The unprocedural suspension of recently reinstated Director of the National Youth Council of Namibia (NYC), Calista Schwartz-Gowases, resulted in emotional, physical, and social strain, and further financial implications and operational mix-ups.
Confidente has learned that Schwartz-Gowases’ suspension cost the entity over N$2.3 million, spent on salaries, legal fees, and performance bonuses, of which she was a beneficiary despite her absence. She was suspended in March 2024.
As the substantive Director, Schwartz-Gowases received her monthly salary, totalling N$1.2 million, over her suspension. The acting Director, appointed in her place, received an additional N$360,000 over the same period.
The entity paid lawyer fees of N$700,000 to institute the suspension and investigate the case. Furthermore, the NYC must pay the director’s legal costs, amounting to N$150,000. The director also received N$30,000 as a performance bonus, with other staff.

DOG TREATMENT

Speaking to Confidente, Schwartz-Gowases revealed that she knew her suspension was not above board.
Said Schwartz, “As a technocrat, I knew my suspension was unlawful and unprocedural, so I did not sign the suspension letter. I had no choice but to leave the office, as my office lock was changed, emails blocked, and my laptop and phone confiscated. I was treated like a criminal or dog.”
“Secondly, when the suspension letter was emailed, with an approval letter from Hon. [Ipumbu] Shiimi (Finance and Public Enterprise Minister), it was shocking and disappointing,” she maintained, adding that attempts through her lawyers to voice the unprocedural and unlawful nature of her suspension were ignored.
“This is when I realized how politics can destroy the reputation of an innocent person,” Schwartz-Gowases revealed.
Finance and Public Enterprise Minister, Shiimi, distanced himself from the saga, in a press statement, despite evidence of his involvement.

IMPACT OF SUSPENSION

Schwartz-Gowases revealed that the unprocedural suspension, now termed a leave of absence by the Interim Board, had profound negative effects on her and her family.
“Our finances were strained, as I bore legal fees and medical expenses from stress-induced ailments caused by acute stress at the Council prior to my suspension,” she revealed. She maintained that her reputation suffered.
“Despite not being formally charged or subjected to a disciplinary hearing, I was publicly humiliated and judged on allegations for which I was never given an opportunity to defend myself,” she stressed.
Schwartz-Gowases admitted that, to safeguard her well-being, she attempted alternative employment.
“However, the reputational damage from my association with NYC is an obstacle, and it arises as a concern during such endeavours,” Schwartz told Confidente, suggesting this suffering is not unique.
“This is how female CEOs are targeted and victimized, because of the perception they are weak,” she said.
Schwartz-Gowases has been requested to return to her position as Director of the NYC on Monday, 17 March 2025 at 08h00. This, according to a letter signed by the NYC’s Interim Board, is in compliance with the Honourable Minister of Youth, Sport and National Service’, Agnes Tjongarero’s directive.
“Her suspension was unprocedural and can be described as a leave of absence,” the letter reads.

NO DIVIDENDS TO NYC

Meanwhile, Confidente has learned that the youth organisation has been bleeding money into the dormant Bridgehead Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd, its business and investment vehicle. This company is yet to provide audited annual financial statements or declare dividends since 2011.
Confidente has learned that Bridgehead Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd appointed individuals with vested interests to control the financial operations of NYC, with no oversight by NYC.
Until December 2024, the company was chaired by Swapo Party Regional Coordinator for the Oshikoto region, Armas Amukwiyu.
Bridgehead has a 40% stake in the Uukumwe Youth Empowerment Consortium, which pays annual dividends to the holding company’s bank account.
“The dividend money is supposed to reach NYC, but for years, none has happened. The company approaches the Council for loans,” a source revealed.
Confidente has learned that monies deposited in the Bank Windhoek account of Bridgehead Group Holdings, account number CHK-8010698471, gradually vanished, with no investment done.
“Money from Uukumwe and NYC, into that account, was withdrawn gradually, but no major company expenses were covered,” an inside source revealed.
Documents seen by Confidente indicate that on 8 July 2022, Uukumwe paid dividends of N$240,000.00. Additional amounts of N$75,920.00 and N$62,500.00 were debited, but by 17 February 2023, the balance was N$2,483.21.
Uukumwe paid N$200,000.00 in dividends to Bridgehead on 21 February 2023. From this money, Amukwiyu allegedly withdrew N$11,850.00 on 22 February 2023, and N$14,691.00 on 17 March 2023. N$30,246.00 was spent on S&T allowances for a board meeting at Tsumeb. N$10,325.00 was used at the shareholders meeting. N$13,000.00 was debited on 24 March 2023, and by 28 June 2023, the account was in arrears with (-) N$1,383.45. The NYC deposited N$200,000.00 on 18 August 2023, and N$300,000.00 on 13 March 2024.
On 15 April 2024, with the Bridgehead account at N$229,645.52, N$30,800.00 was paid from ‘Fortescue Monasa.’
That day, twenty withdrawals of N$1000.00, labelled transport, and four of N$1200.00, labelled “Admin Fortescue accommodation top up,” were drawn via easy-wallet transactions. N$6000.00, labelled “Fortescue Accommodation Top Up,” was withdrawn on 22 April 2024.
Confidente has learned that Fortescue, a company with interest in mining and energy, sought to partner with Bridgehead. Monasa, owned by an administrator of Bridgehead, facilitated the deal.
The easy-wallet transfers were allegedly meant to coerce attendees of an advisory meeting to vote for the Fortescue-Bridgehead deal at the Representative Council of the NYC.
Confidente was told that a new board, with a new chairperson, was appointed at Bridgehead in December. Uukumwe made a dividend payment of N$800,000.00, pushing the balance to over N$1 million. The company paid dividends to the NYC, amounting to N$500,000.00. The account depicts operational spending, including a technical report, resource center remodelling, computers and locks, resource center signage and chairs, directors travel and accommodation, and a loan to NYC on 4 November 2024, refunded on 24 December 2024, pushing the balance from N$81,739.55 to N$277,384.90 by 10 January 2025. Attempts to reach Amukwiyu for comment proved futile.