Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has officially inaugurated the newly appointed Board of Trustees of the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT).
“The inauguration of this new Board of Trustees signals not merely a change in leadership, but the beginning of a new chapter one defined by strengthened oversight, accountability, and long-term sustainability in an institution of strategic national importance. NIMT occupies a critical space in Namibia’s skills development ecosystem, particularly in mining, engineering, and industrial training,” Steenkamp said.
The minister emphasised that the tasks of the NIMT Board of Trustees are not only demanding but also deeply consequential for the country’s development trajectory. According to her, the Board’s leadership will determine whether NIMT fully realises its potential as a national asset—one capable of equipping Namibia’s young people with the skills required to power the economy, particularly in the mining, engineering, and industrial sectors.
NEW BOARD: Members of the newly appointed Board of Trustees of the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT). Photo: Ministry of Education.
She therefore urged the Board to act with diligence, integrity, and a sense of urgency, ensuring that the institution is brought into full operational and governance compliance. Steenkamp also acknowledged that constraints related to governance and oversight arrangements have historically affected the NIMT trust model.
“Despite significant Government investment, structural limitations within the trust model and insufficient State representation resulted in weakened accountability mechanisms. These challenges were further compounded by historical governance gaps, including inconsistencies between those who acted as trustees and the official Trust Deed and trust certificate,” she added.
The minister outlined that the Board’s primary mandate is to stabilise and strengthen NIMT’s institutional framework by regularising the Trust Deed and governance structures, restoring financial and asset accountability, and aligning human capital and academic programmes with national regulatory requirements. Through these efforts, she said, the Board is expected to reposition NIMT as a compliant, credible and future-ready institution capable of fulfilling its strategic mandate.
“First, institutional governance and the Trust Deed. The review and regularisation of the Trust Deed is not optional; it is urgent. Previous engagements with the Master of the High Court regarding amendments remain incomplete, and periods of dormant trusteeship have historically undermined decision-making. This Board is explicitly directed to ensure full compliance with the Trust Administration Act, 2023 (Act 11 of 2023), by September 2026,” Steenkamp said.
She further highlighted that NIMT has faced prolonged operational challenges due to the absence of approved policies, standard operating procedures, and audited financial statements over several years. This situation, she stressed, must be corrected decisively. The minister therefore directed the Board to submit an approved Strategic Plan, together with audited and unqualified financial statements, by September 2026.
“Furthermore, all institutional policies, including the Human Resources policy, which has historically generated inconsistencies, must be finalised and submitted by June 2026. Third, accreditation and statutory registration. NIMT’s standing as a reputable TVET institution must be protected and strengthened. All programmes must be accredited with the Namibia Qualifications Authority and registered on the National Qualifications Framework by June 2026,” Steenkamp said.
The minister also highlighted the requirement for NIMT to be fully registered with the Namibia Training Authority and eligible for funding by June 2026. She called on the Board to support effective oversight by submitting a detailed roadmap, including clear Key Performance Indicators, to her office within six months of their appointment.
“You carry the full confidence of Government, and with that confidence comes a profound responsibility: to restore and safeguard NIMT’s credibility, functionality, and institutional sustainability,” Steenkamp added.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
