Allexer Namundjembo
The suspension of Calista Schwartz-Gowases, the director of Namibia’s National Youth Council (NYC) last year by the NYC board due to allegations of serious misconduct, was revoked by the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Chairperson of the interim board by Minister Agnes Tjongarero, the suspension was revoked with immediate effect, following the clarification from the Finance Minister.
In his letter, Tjomgarero indicated that Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi has clarified that he was not involved in the execution of the recommendations by the investigation committee nor did he delay the execution of any matter related to the NYC, which led to the suspension of Schwartz-Gowases.
The finance ministry in a press release issued by Wilson Ashikoto who is the Ministry’s spokesperson indicated that the reports in question misrepresented the governance structure by erroneously attributing responsibility to the Finance Ministry of matters about NYC.
In the letter to the interim board, the Tjongarero added that as the NYC falls under non- Commercial entities rather than Commercial entities, the Finance and Public Enterprises involvement in the suspension of the director was not legally sanctioned.
“Any action taken based on this endorsement is deemed irregular. Therefore, to ensure compliance with the relevant legal and governance frameworks governing the NYC, the suspension has been revoked, and the director is to resume her duties with immediate effect,” the letter reads.
The revocation comes after Schwartz-Gowases lawyer’s from Shipindo & Associates INC wrote a letter of demand to the interim board demanding her immediate reinstatement within seven days.
The letter written on 10 March further demands that Schwartz-Gowases gain full access to her office and all relevant records.
Contacted for confirmation, NYC interim board chairperson Beverly Silas- !Garas has confirmed the recipient of the letter from the minister.
In a media statement issued by the council, Schwartz-Gowases’s suspension has been revoked.
“Mrs Schwartz-Gowases has consequently been requested to return to her position as director of NYC on Monday 17 March 2025 at 08:00 in compliance with the Minister’s directive” the statement reads.
The statement further reads that the suspension was “Unprocedural”. “Illegal payments and preferential treatment were provided or authorized to be made to entities who lodged complaints against the director” the statement reads.
The director was suspended by the NYC board due to allegations of serious misconduct. The specific allegations included her working without a formal contract since December 2021, which led to an unclear delineation of powers and responsibilities between herself and the executive chairperson, resulting in internal conflicts.
