Outgoing NYC boss’ final foreign trips questioned
Insiders at the National Youth Council (NYC) have raised concerns over director Calista Schwartz-Gowases’ series of international trips, with her latest journey to Burundi scheduled to end a day after her contract had expired on 12 December.
Staff within the council question the necessity of these trips, arguing that Schwartz-Gowases would not have sufficient time to implement lessons or initiatives learned from the visits before her departure.
According to sources speaking on condition of anonymity, Schwartz-Gowases travelled to Djibouti on Sunday, 2 November 2025, to attend the Commemoration of Africa Youth Day 2025, held from 4 to 6 November. Namibia was reportedly requested by the African Union to send a three-member delegation, consisting of a head of delegation and two youth delegates, one male and one female aged 15–35 years. Schwartz-Gowases was accompanied by Drusilla Abed, NYC regional coordinator for the //Kharas Region.
The trip initially included Dr Kennedy Kariseb, interim executive chairperson, and Jamie Theron, an interim board member, but both withdrew after Gerard Vries, executive director of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, cancelled their participation, citing that the journey fell outside the interim board’s mandate.
Kuala Lumpur, Lüderitz, and Burundi
Following Djibouti, Schwartz-Gowases reportedly stopped over in Johannesburg on 10–11 November to attend an African Peer Review event with her secretary, Dessyla Van Wyk. On 12 November, another trip was approved by Kariseb for her to attend the 5th Global Youth Work Conference and the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force Meeting in Kuala Lumpur from 17–19 November. She was accompanied by Nicolars Tembwe, director of youth development under the ministry, and other Namibian delegates.
Barely back from Malaysia, Schwartz-Gowases attended the //Kharas Regional Governor’s Forum in Lüderitz on 2–3 December, signing a memorandum of understanding on behalf of NYC. She was scheduled to depart for Bujumbura, Burundi, on 7 December to attend the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS-5) from 8–13 December — a trip that concludes a day after her official last working day.
Board deliberations and staff concerns
Senior NYC officials revealed that while Schwartz-Gowases was in Malaysia, the interim board held an ad hoc meeting where Kariseb proposed extending her tenure to March 2026 or granting an exit package. Both proposals were rejected by over 70% of board members, who cited the lack of policy provision and noted that the director had been informed in July that her tenure would not be renewed.
Council staff argue that the trips may constitute misuse of public funds, claiming that Schwartz-Gowases’ travels exceed the number of journeys authorised within a financial year under council policy.
Official justification
Schwartz-Gowases referred all questions to Kariseb, who defended the trips, saying only the director and interim board chairperson have the mandate to represent the NYC unless formally delegated.
“There is a clear directive from the line ministry that interim board members, including myself, may not travel given the mandate we have to execute in the time available. In my absence, the director, with my approval, must represent the institution,” Kariseb said.
He emphasised that all trips were planned in advance according to the timelines of inviting institutions and that Schwartz-Gowases remains the legitimate head of NYC until her final day. “The director must execute all her duties, some of which entail travelling and representing the institution. All trips are carried out on behalf of the institution, not in her personal capacity,” he added, dismissing claims of financial impropriety.
Kariseb highlighted that the travels add value to the institution, citing an international award for youth development obtained by Schwartz-Gowases. He noted that all costs were approved under the council budget and that delegations always accompany the director.
Staff within the council question the necessity of these trips, arguing that Schwartz-Gowases would not have sufficient time to implement lessons or initiatives learned from the visits before her departure.
According to sources speaking on condition of anonymity, Schwartz-Gowases travelled to Djibouti on Sunday, 2 November 2025, to attend the Commemoration of Africa Youth Day 2025, held from 4 to 6 November. Namibia was reportedly requested by the African Union to send a three-member delegation, consisting of a head of delegation and two youth delegates, one male and one female aged 15–35 years. Schwartz-Gowases was accompanied by Drusilla Abed, NYC regional coordinator for the //Kharas Region.
The trip initially included Dr Kennedy Kariseb, interim executive chairperson, and Jamie Theron, an interim board member, but both withdrew after Gerard Vries, executive director of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, cancelled their participation, citing that the journey fell outside the interim board’s mandate.
Kuala Lumpur, Lüderitz, and Burundi
Following Djibouti, Schwartz-Gowases reportedly stopped over in Johannesburg on 10–11 November to attend an African Peer Review event with her secretary, Dessyla Van Wyk. On 12 November, another trip was approved by Kariseb for her to attend the 5th Global Youth Work Conference and the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force Meeting in Kuala Lumpur from 17–19 November. She was accompanied by Nicolars Tembwe, director of youth development under the ministry, and other Namibian delegates.
Barely back from Malaysia, Schwartz-Gowases attended the //Kharas Regional Governor’s Forum in Lüderitz on 2–3 December, signing a memorandum of understanding on behalf of NYC. She was scheduled to depart for Bujumbura, Burundi, on 7 December to attend the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS-5) from 8–13 December — a trip that concludes a day after her official last working day.
Board deliberations and staff concerns
Senior NYC officials revealed that while Schwartz-Gowases was in Malaysia, the interim board held an ad hoc meeting where Kariseb proposed extending her tenure to March 2026 or granting an exit package. Both proposals were rejected by over 70% of board members, who cited the lack of policy provision and noted that the director had been informed in July that her tenure would not be renewed.
Council staff argue that the trips may constitute misuse of public funds, claiming that Schwartz-Gowases’ travels exceed the number of journeys authorised within a financial year under council policy.
Official justification
Schwartz-Gowases referred all questions to Kariseb, who defended the trips, saying only the director and interim board chairperson have the mandate to represent the NYC unless formally delegated.
“There is a clear directive from the line ministry that interim board members, including myself, may not travel given the mandate we have to execute in the time available. In my absence, the director, with my approval, must represent the institution,” Kariseb said.
He emphasised that all trips were planned in advance according to the timelines of inviting institutions and that Schwartz-Gowases remains the legitimate head of NYC until her final day. “The director must execute all her duties, some of which entail travelling and representing the institution. All trips are carried out on behalf of the institution, not in her personal capacity,” he added, dismissing claims of financial impropriety.
Kariseb highlighted that the travels add value to the institution, citing an international award for youth development obtained by Schwartz-Gowases. He noted that all costs were approved under the council budget and that delegations always accompany the director.
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