to that, Sankwasa dismissed former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo, who continued to hang onto his position while working full time in Windhoek – some 600 km away. The minister said the situation contravened the Local Authorities Act, but a defiant Ndeutepo remains in his position to date.
This week, Sankwasa remained in the headlines after it emerged that he had dissolved the Katima Mulilo Town Council on 14 August for allegedly failing to implement his directives.
Former prime minister Nahas Angula has cautioned urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa against adopting a combative approach when dealing with local authorities, urging him instead to build trust and understanding.
Last week, Sankwasa accused the Landless People’s Movement (LPM)-dominated Stampriet Village Council of partisan bias in recruitment and of deliberately refusing to appoint a substantive council CEO, allegedly to allow councillors to continue meddling in administration.
Prior to that, Sankwasa dismissed former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo, who continued to hang onto his position while working full time in Windhoek – some 600 km away. The minister said the situation contravened the Local Authorities Act, but a defiant Ndeutepo remains in his position to date.
This week, Sankwasa remained in the headlines after it emerged that he had dissolved the Katima Mulilo Town Council on 14 August for allegedly failing to implement his directives.
A government gazette dated 15 August, seen by Namibian Sun, states that Sankwasa used powers vested in him under section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act of 1992 to remove all council members from office.
It is unclear what the minister’s specific directives were, although in May he ordered the Katima Mulilo council to return vehicles they had reportedly received in exchange for land at the town. The town council has consistently maintained that the controversial transaction was above board.
Well-considered,
consistent action
Speaking on Network Television’s The Evening Review talk show last night, Angula stressed that while accountability is critical, leaders must guard against turning every interaction into a fault-finding mission.
“Well, I am not in a position to judge, but sometimes it is better to reflect quietly rather than rushing to build a rapport. When you take drastic action, it must be well-considered and consistent so that people understand why you made that decision. They must feel it was properly thought through,” Angula said.
He cautioned that a minister who constantly issues reprimands without first engaging constructively risks alienating local authorities and undermining cooperation.
“If every day you have something to say, whether you are in Stampriet or in a small town like Ondangwa, why not first study the situation and say: ‘May I ask for a retreat with you? Let us examine the laws governing your institutions. Are you truly in line with these regulations and standards?’ In doing so, you also come to understand them better,” Angula advised.
“People should not feel that whenever you show up, you are only there to find faults. Build rapport, build camaraderie, and work together with people. Mistakes will always happen, but they should be corrected constructively,” he noted.
Too early to tell
Angula, who served as Namibia’s prime minister from 2005 to 2012, also reflected on the performance of the current administration, saying it is premature to make sweeping judgements about ministers’ effectiveness less than six months into their terms.
“Well, it is really too early to judge. We are not even six months down the road, and these people are still trying to find their footing,” he remarked.
He noted that while some office-bearers, including Sankwasa, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi, and industries minister Natangwe Ithete, have been visible in the public sphere, others have remained relatively quiet as they familiarise themselves with their new responsibilities.
Angula said a period of adjustment is normal, as ministers inherit complex institutions with pre-set policies and budgets.
“If you are suddenly placed in a ministry, on top of a brokerage of responsibilities, you have a lot of work to do: to understand the laws, the regulations, the people, and the dynamics of the ministry. Who works with whom, and how things operate. That takes time,” he said.
“In fact, it is likely to take at least 12 months as you review the policies you found in place, deciding whether to strengthen them or introduce something new,” he said.
“And we must remember, the budget they are implementing is one that was planned before they were sworn in. They only tinkered here and there.”
[email protected]
Nikanor NangoloWIndhoek
Former prime minister Nahas Angula has cautioned urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa against adopting a combative approach when dealing with local authorities, urging him instead to build trust and understanding.
Last week, Sankwasa accused the Landless People’s Movement (LPM)-dominated Stampriet Village Council of partisan bias in recruitment and of deliberately refusing to appoint a substantive council CEO, allegedly to allow councillors to continue meddling in administration.
Prior to that, Sankwasa dismissed former Omuthiya mayor Johannes Ndeutepo, who continued to hang onto his position while working full time in Windhoek – some 600 km away. The minister said the situation contravened the Local Authorities Act, but a defiant Ndeutepo remains in his position to date.
This week, Sankwasa remained in the headlines after it emerged that he had dissolved the Katima Mulilo Town Council on 14 August for allegedly failing to implement his directives.
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