The Minister of Education, Innovation, Sport, Youth, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, in her maiden address, pledged to lead with honesty and conviction by committing to crafting policies that safeguard vulnerable people while opposing wasteful expenditure even if it means challenging powerful interests.

Born and raised in Karasburg in the South, Steenkamp began her career as a teacher, a role that shaped her passion for accessible and quality education.

She vowed to confront corruption head-on and to remain open and transparent with both the media and the public.

"Recognising corruption as a threat to the well-being of our taxpayers, our communities and the integrity of all our institutions. I remain unwavering in my determination to uphold accountability, transparency and justice in all factors of our work. We need a strategic shift that positions arts, culture and heritage as vital drivers of economic development, not just as cultural luxuries."

Steenkamp acknowledged the work done by her predecessors and stated that her ministry is not starting from scratch but building upon existing foundations, expressing support for ongoing and completed initiatives such as the increase in school staff across Namibia, the introduction of the draft Professional Teacher's Bill, and the recently launched Namibian Arts and Culture Heritage Policy, among others.

Deputy Minister Dino Balloti, passionate about sport and entrepreneurship, described the portfolios under his care as not merely administrative but human-centred, reflecting the ambitions of young people.

"We can, we must and henceforth shall do more for entrepreneurs and SMEs; we must do more to render requisite financial, technical and market access support to entrepreneurs across our 14 regions under each of our 57 local authorities and 121 constituencies."

Balloti also voiced concern about the rising violence against children, referencing the recent gruesome murder and rape of five-year-old Ingrid Maasdorp, and pledged to prioritise the protection of children and address the underlying issues contributing to such violence during his tenure.

For the 2025 fiscal year a budget of N$1.26 billion has been set aside for the vote of sport, youth and national service.

While he acknowledged that this amount is not enough, he said the ministry's duty is not only to spend but to deliver.