The Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM) used its 2nd Public Sector Awards to drive home a clear message - effective public service belongs to those who are capacitated and institutions that invest in their people reap better performance, governance and service delivery.

The awards are described as a commitment to building a capable, professional, and high-performing public service.

Speakers at the event pointed out that sustainable institutional performance depends on investing in people, noting that while policies and systems are important, it is skilled, ethical, and committed public servants who ultimately improve governance and service delivery.

NIPAM’s Executive Director Heroldt Murangi explained.

“Public institutions are expected to respond to growing citizens' demands and expectations, rapid technological advancement, digital transformation, and increasingly complex development challenges, often within the constrained resources. Meeting these demands requires agile institutions, capable leaders, and a workforce committed to continuous learning and innovation. These awards, therefore, represent more than an annual recognition event. They represent a commitment to excellence.”

Institutions were urged to see the awards as a "call to action" to build workplaces where every employee can learn, develop, and contribute meaningfully.

Chairperson of the Public Service Commission Ambassador Patrick Nandago had this to say.

“When a public institution invests in the development of its employees, it is investing in improved performance. When it develops its managers and leaders, it is investing in better decision-making. When it strengthens professional competencies, it is investing in better service delivery.”

The awards recognise institutions that have invested in staff skills and celebrate public servants who completed NIPAM's accredited National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 6, 7, and 8 qualifications.

Thirteen awards were handed out across four categories, including public enterprises, local authorities, regional councils and offices, ministries, and agencies, while 38 graduates received leadership and management qualifications.

In the public enterprises category, NBC took first place, and the Roads Authority and NamWater took second and third place, respectively.

In addition to institutional awards, the ceremony honoured graduates of NIPAM's accredited programmes, including NBC's Gerson Kamatuka, who received an NQF Level 8 certificate designed to prepare recipients for executive management roles in the public service