After serving ten years as the Executive Officer of Social Security, Milka Mungunda (MM) will this month wind down her tenure. During her leadership, the commission’s assets grew from about N$1.9 billion to between N$6 billion and N$9 billion.
Namibia Business Review (NBR) sat down with Mungunda (MM) to reflect on her time at the helm of the commission.
NBR: Let’s start on a lighter note. Some say you have taken the Social Security Commission as your home, and that employees have been like your children. How do you look back on your relationship with employees on a personal level?
MM: Okay, thank you so much.
One thing I have realised is that when I joined Social Security, it was a very troubled institution. The staff were demoralised. Things were not working well. This was understandable because of all the media attention at the time.
My background as a psychologist had to kick in. I had to think about how best to deal with the situation.
Sometimes, as managers and leaders, we confuse autocracy with leadership. In this modern world, you do not need to force people to achieve results. You must work as a team.
I also think my personality as a firstborn helped. You always try to bring people together. So I did not come to Social Security to enforce my rules. I came to build a team.
A team that would take Social Security to the next level. I had a good relationship with staff, ministers, and the board. We worked collectively. It was not always easy, but it was part of the journey, and I enjoyed it.
NBR: Do you believe your background as a psychologist helped to mend the institution when the media scrutiny was high?
MM: Yes, I think it helped to a certain extent. There was a lot of onslaught on Social Security, and also on me personally.
But I never took it personally. I saw it as part of the job. I stayed focused on my goals.
I think that is one of the best things one can do. You must not be distracted.
The institution has gone through major transformation in leadership.
NBR: What would you say were the most significant achievements during your tenure?
MM: When I joined, the chairman at the time, Mr Johannes !Gawaxab, told me the financials were in the red. That was the biggest challenge.
I joined in July and was told to fix it before the end of the financial year.
We managed. By the end of that year, the financials were no longer in the red. We achieved an unqualified audit opinion.
That was a major encouragement and achievement for me.
NBR: Did you receive flowers?
MM: I wish I could have received flowers. But we were so busy that we even forgot about flowers.
MM: Another major achievement was in investments.
When I joined, most investments were in cash. We changed the investment policy. We introduced offshore investments.
We started with about N$1.92 billion. As I leave, the institution stands at between N$6 billion and N$9 billion.
That change was very important. It allowed us to invest in asset classes that were not previously considered.
Another key area is digitalisation. We have come a long way.
Technology-wise, I always told my team that Africa is about 30 years behind. We cannot afford to be left out.
We have a strong IT team. They have helped us a lot. We have introduced paperless systems.
It is still ongoing. My successor will continue with it. The goal is a fully paperless institution.
Before, people had to travel long distances to access services.
NBR: How do you look back on technological improvements under your leadership?
MM: It means people can now access services from wherever they are. No one should be excluded.
We have embraced technology. You can access services while driving, through our apps.
You can register, make payments, and access services digitally.
NBR: As you prepare to leave, what legacy do you want to be remembered for?
MM: I think we should not work just to leave a legacy. We should work to make life easier for people.
For me, it was about improving social protection and reducing pressure on government funding.
If that is what remains, then that would describe my legacy.
I also served as Vice President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), representing Africa and Namibia.
I served two terms. I enjoyed it. I met many people and gained valuable experience.
Social protection is not a privilege. It is a human right.
We also won an award during that period.
I was the first woman from Africa to serve as Vice President. I appreciated the support from ISSA and its members.
It helped put Namibia on the map.
NBR: For ten years, you have been balancing work and family. How did you manage that?
MM: It was not easy. But my children are grown up now. My youngest is working.
That made it easier. I also have grandchildren who sometimes complain that I do not give them enough attention.
It was not always easy to balance. But I had a strong support system from my family. That helped me a lot.
NBR: Where will we see you after 31 July?
MM: I will be at home. I will not wake up too early.
No deadlines. No union matters. No signatures.
I will just relax and enjoy myself.
NBR: One last message to your staff?
MM: I have wonderful staff. They are committed people.
Of course, there are a few who are not as committed, but that is normal in any institution.
We are fortunate to have staff who understand that they serve vulnerable people.
Without them, Social Security would not be successful.
They must continue working hard. They must support whoever comes after me, as they supported me.
It is not about individuals. It is about the country and the people we serve.
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