The 60 participants discussed policy recommendations on employment creation in Namibia and came from all sectors. Experts from relevant ministries attended, together with top brass from the private sector, trade unions, educational providers, research organisations, the informal sector and parastatals. A working document compiled by the research unit NEPRU formed the basis of the discussions as well as a strategy paper of Harold Pupkewitz, president of the Namibia Employers Federation (NEF). He proposed to establish an institute of productivity.

After a marathon meeting of nine hours it was agreed that an interim coordinating committee consisting of government officials, the private sector and labour unions would add the recommendations to the NEPRU document so that the Prime Minister’s office could draft a memorandum to be put before Cabinet. The key issue was to set up an Employment Creation Commission as soon as possible, funded partially by the Development Fund and a new training levy to be introduced in the near future. The Commission would first require a drafted law to make it functioning. It was felt that it should consist of true professionals only.

Interestingly, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) was only briefly touched while a lesser top-heavy government, skills training in accordance to market demands, less red tape, better access to loans for small companies were seen as priorities.