Pretoria: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has advocated for a strategic shift towards 'business unusual' following the conclusion of the 4th Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) hosted by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in South Africa on Friday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, in her closing statement, the president highlighted that the period of conventional operations has ended for the 8th administration, especially regarding the implementation of the BNC's directives. 'I will reiterate that here today: it is no longer business as usual for those responsible for implementing the decisions of our Bi-National Commission. We must deliver, account for, and address the needs of our people,' she remarked, demanding tangible results that contribute to the core priorities of citizens once they reconvene for the 5th Session of the BNC.
The president has instructed both countries to implement a Digital Balance Scorecard system for accountability and progress tracking, with technical support from the SADC Secretariat. 'I urge our two administrations to urgently consult the SADC Secretariat for technical assistance in customising the Digital Scorecard System for our Bi-National Commission,' she added.
The 4th session reaffirmed the bilateral commitment between the two nations, supported by over 150 bilateral agreements, the highest number that Namibia has with any country. Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised several high-priority projects identified by the commission, including the completion of the Presidential Drought Relief Programme, establishing frameworks to enhance energy security initiatives, revitalising discussions on the Kudu-Gas Power Project, and expanding the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, with a connection to the Kazungula Bridge to bolster regional integration.
The president affirmed that the outcomes from the 4th Session could significantly aid in addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by both countries, such as youth unemployment, economic inequality, climate vulnerability, and food security issues. While recognising progress, Nandi-Ndaitwah pointed out that the Orange River Boundary issue remains unresolved and underscored the necessity for an urgent and sincere solution for future generations.
The session concluded a week of diplomatic activities, including a Senior Officials Meeting on 14-15 July and a Council of Ministers Meeting on 16 July, allowing both nations to assess the implementation of existing agreements and identify new opportunities for enhancing trade and regional stability.