Lahja Nashuuta 

For Martha !Ganes, public service has long been more than just a profession; it is a personal commitment to positively impacting her community. 

As a mother of two and a human resource officer at the Erongo Regional Council’s Directorate of Education, she has dedicated over 13 years to shaping lives, supporting teachers, and strengthening Namibia’s public sector. 

Growing up in Khorixas with a single mother, !Ganes is the youngest of six children, including one sister and four brothers. Her large family background instilled in her early lessons of discipline, hard work, and perseverance. 

“Growing up in a large family with limited means taught me resilience and the importance of hard work,” she recalled. 

Further saying, “My mother was my first role model. Her dedication as a nurse inspired me to serve others.” 

!Gane’s path into human resources was influenced by her brother, who worked in HR for a fishing company in Walvis Bay. “Watching my brother work in HR and the impact he had on people’s lives motivated me to pursue the same path,” she said. 

According to !Ganes, she then decided to enroll at the International University of Management, Walvis Bay campus, earning a Certificate in Human Resource Management in 2010. Shortly after, she became a mother and returned to Khorixas to raise her first son, balancing parenthood with ambition. “Becoming a mother so early taught me discipline, patience, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities,” she reflected. 

Entering public service 

In September 2012, !Ganes took her first steps into government service by joining the ministry of education in the Kunene region as a clerical assistant. Her dedication, efficiency, and ability to manage responsibilities led to her being promoted to administrative officer. Driven by her desire to grow professionally, she pursued further studies and earned a Diploma in Management with a focus on Human Resource Management and Management Practice from Stadio (formerly Southern Business School) in 2016. By January 2018, !Ganes was promoted to human resource practitioner, a role she continues to hold. 

However, in June 2022, she transferred to the Erongo region to explore broader opportunities and gain exposure in a different administrative setting. 

“Each promotion reinforced my belief that dedication and consistency pay off,” she said. 

Her roles 

Ganes’s work as a human resource practitioner involves a wide range of responsibilities, including recruitment , appointments, transfers, leave and pension approvals, workers’ compensation, housing and medical schemes, and training of subordinates. 

These functions are critical to ensure that teachers and other staff can perform their duties effectively. Despite the challenges, such as heavy workloads due to understaffing in the HR department, Ganes finds her work deeply rewarding. 

“Serving the people, especially teachers, is what I find most satisfying about my job. Knowing that my work allows others to do theirs effectively gives me great pride,” she said. 

The dedicated civil servant also takes pride in completing sensitive tasks such as pension and leave gratuity processing on time, knowing that these approvals directly affect staff members and their families. 

“The most memorable moments are when a staff member comes and says, ‘Thank you, Ms. !Ganes,’” she shared. 

“Those words make all the challenges worthwhile.” 

Expertise 

With formal training in human resource management, labour law, organisational behaviour, and training management, Ganes combines academic knowledge with practical experience to provide effective service. She believes that professional development is essential for public servants, not only to foster personal growth but also to enhance service delivery. 

“Growth doesn’t stop when you reach a position, but it’s a continuous journey. I want to keep learning so I can serve my community better,” she shared. 

!Ganes also emphasises the importance of mentorship within the public service. She regularly guides junior staff, helping them navigate complex administrative procedures and develop skills for long-term success. “Mentoring young professionals is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. When I see them succeed, I feel that my work has a wider impact,” she maintained. 

Public service misconceptions 

Asked her take on the public misconception about the effectiveness of public servants !Ganes highlighted the structural challenges that contribute to heavy workloads and delays. 

“We may have heavy workloads, but we are neither unproductive nor inefficient. The challenge is structural, not personal,” she noted. 

She further asserted, “There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the system runs smoothly, even if people don’t always see it.” 

She believes public recognition and understanding of the work done by government employees are essential for morale and motivation. 

“Even a small acknowledgment from staff or the community goes a long way,” !Ganes said. 

!Ganes revealed her plans to pursue further education in a related field, strengthening her skills and knowledge to serve the community more effectively. 

“I want to leave a legacy of professionalism, dedication, and mentorship,” she said. 

-lnashuuta@nepc.com.na