330 social work vacancies amid N$40m budget cut

Namibia's gender equality and child welfare ministry has 330 social work posts standing vacant, with a reduced budget of N$43.5 million limiting recruitment in both urban and rural areas.

Minister Emma Kantema told parliament last week that the ministry's operational budget for 2026/27 stands at N$402 million, down from the N$455.3 million previously reported.

"This means the 2026/27 budget is N$43.537 million lower than the budget of the financial year 2025/26, which is a shortfall," Kantema said.

“As a result, the reduced budget negatively affects the overall recruitment of staff members in both urban and rural areas.”

She said 330 of the ministry's 807 established posts remain unfilled, with only 477 currently filled.

Beyond funding, Kantema said the ministry was struggling to retain qualified social workers, who are in high demand across the health ministry, police, correctional services and the private sector.

The ministry continues to provide training and professional development opportunities for social workers within available resources, Kantema said.

It also facilitates annual or biannual debriefing sessions for social workers to provide professional support and mitigate occupational stress and burnout.

“These interventions are intended to strengthen staff capacity and support social workers in carrying out their responsibilities effectively,” she said.

“The ministry, however, has no control over the retention of social workers, as they are in high demand across several institutions, including the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Namibian Correctional Service, the Namibian Police Force and private-sector organisations," the minister added.

Regional figures

The staffing figures show that Hardap has 26 vacant posts out of 52, while //Kharas has 27 vacancies out of 49 posts.

Kavango East has 24 vacancies out of 54 posts, while Kavango West also has 24 vacancies out of 54.

Kunene has 27 vacancies out of 55 posts, while Ohangwena has 30 vacancies out of 71.

Omaheke has 23 vacancies out of 56 posts, Omusati has 29 vacancies out of 73, and Oshana has 22 vacancies out of 64.

Oshikoto has 21 vacancies out of 61 posts, Otjozondjupa has 16 vacancies out of 52, and Zambezi has 17 vacancies out of 54.

Erongo has 18 vacancies out of 47 posts, while Khomas has 22 vacancies out of 61.

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