The smooth running of government ministries and their agencies requires the deployment of highly organised, friendly and approachable administrators, who are not only passionate but also take pride in their work.
This, according to Kamwi Sakutuka, one of the few male administrative professionals to have found a niche for himself in the female-dominated field – and this position, he says, “fits him like a glove.”
“Passion is a crucial element in any high-performing organisation, and it is common among people who take their work seriously. Pride and passion can unlock discretionary effort, underpin resilience under pressure, and inspire others to join the civil service,” he says.
Sakutuka was born 34 years ago in Bukalo, some 40km east of Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region. After pursuing his primary schooling at Bukalo Primary school, he matriculated at Sanjo Secondary school in 2005.
He relocated to Windhoek to pursue his tertiary education at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) – the then Polytechnic of Namibia.
“I hold various qualifications in the administration field. These include a National Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Land Administration, as well as a postgraduate qualification in development studies from the University of Western Cape,” Sakutuka reveals.
Reliving his journey in the civil service, Sakutuka reveals he joined the civil services in 2010 and has, so far, served two different ministries as an office administrator.
Currently, Sakutuka works as an administrator for the Ministry of Works and Transport within the Directorate of Works, Maintenance, and Technical Services in Katima Mulilo – a position he has occupied since 2017.
“The ministry’s directorate of works is also responsible for the planning, provision, management and maintenance of government buildings and related infrastructure. I am in charge of the administrative and supervisory duties in the maintenance subdivision,” Sakutuka said.
His responsibilities include stock control, budgeting and handling of financial matters of the subdivision, handling personal matters, and capacity building, which also includes identifying training needs of the staff as well as planning and allocating duties to the subordinates.
“Administration is about ensuring there is an efficient performance of all departments in an organisation. It’s a connecting link between the central government, seniors and the employees,” he adds.
Self-awareness key
Sakutuka defines himself as an enthusiast and self-motivated office administrator, who is always keen to provide administrative support to his ministry and its agencies. As if that is not enough, the energetic Sakutuka dabbles in farming, urban development planning and community activism.
He is a firm believer that ‘in an ideal world, building a career around something you are passionate about is a win-win’.
“When you are passionate about something, you cannot help but to think about it, work at it and execute it. Passion influences your daily choices and activities. It is contagious. In an institution where there is a passionate and inspired workforce, there is bound to be productivity,” he stressed.
The journey
Sakutuka’s career in public service started in the year 2010 as an intern at the Rundu Town Council: Luxembourg Development Project. In 2012, he moved to the then Ministry of Land Reform in the Otjozondjupa region, where he also served as an administrative (outdoor) officer.
In 2014, Sakutuka moved to Arandis in the Erongo region, where he served as the property administrator at Arandis Town Council – before moving to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development: Directorate of Housing, Habitat, Planning and Technical Service Coordination in September 2014, where he also served as an administrator.
In the midst of it all, he was pursuing his education in land administration at NUST.
He further has it that working for the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development presented an opportunity for him to work closely with local governments, and to tap the knowledge and expertise from his superiors within the ministry.
Also, while working at that ministry, Sakutuka served on the various town and regional planning boards such as Namibia Planning Advisory Board and Townships Board.
“I travelled all over the country, monitoring and evaluating progress being made in settlements, village, towns and municipal councils towards sustainable socio-economic development for all,” Sakutuka revealed.
Professional growth and achievements
He further revealed that his role as administrator, over the years, exposed him to an array of responsibilities, which in turn fortified his career aspirations.
“I was involved in the implementation of council resolutions; administration of immovable property; preparation of town planning schemes for various local authorities; liaising with property owners, developers and consulting engineers on capital projects,” Sakutuka said.
He marvels at the memory that while working at the Ministry of Land and Rural Development, he was part of the team assigned to monitor progress made on various land use applications (subdivision and consolidation, rezoning, consent use, and closure of open spaces, etc) in terms of the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992.
He maintained that while working in the civil service can be rewarding, it also comes with its challenges, “as people have different expectations from government ministries and agencies”.
“Being a public servant, especially at town councils require someone with an open mind, who understands people’s challenges and their environment, while adhering to the statutory laws of this republic,” he stressed.
Sakutuka points out the proclamation of settlement areas of Otjinene, Okongo, Divundu and Bukalo, as well as Mass Housing Development Projects and Formalisation of informal settlements in Rundu and Katima Mulilo, as some of the accomplishments of the departments he worked for.
His dream as a public servant, he says, is to see the Bukalo village council, where he also serves as the member of the council being upgraded to town council status.