No one entitled to work in govt forever – Geingob

President Hage Geingob says there are people who become upset when their contracts in government come to an end and are not renewed because they view working in public sector as a lifelong experience.

Geingob made the remark on Saturday during an Ecumenical Service event in Mariental where he paid tribute to former poverty eradication and social welfare minister Bishop Zephania Kameeta, who was being recognised for his servanthood leadership.

The head of state argued that when the poverty eradication and social welfare ministry was merged with the gender equality ministry, which saw Kameeta being relieved of his ministerial duties, he acted contrary to many who feel entitled when appointed into public office and refuse to leave.

Geingob said that the manner in which Kameeta responded to the situation was that of a selfless person who knew that he was serving the people and not his personal interests.

“When the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare had to be closed and its functions subsumed under the new Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, unlike some others who upon the expiry of their term complain of having been dumped, he took it in a stride of unselfishness,” Geingob said.

“Many feel entitled to work in the public sector forever, and become upset when their contracts come to an end and are not renewed. However, to Bishop Kameeta, public service has never been about himself and his needs but always about the needs and interests of the Namibian people whose servant he was.”

Emulate Kameeta

Meanwhile Geingob further described Kameeta as a man with great qualities of which he called on Namibians to emulate.

“I am indeed honoured to know him and have worked with him for such a long time. If only, many of us in Namibia could learn from his remarkable modest life the golden lessons he has imparted through action and speech, our Namibian house would quickly truly become a haven of inclusivity, prosperity, peace and love in which all Namibians would feel assured to exercise their full human resource potential with much confidence,”

“Bishop Kameeta, your light has consistently shine through many decades upon the Namibian men and women in a very clear and unambiguous manner. We have seen your good works among us during the good and the bad times of our history, and therefore, today we give praise and glory to the Father in heaven, who has placed you in our midst to reflect the essence of who he is through your actions and deeds.”

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