Abstract: This paper investigated the role relationship between leadership, water technology innovations and job creation in Namibia. The main theoretical framework comes from theories on leadership as a key aspect to socio-economic development. A quantitative method was used in a case study design. Data was gathered from grassroots community’s experience and understanding towards the relationship between leadership, water technology innovations and job creation. Informed by this investigation and based on the Kavango East Region case study, there is a relationship between Leadership, water technology innovations and job creation. The challenge seems to be that Regional Leaders rarely pay visits to the rural communities to see what the communities are doing and come up with mechanisms to support them. There is no effective communication between Regional Leaders and the local community; there is no leader-community relation. Because of this, leaders do not allocate resources to be used towards water technology innovation projects by the rural communities. Consequently, the Kavango East Region is the poorest in the country with 53% of its population living in abject poverty. The relationship between leadership, water technology innovations and job creation should be strengthened. There should be a minimum number of villages to be visited by Regional Leaders every year and performance agreement for Regional Leaders which will be used as a tool to hold them accountable.

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to tease the role of leadership in water technology innovation, and enhancing job creation in the Kavango East Region. The main theoretical framework comes from theories on leadership as a key aspect to socio-economic development. Leadership support such as, resource allocation, effective communication and clear vision as the most important qualities and actions which a leader needs to have in order to use water technology innovation to enhance job creation. A quantitative method was used in a case study design. Data was gathered from 21 villages, concerning the distribution of variables such as the grassroots community’s experience and understanding towards the role of leadership in water technology innovations, enhancing job creation. The researcher found out that the Kavango East Regional Leadership is not involved in water technology innovations to enhance job creation. The challenge seems to be that Regional Leaders rarely pay visits to the rural communities to see what the communities are doing and to come up with mechanisms to support them. There is no leader-community relation. Leaders do not allocate resources to be used towards water technology innovation projects by the rural communities. Leadership involvement in water technology innovations is an issue that needs to be resolved. The study recommends that Regional Leaders should live within the constituencies where they are elected to serve.  Performance contracts for Regional Leaders should be used as a tool to hold them accountable. 

Abstract: This paper investigated the Successes and Limitations of Leadership Involvement in Water Technology Innovations to Enhance job creation in Namibia. The main theoretical framework comes from theories on leadership as a key aspect to socio-economic development. A quantitative method was used in a case study design. Data was gathered from grassroots the community’s experiences and understanding towards the relationship between leadership, water technology innovations and job creation. Informed by this investigation and based on the Kavango East Region case study, there is a relationship between Leadership, water technology innovations and job creation. The challenge seems to be that Regional Leaders rarely pay visits to the rural communities to see what the communities are doing and come up with mechanisms to support them. There is no effective communication between Regional Leaders and the local community; there is no leader-community relation. Due to this, leaders do not allocate resources to be used towards water technology innovation projects by the rural communities. Consequently, the Kavango East Region is the poorest in the country with 53% of its population living in abject poverty. The Limitations of Leadership Involvement in Water Technology Innovations to Enhance job creation in Namibia should be addressed as a matter of urgency. There should be a minimum number of villages to be visited by Regional Leaders every year and a performance contract for Regional Leaders which will be used as a tool to hold them accountable.