The Kavango West Regional Council is working to improve service delivery in the region. A recent staff meeting provided an open platform for dialogue between leadership and employees.

Chief Regional Officer Matheus Singambwe urged public servants to stay committed and work harder to change the perception of Kavango West as the poorest region.

“We are the people entrusted to change that status because we also receive the budget from the same ministry like other regions. But what is it that we do differently or what is that we do not do that keeps the status of this region behind?” said Singambwe.

He also stressed that public trust in government workers has declined. “It is the responsibility of every public servant to rebuild that trust by serving with integrity and dedication,” he said.

“People see us as lacking accountability, efficiency, and responsiveness to the needs and demands of our community at the time and pace they expect us to respond. Is this the truth?” he added.

Deputy Director of Human Resource Management, Eveline Nambahu, highlighted that not all public servants fulfill their duties diligently, which continues to hinder service delivery.

“Many times you go to someone's office, the person has come to work, but the person is nowhere to be seen. You ask the supervisor, and the supervisor does not know. The person did not inform the supervisor, and in most cases even fellow colleagues do not know where this person is,” Nambahu explained.

These engagements aim to close the gap between leadership and staff and ultimately improve service delivery.