•  By Hauwa Namukwambi

As a recent graduate and a member of Namibia’s growing population of unemployed youth, I speak on behalf of countless young job seekers who face long-standing obstacles when applying for government vacancies. For years, the recruitment system in our public sector has made it incredibly difficult for many qualified candidates, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to compete fairly for opportunities.

In many instances, government ministries release very limited positions, sometimes only one or two, for which hundreds or even thousands of applicants apply. The competition is fierce, especially when some vacancies have minimal or no minimum qualifications, drawing in a flood of hopefuls. Unfortunately, the process is not only competitive but financially draining.

Unemployed youth are expected to cover the cost of printing, copying and scanning their documents, as well as using courier services to send applications to various offices. For individuals without a source of income, these costs are overwhelming. Every application becomes a financial sacrifice, with no guarantee of success, not even an acknowledgment of receipt in many cases.

Moreover, the interview process adds another major barrier. Candidates are often required to travel long distances to attend interviews in regions far from home. Imagine a job seeker from northern Namibia being called for an interview in the ||Karas region.

That person must find money for transport, food, and accommodation, expenses that are out of reach for many. The unfortunate result is that deserving, qualified candidates are unable to attend interviews, not because they lack merit, but because they simply cannot afford it.

These issues are not new. For years, young people in Namibia have endured this deeply flawed system in silence, out of desperation, fear, or simply the lack of a platform to be heard. But enough is enough. We need change.

I respectfully call on our government and public service institutions to reform their recruitment practices. A first step would be to provide options, accept applications via email for those who cannot afford courier services. This alone would ease the financial burden on many job seekers.

Furthermore, conducting interviews virtually, through video calls or other online platforms, would greatly reduce travel costs and enable more candidates to participate fairly. This would ensure that financial limitations do not exclude qualified applicants from being considered.

Our youth are willing to work. We are educated, capable, and driven.  We are eager to contribute to the nation’s growth and development. But the system is holding us back. It is time for decision-makers to acknowledge the unfair burdens placed on job seekers and to modernize the recruitment process in a way that promotes fairness, dignity, and accessibility for all.

 I mean, we ask for a recruitment system that supports and empowers us, rather than one that inadvertently excludes many qualified candidates due to financial hardship.
I hope this appeal reaches the relevant authorities and inspires changes that will make a real difference in the lives of job seekers across our country.

Hauwa Namukwambi is a 24 years old, unemployed, recent graduate with a qualification in media studies from the University of Namibia.