Swakopmund: The Swakopmund Municipality has been awarded an A-grade Affirmative Action Compliance Certificate by the Employment Equity Commission (EEC). This notable achievement follows the municipality's impressive overall compliance score of 90.97 percent under the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act, 1998.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the certificate, issued in terms of Section 41 of the Act, confirms that the municipality has substantially complied with statutory requirements aimed at promoting employment equity and eliminating discriminatory practices in the workplace. The assessment was based on the municipality's latest affirmative action report and supporting documentation.

Municipal Chief Executive Officer Archie Benjamin expressed that the achievement reflects the municipality's commitment to strong governance, transparency, and adherence to national legislation. "This A-grade rating is an important milestone for the Municipality of Swakopmund. It demonstrates that our systems, policies, and employment practices are aligned with the law and best-practice standards expected of a local authority. More importantly, it affirms our commitment to fairness, accountability, and service delivery to our residents," Benjamin said.

An A-grade is the highest level awarded by the Employment Equity Commission and is generally issued to employers that score above 80 percent. The grading considers factors such as workforce representation across occupational levels, the implementation of training and skills development programs, fair recruitment and promotion practices, and compliance with reporting obligations.

According to the municipality, a score of above 90 percent indicates that independent assessments found its internal governance systems, procedures, and employment policies to be operating at a high standard. Compliance assessments also consider alignment with broader legislation, including the Local Authorities Act, 1992, and the Labour Act, 2007.

Benjamin stated that maintaining high compliance standards contributes directly to improved service delivery and public trust. "When governance structures function properly and legal requirements are met, it strengthens confidence among residents, investors, and partners, and enables the municipality to focus on delivering quality services," he said.

The Affirmative Action Act was enacted to address historical imbalances in employment and to ensure equitable representation of designated groups, including women and persons with disabilities, across all occupational levels.