Dispute at Namfi raises concerns over qualifications, retrenchment and oversight
Instructor’s retrenchment after reinstatement sparks scrutiny
A labour dispute involving a former junior instructor at the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (Namfi) has raised concerns about the institution's accreditation status, internal staff policies and the consistency of its retrenchment processes, with official regulators now engaged in assessing the allegations.
A dispute between the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute (Namfi) and a former junior instructor has brought renewed scrutiny over the institution’s accreditation, staff qualifications and internal governance.
Immanuel Peke Thobias, employed at Namfi since 2014, was reinstated in November 2024 following a labour commissioner ruling that found his previous dismissal unfair. However, he was retrenched four months later, in March this year. Thobias claims the retrenchment was retaliatory and inconsistent, citing that colleagues with the same qualification level were retained.
He further alleges that Namfi lacks accreditation from the Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DMA) and that staff performance is not formally assessed.
“These are maritime training programmes. The public must know whether the instructors are qualified for the level of teaching required,” Thobias said.
Not eligible
Namfi acting director Meriam Mwiya confirmed Thobias was the only staff member retrenched and attributed this to the discontinuation of several NTA-funded TVET programmes. She said Thobias did not meet qualification requirements for remaining courses and was not eligible for reassignment.
Mwiya added that Namfi has a staff development policy available to all employees and that Thobias had been given an opportunity to upskill, which he reportedly abandoned.
“There was a programme he started but dropped out of,” she claimed, acknowledging that had he completed it, he may have been considered to fill another available position.
Accredited
On the question of accreditation, Mwiya said: “We are accredited by NQA, registered by NTA, and recognised by DMA. Our instructors are qualified for the courses we offer.”
DMA spokesperson Julius Ngweda confirmed Namfi’s accreditation, stating: “Namfi was accredited already in April 2005. The Directorate of Maritime Affairs conducted its last assessment in May 2024. Namfi is still training competent seafarers for Namibia.”
Ngweda said instructor qualifications are part of DMA’s ongoing audits.
“Instructor qualifications are regularly vetted against international maritime training standards,” he said.
Evaluation
The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) acknowledged receiving a formal complaint alleging political favouritism in Namfi’s accreditation process.
“We have established an independent team to evaluate the application and provide a report,” the NQA said in a statement, adding that the matter is being treated with seriousness.
The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) clarified that the funding cuts to general TVET programmes at Namfi were not due to performance issues.
“The decision was based solely on alignment with national priorities under the second national skills development plan,” said Mornay Louw, NTA spokesperson.
Only two NQF Level 5 diploma programmes remain funded.
Namfi acknowledged that although it has a performance management policy, it is not yet implemented. Staff assessments are currently informal, based on identified training gaps, it said.
Thobias contends his retrenchment was unfair and selectively applied.
“If my qualification level is the issue, then the same standard must apply to all. But I was the only one retrenched,” he pointed out.
Immanuel Peke Thobias, employed at Namfi since 2014, was reinstated in November 2024 following a labour commissioner ruling that found his previous dismissal unfair. However, he was retrenched four months later, in March this year. Thobias claims the retrenchment was retaliatory and inconsistent, citing that colleagues with the same qualification level were retained.
He further alleges that Namfi lacks accreditation from the Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DMA) and that staff performance is not formally assessed.
“These are maritime training programmes. The public must know whether the instructors are qualified for the level of teaching required,” Thobias said.
Not eligible
Namfi acting director Meriam Mwiya confirmed Thobias was the only staff member retrenched and attributed this to the discontinuation of several NTA-funded TVET programmes. She said Thobias did not meet qualification requirements for remaining courses and was not eligible for reassignment.
Mwiya added that Namfi has a staff development policy available to all employees and that Thobias had been given an opportunity to upskill, which he reportedly abandoned.
“There was a programme he started but dropped out of,” she claimed, acknowledging that had he completed it, he may have been considered to fill another available position.
Accredited
On the question of accreditation, Mwiya said: “We are accredited by NQA, registered by NTA, and recognised by DMA. Our instructors are qualified for the courses we offer.”
DMA spokesperson Julius Ngweda confirmed Namfi’s accreditation, stating: “Namfi was accredited already in April 2005. The Directorate of Maritime Affairs conducted its last assessment in May 2024. Namfi is still training competent seafarers for Namibia.”
Ngweda said instructor qualifications are part of DMA’s ongoing audits.
“Instructor qualifications are regularly vetted against international maritime training standards,” he said.
Evaluation
The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) acknowledged receiving a formal complaint alleging political favouritism in Namfi’s accreditation process.
“We have established an independent team to evaluate the application and provide a report,” the NQA said in a statement, adding that the matter is being treated with seriousness.
The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) clarified that the funding cuts to general TVET programmes at Namfi were not due to performance issues.
“The decision was based solely on alignment with national priorities under the second national skills development plan,” said Mornay Louw, NTA spokesperson.
Only two NQF Level 5 diploma programmes remain funded.
Namfi acknowledged that although it has a performance management policy, it is not yet implemented. Staff assessments are currently informal, based on identified training gaps, it said.
Thobias contends his retrenchment was unfair and selectively applied.
“If my qualification level is the issue, then the same standard must apply to all. But I was the only one retrenched,” he pointed out.
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