Patience Makwele
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Namibia’s diplomats to bring home more than goodwill and handshakes, saying international relationships must translate into jobs, investment and opportunities that improve the lives of ordinary Namibians.
Commissioning Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati as Namibia’s ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva on Friday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said diplomatic missions must play a more direct role in advancing the country’s economic ambitions.
“I expect you to build upon this history of friendship and solidarity and to translate it into practical opportunities that contribute to Namibia’s development and prosperity,” she said.
The President’s message places the newly appointed ambassador under pressure to turn longstanding ties with Switzerland into tangible benefits, particularly in trade, tourism, investment, technology and knowledge transfer.
It also reflected a broader expectation that Namibia’s diplomatic missions should contribute to the country’s development priorities rather than focus solely on formal relations with other governments.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Nghipondoka-Robiati’s work must “support the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6),” which seeks to drive economic growth, inclusiveness and resilience.
She identified mining, energy, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, water, fisheries and transport and logistics as sectors that should guide the ambassador’s engagement with Switzerland.
Furthermore, the President also made it clear that the responsibility does not rest with the ambassador alone.
“Our diplomatic missions can only be effective when government speaks with clarity, consistency and a shared national purpose,” she said, urging ministries to provide missions with timely information, clear policy guidance and coordinated national positions.
The warning comes as Namibia seeks to deepen economic ties with international partners while confronting the challenge of turning development ambitions into opportunities that reach its people.
Namibia and Switzerland already share a history of cooperation dating back to the country’s independence struggle.
Their economic relationship is also supported by the free-trade agreement between the Southern African Customs Union and the European Free Trade Association, of which Switzerland is a member.
Trade figures attributed to UN Comtrade show that Switzerland recorded imports from Namibia worth approximately US$12.8 million in 2025, while Swiss exports to Namibia stood at about US$4.25 million.
The figures reflect merchandise trade, however, and do not establish the extent of investment or employment generated through the relationship.
The new direct Zurich-Windhoek air service, which was launched in June, is another opportunity the Nandi-Ndaitwah believes could strengthen tourism, business and people-to-people ties.
For Nghipondoka-Robiati, the assignment will extend beyond bilateral relations. In Geneva, she is expected to represent Namibia at the United Nations (UN) system, the World Trade Organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Human Rights Council and other international institutions.
Addressing the gathering, she described her appointment as an honour she accepted with gratitude and a full understanding of its weight.
“I go to Geneva, convinced that the Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,” she said.
She pointed out that Geneva is a centre of global decision-making, where rules governing trade, labour, health, human rights and migration are shaped.
“Our country, as your excellency has so eloquently illustrated, was born of the conviction that multilateralism works. I will carry that conviction forward,” she said.
Nghipondoka-Robiati pledged to ensure Namibia’s voice is represented in international discussions and heard with conviction and principle.
She also committed herself to strengthening economic ties between Namibia and Switzerland.
“I will also endeavour to strengthen the investment, trade and economic ties between Namibia and the Swiss Confederation, as well as foster greater people-to-people engagement and cooperation on a bilateral level,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s own history made its commitment to multilateralism particularly important, arguing that international cooperation remains essential to a peaceful and just global order.
She urged the ambassador to ensure that Namibia’s voice is “constructive, principled and clearly heard”, while using its participation in international forums to secure partnerships and technical support for national development.
Yet amid the weight of those responsibilities, the President also acknowledged the personal cost of diplomatic service.
Addressing Nghipondoka-Robiati’s family members who attended the ceremony, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the demands of the job would extend into their lives as well.
“Diplomatic service places demands on both the diplomat and those close to them,” she said, recognising that the family’s “support, understanding and sacrifice” would be important to the ambassador’s ability to serve.
She encouraged them to remain a source of strength and stability as Nghipondoka-Robiati takes up her duties abroad.
The ambassador-designate took the prescribed pledges administered by International Relations and Trade Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi.
In closing, Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded her that the appointment carried the hopes and aspirations of the Namibian people, urging her to serve with “wisdom, courage, humility, integrity and discipline.”
“May your tenure be marked by meaningful partnerships, tangible achievements and lasting contributions to the development of our beloved Namibia.”
