Hundreds of public servants gathered in Katima Mulilo to celebrate this year's Africa Public Service Day, held under the theme "The African Continental Free Trade Area will require a fit-for-purpose African public administration to succeed."
The week's activities included wellness and sports events, giveaways, and information sharing from various institutions through exhibitions, among other things.
The Secretary to the Cabinet, George Simataa, encouraged public servants to serve the nation of the continent with the utmost integrity.
He also emphasised the importance of recognising and rewarding those who excel in their duties.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a fit-for-purpose public service is in line with the African continental trade, which requires that deserving institutions be recognised for their innovation, performance, and ethical conduct. In this regard, it is important to note that the public service of Namibia will be giving awards for the first time this year, as a starter, while proper mechanisms are under consideration for fully-fledged awards and recognition during the next celebrations in 2024."
Institutions were recognised for their contributions during the week's exhibitions and performances.
In her address read on her behalf by the Deputy Minister of Industrialization and Trade Verna Sinimbo, Prime Minister Saara Kugongelwa Amadhila said that aligning and coordinating efforts at all levels and promoting a spirit of partnership with other stakeholders beyond the public service is of utmost importance in leveraging the resources and capabilities of Namibians to optimise economic growth and development.
"This is important for our country to be able to compete well with others in an integrated African economy and therefore benefit from this integration. Failure for us to prepare ourselves for the African continental free trade area could result in negative consequences for the economy, including failure to industrialise, a threat to infant local industries, loss of jobs, and reduced public revenue."
The four-day celebrations came to an end on Thursday.