Get A Namibian Pharmacist

ON May 24 2012, I saw an advertisement for the position of Deputy Director: Pharmaceutical Services and I thought this would be an opportunity to bring out a few issues regarding this position.

Namibia has been independent for over 20 years now and I see no reason why we cannot find a native Namibian to lead this department.
For the last decade, the post has been and remains occupied by a British national who came to Namibia as a volunteer at Otjiwarongo State Hospital.
It defied reasoning how she jumped from being a volunteer to be one of the Chief Pharmacists at the head office! It may be argued that there was probably no Namibian to take up that post, but that is not so. There are Namibians like who could have been obvious choices.
The person has had a demoralising effect on the dreams and aspirations of the potential Namibians as she makes sure she posts them to the peripheral areas.
 Go the Directorate today and you will find only foreigners milling around. Where are the owners of the country? She seemingly has never considered taking on Namibian pharmacists as apprentices.
Why I am writing this letter is because opportunities have come up again, because the post of Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Service has been advertised and I would like the powers that be to have a bias and restrict it to Namibian nationals only.
Look at this scenario: Deputy Director – British; Chief Pharmacist – Tanzanian; Chief Pharmacist – Tanzanian; Chief Pharmacist – Burundian.
The persons mentioned [*names have been withheld. Editor] have been holding these posts for far too long.
My suggestion is that the Ministry of Health and Social Services takes up an opportunity to head-hunt for Namibian to take over. If the people mentioned still want to stay on, they get back to the hospital pharmacies.
In this way the government will be empowering Namibians.
 
Perry Naufiku
Windhoek

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