Sports minister, ED clash over NYC
• Haintengela emphasises ‘fiscal discipline’
The sports minister has accused the ministry's executive director of undermining the interim board's mandate to oversee the governance and operations of the council.
A war of words has erupted between sports minister Agnes Tjongarero and her executive director, Erastus Haitengela, over the operational and governance affairs of the National Youth Council (NYC).
Well-placed sources have informed this publication that Tjongarero and Haintengela have not been seeing eye-to-eye because the minister feels Haitengela is making decisions without her blessings.
What broke the proverbial camel’s back, according to authoritative sources within the ministry, was Haitengela’s decision to direct NYC to seek approval from him before taking any major operational or financial decisions.
Tjongarero wants Haitengela to leave the oversight responsibilities to the interim NYC board.
In a strongly worded letter dated 22 January, she accused Haitengela of disregarding and undermining her authority.
“The interim board is mandated to oversee the governance and operations of the council, yet several actions taken by you appear to undermine the legal framework,” the minister charged.
She also accused him of transferring N$2.7 million to the NYC for restructuring, despite “my explicit instruction not to do so.
“Under whose authority is the restructuring process being pursued, despite the directive to halt it?” she questioned.
Financial directives
Her letter came a day after Haitengela had written to NYC directing the youth body to consult him before taking any decision “with potential long-term financial implications”.
This, Haitengela said, must be done to ensure alignment with the approved budget and to minimise any unplanned financial risks.
He also directed NYC not to undertake any new recruitment unless they were budgeted for, adding that any unbudgeted financial obligations will not be entertained.
NYC, as per his directive, may also not enter into any new contracts or agreements exceeding 12 months without prior approval from the ministry.
Haitengela also instructed the youth body to account for the N$2.7 million by 1 February, adding that “no accountability report will result in no funding for NYC in the upcoming months”.
He added: "As the accounting officer of the ministry, I must ensure that NYC adheres to strict financial guidelines to maintain fiscal discipline. I write to address the current financial situation concerning the National Youth Council, specifically following the erroneous double transfer of N$2.7 million into the NYC account in December 2024".
New rules
In related developments, minutes from the first ordinary meeting of NYC's interim board of directors held on 14 January revealed that the executive chairperson's remuneration is to be benchmarked at 30% of the current salary for that position.
The executive chairperson will not receive retainer fees or sitting allowances and will undergo performance assessments every two months, starting 28 February.
Just two weeks ago, a group of young people stormed the NYC office in Windhoek to protest against Tjongarero’s appointment of an interim board. The minister reportedly refused to recognise a board led by Simon Taapopi, which was elected by youth last year, citing unresolved grievances.
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Well-placed sources have informed this publication that Tjongarero and Haintengela have not been seeing eye-to-eye because the minister feels Haitengela is making decisions without her blessings.
What broke the proverbial camel’s back, according to authoritative sources within the ministry, was Haitengela’s decision to direct NYC to seek approval from him before taking any major operational or financial decisions.
Tjongarero wants Haitengela to leave the oversight responsibilities to the interim NYC board.
In a strongly worded letter dated 22 January, she accused Haitengela of disregarding and undermining her authority.
“The interim board is mandated to oversee the governance and operations of the council, yet several actions taken by you appear to undermine the legal framework,” the minister charged.
She also accused him of transferring N$2.7 million to the NYC for restructuring, despite “my explicit instruction not to do so.
“Under whose authority is the restructuring process being pursued, despite the directive to halt it?” she questioned.
Financial directives
Her letter came a day after Haitengela had written to NYC directing the youth body to consult him before taking any decision “with potential long-term financial implications”.
This, Haitengela said, must be done to ensure alignment with the approved budget and to minimise any unplanned financial risks.
He also directed NYC not to undertake any new recruitment unless they were budgeted for, adding that any unbudgeted financial obligations will not be entertained.
NYC, as per his directive, may also not enter into any new contracts or agreements exceeding 12 months without prior approval from the ministry.
Haitengela also instructed the youth body to account for the N$2.7 million by 1 February, adding that “no accountability report will result in no funding for NYC in the upcoming months”.
He added: "As the accounting officer of the ministry, I must ensure that NYC adheres to strict financial guidelines to maintain fiscal discipline. I write to address the current financial situation concerning the National Youth Council, specifically following the erroneous double transfer of N$2.7 million into the NYC account in December 2024".
New rules
In related developments, minutes from the first ordinary meeting of NYC's interim board of directors held on 14 January revealed that the executive chairperson's remuneration is to be benchmarked at 30% of the current salary for that position.
The executive chairperson will not receive retainer fees or sitting allowances and will undergo performance assessments every two months, starting 28 February.
Just two weeks ago, a group of young people stormed the NYC office in Windhoek to protest against Tjongarero’s appointment of an interim board. The minister reportedly refused to recognise a board led by Simon Taapopi, which was elected by youth last year, citing unresolved grievances.
[email protected]
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