When Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi took to the podium at the 10th National Road Safety Conference in Swakopmund this week, his message was clear: he has no patience for inaction. He warned that any official or agency failing to translate road safety reports into tangible outcomes risked dismissal. His “less talk, more action” rallying cry, paired with a threat to “fire” those who do not deliver, certainly caught attention. Yet, while the minister’s frustration with bureaucratic lethargy is understandable, the tone of his message risks overshadowing the substance of his intent.
Leadership, especially in a public service context, requires balance, firmness, yes, but also empathy, persuasion, and inspiration. In times like these, Namibia does not need another strongman tone; it needs strong, thoughtful leadership that can motivate performance without ruling through fear.
Minister Nekundi is correct that public institutions often move too slowly. The road safety sector is notorious for producing glossy reports that gather dust while Namibian roads continue to claim lives. From drunk driving to speeding, unroadworthy vehicles, and reckless overtaking, the data is harrowing. So the minister’s impatience with inefficiency is justified.
But the how matters as much as the what. When he warns that officials will be fired for failing to act, it evokes an image of a punitive, top-down approach, one that demoralizes rather than mobilizes. Public servants are not soldiers in a boot camp; they are professionals who need clear direction, resources, and systems that empower them to perform. Threats of dismissal might produce temporary compliance, but they rarely yield sustainable results. In fact, they often breed resentment, fear, and passivity, the very enemies of productivity.
The risk of fear-based governance
Namibia already struggles with high unemployment, hovering around 33%. Every public sector job represents a family’s livelihood. When a senior government leader threatens to fire civil servants, the message ripples beyond ministries and departments; it reaches the ordinary Namibian who hears yet another threat of economic insecurity. For a country already reeling under economic pressure, such rhetoric sounds tone-deaf.
Leadership in the public sector should not sound like an ultimatum; it should sound like a call to shared responsibility. Minister Nekundi, like every other Cabinet member, serves at the pleasure of the President, his appointing authority. That fact alone should temper any inclination toward overreach. Just as he expects accountability from his subordinates, so too must he exercise it within the bounds of humility and respect for process.
True leadership inspires
History and experience have shown that leadership anchored in inspiration, not intimidation, achieves far more. The minister’s passion for results could be redirected into building a culture of excellence rather than one of fear. Imagine if, instead of threatening dismissal, he had said: “We will reward innovation, celebrate success, and provide the tools to ensure that every road safety officer can deliver.”
That kind of message stirs pride, not panic. Namibia’s civil service needs reform, yes, but reform that is underpinned by mentorship, motivation, and professional development, not public humiliation or fear of losing jobs. The “cowboy style” of leadership, while dramatic, is outdated. It might make headlines, but it rarely makes a difference.
It’s also important to remember that public sector inefficiency is not always the fault of individuals. Systemic failures, outdated legislation, inadequate funding, and institutional bottlenecks, often paralyze even the most dedicated officers. The minister’s frustration about the lack of action on revoking or confiscating drivers’ licences, for instance, may be valid. But the solution is not to “fire” people; it’s to strengthen the system.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, together with the Road Fund Administration, National Road Safety Council, and Namibian Police, must coordinate a robust framework where responsibility is clear and processes are efficient. That means investing in digital systems for traffic management, improving inter-agency communication, and ensuring the judiciary has the capacity to handle traffic offences swiftly and fairly.
Leadership in such a context means identifying weaknesses in the system, not scapegoating individuals. Otherwise, the problem will simply recur under new faces.
A nation in need of healing, not hostility
Namibia’s political and economic climate is already charged with frustration. Youth unemployment remains among the highest in Africa, and public trust in government institutions is waning. Citizens are yearning for hope, for evidence that those in power understand the challenges of the ordinary person.
At a time like this, when public confidence is fragile, leaders must choose their words carefully. Threats of firing do not signal strength; they signal impatience and a lack of emotional intelligence. Minister Nekundi’s energy and sense of urgency are commendable, but they must be channeled through the lens of servant leadership, leadership that lifts, not lashes.
“Less talk, more action” is indeed the right message. But action begins with example. The minister himself must demonstrate what effective leadership looks like, through transparency, collaboration, and accountability. Let the ministry publish quarterly performance reviews. Let the public see where progress is being made. Let officials be empowered through training and equipped with tools to act decisively.
And when disciplinary action becomes necessary, let it be guided by due process, not public threats. Accountability should be institutional, not personal. Systems, not slogans, sustain reform.
Minister Nekundi’s frustration is valid, but his delivery is flawed. Namibia needs less aggression and more inspiration, less fear and more faith in its people. Leadership is not about shouting the loudest; it’s about lifting others to do their best.
If the minister truly wants less talk and more action, he must begin by leading through example, with measured tone, clear vision, and a belief in the power of collective responsibility. Only then will his words translate into the kind of tangible results that make roads safer and Namibia stronger.
