Africa-Press – Namibia. Leilah Nkandi is a passionate information technology systems administrator at the Ministry of home affairs, where she is making a difference in government by using technology to improve service delivery and efficiency.
Before joining the public service, she worked as a bookkeeper at the Super Save Wholesaler and later moved into the IT field, where she gained strong experience in systems administration and digital transformation.
Nkandi has been working at the ministry for some time and said she has grown in the field of IT.
“I decided to join the public service because I wanted to use my technical skills to help society. Working in government allows me to support systems and services that affect people’s lives every day,” she said.
Although working for the government was not her first dream, she now considers it a privilege.
“At first, I only wanted to build a career in IT. But I later realised that I could use those same skills to serve the public.
Now, I feel proud to be part of the IT team that keeps our systems running smoothly,” she said.
As an IT systems administrator, her main duties include managing servers, networks and user access, as well as ensuring that systems are secure and reliable. She also helps staff with technical problems and oversees system upgrades to keep operations efficient.
Like many in the IT field, Nkandi faces challenges.
“Technology changes fast, and sometimes we must do more with limited resources. It can be stressful when systems go down, but solving problems under pressure helps us grow stronger and more innovative,” the systems administrator said. Despite the challenges, she finds her work rewarding.
“I enjoy problem-solving and seeing how my work helps the ministry deliver better services. It’s also fulfilling to encourage other women to pursue careers in IT and leadership,” she said.
Her expertise has greatly benefitted the ministry, especially in its digital transformation journey.
She played a key role in the Business Process Reengineering of Visas, Permits, and Passports, as well as the Turnaround Strategy initiative, which helped the ministry move closer to becoming a paperless organisation.
One of her proudest moments was serving on the ministry’s first strategic planning committee, where she learned the importance of aligning organisational structure with long-term goals.
“These experiences taught me a lot about teamwork, innovation and strategic growth,” said Nkandi.
When asked about common misconceptions that public servants are unproductive, she responded firmly, “I don’t agree with that view.
There are many hardworking and skilled professionals in government who are committed to delivering quality services.
“I take personal responsibility to ensure our IT systems run efficiently because that’s how we serve citizens best.”
Looking ahead, she plans to continue serving in the public sector for as long as she can make a meaningful contribution. Professionally, she hopes to expand her IT knowledge, mentor young professionals and lead more projects that improve government services.
Personally, she wants to maintain a healthy work-life balance and continue making a positive impact on society.
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