By Sylvia Nekuta Shaningwa
Every time our government, hospitals, schools, or clinics make a purchase whether it’s for medicine, building materials, or other essentials they are helping to shape the future of our country. When these purchases are delayed, hidden from view, or poorly planned, it is our communities that suffer the consequences.
Children end up waiting for their textbooks, patients are left without the equipment they need, and businesses miss out on valuable opportunities.
Recently, a national review revealed a concerning trend: only a very small fraction of public offices met their obligation to plan and share what they intended to buy for the year. Out of 176 public institutions, just five submitted their buying plans on time.
Even after a seven-month extension, most offices were still missing. This is not just a paperwork problem it is an issue that affects the daily lives of every Namibian.
What’s Holding Us Back?
One of the biggest challenges is a lack of planning. Many offices tend to wait until the last minute or fail to plan at all, which leads to rushed decisions and missed opportunities for savings. In addition, the staff assigned to manage these purchases often do so only as a part-time responsibility and without targeted training, which limits their effectiveness.
When plans and decisions are not made public, there is less accountability and a greater chance for mistakes or unfairness. Our systems are also fragmented, with too many different processes and not enough coordination, resulting in lost time and wasted money.
What Can We Do Right Now?
You do not need a fancy degree or a special title to help make a difference. Anyone can play a role in changing the way we source and manage public resources. If you are responsible for ordering or managing supplies, you can make your buying plans for the year visible.
Post them on a noticeboard, share them online, or circulate them with your team. This openness helps everyone prepare, participate, and hold each other accountable.
Keeping track of deadlines is also essential. Using a simple calendar or checklist ensures that key dates are not missed, and when deadlines are clear and shared, it becomes easier to stay on track. It is important to ask questions and seek clarity, no matter your role.
Whether you are a staff member, supplier, or citizen, do not hesitate to ask what is being planned for purchase, who is responsible, and how the process can be improved. Good questions lead to better results.
Sharing knowledge is another powerful tool. If you have learned how to spot a good supplier, review a contract, or avoid common mistakes, take the time to teach your colleagues. As one person grows stronger, the whole system benefits.
You can also use technology to share and track progress. Even something as basic as a spreadsheet or a WhatsApp group can help teams share updates and flag problems. Do not wait for the perfect system start with whatever tools are available to you.
Celebrating wins and fixing mistakes together is crucial. When a team meets a deadline, saves money, or brings in new suppliers, take the time to recognize their efforts. If things go wrong, work together to fix them instead of placing blame.
Above all, champion transparency by being open about what is being bought and why. The more open we are, the more trust we build. Openness invites new ideas, better prices, and honest feedback.
A Path Forward Led by All of Us
Real change does not happen from the top down or from the outside in. It happens when each person feels empowered to take small, smart actions every day. Whether you are a logistics clerk, an accountant, a nurse, a teacher, a manager, or a supplier, you have real power to make the way we buy and manage public resources better for everyone.
Let us work together for a Namibia where every cent is spent wisely, every need is planned for, and every purchase makes a difference you can see and feel.
*Sylvia Nekuta Shaningwa is a logistics and sourcing specialist at Eco Pulse Solutions, a Namibian company dedicated to helping African businesses and institutions connect directly with trusted suppliers. Her passion lies in equipping others to build strong, transparent, and effective systems, because she believes that real change starts with all of us.
