Is a voter’s registration card a requirement for employment in Namibia?

Honourable minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa, some town councils, 35 years after independence, seem to be deliberately violating our supreme law, the Namibian Constitution, in broad daylight by requesting unemployed Namibians to submit, among others, a certified copy of their voter registration card when applying for advertised vacancies.

This is happening in an independent Namibia and is heartbreaking and disappointing, to say the least.

Honourable minister, you might not be aware that the Outapi Town Council recently advertised open vacancies seeking to employ 24 cleaners.

The deadline was 13 June.

The council, among other requirements, asked eligible unemployed Namibians who wish to be employed as cleaners to also attach a certified copy of their voter registration card.

Honourable minister, are we now saying that those that do not have a voter’s card should not apply for jobs at a government-owned institution?

Taking into account that you swore to respect, uphold, honour and defend our supreme law, I would like to bring this highly disturbing reality to your attention and seek clarity on the Namibian government's official position on this matter.

Based on Chapter 3, Article 10.1 of our Constitution, it clearly states that all persons shall be equal before the law, and Article 10.2 further states that no person may be discriminated against based on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social or economic status.

In addition, honourable minister, Chapter 3, Article 21.1 G and H of the Constitution further clearly states that (1) all persons shall have the right to: g) move freely throughout Namibia; h) reside and settle in any part of Namibia; j) practise any profession, or carry on any occupation, trade or business.

With these very clear fundamental tenets of our Constitution, I would like to publicly ask just one question: Is it now government policy that unemployed Namibians first submit, among others, a certified copy of their voter's registration card to be considered for employment at a government-owned entity?

I call on the honourable minister of urban and rural development, Sankwasa James Sankwasa, to publicly respond to this fundamental basic question at his earliest convenience for the sake of our unemployed Namibians who do not possess a voter’s registration card relative to employment opportunities at government entities.

Should it be true that only those with a voter's card may apply for town council jobs, government should amend the Constitution to reflect this new reality.

And, if it is not government policy to request unemployed Namibians to submit a certified copy of their voter’s registration card, please request the Outapi Town Council to immediately re-advertise those vacancies so as to comply with the Constitution.

All Namibians should be equal before the law and should not be discriminated against based on their political affiliations, political interests or lack thereof.

*Pendapala Hangala believes in the potential of Namibians to achieve great things for themselves if given the chance. He writes in his personal capacity.