Namibia ATC
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Namibia ATC
Please take note.
The department of civil aviation (DCA) is on a downhill track, and gaining momentum fast. Unfortunately its dragging its ATC's with it.
The Namibian DCA has been short-staffed for more than 10 years, and nothing seems to be done about it. (Although management will differ with me here) One just has to look at the staff establishment to see that a shortage of close to 50% exists in ATC's.
Namibia has well qualified and dedicated ATC's, working a minimum of 48 hours per week. Many are expected to perform additional duties in their "off time". Working conditions are, and have been for a long time, challenging to say the least. The staff morale is at its lowest its ever been, despite the ministry's recent efforts to improve the situation by restructuring the DCA. After 5 years of negotiations, some senior ATC's now receive just short of 2K more per month. Its more of an insult than a raise...
An ATC in Namibia pays between 34% and 50% of what his/her counterpart in south africa earns. And ATNS is struggling to keep their staff!!!
This is then the reason why 2 ATC's have already left to south africa this year alone, and another 7 are currently negotiatong with ATNS. This leaves the DCA in crisis, especially now that the new AREA centre has to be taken into operation. ATC's will have to be employed from elsewhere, and the only ones likely to apply are probably zimbabweans and/or zambians. (Those that have been unsuccesfull at finding jobs with ATNS) Another strategy discussed by management is to close all regional airports and relocate those ATC's to Windhoek.
Forgive me for sounding negative, but I believe its time to put the facts on the table. Management in the DCA denies that a crisis is looming, and keep on overspending their budgets, supplementing the then created shortages from the ATC training budget. Many ATC's are not receiving essential training as prescribed by ICAO, due to the non availability of funds. Yet close to a million dollars has recently been spent on a non essential trip by non essential staff to canada. See the media re this!!! (all organised by the ex-director who's co-incidentily apparently being investigated by the anti corruption commition at the moment, but thats a whole new story by itself)
Its time that the flying community takes note of the happenings regarding Namibian ATC. They are losing well experienced and key staff rapidly, and this will have a big impact on the future safety of the namibian skies.
The department of civil aviation (DCA) is on a downhill track, and gaining momentum fast. Unfortunately its dragging its ATC's with it.
The Namibian DCA has been short-staffed for more than 10 years, and nothing seems to be done about it. (Although management will differ with me here) One just has to look at the staff establishment to see that a shortage of close to 50% exists in ATC's.
Namibia has well qualified and dedicated ATC's, working a minimum of 48 hours per week. Many are expected to perform additional duties in their "off time". Working conditions are, and have been for a long time, challenging to say the least. The staff morale is at its lowest its ever been, despite the ministry's recent efforts to improve the situation by restructuring the DCA. After 5 years of negotiations, some senior ATC's now receive just short of 2K more per month. Its more of an insult than a raise...
An ATC in Namibia pays between 34% and 50% of what his/her counterpart in south africa earns. And ATNS is struggling to keep their staff!!!
This is then the reason why 2 ATC's have already left to south africa this year alone, and another 7 are currently negotiatong with ATNS. This leaves the DCA in crisis, especially now that the new AREA centre has to be taken into operation. ATC's will have to be employed from elsewhere, and the only ones likely to apply are probably zimbabweans and/or zambians. (Those that have been unsuccesfull at finding jobs with ATNS) Another strategy discussed by management is to close all regional airports and relocate those ATC's to Windhoek.
Forgive me for sounding negative, but I believe its time to put the facts on the table. Management in the DCA denies that a crisis is looming, and keep on overspending their budgets, supplementing the then created shortages from the ATC training budget. Many ATC's are not receiving essential training as prescribed by ICAO, due to the non availability of funds. Yet close to a million dollars has recently been spent on a non essential trip by non essential staff to canada. See the media re this!!! (all organised by the ex-director who's co-incidentily apparently being investigated by the anti corruption commition at the moment, but thats a whole new story by itself)
Its time that the flying community takes note of the happenings regarding Namibian ATC. They are losing well experienced and key staff rapidly, and this will have a big impact on the future safety of the namibian skies.
