NYC director demands pay-back, name clearance

National Youth Council (NYC) director Calista Swartz-Gowases is demanding N$180 000 in legal costs and a formal letter from the board of directors clearing her name, following what she describes as an unlawful year-long suspension.In a letter dated 23 May and addressed to interim NYC executive chairperson Beverly Silas-Garas - and copied to youth minister Sanet Steenkamp and her deputy Dino Ballotti - Swartz-Gowases outlines what she terms a harrowing 12-month ordeal marked by reputational harm, psychological trauma and institutional dysfunction.“I acknowledge my reinstatement, but it must be clearly stated that it neither addresses the baseless allegations made against me nor the significant reputational harm, psychological trauma, and financial burden I have endured,” she wrote.Swartz-Gowases was suspended in March 2024 after a chaotic NYC representative council meeting in Ondangwa was abruptly called off due to infighting. The disorder included a near-physical confrontation between Swartz-Gowases and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) representative Vakamuina Kamutuezu, reportedly triggered by the former's alleged failure to provide minutes from a previous meeting.However, tensions had already been simmering. Prior to the Ondangwa debacle, Swartz-Gowases and then-executive chairperson Sharonice Busch were embroiled in a long-standing power struggle. Swartz-Gowases accused Busch of interference, while Busch in turn claimed that Swartz-Gowases routinely undermined her authority.In her latest demand letter, Swartz-Gowases argues that the NYC has yet to confront deeper, systemic issues.“More importantly, the systemic issues of mismanagement, maladministration, and institutional dysfunction at the council remain unaddressed,” she stated, referencing two letters she wrote to former youth minister Agnes Tjongarero in September and October 2023.She said she has personally incurred legal fees amounting to nearly N$180 000 in her pursuit of justice.“In light of the acknowledgement that my suspension effectively constituted forced leave, I hereby respectfully request the full reimbursement of this amount,” she wrote. “Additionally, I submitted my right of reply in March 2025 as per the board’s request. To date, no response has been issued. I therefore call for a formal written response to clear the record, as these enduring allegations continue to tarnish my professional standing and impede future employment prospects.”Swartz-Gowases further raised concerns about what she termed the irregular procurement of legal services. She singled out the Sisa Namandje law firm, which reportedly received N$650 000 in payments - a process she says was not in line with procurement procedures.“Although the interim board undertook to have the matter reviewed independently by Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, the processing of payment to this firm is being deliberately obstructed by the finance manager and some interim board members who previously approved its services,” she alleged.She accused the same finance manager - whose grievance reportedly triggered her suspension - of selectively applying procurement rules to frustrate the process.“Amazingly, the finance manager authorised unprocedural procurement of legal services amounting to N$650 000 for Sisa Namandje & Associates. To my knowledge, the rightful procurement process was not followed, as confirmed in writing by the Public Procurement Unit under the Ministry of Finance.”Swartz-Gowases also criticised the report issued by an investigative committee appointed by the ministry of sport, youth and national service in 2023, calling it biased and lacking in rigour.“Regrettably, the committee’s report failed to engage with the substance of the concerns raised and reflected a troubling bias,” she wrote, adding that selective implementation of the recommendations by then Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi had undermined the process.She also lamented that, despite being cited in her suspension letter, the report was withheld from her on grounds of confidentiality - yet was leaked to the media and circulated widely on WhatsApp.Beverly Silas-Garas had not responded to a request for comment by the time of going to print.

NYC director demands pay-back, name clearance

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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NYC director demands pay-back, name clearance

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-21

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