Documents have surfaced revealing another twist of potential irregularities, maladministration and further in-fights at the National Youth Council.
These documents reveal that the feud between suspended NYC director Calista Schwartz-Gowases and the council’s executive chairperson Sharonice Busch is partly based on questionable appointments, as well as the ambiguity of responsibilities between the two executives.
Feud
A series of internal emails seen by New Era show the two bosses were at loggerheads over the appointment of Busch’s special assistant and advisor Lebbeus Hashikutuva, whom Schwartz-Gowases feels was appointed through the backdoor.
In a letter dated 19 January 2024, Schwartz-Gowases questioned Busch about the “unprocedural appointments” and board resolutions relating to Hashikutuva, saying they were against the council’s human resources’ policies and procedures.
The letter further reveals that in 2021, Busch requested the transfer of staff members under her office [executive chairperson and secretary] to other departments, which automatically created vacancies in her office.
This, New Era understands, paved the way for Busch to headhunt employees at her discretion.
In one of the emails, Busch told Schwartz-Gowases that the company’s secretarial services would be outsourced until the organisational assessment and its recommendations were approved by the board.
Busch also informed Schwartz-Gowases that she had identified Hashikutuva as an administrative intern for six months, from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.
In a confirmation of the board resolution signed by Hashikutuva and Busch dated 1 August 2023, Hashikutuva was given a buffet of responsibilities, including board secretarial functions, support for programmes, social media management, and public relations.
Justifying this, Busch told New Era last week that it was due to staffing challenges in the institution, and the absence of an executive assistant.
Furthermore, it is argued that Hashikutuva went beyond his tasks as an administrative clerk, and gradually took on additional responsibilities.
Subsequently, his salary was adjusted upwards.
Unimpressed
However, this is contrary to Schwartz-Gowases’ email, in which she complained that the council already had a secretary and executive assistant who were both moved to other departments.
She believed the appointment of a qualified executive assistant was conveniently halted to create room for Hashikutuva’s appointment.
Busch vehemently denies this.
“Further, please note that the current process of head-hunting recruits, by which friends are sneaked into the corridors of the council, and attempts to create opportunities through unprocedural and irregular means, are not in line with public governance principles,” Schwartz-Gowases told Busch in her lengthy letter.
She also questioned Busch about how Hashikutuva, as an intern, could engage external stakeholders on behalf of the council, and enter formal working relations without prior consultation and blessings from her as the accounting officer.
Rookie
Schwartz-Gowases believed it was not good corporate governance to entrust confidential board documents to a temporary junior employee.
The root of their skirmish stems from the ambiguity of responsibilities between the executive chairperson and the director.
Busch is the political head of the institution, while Schwartz-Gowases heads the administration.
Similarly, another email from human capital and administration manager Dominic Mukumba raised concerns with Schwartz-Gowases about the roping in of Hashikutuva.
Mukumba argued that with his expertise in accounting, Hashikutuva could not have been recruited as secretary.
“The aim of an internship is to gain more understanding in the field you studied. On this one, we need to speak to the executive [Busch] chairperson, as this can tarnish the image of the council,” Mukumba warned before mentioning that a certain Brian recruited someone with a qualification in agriculture, and it was terminated.
Salary
A board member, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation, claims continuous board resolutions, through the recommendations of the HR, remuneration and ethics board committees, were made in favour of Hashikutuva.
The board member said these decisions are made despite Hashikutuva not having a substantive position at the council nor the required qualifications.
“These recommendations are made at the sole discretion of the board without any submission by the director, despite the objection of another board member,” said the board member.
In another exchange of emails dated 25 January 2024 between board member Beverly Silas-Garas and Busch, in which over 10 staff members were copied in, Silas-Garas said the reason for adjusting Hashikutuva’s salary created a precedent of favouritism among employees.
Silas-Garas revealed in the email that there were employees who had been denied extra payment or favourable adjustments in the past.
Having resumed his multiple responsibilities, Hashikutuva himself also requested a salary increment, which was allegedly granted.
New Era obtained the letter Hashikutuva dispatched to the HR manager in which he complained about remuneration that was not commensurate with his level of work.
He also lamented his unclear roles and responsibilities at the council.
“It should be noted, in no uncertain terms, that my current terms of service are contrary to principles of fair and decent work and border [on] exploitation,” said Hashikutuva.
At NYC, interns or volunteers receive a monthly stipend of N$5 000.
But Hashikutuva, despite being masqueraded as an intern, saw his salary increase to N$14 000, documents further show.
According to impeccable sources with intricate knowledge of affairs at the NYC, Hashikutuva received N$86 694 in April. This was believed to be backpay for six months’ salary.
New Era received a detailed response from one of the staff members mentioned in the matter. However, it was later retracted due to concerns about potential victimisation and suspension.
Busch did not comment on the follow-up questions sent this week, despite promising to do so. She later warned this reporter of potential legal action for what she deemed “further defamatory” reporting.
Justified
Last week, Busch told New Era that Hashikutuva had proved capable of being more than just an administrative clerk.
“It is important to highlight that there are three vacant positions in the office of the executive chairperson, i.e., executive assistant; research and policy development officer; and secretary. With the exception of legal services, management confirmed that he is indeed discharging over 70% of the work of two vacant positions for the council to compensate him less,” Busch justified.
New Era understands Hashikutuva has not signed his reappointment contract.
Busch said this was because of its material difference from the board resolution that was taken during an ordinary meeting in October 2023.
Defending Hashikutuva, Busch, in an email to her colleagues,said Schwartz-Gowases’ disapproval of Hashikutuva’s allowance is unfair.
Busch then seemingly dropped the ball in Schwartz-Gowases’ court, saying she does not have a contract with NYC, despite receiving monthly remuneration.
“Colleagues, this is an injustice and gross discrimination against Hashikutuva, based on the imbalance of power. In this case, the director is abusing her authority while she equally doesn’t have a contract,” Busch said.
Schwartz-Gowases, who is currently on an indefinite suspension, said she is not allowed to talk to the media.
The NYC board resolved to suspend Schwartz-Gowases for numerous reasons, including, but not limited to, allegations of gross misconduct, gross insubordination and refusal to carry out lawful instructions of the board.
In her vote for Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension, Busch allegedly said the council continues to experience an administrative paralysis due to the perpetual culture of gross insubordination.
Expenditure
During the 2023/24 financial year, the government funded the NYC to the tune of N$20 million, of which N$12 million went to personnel expenditures.
Calculations indicate about 60% of the budget goes to salaries.
The NYC is mandated to address the plight of young people in the country.
In that financial year, over N$6 million was allocated to youth empowerment project expenses.
The NYC budget document shows these projects include credit for youth in business, support for youth with disabilities, international youth participation, and others.
Despite that, staff at the council claim 80% or more of the projects there are dormant.
Busch told this reporter there are programmes in the pipeline, including the rural youth programme, the NYC research hub, the NYC resource centre, and the NYC horticulture projects.
Last week, the NYC launched the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs’ Facility.
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