Justicia Shipena
All eyes are on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as she delivers her second State of the Nation Address (Sona) in the National Assembly today at 14h30.
The address comes as the public looks for clear progress since her first Sona and answers on whether government programmes are producing results.
Sona is a constitutional address that outlines government priorities and performance.
Political analyst Sam Kauapirura said Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to focus on the seven priority areas announced at the start of her administration.
“The president is very performance- and output-driven in terms of her approach. She wants to see the real government delivering real results,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday.
He said poverty reduction and youth empowerment are likely to feature in the address, noting that government has already directed resources towards youth programmes.
“The president also wants service delivery. She wants ethical leadership across all levels of government and clearly a strategic partnership with the private sector to steer the economy forward,” he said.
Kauapirura said the main test will be whether Nandi-Ndaitwah can account for progress made since her first address.
“She must be able to tell the nation what she and her government were able to achieve the past 14 months or so,” he said.
He stated that the N$100 billion national budget intensifies the government’s obligation to demonstrate the utilisation of funds.
“The nation is now holding her accountable to her own promises and government intentions. We want to see if there is tangible progress,” he said.
He also raised concerns about recent executive appointments, saying they may affect the goal of a lean government.
“She came in with a vision of a lean government to save costs and enhance efficiency, but now there are questions about how that balances with the new appointments,” he said.
“I don’t think it really addresses the question of efficiency and lean service delivery,” he added.
Last week, Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House made changes to her administration where she appointed Charles Mubita as minister in the Presidency.
She also appointed seven deputy ministers, most of whom were assigned to ministries that previously had no deputies.
Political analyst Sackaria Johannes said the Nandi-Ndaitwah should give a clear update on government progress.
“I expect the president to update the nation about the progress of her administration so far, including how far they are with the Swapo manifesto and the promises made,” he said.
He said the address should also focus on key challenges.
“The president could update the nation about the challenges that we are facing as a nation and what is the way forward,” Johannes said.
“I also anticipate the president to tackle pressing issues such as unemployment, health services, and more,” he stated.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula said the address comes at a difficult time, following the death of member of parliament James Uerikua.
“We just lost one of our members of parliament. It is one of those dark moments that currently sits in parliament and also sits at the same time in government and, in the same vein, also as a nation,” he said.
He also raised concerns about global developments, warning that tensions in the Middle East could affect fuel supply and prices.
“The impact will come weeks after. As of now, none of the oil is leaving, especially for non-friends of Iran,” he said.
Kalangula said Namibia remains vulnerable as a fuel importer.
“We expect that heavily to be affected. You could see how many people were queuing up to get fuel when the increase was announced. You can expect more prices of other goods to also go up, and life will become a bit difficult,” he said.
He said the address should outline how the government plans to respond.
“We have to see how the government steps in, perhaps to give solutions on how they would ease the locals and citizens of the challenges coming as a result of that war,” he said.
