The NUST Screenshot debate – between context and “fabrication”
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been conducting interviews in search of a Vice Chancellor to replace the incumbent Tjama Tjivikua who has run the institution with an iron fist for more than two decades. There has never been an institution that is characterized, at a point in time, with a number of executives either under disciplinary, received warnings or working environment made hostile by a Chief Executive and his wife. Before it became official, through a wedding ceremony, that the Vice Chancellor has had an undeclared romantic relationship with a senior staff member in an executive he heads, it looked unbelievable and a mere witch-hunt against Tjivikua. The complaints by staff members on the power of the De Facto Deputy Vice Chancellor has been a matter of public record.
You only need to ask NUST Spokesperson Kaitira Kandjii, Dean Harold Campbell, Legal Advisor Joshua Kaumbi and Deputy Vice Chancellor Andrew Niikondo to understand Tjivikua's wrath. Niikondo had to go to lawyers following a series of insults. Kaumbi, whose mind is imbued with justice, went to represent a colleague at a disciplinary hearing in line with institutional laws, but soon found himself on the wrong side of the main man – Tjivikua. All these are matters of public record.
Niikondo would suffer another humiliation when all his dreams, if he had any, were cut short when an advert for Vice Chancellor was published. It asked for someone with a PhD in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Niikondo's PhD is in Public Administration. Generally, a qualification in public administration is seen as one that provides one with an insight into the general governance and administration of a public institution – of which NUST is one. Worse, public administration is offered at NUST. As a Deputy Vice Chancellor, it means there were instances where Niikondo acted as Vice Chancellor, exercising the powers and taking decisive decisions as Vice Chancellor. Those who understand Human Resources can evidently provide a sound understanding on this question: why have a person as a Deputy and sometimes acting in that position when it occurs to you that such an individual does not qualify to occupy the position she/he is deputising and sometimes acting? While pondering on this question, it is common knowledge that the advert went ahead and eliminated anyone without a PhD in STEM. Why Niikondo and others at NUST did not challenge this remains puzzling. On a close inspection, a majority of academic leadership positions are occupied by foreign nationals who are aware that it is Tjivikua’s way or the high way. It is thus unsurprising. They are, anyway, here on a work permit that loses value the very second they are fired.
Like the STEM move, the interviews for the shortlisted candidates were held behind closed doors despite the promise and commitment of NUST Council chairperson that they would follow a public and transparent process as followed by the University of Namibia in recruiting its Vice Chancellor. Months later, the Council chairperson would change her mind about a transparent and public recruitment process. After the closed door presentations, there was a prolonged period in announcing the results. During that period, a weekly newspaper, The Patriot, ran a story about the political machinery at work to ensure that there is no successor. The newspaper wrote at length how the then envisaged Council meeting will go about implementing the dictates of the political machinery of which Tjivikua is reported to be at the center. When the NUST Council meeting took place on the 28 February 2019, it would seem that it implemented the script as exactly speculated by The Patriot. The paper went to report, after this Council meeting, that no one is worth appointing as Tjivikua's successor. Tjivikua is so special and top notch, it would seem, that even a Professor who runs a University of Science and Technology cannot succeed him. It remains puzzling as ti what criteria was used, in a behind the scenes political shenanigans, for three foreign professors and a Namibian Pro-Vice Chancellor and Assistant Pro-Vice Chancellor to be found unsuitable to succeed Tjivikua. It would be an interesting turn of events if this entire exercise could be subjected to judicial review.
Speaking recently at the University of Dar es Salaam, Professor Issa Shivji spoke of the “new nationalism” and how it plays itself out at universities. He explained: “ new nationalism mounts a concerted assault on veritable centres of thinking, especially universities. My Indian friends from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) tell me that Modi’s regime has repeatedly tried to destroy radicalism at JNU, by slapping criminal charges on radical faculty and students, by mounting direct attacks by police on the Campus and by appointing regime’s stooges as vice-chancellors, and so on.” The shenanigans at NUST are not unique to Namibia.
When I was sent the Screenshot of an alleged conversation between Tjivikua and an unknown person, on the interviews of the Vice Chancellor, I wasn’t surprised. Cognizant of the prospects of fabrications, I asked the source who indicated that the Screenshot are actually in circulation. A WhatsApp profile picture of Tjivikua is identical to that of the Screenshot. In a separate instance, Screenshots of a conversation between Tjivikua and an Entrepreneur Tommy Tjaronda who was allegedly owed money by Tjivikua and his wife, the Screenshots that are not denied by Tjivikua, carry the same profile photo. It was, therefore, intriguing to note the conversation of a notorious character. I was then, as I remain, caught between the context and the fabrications. I released the Screenshots, to generate debate on both the context and authenticity. For the context, we are to look at the history of the Tjivikua character, the process of the interview and the reports in The Patriot. In the possible fabrications, which are common, I was careful enough to indicate that the Screenshot “apparently” belongs to Tjivikua and emphasized the need for an “investigation” of both the context and authenticity. The debate on both is now ongoing. There are those, using analytical abilities, who are arguing that the Screenshots in circulation are not genuine. There are those who argue, from a misinformed premise of me being a “public property" like a government vehicle that belongs to all to drive and direct, that I am not supposed to post them (the Screenshots that are already in circulation). To these, there are those whose minds are not contaminated responding asking if they are unable to comprehend the meaning of “apparently” and “investigation”. And of course, there are thirsty imbeciles who cannot wait to find fault in anything I do. What is important, is that the debate is continuing and a determination on both will soon emerge.
Whatever side one may be, Tjivikua is a notorious character not interested in promoting constitutionally guaranteed rights of academic freedom but interested in self-serving Kizomba dancing with politicians. He, indeed, runs NUST the same way Jawaharlal Nehru University is run. Whether there are those who use this moment to smear him would be an attraction of his making. For us, in retrospect and for posterity, is to go beyond in analysing content, beyond reasonable doubt, so that we do not allow many chefs in the kitchen to a point where we are unable to discern genuine Chefs from swindlers dressed in chefs clothes. A face value analysis, although satisfying the basic test of a reasonable being, may not be sufficient.
Let the form not erase the substance and let the substance not erase the form. Indeed, let the debate continue.
By Job Shipululo Amupanda