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And thanks to those who are staying behind and trying to steer the ship. They are doing an excellent job. Why are the ATNS guys leaving for the ME. Its a fact that you go there where the pay is. Not necessary greener pastures.
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Hi Worn Chair, have deepest sympathies for Namibian ATCO’s. Know a bunch of them, those that have left and some that still remain…….and what the DCA has lost and is going to lose…….well the aviation fraternity there seems doomed to culminate in every ATC’s (and anybody else’s for that matter) worst nightmare.
Abc has said it right, but knowing the environment I am sure it has either been tried without much reaction or else the monitoring is such that just to attempt something of that nature and be discovered will result in a gleeful sending off by exec management.
My first knee jerk reaction would be to apply to ATNS, not absolutely fantastic, but on a sliding scale, remarkably better than where you are. However, you are right in saying the turn-over within the rank and file of ATNS is highly fluid, but then again all to his/her own.
Don’t know what you personal circumstances are, but if you are interested, I will put you in contact with a number of overseas (ME) contractors that always seem on the look-out.
Abc has said it right, but knowing the environment I am sure it has either been tried without much reaction or else the monitoring is such that just to attempt something of that nature and be discovered will result in a gleeful sending off by exec management.
My first knee jerk reaction would be to apply to ATNS, not absolutely fantastic, but on a sliding scale, remarkably better than where you are. However, you are right in saying the turn-over within the rank and file of ATNS is highly fluid, but then again all to his/her own.
Don’t know what you personal circumstances are, but if you are interested, I will put you in contact with a number of overseas (ME) contractors that always seem on the look-out.
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Yup i know a couple of controllers up in Nam have flown their couple of times ....must say some are excellent controllers, but others are just plain incompetent, cant even sep two aircrafts.... if the standard and quality of the work environment is going down the drain, I think it's time to evacuate the sinking vessel before it hits rock bottom... we all know that management in most companies don't care about their workers... (check the pilot drain that will happen to SAA).... i can just say leave for a better package... look after yourself, cause management doesn't care about you now and in the future...
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Namibia ATC
I have been in Namibia for some time and I have to say 'THE RATS ARE LEAVING THE SINKING SHIP'
Couple of points still outstanding are the fact that on 1 Jan 2007 there were 24 ATC of various grades in Windhoek. 2 have gone to ATNS, 1 on pension and 1 decided he had enough, resigned and is now surviving in London.
7 are now engaged with discussions and tests with various service providers (mostly ATNS)
Windhoek needed a new BOSS/DIRECTOR with super BALLS 5 years ago. Now the ship is gone. The workers that kept pluging holes and throughing buckets full of water out of the ship are on the way.
Thanks Voel. This is not your fathers bussines!
Couple of points still outstanding are the fact that on 1 Jan 2007 there were 24 ATC of various grades in Windhoek. 2 have gone to ATNS, 1 on pension and 1 decided he had enough, resigned and is now surviving in London.
7 are now engaged with discussions and tests with various service providers (mostly ATNS)
Windhoek needed a new BOSS/DIRECTOR with super BALLS 5 years ago. Now the ship is gone. The workers that kept pluging holes and throughing buckets full of water out of the ship are on the way.
Thanks Voel. This is not your fathers bussines!
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Howzit Worn Chair. Sort of saw this comming years ago, still am sorry to see that it has now reached such proportions. Trained some of the ATC's at Windhoek (ATA), which produced some remarkable controllers among them.
Dont really know what to say except T.I.A.
I have been here in the Middle East for some time know, and even though it presents you with a different set of challenges, have to admit that not paying tax is something I have gotten used to. My wife is also very much aclimitized to life here in that as a mother not having to constantly be alert to levels of crime that is rampant in Africa, is something that will in all likelihood keep us here for a while yet........or so I am directed to by domestic management!
Anyway boet, I see help has already been offered in the way of jobs, well that is all I can also offer. Chew it over and feel free to contact me by using the PM (Private Message) function on this site.
It pretty much goes without saying that the station where I work we are desparately understaffed, however, I believe that hiring in this region is for all intents and purposes an on-going affair, so the Middle East, if you are keen, is your oyster.
