In defence of institutional autonomy at The Polytechnic of Namibia

The successive ministers have been against such a move giving all sorts of reasons why the Poly should maintain its status. Some of the reasons ranged from duplication with the University of Namibia to financing of two institutions of higher learning, which did not make sense because the Poly was already offering degree courses, even at Masters level. The argument has also not made any sense judging by the number of qualified students who usually fail to secure admission because of lack of space at both Unam and the Poly or at IUM.

But the problem here must be understood in the broader context of how most of our parastatals are governed. Some of the CEOs basically think that they own these institutions and can do what they want, like increasing their salaries and other benefits. Cases along these lines abound. And to complicate matters, the boards of directors who are supposed to have an oversight function, are basically working in cohort with the managers. Most of them feel that being a board member is a second job. That is why, when they are fired, some actually go to the extent of wanting to take the institutions to the courts.

That, in part, explains why the line ministers tend to intervene. But the interference sometimes can become too much and thus complicate the efficient running of the particular entity. I know that institutions, whether private or public, are sites of power and contestation and different actors especially the managers, would usually want to exercise power over others. But I think in the case of the Poly, the minister, David Namwandi, has gone a little too far in the exercise of his power. And from the look of things, this now appears to be a personal battle between Namwandi and Tjivikua. We do not know exactly what the source of the fight is but it borders on a witch-hunt by Namwandi. He claims that Tjivikua has not been cooperative but in what sense only the minister knows.

The issue surrounding the renewal or non-renewal of Tjivikua’s contract after it ended is of interest here. This problem must have been discussed between the minister and the Poly Council members. This raises the question of how independent the Council is. The Council apparently wanted to advertise the job but then the minister told the Council not to. One of the reasons given why the Council wanted the job advertised is because Tjivikua’s salary is too high – at N$1,9 million per annum. But the question is who has been approving his salary in the first place? Here I agree with the Council that the salary is already too high and I’m surprised that apparently, Tjivikua wants it increased. But that is not a sufficient reason not to renew his contract. The Council could at least say they will renew his contract at the current salary package – it’s a matter of take or leave it.

The problem of astronomical salaries at our parastatals is totally unjustifiable and some of us have been writing about this over the years. Most of the CEOs at our parastatals are over the N$1 million range, even at some of the loss-making ones. How these get approved, only the boards of directors and the line ministers know. The issue of salary aside, we understand that Tjivikua’s performance was rated very highly by the Council and if that is the case, why would Council want to advertise his post? Here is a person, and his team, who have worked so hard to build and bring the Poly to where it is today.

I think it would make sense to give him a chance to oversee the transformation of the Poly into the University of Science and Technology, which has been his dream over the years. This would make the transition much smoother instead of bringing in a new captain to steer the ship into the high seas. Transformation in continuity. This is like telling someone to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and when they are about to reach the top, tell the person to go down again. Institutions of higher learning, unlike other entities, must be given greater autonomy to go about their work.

That is the essence of academia and scholarship because there are many fine scholars who are committed to academic independence and freedom. Too much political interference whether by the Council or the minister is not healthy for the institution and academic life in general. It is time for Namwandi and Tjivikua to resolve their differences and move on.