Zimbabwe architects' exemption questioned

The exemption of 29 architects and quantity surveyors from from professional competence examinations is being questioned by the Namibia Institute of Architects, which says there are enough qualified Namibians.

Its president, Willem Dewulf, made the comment when approached by Namibian Sun following the publication of a Government Gazette which exempts the Zimbabwean professionals.

Works and transport minister Alpheus !Naruseb wrote to the president of the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors, Kevin McNamara, asking him to expedite the registration for the 29 Zimbabwean nationals.





Dewulf said it was concerning that there were no conditions attached to the exemption of the Zimbabwean nationals.

“Will the people that have been exempted only work on government projects? Are we saying that if they will only be working on government projects, do these projects now rank less favourably than private projects?” he asked.

Dewulf pointed out that he was not privy to the conditions the Zimbabwean nationals would be working under.

According to him, the registration process was necessary to ensure that suitably qualified people approve architectural work.

“Registration seeks to ensure that the people who are working are competent. This is to protect the public and any exemption to that principle is always difficult. This is not the normal way it should happen,” said Dewulf.

The timing of the exemption was also not favourable, Dewulf said, with many architectural firms scaling down. This, he said, did not bode well for a vast majority of local professionals who are bearing the brunt of the economy slump.

“The timing of this exemption is just odd. There are a lot of people that are available. Our member list is comprised of over 130 people. The numbers are substantial. To do this now does not make sense. There are sufficient individuals especially in these financial times that can do architectural work. We do not see a reason why we cannot use Namibians,” said Dewulf.

He also questioned whether some of the individuals who were on the list were registered to work as architects in Zimbabwe.

“Most of these individuals are not registered in Zimbabwe and that is just an observation. The issue is that this opens up the process to a lot of grey areas. Exemptions are fine but put clear conditions to them,” said Dewulf.

According to him, there was no substantive evidence that the Zimbabwean nationals had contributed to skills development as his institute facilitates the registration of architects in consultation with the council.

Dewulf also pointed out that the institute welcomed the skills expatriates brought with them. “Who are we to question the law,” he said following a sit-down with Namibian Sun yesterday.

Works and transport permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann has defended the exemption that he is seeking from the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors.

In fulfilment of Article 5.6 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2012 between the governments of the Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Zimbabwe, Namibia would “assist the Zimbabwean professionals, who are already registered with professional bodies in Zimbabwe to register with similar bodies in Namibia,” he said at a press briefing this morning.

According to him, the Public Service Commission required that the Zimbabwean professionals must be registered by relevant professional bodies in Namibia within a period of 12 months after assumption of duties.

Goeiemann further defended the exemption sought, saying that it would add to the country's skills base. “It must be noted that the signed MoU aims to boost local technical capacity through in-service training and mentorship recognisable by local professional bodies such that the trainees are eligible for registration as full professionals in future,” he said.

Under the terms of the exemption sought, the registration is not recognised outside the government. “This means that colleagues registered under this special registration cannot provide professional services for private-sector entities or individuals,” said Goeiemann.

“The Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity surveyors has the full authority to monitor the special conditions under which this has been granted.”

He also said that the MoU was currently being revised. “The MoU is currently being reviewed by the office of the attorney-general. Because of that process, extensions to the professionals' contracts have been extended to 31 October 2017 to give the relevant offices ample time to make their inputs,” Goeiemann said.