Over 1 000 apply for 13 vacancies
According to Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor Donatus Florian Tegako, Namibia faces two tragedies: The pandemic and poverty.
Leandrea Louw
WALVIS BAY
Around 1 500 people flocked to the Walvis Bay Rural constituency office on Monday morning to apply for 13 vacancies at NamWater.
The national water utility used the constituency office to facilitate the hiring process of 11 workhands and two operators who will be needed for an upgrade project at Rooibank.
The prospective workers pitched up at the office to try their luck; however, only 50 people were selected for the interview process.
The process saw each applicant receiving a number, which was thrown in a box and a draw was done for the 50 interviewees.
Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor Donatus Florian Tegako said the amount of people who showed up clearly shows the desperation for work.
“This is a clear sign that many people are unemployed and are suffering. It is unfortunate that during the Covid-19 pandemic we have such a large gathering, but this shows that people would risk their lives for the chance of putting something in their pocket and to be able to feed their families.”
He added that there is a lot that needs to be done to assist people. “It is very sad to see people scrambling for 13 positions. But what can I do as an ordinary councillor? I rely on business opportunities to be open to everyone, so that our people can be uplifted.”
‘Double tragedies’
Tegako said there are constantly people at his office seeking assistance. “Some are looking for food or for work; some have even asked for money to pay their water bills.
“We are dealing with double tragedies – the pandemic on one side and poverty on the other. We must look for better ways to make recruitment processes such as these Covid-friendly, but it is difficult. It’s challenging to tell people to stay at home while they are hungry,” he said.
Tobias Kamati, a qualified boilermaker, said he has been unemployed for five years.
“A job is a job; it doesn’t matter what comes my way. I was hoping to be one of the lucky few; however, the selection process was fair. For the first time, I am seeing transparency.
“I just want to feed my family and take care of my son,” he said.
Mother of four Valery Guriras said she has been unemployed for the past two years. Previously, she worked as a cashier.
“My hopes were to get one of the positions, but I was one of the unlucky ones. The process was fair, but the amount of people who pitched was overwhelming. The recruiters should have limited the amount of people to apply, as it was time-consuming. From the start, they should have only allowed 50 people to apply.
“Also, no one was social distancing and some were not wearing masks,” she said.
She echoed Kamati’s sentiments that it doesn’t matter what job she gets, as long as she can provide for her family.
“I have four boys, aged from 11 to three. My spouse is employed, but he cannot do it alone. We are grateful, but it is not enough – that is why I am seriously job hunting, to help my spouse.”
[email protected]
WALVIS BAY
Around 1 500 people flocked to the Walvis Bay Rural constituency office on Monday morning to apply for 13 vacancies at NamWater.
The national water utility used the constituency office to facilitate the hiring process of 11 workhands and two operators who will be needed for an upgrade project at Rooibank.
The prospective workers pitched up at the office to try their luck; however, only 50 people were selected for the interview process.
The process saw each applicant receiving a number, which was thrown in a box and a draw was done for the 50 interviewees.
Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor Donatus Florian Tegako said the amount of people who showed up clearly shows the desperation for work.
“This is a clear sign that many people are unemployed and are suffering. It is unfortunate that during the Covid-19 pandemic we have such a large gathering, but this shows that people would risk their lives for the chance of putting something in their pocket and to be able to feed their families.”
He added that there is a lot that needs to be done to assist people. “It is very sad to see people scrambling for 13 positions. But what can I do as an ordinary councillor? I rely on business opportunities to be open to everyone, so that our people can be uplifted.”
‘Double tragedies’
Tegako said there are constantly people at his office seeking assistance. “Some are looking for food or for work; some have even asked for money to pay their water bills.
“We are dealing with double tragedies – the pandemic on one side and poverty on the other. We must look for better ways to make recruitment processes such as these Covid-friendly, but it is difficult. It’s challenging to tell people to stay at home while they are hungry,” he said.
Tobias Kamati, a qualified boilermaker, said he has been unemployed for five years.
“A job is a job; it doesn’t matter what comes my way. I was hoping to be one of the lucky few; however, the selection process was fair. For the first time, I am seeing transparency.
“I just want to feed my family and take care of my son,” he said.
Mother of four Valery Guriras said she has been unemployed for the past two years. Previously, she worked as a cashier.
“My hopes were to get one of the positions, but I was one of the unlucky ones. The process was fair, but the amount of people who pitched was overwhelming. The recruiters should have limited the amount of people to apply, as it was time-consuming. From the start, they should have only allowed 50 people to apply.
“Also, no one was social distancing and some were not wearing masks,” she said.
She echoed Kamati’s sentiments that it doesn’t matter what job she gets, as long as she can provide for her family.
“I have four boys, aged from 11 to three. My spouse is employed, but he cannot do it alone. We are grateful, but it is not enough – that is why I am seriously job hunting, to help my spouse.”
[email protected]
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