Editorial: Prime minister's bold moves in SOEs encouraging
It’s refreshing - and long overdue - to see the new administration rolling up its sleeves to tackle the rot in public enterprises, many of which have become breeding grounds for arrogance, impunity and self-enrichment.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare’s recent letters to entities like Meatco - where an outrageous 400 cattle reportedly vanished without explanation - and Nida, which has devolved into a club for friends and favourites running the show like a backyard shabeen, mark a necessary first step. They signal that the days of public enterprises operating like private fiefdoms might be numbered.
But let’s be honest: letters alone won’t cut it.
Yes, Ngurare’s actions set the right tone. Yes, it is admirable that he’s respecting the chain of command - engaging line ministers and boards before pouncing on CEOs and executives. But tone is not justice.
What Namibia needs – urgently- is a decisive break from the old culture of passive complicity. The ritual of quietly pushing aside corrupt executives without prosecuting them has become a well-oiled tradition in government. Offenders walk away with golden handshakes, their reputations barely scratched, and their pockets full from ill-gotten deals handed to friends, cousins and silent partners.
Ngurare’s actions must go beyond symbolism. If someone has looted, charge them. If laws have been broken, drag them to court. The era of quietly burying scandals under resignation letters must die - for good.
What’s happening at Namcor today is a textbook case of what happens when government closes its eyes and crosses its fingers, hoping loyalty will cover up failure. It never does. Leadership means rooting out rot, not sweeping it under red carpets.
This could be the beginning of a real cleanup - but only if action follows rhetoric.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare’s recent letters to entities like Meatco - where an outrageous 400 cattle reportedly vanished without explanation - and Nida, which has devolved into a club for friends and favourites running the show like a backyard shabeen, mark a necessary first step. They signal that the days of public enterprises operating like private fiefdoms might be numbered.
But let’s be honest: letters alone won’t cut it.
Yes, Ngurare’s actions set the right tone. Yes, it is admirable that he’s respecting the chain of command - engaging line ministers and boards before pouncing on CEOs and executives. But tone is not justice.
What Namibia needs – urgently- is a decisive break from the old culture of passive complicity. The ritual of quietly pushing aside corrupt executives without prosecuting them has become a well-oiled tradition in government. Offenders walk away with golden handshakes, their reputations barely scratched, and their pockets full from ill-gotten deals handed to friends, cousins and silent partners.
Ngurare’s actions must go beyond symbolism. If someone has looted, charge them. If laws have been broken, drag them to court. The era of quietly burying scandals under resignation letters must die - for good.
What’s happening at Namcor today is a textbook case of what happens when government closes its eyes and crosses its fingers, hoping loyalty will cover up failure. It never does. Leadership means rooting out rot, not sweeping it under red carpets.
This could be the beginning of a real cleanup - but only if action follows rhetoric.
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Namibian Sun
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