Disruption must mean reform, not disruption for its own sake

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s declaration that she will be a “disruptive President” may prove to be one of the more consequential commitments of her administration, but only if disruption is understood as purposeful institutional reform rather than political turbulence.

At the inaugural Public Enterprises CEO Breakfast Dialogue, the President challenged state-owned enterprises to stop producing plans, attending meetings and repeating familiar problems, and instead identify one strategic investment project and one reform that can produce measurable results within 24 months. This is a welcome challenge.

Namibians have heard promises about the potential of public enterprises for years. They have also experienced the frustration of institutions that consume public resources while struggling with inefficiency, weak governance, ageing infrastructure and inconsistent service delivery. The President is therefore right to insist that the test of an SOE should ultimately be what it delivers to citizens and the economy.