Chow.
Dont really know what to say except T.I.A.
I have been here in the Middle East for some time know, and even though it presents you with a different set of challenges, have to admit that not paying tax is something I have gotten used to. My wife is also very much aclimitized to life here in that as a mother not having to constantly be alert to levels of crime that is rampant in Africa, is something that will in all likelihood keep us here for a while yet........or so I am directed to by domestic management!
Anyway boet, I see help has already been offered in the way of jobs, well that is all I can also offer. Chew it over and feel free to contact me by using the PM (Private Message) function on this site.
It pretty much goes without saying that the station where I work we are desparately understaffed, however, I believe that hiring in this region is for all intents and purposes an on-going affair, so the Middle East, if you are keen, is your oyster.
Chow.
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Anybody wants to work for this?
N$25k p/m. including car, medical and house
minus 36% tax
extra benefits are:
1)no coordination (Private calls have priority)
2)briefing not forwarding FPLs.(Training in progress)
3)40 per week required (plus at least 8 hours OTon sunday. You will have to claim that extra and anything from 1 week to 3 months till you get your $$)
4)4 OFF DAYs in 4 weeks. (you can do extra duties on this day. Payment as per point 3)
Any place worse than this?
N$25k p/m. including car, medical and house
minus 36% tax
extra benefits are:
1)no coordination (Private calls have priority)
2)briefing not forwarding FPLs.(Training in progress)
3)40 per week required (plus at least 8 hours OTon sunday. You will have to claim that extra and anything from 1 week to 3 months till you get your $$)
4)4 OFF DAYs in 4 weeks. (you can do extra duties on this day. Payment as per point 3)
Any place worse than this?
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Namibia ‘Gained’ from Trip
Tuesday, 9th of October 2007
By Chrispin Inambao
WINDHOEK
The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication has come out in defence of its recent mission to Canada, saying ten people were in the delegation to enable the ministry to effectively lobby for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The ministry paid N$773 138 in airfare, clothing allowances and subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts) for the ten-member delegation, but the whole bill was a hefty N$847 138 when corporate gifts and a promotional video are put on the expense sheet of what is arguably one of the most expensive foreign trips by a government ministry.
Initially, the ministry intended hosting a media briefing a week ago upon the arrival of Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Joel Kaapanda, but instead he only spoke to selected journalists regarding the trip.
Addressing the issue, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Shihaleni Ndjaba said the promotion video cost N$69 000 and not N$80 000 as reported while “only” N$5 000 was splurged on corporate gifts and not the N$30 000 reported earlier.
The ministry spent N$80 087 apiece on four of the delegates, N$119 983 on the minister, N$105 625 on Bethuel Mujetenga the director of civil aviation, while on Ndjaba, the permanent secretary, it had to fork out N$84 522.
Sources were aghast that some of the delegates were only going to distribute leaflets and would merely be spectators when aviation technocrats addressed other experts.
The ministry says it is always “very discrete and prudent in its utilization of the financial resources at its disposal”.
Despite the expenditure of N$847 138, the ministry claims it is fully aware of the directive to spend government money economically. It says it consciously applies principles of financial prudence when deciding on its spending priorities. The ministry says the event in Canada was of international significance while its benefits to the economy are enormous.
Responding to concerns from critics of the trip who were also in opposition to the promotional video, as they felt the ministry should simply have requested a ready-made video from the Ministry of Trade and Industry or from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ndjaba said: “Tender Board exemption was obtained prior to its production.”
On the clerks given the nod for the controversial trip, he said: “The clerical staff were chosen to run the temporary election office and to carry out the necessary administrative work. I must in fact stress that these administrative/clerical staff did a wonderful job, as the election office that they manned produced most of the documentation and communications that were crucial in effectively running the election campaign.”
“The allegation that they were only there to distribute leaflets is an oversimplification of matters, for reasons only known to those who are spearheading the campaign against this victorious trip and event. These people were never meant to go and sit in the assembly, but to run the temporary office that we had at ICAO,” said the permanent secretary.
He explained the more senior and technical staff attended to the general business of the Assembly and sat in committees/commissions that had parallel sessions.
