Renthia Kaimbi
Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses delivered a message of accountability and innovation, warning that internal sabotage and insubordination would no longer be tolerated as the region strives to reclaim its status as an economic powerhouse.
Addressing a packed hall in the Swakopmund Municipality Chambers, the Governor used the annual staff meeting to outline a transformative vision for 2026, but not before issuing a rebuke to elements within the public service whom she accused of hindering progress.
“The culture of ‘you found me here, and you will leave me here’, and sabotage is no longer going to be tolerated,” /Goagoses stated.
She cautioned shop stewards against overstepping their mandate, urging them not to “betray the appointing authorities” but to simply help interpret rules and policies.
“It is not appropriate to misapply this Labour Act provision to intimidate appointing authorities, supervisors, and even elected political office bearers,” she added, emphasizing that time spent in labour courts detracts from the core mission of service delivery.
She acknowledged the challenges facing the region, including youth unemployment, water security, and food scarcity, describing them as “impactful waves of change” that demand a break from the status quo.
“Hasn’t the mindset of merely dividing an ever-shrinking pie been the very cause of the prolonged setbacks that have plagued us?” she asked the gathering of regional councillors, mayors, and senior officials.
“If we simply resign ourselves to the status quo and continue down that path, we will only erode our region’s vitality and prospects for success.”
To reverse this trend, the Governor announced that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives must now align directly with the Erongo Regional Council’s new five-year Strategic Plan (2026-2030) to ensure a coordinated response to community needs.
Furthermore, she identified technological adoption as a non-negotiable driver of efficiency.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permeating society at a stunning pace. The use of AI is no longer optional,” she declared, calling for the development of a regional AI strategy to streamline administrative services and accelerate development programmes.
Housing and education emerged as critical topics requiring urgent intervention. With rural-urban migration placing immense strain on towns, the Governor set a clear challenge to local authorities.
“The writing is clearly on the wall; 10,000 houses need to be constructed each year and allocated to our homeless residents,” she said, demanding clarity on the Erongo Region’s specific contribution to this national target.
On education, she acknowledged the region’s recent poor academic performance, vowing a “comprehensive reform of all the schools” to diagnose and address the root causes of the decline.
However, she offered a tangible sign of progress, confirming that a new Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre in Omaruru is set to welcome its first intake of students within the first quarter of the year.
Supporting the Governor’s call for a renewed focus, Erongo Regional Council Chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe reinforced the need for a fundamental shift in institutional culture.
“The beginning of a new year is more than a calendar change. It is a call to sharpen our discipline, renew our focus, and improve the way we carry out our duties,” Kanelombe said.
He stressed that 2026 must be defined as a “year of implementation,” where professional conduct, punctuality, and commitment to duty are the drivers of visible progress in communities.
The meeting brought together political and administrative leaders from across the region’s seven constituencies.
Swakopmund Constituency Councillor Victor Maswahu praised the Governor for fostering cooperation among all arms of government, noting that the gathering served as a vital reminder that “service delivery is a collective responsibility.”
The Governor’s parting directive to regional leadership was to focus on performance, drive innovation, and end the era of internal disruption.
