ONGWEDIVA – Ruacana Town Council has appointed Malakia Ileka as the council’s new CEO, mayor Linda Mbwale confirmed on Monday.
Ileka will replace Emilia Nanyeni, whose contract ended last year.
After the interviews were held on 13 December 2021, for which five people were shortlisted, Ileka emerged victorious after scoring 72%, followed by a certain SN Ntinda, who scored 65.8%, while three other candidates who were also shortlisted for the interview obtained scores of between 56.2% and 61.2%, respectively.
Although Ileka came first, it was reported the interview panel recommended the second highest-scoring candidate for the position, based on the Affirmative Action Act.
Affirmative action measures are designed to ensure persons categorised as being from previously disadvantaged groups, such as women, are given employment opportunities whenever they are suitably qualified and have fulfilled all the requirements for the position.
According to a document seen by New Era, “the panel recommends that the second highest-scoring candidate, Mrs SN Ntinda (65.8%), be appointed in the position of CEO Ruacana Town Council based on the Affirmative Action Act 29 of 1998.
“In case Mrs Ntinda declines the offer, the panel recommends that the highest-scoring candidate, Mr M Iileka (72.8), be offered the position of CEO of Ruacana Town Council.
“In case the above-recommended candidates decline the offer, the third highest-scoring candidate, Mr SN Shingenge (61.2%), should be considered for appointment.”
However, the panel came into disagreement with the council after the council rejected the recommendation on arguments that the advertisement for the CEO position did not provide for affirmative action.
In a telephonic interview with Mbwale, she said the council did not agree with the recommendations and, therefore, involved minister of urban and rural development Erastus Uutoni to influence the decision on who to become the CEO. “The council’s decision won, and Mr Ileka is our new CEO,” she said.
The appointment is with effect from 1 September this year.
- ashikololo@nepc.com.na
Caption (CEO):
New… Ruacana Town Council has appointed Malakia Ileka as CEO.
Photo: Contributed