Know Your Civil Servant
Johanna Iitondoka is a senior youth officer in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Services, based in the Otjozondjupa region. IItondoka, who describes herself as an “ambitious and driven individual”, was born in Elim constituency in the Omusati region.
Iitondoka introduced herself as “a university graduate; under my academic belt, I have four qualifications. In short, I’m an ambitious and driven individual. I thrive in a goaloriented environment where I can constantly challenge myself personally and professionally.”
She joined the public service through the youth ministry in 2008, shortly after completing her education studies at the University of Namibia.
As a youth officer, she is tasked with a range of responsibilities, like preparing, coordinating and consolidating the regional annual, as well as planning and drawing up the regional budget. She is also overseeing regional administrative matters related to effective functions, including facilities and transport.
“I decided to join the public service due to the attractive government policies that need people of my qualities to implement them for the attainment of Namibia’s long-term development strategies. The public exists to provide services to all Namibians and for public servants to act in the public interest.
“I am very patient and always wanted to work for the public. However, it takes courage for an official like me to deliver without fear. Before I left the university, I also wanted to work in an environment that is driven by the quality of service, rather than that which is profit-driven.
“I made wideranging comparisons of public and private sectors and concluded the government is for me. Yes, working in the government has always been my dream,” she said.
“One thing I give credit to the government and make me like to serve in the public service is the knowledge and technical investment the government is offering to its employees through various training programmes. This means that we – public servants – are motivated to acquire new skills by attending training and workshops, so investment in staff by the government is a priority.
“It is also worth sharing that job security in the government is guaranteed. In terms of flexibility, the public service systems are in place to adapt quickly or respond to new trends demand that may seem to affect the service’s output. For example, the current response put in place by the government to fight Covid-19 is worth applauding,” Iitondoka explained why the government is the best employer.
As a result, Iitondoka said she recommends the government as employer of choice to anyone, mostly university graduates.
“I will encourage anyone who is thinking of joining the public service to just do that because working for the government is the best thing to do, government is the best employer. However, it takes courage to not slip back and be a salary collector. One needs to read and understand the guiding documents in place for the implementations to be much easier.”
About memorable moments in the public service, Iitondoka cherishes the time when she was an employment and training youth officer – before her promotion. “I have enjoyed my time in this position because I have changed the livelihood and creditworthiness of many young entrepreneurs in the region through the Namibia Youth Credit Scheme programme. Most of the young people who joined the scheme were not in business or qualified for credit facilities from financial lenders. However, after joining the scheme, they started to excel in business – and most of them are now classified as entrepreneurs and can now borrow money from commercial banks.”
The credit scheme by the ministry of sports is targeted at unemployed youth, aged between 18 and 35. It provides small loans to young people to start and expand their businesses.
Meanwhile, Iitondoka paid tribute to her fellow civil servants from across all the ministries and agencies for keeping the country running smoothly and safely. Hence, she is livid against the general misconception that public servants are unproductive and inefficient.
Defending the honour of civil servants, Iitondoka “strongly disapproves of the negative perception that is out there that public servants are unproductive and what not. We are sufficiently exposed – theoretically and practically; we are guided by our ministerial strategic and annual plans”.
“We might be lacking in innovation and creativity, and solving some complex problems but I want to put it straight that public servants, irrespective of the levels, have done exceptional things. They are very resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve goals.”
Iitondoka is planning to work for the government for many more years before “exiting into any academic institution.”
She aspires to go into academics; hence, plans to complete a doctoral degree in business administration.