Renthia Kaimbi
Newly appointed National Youth Council interim executive chairperson Patience Masua will earn N$100 000 per month during her three-month tenure. This has sparked debate among youth affiliates and raised questions about ministerial influence over the youth body.
The Windhoek Observer has learnt that Masua’s predecessor, Kennedy Kariseb, earned the same monthly amount during his short tenure, from October until his resignation in December 2025.
The disclosure has angered some NYC affiliates, who question why N$300 000 is being spent on an interim position instead of funding a General Assembly to elect a full-term board.
Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Masua previously served on the NYC human resource committee, which set requirements for the permanent positions of director and company secretary.
The committee allegedly tailored the requirements and assigned the handling of applications to the ministry’s executive director, Gerard Vries, who oversees youth matters in the line ministry.
Masua’s sister, Indira Masua, is alleged to be the personal assistant to Vries.
Before the positions were advertised, an unidentified person allegedly changed the requirements, increasing the experience needed for the director position from five to ten years and for the company secretary from three to five years.
Several affiliates claim the changes were meant to block “high ranking ministerial officials” from paving the way for Masua to become director, while student leader Ester Shitana is reportedly being positioned for company secretary.
“As youth leaders we find it intriguingly worrisome that an interim board member (who has been handpicked at the minister’s discretion) suddenly resigns halfway through his tenure WITHOUT A VALID REASON? This says a lot about the appointing authority and not the member,” said one affiliate.
Critics also argue that Masua’s family links to the ministry undermine the board’s independence to appoint a director under Section 35(1) of the NYC Act, especially amid disputes over the council’s finances and governance.
“The ministry previously withheld NYC’s subsidies, forcing the organisation to use its savings to pay salaries and operating costs. Now board members will not even be able to challenge Patience in meetings because the NYC will be run from the ministry by her, the sister and the sister’s boss,” a source said.
The Windhoek Observer was also told that Kariseb allegedly resigned due to leaks of confidential information from Vries’ office.
“The recent appointment of the interim board chairperson is one that is double sided,” another affiliate said. “Perhaps there is a particular agenda that the minister has for the youth institution. It’s sad.”
Others questioned governance practice, noting that boards are meant to have an odd number of members. “How has the minister decided to appoint an interim member as a chairperson? What happens if there is a deadlock now that there are only eight board members?” one affiliate asked.
Despite the criticism, Masua’s appointment has received support from some opposition parliamentarians.
Popular Democratic Movement’s Maximilliant Katjimune praised her understanding of corporate governance, while Landless People’s Movement’s Duminga Ndala called the appointment “a very most solid” one.
These views contrast with reported internal objections at the Office of the Prime Minister, where Masua previously served as a deputy director for governance and policy.
Sources said concerns were raised about her managerial experience before her secondment to the NYC.
In an appointment letter obtained by this publication, the ministry said Masua’s role is to “provide strategic leadership” during a transition period pending “broader appointment processes”.
Her appointment runs until 31 March 2026, when the interim board’s term expires, with a possible extension to June, a timeline that has raised further concern among affiliates.
Masua served as a member of parliament in the National Assembly after being appointed by the late president Hage Geingob in April 2021.
Her appointment made her the youngest member of parliament at the time.
She is also a former secretary general of the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso).
Youth affiliates say the ministry has yet to answer key questions, including whether NYC vacancies will be filled directly by the ministry, whether the council’s human capital division is being sidelined, and whether high interim salaries are the best use of limited resources meant for youth development.
When asked to respond to detailed questions on alleged conflicts of interest, ministerial powers and the sidelining of the board, minister Steenkamp did not provide a full response.
“I am on the road. We will respond. In future, please send your queries to the PRO for action and responses,” she said.
She did not respond to a follow-up question sent yesterday.
