Job desperation in South

KEETMANSHOOP – Windhoek-based KL Construction company was only able to employ 13 people from among the hundreds of hopeful jobseekers who applied for work on a road project here.

The company won the tender to build a N$3 million tarred road – which will stretch over 1,9 kilometres – at the town’s Tseiblaagte township. Project Manager Luck Achim told Nampa last week that the initial stages of the project required only 13 people.This would increase to 30 when work on laying the road’s “black top” started, Achim said.The job rush seemed to have been fuelled by a report in the local municipal newsletter which said up to 50 jobs would become available when the project started.As a result, hundreds of people – mainly youths – descended on KL Construction’s temporary office here in the hope of getting employment.Many job-seekers jumped the fences at the office; others threw their identity documents at the recruitment officer.The situation nearly got out of hand, and the recruitment process had to be put on hold temporarily.- NampaProject Manager Luck Achim told Nampa last week that the initial stages of the project required only 13 people. This would increase to 30 when work on laying the road’s “black top” started, Achim said. The job rush seemed to have been fuelled by a report in the local municipal newsletter which said up to 50 jobs would become available when the project started. As a result, hundreds of people – mainly youths – descended on KL Construction’s temporary office here in the hope of getting employment. Many job-seekers jumped the fences at the office; others threw their identity documents at the recruitment officer. The situation nearly got out of hand, and the recruitment process had to be put on hold temporarily. – Nampa