Schlettwein emphasises public service integrity in farewell address

AGRICULTURE minister Calle Schlettwein has called on government employees to prioritise integrity and trust in their careers, emphasising that consistent good work is the key to success.

While delivering his farewell address to staff in Windhoek on Wednesday, Schlettwein said trust is earned.

“You must attain that trust by doing the good thing over and over and over again, and then you will do well. It’s the same thing that I want to advise all civil servants to do. If you show that you are sincere, if you show that what you want is good for all, is a common good, is in the public interest – you will earn trust and you will have a very satisfying and exciting career,” Schlettwein said.

He added that public servants exist to support the private sector in performing well.

“I believe it is absolutely crucial that we in the public service who are acting in the public interest are there to make it possible for the private sector to thrive. Without us, it is not possible,” he stressed.

He cautioned that integrity, transparency and trust are essential within the system and noted that he believes he performed reasonably well in that regard.

“We need integrity in the system, we need trust in the system and we need to be predictable so as not to surprise our citizens. I believe I was not too bad at that,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, the executive director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said Schlettwein created a positive and productive work environment and that he had also mentored staff, helping them to grow.

“His leadership style has consistently promoted collaboration and mutual respect, fostering a positive and productive work environment, encouraging professional growth and development,” she said.