Africa-Press – Namibia. JOSEPH Mulife Muchali, who has been a vocal supporter of president Hage Geingob on social media, has been appointed as a foreign officer by the international relations ministry.
Muchali was formerly living in self-imposed exile for 20-years in Vancouver, Canada, before returning to Namibia in 2019.
He left the country after the short-lived armed rebellion in the then Caprivi in 1999.
He holds a diploma in public administration; a higher education diploma; and a bachelor of education (honours). He also has an associate degree in criminology; a bachelors of art (criminology); and a masters of art (human security and peace-building/international relations).
He has almost completed his doctorate in political economy, having done the course work and in the process of finalising his dissertation on the 1951 Geneva Convention.
Fourteen other foreign officers were also employed.
Executive director Penda Naanda says the recruitment process of 15 cadet foreign relations officers at the ministry’s bilateral relations department was done in conformity with the Public Service Act and the provision of the Labour Act, (Act. No.11 of 2007).
He says the process also followed other rules and regulations prescribing equity, fairness, transparency, and accountability in employment, notwithstanding the principles in the Namibian Public Service Charter, which advocates quality of service.
“All recruitment conformed to set criteria which include the following: the ministry called for the position of foreign relations cadets during March 2020. Some 2 523 applications were received out of which 753 were shortlisted. A total of 575 showed up for the written test of which 41 were shortlisted for the interview. Among the 41, 15 were recommended for final appointment and they started on 1 October 2021,” he says.
Naanda further reiterates that the recruitment process for the foreign relations officers was done on merit and administered as per provisions of the Public Service Staff Rules, thereby ensuring fairness and transparency of the entire process.
“The ministry encourages those aggrieved to follow the Public Service Rules, in addressing their grievances,” Naanda adds.
Muchali yesterday told The Namibian he applied for the position knowing that he met all the requirements.
“So it wasn’t much of a challenge to get the job,” he said.
He countered those insinuating that he only sings the president’s praises by throwing his support further behind Geingob. Muchali said he believes in Geingob’s vision for the country to build a “better and brighter Namibian house where no one must feel left out”, and that Geingob is an exemplary head of state.
Meanwhile, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, yesterday officially welcomed the 15 newly recruited cadets to the ministry.
She expressed her satisfaction with the diversity in the group and appreciated their energy and enthusiasm. She spoke to the cadets about the objectives of foreign policy and urged them to familiarise themselves with the national interests of Namibia, which should be a guiding principle in their work.
Nandi-Ndaitwah further emphasised that service delivery to the nation both inside and outside the country should be their first priority.
This week, the cadets are undergoing an induction course to have a better understanding of the mandate and operations of the ministry. The other 14 cadets are Tuikila Kaiyamo, Penohole Brock, Edson Nengola, Tjunao Karumendu, Maria Shangula, Michael Hasheela, Ndapewa Amunyela, Fidel Matty, Silas Amawe, Aune Amunyela, Paulina Kadila, Mathilde Shaduka, Sebastian Tjitombo, and Paulina Amupolo.
