ECN defends Oshiwambo language requirement for Keetmanshoop voter education job

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has defended requiring Oshiwambo for a post at Keetmanshoop, following criticism over language inclusivity in the //Kharas region.

The commission says there is a shortage of Oshiwambo-speaking staff at some towns in southern Namibia.

This prompted its request for applicants for the voter education officer post at the town to be conversant in Oshiwambo.

At the same time there is an uproar at the town after a recent job advertisement for a position listed proficiency in Oshiwambo as a mandatory requirement.

“We would like to clarify this negative narrative. Currently, the //Kharas region has four voter education officers who are proficient in local spoken languages, including Rukwangali. However, there is a shortage of staff members who speak Oshiwambo, which is commonly spoken in the Karasburg West, Oranjemund and !Nami#nus constituencies,” ECN spokesperson De Wet Siluka says.

He says the vacancy aims to make voter education efforts accessible to individuals who mainly speak local languages.

Further, the commission needs citizens to be well informed about the electoral process, and prioritising native language speakers has often shown to be effective in reaching this goal, Siluka says.

He says the commission is aware of the criticism.

“The voter education officers must be proficient in local languages to reflect linguistic diversity of their assigned regions. This ensures effective communication and strengthens voter education efforts,” he says, adding that “priority will be given to residents of the specific regions”.

Siluka says voter education officers will ensure that the constituencies they will operate in have access to impartial, inclusive information, will mobilise stakeholders such as traditional and local leaders, and will evaluate the impact of outreach activities.

Landless People’s Movement human rights leader Joyce Muzengua says while the //Kharas region is diverse, with “smaller groups” such as the Kavango, coloured, Afrikaner, and Oshiwambo residing there, the predominant community in this area is the Nama.

“After Nama, the second-most widely spoken language is Afrikaans. Since English is the official language, proficiency in both may be necessary,” she says.

Muzengua claims the situation has been politicised under the guise of minority inclusion, but intends to put a few individuals in high-profile roles.

“The ECN must provide a clear and credible explanation for the manner in which this vacancy has been advertised, or there will be serious consequences,” she says.

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