Renthia Kaimbi
Allegations of disrespect from the interim executive chairperson and board have forced the acting director of the National Youth Council (NYC) to resign after just 25 days in the role.
The Windhoek Observer has learnt that Mzingisi Gqwede, who was appointed acting director on 3 February 2026, resigned on Friday.
His departure has deepened instability at the youth institution. NYC’s programmes manager, Sircca Nghitila, was appointed acting director yesterday.
Sources inside the institution say tensions escalated when Gqwede refused to approve sitting fees for the board’s fourth and fifth extraordinary meetings.
The dispute centred on whether the meetings were properly authorised.
It is alleged that interim executive chairperson Patience Masua belittled Gqwede during the dispute, calling him “old and slow” after he failed to produce minutes for the fourth extraordinary board meeting and questioned the legitimacy of payments for meetings that allegedly lacked ministerial approval.
The meetings in question were reportedly held without approval from the minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp.
The Windhoek Observer has been informed that Nghitila signed off the contested board fees after assuming the role.
Documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer show that the performance agreements for the interim board, appointed in October 2025, state that “a total of three statutory council meetings shall be convened during the period of appointment” for the 2025/2026 financial year.
This directive aligns with a 2018 decision by former public enterprises minister Leon Jooste, who limited paid parastatal board meetings to four per year.
Despite these limits, documents seen by the Windhoek Observer indicate that between October 2025 and February 2026, the current NYC board and independent committee members claimed close to N$500 000 in sitting fees, committee fees and subsistence and travel allowances (S&T).
Records show that one board member based in Rundu, whose identity is known to the Windhoek Observer, allegedly claimed about N$160 000 over five months.
The documents show the member claimed N$14 264 in S&T for each of nine trips to Windhoek for meetings, in addition to other fees.
When contacted for comment, Gqwede confirmed his resignation but did not name individuals involved.
“During the short period that I served in the acting capacity, a considerable amount of work was already underway to stabilize and move the National Youth Council forward,” he said.
He said this work included recruitment for key positions, preparations for Youth Week and planning for a General Assembly to elect a substantive board.
Gqwede said respect was central to his decision to step down.
“My decision to step aside was not about disagreements. Differences of opinion are part of any institution and can be managed through dialogue and proper governance processes. However, mutual respect is fundamental. Regardless of age or position, people working together in public institutions must treat one another with respect and professionalism.”
Gqwede, who serves as the substantive director of adult education in the ministry, said he had spent many years working in public service.
“I have spent many years working in the public sector and in youth and community development spaces. With that experience comes a responsibility to uphold standards of professionalism, accountability, and respect. Those are principles I take seriously and will not compromise,” he said.
“I was asked to help out. I’m going back to my position.”
When contacted for comment, Masua initially responded by sending screenshots of meetings held during her tenure before referring questions to the communications division.
“Please contact the division of marketing and communications. Now and forever,” she said.
The Windhoek Observer also sent questions to Steenkamp regarding approval of the contested meetings, approval of the payments by the new acting director and broader concerns about the board’s composition.
This publication asked Steenkamp about allegations that individuals linked to the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) were excluded from the board and whether a court-approved settlement requiring the reinstatement of the previous interim board pending a General Assembly had been enforced.
The queries followed the discovery of notes titled “Minister + NANSO names” in a misplaced notebook obtained by the Windhoek Observer. The notebook allegedly belonged to a senior official within the ministry or someone close to the minister or a regional youth forum coordinator. Both individuals are known to the Windhoek Observer. The notes appeared to list reasons linked to political affiliation for excluding certain candidates.
Further questions were sent regarding an alleged moratorium on local and international travel for board members. The queries asked whether the interim executive chairperson’s recent trips to Otjiwarongo and Gobabis in February were approved.
Steenkamp had not responded to the questions by the time of publication.
