With less than three months left before Government Institutions Pension Fund CEO David Nuyoma retires, the race to replace him is climaxing. 

According to insiders, over 40 people applied for the lucrative position, which comes with around N$6 million in salary and bonuses annually for managing the pensions of almost 100 000 members, making it the largest fund in the country. 

Meanwhile, across Katutura State Hospital lies the Swapo headquarters, where tension is simmering in the ruling party’s dominant camps, with each wanting to advance a candidate of their choice to take over reigns at GIPF. 

The two factions - one supporting Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and the other supporting Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila - are at each other’s throats over the recruitment of GIPF’s CEO, New Era has been impeccably informed. 

Publicly, there is only one united Swapo, as repeatedly stated by its leader, Hage Geingob. 

But internally, factions in the ruling party, some dating back to the 2017 congress, have refused to die, and are alive and well. 

Last year, Nandi-Ndaitwah, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta squared off for the coveted Swapo vice presidency. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah emerged victorious. She is now Swapo’s presidential candidate at next year’s general election and could become the country’s first female head of state, if she wins.  

Now it seems, the post-congress dust has refused to settle. 

GIPF, whose asset value stands at a whopping N$150 billion, is seen by Swapo’s powerbrokers as a strategic entity. 

On face value, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s faction is seen as the strongest group in the ruling party, dominating both the central committee, politburo and the youth wing.

But the Kuugongelwa-Amadhila faction cannot be written off, just like that, as a group of executives and key financial institutions backed her. 

What is more, as head of government business, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is indirectly GIPF’s boss and commands significant power. 

The entity has been labelled as a government ‘piggy bank’. 

Between 2015 and 2018, the government borrowed N$34 billion from GIPF to honour its financial obligations. 

So, whoever becomes GIPF’s CEO, sources close to Swapo’s dealings say, should be in the right books with the dominant camp. 

Last year, media reports suggested that outgoing Development Bank of Namibia CEO, Martin Inkumbi was earmarked for the position to replace David Nuyoma, who heads into retirement in June. 

However, Inkumbi’s ascend will not sail smoothly and faces stiff competition from other candidates. 

Although GIPF refused to disclose applicant names, several names have been flouted around, including that of Inkumbi. 

They include Roads Contractor Company boss Maria Nakale, GIPF’s chief legal and compliance officer Melkizedek Uupindi and the fund’s chief operations officer Elvis Nashilongo. 

Factions

Both factions, however, said it is regrettable that politics was being used to determine the fate of an entity of GIPF’s stature as opposed to a fair, credible and independent recruitment process. 

First to respond was National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila’s campaign manager. 

At the onset, the geologist-turned-politician made it clear that it is in the best interest of both Swapo and Namibia if the best candidate lands the job on merit. 

“There shouldn’t be any of that [political interference]. But I personally feel those things are simmering under. Now, [on the question of] which of the two camps is strongest, that’s not anyone’s guess but you can tell. Fine, there is a thinly veiled crack opening between those that appear to be of intellectual prowess and those that are not. So, it is unfortunate that we have that,” Kandjoze said. 

He continued: “In a ‘one Namibia, one nation’ country, one Swapo, one people, it should be the best candidate who gets the job, not by virtue of what camp actually determines the outcome. I honestly feel bad about what appears to be a split down the middle of the ruling party. I do not support it. I am strongly against it.”

It is also Kandjoze’s position that the entire Swapo rank and file should rally behind Nandi-Ndaitwah. 

“There’s a winner and still we persist with this… I don’t see how that is beneficial at this late hour of what would be a new campaign for the ruling party in contestation with the opposition. We cannot be doing this now,” he said. 

Agreeing with Kandjoze was seasoned diplomat Kaire Mbuende, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s righthand man. 

In Mbuende’s eyes, allegations around the outside influence of GIPF’s internal affairs are unfortunate. 

It is important, Mbuende said, that the GIPF matter is dealt with professionally. 

According to Mbuende, Namibians should not and cannot continue being victimised along political or tribal lines. 

“The insinuation of bringing politics into national and professional institutions is unfortunate. It is important that the best person wins and that the process is professional, without any political interference. It will be unfortunate if the best person is not given the position because they either have a certain surname or are associated with a particular camp. 

“These are professionals who are applying in their own rights as individuals with professional interests advancing their own careers. It will be unfortunate if it is decided politically and not on the basis of qualifications and experience,” the politician cemented. 

Fund 

Responding to detailed questions a fortnight ago, GIPF spokesperson Edwin Tjiramba said the recruitment and selection process started late last year and closed on 27 January 2023. 

Tjiramba was hesitant to delve into the particulars. 

“The process is currently underway and is being facilitated by an independent, expert recruitment agency. Resultantly, and to preserve the integrity of the process, it would be premature to provide any information on the recruitment and selection process at this time,” Tjiramba said. 

He also refuted claims that Inkumbi or anyone else had been anointed to take over the parastatal. 

The fund, he said, has distanced itself from past media reports insinuating that there are preferred candidates.

“GIPF is committed to undertake an objective, open and competitive recruitment process as per the rules of the fund and the GIPF recruitment, selection and termination policy.  

“The fund regards recruitment as a key strategic function and, therefore, the selection process shall be conducted in an efficient, fair and transparent manner as prescribed by policy.”

-emumbuu@nepc.com.na

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