Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tracy Tafirenyika
Published on 2024-03-18 13:00:00
Power struggles have intensified between Calista Schwartz-Gowases and Sharonice Busch, leading to a dramatic incident where the Namibian Police had to step in. The National Youth Council (NYC) director, Schwartz-Gowases, allegedly refused to provide a minibus to transport staff to a meeting at Ondangwa. This led to Busch, the NYC executive chairperson, instructing the police to confiscate the company car keys from Schwartz-Gowases.
Busch confirmed the altercation and stated that Schwartz-Gowases was angry because she arranged the meeting without notifying her. The matter was escalated to the police after Schwartz-Gowases refused to hand over the keys for the minibus. Busch accused Schwartz-Gowases of misconduct and insubordination towards the executive chairperson’s office and the board.
The power struggle between the two has led to an internal investigation into allegations of non-compliance, corruption, and mismanagement. Both Schwartz-Gowases and Busch have accused each other of undermining their authority and exceeding their roles within the NYC.
Schwartz-Gowases, in a letter to the sport, youth, and national service minister, expressed her concerns about the toxic working environment and the challenges she has faced since her reappointment as director. She emphasized the need for unity and shared vision within the council, but it seems that her efforts were not well received by Busch, who allegedly assumed oversight of day-to-day administrative functions.
Schwartz-Gowases has requested ministerial intervention to address the governance problems within the council and the alleged withholding of crucial information by Busch. The power struggle has even led to allegations of Busch working without a contract and assuming the roles and responsibilities of the director.
The incident involving the police stepping in to retrieve the car keys is just one of the many episodes in the ongoing power struggles within the NYC. The situation highlights the challenges facing the institution and the need for transparency, accountability, and strong governance frameworks.
Despite the internal strife, the NYC was established in 1994 to address the challenges facing young people in Namibia. However, over the years, it has been marred by power struggles and mismanagement, with leaders using it as a stepping stone to higher government positions.
In conclusion, the power struggles between Schwartz-Gowases and Busch reflect deeper issues within the NYC that need to be addressed for the institution to fulfill its mandate effectively. The ongoing investigations and allegations of misconduct underscore the need for a thorough review of the council’s policies and operations to ensure transparency and accountability moving forward.
Read the original article on The Namibian
