The Institute of People Management (IPM) Namibia is calling for legislation to regulate the country’s human resources (HR) profession, citing the need for enforceable professional standards, ethical accountability and minimum competency requirements for practitioners responsible for managing employees.
IPM Namibia Chief Executive Officer Lisa Matomola said the absence of a formal legislative framework highlighted the need for a national discussion on professionalising the sector, particularly as HR practitioners make decisions affecting employment, workplace rights and organisational performance.
Speaking at the 16th IPM Namibia Annual Conference, Matomola said legislation could establish clearer qualification requirements, continuous professional development obligations and ethical standards for practitioners.
“Professionalisation is not about excluding individuals who enter the profession through different career pathways. It is about creating clear pathways for relevant qualifications, continuous professional development and ethical accountability,” she said.
Matomola said HR professionals were responsible for decisions affecting employees’ livelihoods, careers, dignity and well-being, making professional competence and knowledge of employment legislation critical.
She pointed to Zambia, which has introduced legislation to professionalise its HR sector, as an example Namibia could consider when developing its own regulatory framework.
Matomola said IPM Namibia was prepared to engage the government on possible legislation and practical measures to strengthen professional oversight.
The proposed regulation comes as employers face increasing pressure to adapt to artificial intelligence, automation, digitalisation and changing workforce demands.
Matomola said HR departments needed to move beyond traditional administrative functions and take greater responsibility for organisational performance, workforce development and leadership.
“We cannot build the organisations of tomorrow using yesterday’s practices,” she said.
She also called for stronger cooperation between the government and private sector to address skills shortages, workforce development and the implementation of national employment priorities.
According to Matomola, government policies and national development programmes depend heavily on HR practitioners to translate policy objectives into workplace practices.
She urged organisations to strengthen collaboration and share expertise rather than operate independently when addressing common workforce challenges.
IPM Namibia also called on HR practitioners to join the institute to strengthen its representation in policy discussions and efforts to establish professional standards.
“Our strength as a profession lies in our collective voice. Together, we can advance professional standards, influence policy and shape the future of people management in Namibia and beyond,” Matomola said.
Meanwhile, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC Namibia) Human Capital Centre of Excellence Lead Jessica Moore warned that investment in technology and infrastructure would deliver limited benefits unless businesses made corresponding investments in workforce skills and development.
Moore said the growing adoption of AI and automation required companies to prioritise human capabilities, including creativity, innovation, ethical leadership and adaptability.
“The future of work will not be shaped by technology alone. It will also be shaped by the decisions we make about our people, how we develop them, how we lead them and how we create opportunities for them to succeed in their careers,” she said.
MTC, which sponsored the conference, said a credible and professionally regulated HR sector was important for developing skills, supporting employment opportunities and improving business competitiveness.
Moore also urged organisations to measure progress against commitments made at previous conferences rather than repeatedly discussing the same challenges without implementing solutions.
The two-day conference was held under the theme Reimagining Work in Africa: Agile, Inclusive and Resilient HR for a Disrupted Future.