On the reason why Deputy Director of Human Resources Esther Kaapanda was delegated and not the beleaguered Under-Secretary in the Department of Transport and Communication Willy Kauaria under whom civil aviation resorts, he said the deputy director “played a role in among others lobbying in particular among the Arab community – due to her exposure to the Arab culture and language, and among the French-speaking member states due to her communicative French language and in general her good inter-personal skills and human relations skills”.
But sources are adamant the lobbying was not necessary because they feel the mission was a “fait accompli” even before this mission.
“There was nothing to campaign for,” stated a source that wished not to be identified.
Countered the PS. “Kindly be informed that under no circumstances were we guaranteed to win a seat without any campaign,” adding Namibia needed 86 votes and this is far more than the 14 votes that would have come from SADC of which it is a member.
“Also note that out of the 17 states competing only for 13 seats under Part III, Namibia scored second highest with 137 votes after Tunisia and this is a result of our profound lobbying among member states present at the Assembly,” he said.
Other contestants for the thirteen ICAO seats were Republic of Korea, Romania, Tunisia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and El Salvador among others.
“As the permanent secretary responsible for overall transport and aviation in Namibia, it is not at all far-fetched to attend such a meeting side by side with my minister who is responsible for the same sector at political level,” Ndjaba stated.
“The size of the Namibian team hardly matched the total number of the 1 435 participants that we had to interact and deal with. Participating states, some of whom we competed with under Part III, had delegates as much as 48, 40, 33, 30, 27 etc.,” he said.
Namibia presently collects annual revenue of N$48 million or N$4 million each month from over-flight charges while it also stands to benefit from the US$400 million pledged in scholarships and other assistance to Africa by China.
Tuesday, 9th of October 2007
By Chrispin Inambao
WINDHOEK
The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication has come out in defence of its recent mission to Canada, saying ten people were in the delegation to enable the ministry to effectively lobby for a seat on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The ministry paid N$773 138 in airfare, clothing allowances and subsistence and travel allowances (S&Ts) for the ten-member delegation, but the whole bill was a hefty N$847 138 when corporate gifts and a promotional video are put on the expense sheet of what is arguably one of the most expensive foreign trips by a government ministry.
Initially, the ministry intended hosting a media briefing a week ago upon the arrival of Minister of Works, Transport and Communication Joel Kaapanda, but instead he only spoke to selected journalists regarding the trip.
Addressing the issue, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Shihaleni Ndjaba said the promotion video cost N$69 000 and not N$80 000 as reported while “only” N$5 000 was splurged on corporate gifts and not the N$30 000 reported earlier.
The ministry spent N$80 087 apiece on four of the delegates, N$119 983 on the minister, N$105 625 on Bethuel Mujetenga the director of civil aviation, while on Ndjaba, the permanent secretary, it had to fork out N$84 522.
Sources were aghast that some of the delegates were only going to distribute leaflets and would merely be spectators when aviation technocrats addressed other experts.
The ministry says it is always “very discrete and prudent in its utilization of the financial resources at its disposal”.
Despite the expenditure of N$847 138, the ministry claims it is fully aware of the directive to spend government money economically. It says it consciously applies principles of financial prudence when deciding on its spending priorities. The ministry says the event in Canada was of international significance while its benefits to the economy are enormous.
Responding to concerns from critics of the trip who were also in opposition to the promotional video, as they felt the ministry should simply have requested a ready-made video from the Ministry of Trade and Industry or from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ndjaba said: “Tender Board exemption was obtained prior to its production.”
On the clerks given the nod for the controversial trip, he said: “The clerical staff were chosen to run the temporary election office and to carry out the necessary administrative work. I must in fact stress that these administrative/clerical staff did a wonderful job, as the election office that they manned produced most of the documentation and communications that were crucial in effectively running the election campaign.”
“The allegation that they were only there to distribute leaflets is an oversimplification of matters, for reasons only known to those who are spearheading the campaign against this victorious trip and event. These people were never meant to go and sit in the assembly, but to run the temporary office that we had at ICAO,” said the permanent secretary.
