Mukendwa rejects NYS offer

Mukendwa rejects NYS offer The search for a suitable candidate to head the National Youth Service (NYS) continues after Joseph Mukendwa turned down an offer, while other candidates were deemed unqualified for the job.

Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) employee Fillemon Wise Immanuel and Oniipa town council CEO Junias Jacob came second and third respectively during interviews.

The NYS is also without a board chairperson after Mandela Kapere resigned to accept National Assembly nomination.

Mukendwa's five-year term was due to start on 1 October last year but he rejected more than one offer made to him.

Deputy chairperson of the NYS board of directors Emma Leonard confirmed that Mukendwa had rejected the offer.

She refused to divulge Mukendwa's reasons for declining the offer, saying she was not mandated to provide such comment.





“I cannot provide the reason why Mukendwa rejected the offer because I am just a board deputy chairperson and not the acting chair. This appointment was done under the supervision of Kapere and I was no way involved,” Leonard said.

“The NYS board has to first meet and appoint the acting chair, who will then provide such information and the way forward. We might be meeting in the next two weeks.”

In September last year, President Hage Geingob announced the appointment of Mukendwa as the new commissioner of the NYS, succeeding former youth commissioner Onesmus Upindi, whose term ended in March.

“President Geingob expresses confidence and trust in the ability, commitment and fairness with which the commissioner will discharge his duties and responsibilities. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served previously in several managerial capacities,” read the statement.

Geingob lauded Mukendwa's educational and professional background and showed trust in his capability to assume the role.

Mukendwa, the regional director of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, was one of three people shortlisted for the vacancy.

That was the second time the NYS had conducted interviews for this position since Upindi's departure.

Last year a source privy to NYS affairs informed Namibian Sun that the position was first offered to Oshana deputy education director Gerhard Ndafenongo, but was re-advertised after Ndafenongo was rejected by some senior government officials.

Reports suggested there was a huge fight between politicians and senior government officials on who to succeed Uupindi.

Sources also informed Namibian Sun that the second advertisement attracted 13 applicants, of whom three were shortlisted after a psychometric test.

ILENI NANDJATO