Nothing wrong with NSC salaries, says ministry
• By Michael Uugwanga
THE Ministry of Public Enterprises has stated that there is nothing wrong with the salary structures at the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC).
A recent article revealed that NSC chief administrator, Freddy Mwiya is earning a yearly salary of N$1.2 million, which is more than N$100 000 a month, while the commission’s head of finance, Junias Hamalua, reportedly earns close to N$900 000 a year.
The letter seen by Confidente; addressed to the executive director in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service (MSYNS) Dr Audrin Mathe on request for advice regarding the salary adjustment for the NSC executive, states that there is nothing irregular about such figures.
The letter also states that the chief executive should be paid performance bonus.
The only problem which the letter from the public enterprises raised is the manner used by the board to adjust the salaries of NSC staff, as the ministry was not informed at hand.
Last week the Minister of Sport, Agnes Tjongarero citing section 7 (2) of the Namibia Sports Commission Act no 3 of 2003, called for freezing of the salaries of two executives for the next two years or until a new remuneration guideline is in place and ensure they have annual performance agreements and quarter performance reviews.
Since his appointment in 2017, Mwiya has seemingly been operating under a tight budget, unlike the previous leaders at the helm of the sports institution.
Before Mwiya, NSC used to get an annual budget allocation of around N$38 million before it went down to N$23 million in 2017, and then reduced drastically to N$5 million in 2018.
In 2019, the budget was N$7.2 million then it went up to N$8.4 million the following year.
This year, NSC received a budget allocation of N$8.6 million.
The current board of NSC chaired by Joel Mathews, will be in office until end of May when a new board is expected to be appointed by Tjongarero.
In an interview with Confidente this week, he said that the board has recommended for Mwiya to be paid his performance bonuses and that it has also resolved to re-appoint him.
“Yes, the board has resolved to recommend his for re-appointment to the appointing authority. This recommendation comes as a result of his performance over the last five years in office. This was determined by the evaluation process that look into his main roles and functions at NSC,” Mathews said.
Other members on the NSC board are Erica Jacobs of Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU), Tomas Mbeli (Rugby), Alna Similo (former president of Athletics Namibia), Dr Marius Johannes (Powerlifting & Weightlifting), Nicolas Nghuumono (Disability Sport Namibia), Linda Dumba (legal practitioner) and Karen Mubonenwa of Namibia Women in Sport Association (Nawisa).