Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
September 2026
Windhoek Observer
Public Service Commission chairperson ambassador Patrick Nandagosaidthe gathering was intended to give HR practitioners an opportunity to share challenges, good practices and solutions
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“Public Service Commission chairperson ambassador Patrick Nandago said the gathering was intended to give HR practitioners an opportunity to share challenges, good practices and solutions while strengthening compliance with human-resource policies.”
Public Service Commission chairperson Ambassador Patrick Nandagosaidthe commission had encountered cases where recruitment rules and recommendations were ignored
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“Public Service Commission chairperson Ambassador Patrick Nandago said the commission had also encountered cases where recruitment rules and its recommendations were ignored.”
PSC chairperson Patrick Nandagoannouncedaudits formed part of 10 human resource reviews at various institutions
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“PSC chairperson Patrick Nandago last week announced that the audits formed part of 10 human resource reviews conducted at various institutions and regional councils during the reporting period.”
Patrick Nandagosaysdelays in resolving matters remain a concern due to slow or incomplete submission of information
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“He says delays in resolving these matters remain a concern, with the commission often unable to finalise cases on time due to slow or incomplete submission of information by ministries, offices and agencies, as well as regional councils.”
Patrick Nandagosaidgovernment employees increased from 110,002 to 114,304
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“"As per our records, the total number of government employees increased from 110 002 in the 2023/24 financial year to 114 304 in the 2024/25 financial year," Nandago said.”
Patrick Nandagosaidhuman resource structures across government are outdated and need review
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“Nandago said human resource structures across government institutions "are outdated and need to be reviewed to align themselves with realities on the ground, as well as service delivery expectations of our communities."”
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has backed a proposal to improve pay for young people entering the workforce, saying the government must ensure internships and entry-level programmes provide adequate compensation and development opportunities. He raised the issue at the Government Human Resource Conference in Windhoek, challenging HR practitioners to move beyond simply placing young people in jobs and ensure they are given conditions to develop their skills.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has backed a proposal to improve pay for young people entering the workforce, saying the government must ensure internships and entry-level programmes provide adequate compensation and development opportunities. He raised the issue at the Government Human Resource Conference in Windhoek, challenging HR practitioners to move beyond simply placing young people in jobs and ensure they are given conditions to develop their skills.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has warned that Namibia's public-service recruitment system risks being undermined by tribalism, favouritism and corruption, alleging that some jobs are decided before interview panels meet and that some applicants have paid panel members for positions. He also raised concerns about some divisions and departments being dominated by people from the same linguistic group, and urged HR practitioners to ensure diversity when appointing panels and staff.
The Security Commission has made a recommendation to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the future of former inspector general Joseph Shikongo, who was suspended in May following a security breach at State House. The details of the recommendation remain unclear, with the commission declining to comment pending the president's decision.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services won the overall award at Nipam's second public sector awards ceremony in Windhoek, recognized for investing in professional development and employee capacity building. The ceremony also celebrated 38 public servants who completed Nipam's accredited management programmes at NQF levels 6, 7 and 8.
The Public Service Commission audited 796 files out of 10,410 staff members at 10 government offices, ministries, agencies and regional councils during the 2024/25 financial year to assess compliance with recruitment procedures and public service regulations. PSC chairperson Patrick Nandago cited delays in resolving matters and slow institutional responses as ongoing concerns hampering the commission's oversight effectiveness.
The Public Service Commission retained 16 officials over the age of 60 due to their specialised skills, citing legal provisions for critical expertise gaps, but the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition over potential political patronage and youth unemployment.
The Public Service Commission is handling 72 complaints and 37 misconduct appeals, with most cases linked to recruitment processes. Delays in resolving matters persist due to slow or incomplete information submissions from government institutions, prompting the PSC to urge accounting officers to improve transparency and submit information promptly.
Namibia's public service workforce increased by 3.9% during the 2024/25 financial year, from 110,002 to 114,304 employees. The Public Service Commission says the expansion reflects efforts to meet service delivery demands, though structural and capacity challenges persist within government.
The National Assembly approved the appointment of Patrick Nandago, Linda Scott, Lidwina Shapwa and Gerson Kamatuka as Public Service Commission commissioners for five years beginning March 2026, with 48 Swapo votes securing approval despite opposition parties boycotting the vote and challenging the process.
Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the National Assembly on Thursday when the government sought urgent approval of four Public Service Commission commissioners, citing concerns about their age, qualifications, ethnic representation, and lack of adequate debate. The walkout left no quorum for the vote to proceed.