Former FAO Representative in Namibia, Ms. Farayi Zimudzi

As the curtain comes down on my assignment as FAO Representative in Namibia, I could not help looking back on these last 4 years and 8 months. There is just something about endings that cause one to reflect. Without doubt, there have been highs and lows, zeniths and nadirs. A few reflections:

We crafted and have been implementing the Country Programming Framework – with one year remaining, we have managed to reach almost 70 percent of the resource mobilization target. We consolidated our engagement and collaboration with line Ministries in the Government of the Republic of Namibia. This is being done through both upstream policy, and strategy development, institutional support, and grassroots interventions within the cropping, livestock, forestry, fisheries and natural resources management arena. In line with the corporate FAO Private Sector Engagement Strategy, we embarked on a journey to broaden our partnerships within the agriculture sector. The next steps will involve moving forward with concretizing these partnerships.

Underpinning all this is a team of 16 dedicated, and hardworking Namibians who make up the FAO Representation. As I like to call them, they are “the little team that could”!  Not only did they put up with my never-ending requests for them to take on one more assignment, but they did it with such grace and competence that I can only marvel.

The challenges affecting the sector, and indeed, the world require stronger partnerships as no one entity can dream to do it all by itself. They also require innovativeness, and hard work and dedication. I have no doubt that FAO in Namibia will continue to play its role in order for better production, and better nutrition to be attained; while working towards a better environment, ultimately culminating in a better life.

All that’s left is for me to say – Mosara zvakanaka (farewell)!

Farayi Zimudzi

Former FAO Representative in Namibia