EDITORIAL
The Social Security Commission is a vital institution in safeguarding the safety nets for all Namibians.
It is even getting more vital now that the government has taken the decision to have the commission running the affairs of the universal health care fund that will guarantee every Namibian quality health care.
Not only does the commission serve as the backbone of the country’s social well being but it also plays a big role in assisting communities with financial support. Recently the commission announced its scheme where communities and schools can access up to N$100 000 in small loans for development. This was welcomed by many.
One would love to see such a trajectory where the commission continues till infinity.
Alas the more things change, the more they remain the same.
This week, we are greeted by news that the board chairperson of the commission has thrown in the towel. Reasons point to frustration over political interference in internal processes.
Perhaps this is not a challenge that faces the commission alone but several other parastatals. It is a cancer that many who believe in corporate governance would like to see weeded out of the state owned enterprises sector. The sector is vital for economic growth and efficient service delivery.
Interference in Namibian parastatals, real or perceived, undermines corporate governance, drives financial instability, and compromises service delivery.
It leads to the appointment of unqualified loyalists, stifles operational efficiency, and drains state resources through corruption.
This ultimately betrays the public trust and affects the country’s socioeconomic development.
When line ministries and political figures bypass established recruitment processes, state-owned enterprises are frequently saddled with inexperienced or politically motivated boards and executives.
Again if the line is not drawn between the board’s responsibilities and the minister’s influence, corporate governance policies are compromised and perennial challenges become the order of the day.
Political blatant meddling prevents commercial entities from operating on pure business principles. Consequently, meritocracy is abandoned in favor of patronage, which alienates skilled professionals and demoralises existing staff.
Furthermore, interference in procurement boards and tender allocations paves the way for systemic corruption. Political actors often use their influence to steer lucrative contracts toward favored individuals or foreign entities. This compromises transparency, flouts regulatory compliance, and inflates costs, resulting in the massive misappropriation of funds that could otherwise be used for essential public services.
Ultimately, this persistent political control creates a culture of non-accountability, as parastatals expect government bailouts rather than facing market discipline. When key institutions are used as political playthings rather than independent drivers of the national economy, it chases away foreign investment, exacerbates national debt, and places a heavy, unsustainable burden on the Namibian taxpayer
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