He explained the more senior and technical staff attended to the general business of the Assembly and sat in committees/commissions that had parallel sessions.
On the reason why Deputy Director of Human Resources Esther Kaapanda was delegated and not the beleaguered Under-Secretary in the Department of Transport and Communication Willy Kauaria under whom civil aviation resorts, he said the deputy director “played a role in among others lobbying in particular among the Arab community – due to her exposure to the Arab culture and language, and among the French-speaking member states due to her communicative French language and in general her good inter-personal skills and human relations skills”.
But sources are adamant the lobbying was not necessary because they feel the mission was a “fait accompli” even before this mission.
“There was nothing to campaign for,” stated a source that wished not to be identified.
Countered the PS. “Kindly be informed that under no circumstances were we guaranteed to win a seat without any campaign,” adding Namibia needed 86 votes and this is far more than the 14 votes that would have come from SADC of which it is a member.
“Also note that out of the 17 states competing only for 13 seats under Part III, Namibia scored second highest with 137 votes after Tunisia and this is a result of our profound lobbying among member states present at the Assembly,” he said.
Other contestants for the thirteen ICAO seats were Republic of Korea, Romania, Tunisia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and El Salvador among others.
“As the permanent secretary responsible for overall transport and aviation in Namibia, it is not at all far-fetched to attend such a meeting side by side with my minister who is responsible for the same sector at political level,” Ndjaba stated.
“The size of the Namibian team hardly matched the total number of the 1 435 participants that we had to interact and deal with. Participating states, some of whom we competed with under Part III, had delegates as much as 48, 40, 33, 30, 27 etc.,” he said.
Namibia presently collects annual revenue of N$48 million or N$4 million each month from over-flight charges while it also stands to benefit from the US$400 million pledged in scholarships and other assistance to Africa by China.
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I thought Namibia was unanimously elected by the southern african region to represent the region at ICAO from 2007 until 2010?
Why spend a million to lobby votes for a seat which was granted to you many moons ago? Am i missing something?
http://www-sec.icao.int/search?q=cac...-8&client=ICAO
As far as I know they use a alphabetical system to elect countries, and "N" came up. Namibia accepted.
Why spend a million to lobby votes for a seat which was granted to you many moons ago? Am i missing something?
http://www-sec.icao.int/search?q=cac...-8&client=ICAO
As far as I know they use a alphabetical system to elect countries, and "N" came up. Namibia accepted.
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Voel...need to get the pile a little bigger... then..... maybe....
Must admit....the crayfish...the skydivers...the Ugab....the Fly In`s...are a BIG drawcard....!
Must admit....the crayfish...the skydivers...the Ugab....the Fly In`s...are a BIG drawcard....!
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big man atc
that is why some stayed for 15 years +
The main reason why the big exodus is hapaning now has not been mentioned yet!
that is why some stayed for 15 years +
The main reason why the big exodus is hapaning now has not been mentioned yet!
Last edited by rawitact; 12th Oct 2007 at 05:23. Reason: mis spelling
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Trip to canada, DCA empty
So that's why when ever i tried to get an overflight and landing clearance nobody answered the phone, everyone was in canada! Those poor ATC's are keeping a ship floating full of holes! but it is sinking faster than everyone is anticipating......
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I think 406 madness got g@&fol fighting 
At some point they will all give up and join the rats or be part of the holes in the boat. Unfortunately for Namibia most of the good working crew is on the way.
At some point they will all give up and join the rats or be part of the holes in the boat. Unfortunately for Namibia most of the good working crew is on the way.
Might there have been some truth in what was said
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rawitact
"...Any place worse than this?"
Sorry for going back to post nr 11, not noticed this thread till now..
I once (about 4 years ago) met a Brazillian controller who earned 400$US/month - he worked a second job at his local supermarket to supplement his income!!
To answer ur question - yes - I'm sure MANY places are worse!
Sorry for going back to post nr 11, not noticed this thread till now..
I once (about 4 years ago) met a Brazillian controller who earned 400$US/month - he worked a second job at his local supermarket to supplement his income!!
To answer ur question - yes - I'm sure MANY places are worse!