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Wednesday, 21 October 2026
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Wednesday, 21 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia National Students Organisation

Also known as: National Association of Namibian Students Organisations

Student advocacy organization that represents students across Namibia's 14 regions and engages with government on education and welfare issues.

2023-10-072026-10-21
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News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. January 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) issued a strong warning to teachers and school sport officials on alcohol use and pupil safety

    Source

    “The National Association of Namibian Students Organisations (Nanso) in the Kunene region has issued a strong warning to teachers and school sport officials, urging them to uphold discipline and prioritise pupils' safety during school tournaments.”

    Nanso warns teachers against alcohol use at school sport events

  3. New Era

    Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) expressed satisfaction towards the subsidy's new arrangement

    Source

    “The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) expressed satisfaction towards the subsidy's new arrangement.”

    Govt  throws  grade  11s  a  lifeline …NSFAF widens education access
  4. February 2024

  5. The Namibian

    Nanso had four or so youth leaders appointed to the legislature and executive by Swapo over the last decade

    Source

    “The appointment of four or so youth leaders from the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) to the legislature and executive by Swapo over the last decade highlights the importance of youth base consolidation.”

    The Consolidation of Power in Namibia: Lessons for the Opposition
  6. October 2023

  7. The Namibian

    Samson Ndeikwila was instrumental in the formation of Namibia National Students Organisation

    Source

    “It appears the book is a self-cleansing ritual for Ndeikwila who, among others, was instrumental in the formation of Namibia National Students Organisation and 'Breaking the Wall of Silence', a pressure group that sought closure on detentions, deaths and disappearances in exile.”

    The agony of never knowing the whole truth
Society

NSFAF holds N$20.3 million in unallocated student repayments

The News

Former students repaid N$21.5 million to NSFAF in the 2024/25 financial year, but N$20.3 million remained in a clearing account as at 31 March 2025 instead of being credited to individual loan accounts, due to a moratorium on system migration. The auditor general warns this affects interest calculations and loan balances, and notes that NSFAF could not provide supporting documentation for verification.

14 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 14 October

  1. NSFAF holds N$20.3 million in unallocated student repayments

    Former students repaid N$21.5 million to NSFAF in the 2024/25 financial year, but N$20.3 million remained in a clearing account as at 31 March 2025 instead of being credited to individual loan accounts, due to a moratorium on system migration. The auditor general warns this affects interest calculations and loan balances, and notes that NSFAF could not provide supporting documentation for verification.

    14 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Over 120 medical laboratory science students face deregistration

    More than 120 medical laboratory science students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology face academic disruption and possible deregistration due to limited work-integrated learning placements. The Namibia National Students Organisation met with Nust administration to resolve the issue, with some students already deregistered and others uncertain about their academic futures.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Nust explores SADC placements for 55 deregistered students

    The Namibia University of Science and Technology is exploring opportunities to place 55 medical laboratory sciences students at SADC universities following constraints on professional training capacity. The move follows concerns from more than 120 students about limited work-integrated learning placements after a record 2025 intake of 150 students into the programme.

    30 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 22 September

  1. Namcol targeting 2028-2029 launch as open university

    The Namibia College of Open Learning is working towards transforming into an open university with a targeted launch in 2028 or 2029, though the ministry still needs Cabinet approval before the transformation can proceed.

    22 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

  1. Youth and marriage groups call for government childbearing grant

    Youth leaders and marriage associations have urged the government to introduce a childbearing grant for mothers, following calls by a Swapo Party Women's Council official for Namibians to have more children. Political figures debate the proposal, with one youth leader saying such a grant could help low-income families but must be carefully designed, financially sustainable, and monitored to prevent misuse.

    21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 18 September

  1. NYS urged to track young people's outcomes after programmes

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp said the National Youth Service should measure success beyond recruitment and training figures, tracking how many former recruits pursue further education, secure employment, or contribute to their communities. The call comes as demand for NYS programmes grows, with about 18,000 young people applying for the 17th intake this year.

    18 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. Swapo Youth League supports compulsory national youth service

    Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo has backed a government proposal for compulsory national service, arguing it could promote discipline, patriotism, and practical skills to combat youth unemployment. He notes the programme would require additional government funding to expand effectively.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Proposed law increases tobacco penalties to N$500k fines

    Amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act would impose fines up to N$500,000 and possible 10-year prison sentences for tobacco sellers, stricter smoking bans in enclosed and outdoor spaces, and tighter e-cigarette regulations. The proposals were presented during a public consultation in Windhoek.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 16 August

  1. Nanso seeks N$445,000 for 19th National Students Congress

    The Namibia National Students Organisation is seeking N$445,000 to fund its 19th National Students Congress scheduled for 20 to 23 August at Eheke Senior Secondary School after the Ministry of Education cut government funding. About 300 delegates from all 14 regions are expected to attend.

    16 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 2 August

  1. Vaping epidemic among Namibian youth drives nicotine addiction crisis

    According to WHO and Ministry of Health data, 23% of school-going adolescents aged 13–17 use vaping products, with usage among teenage boys reaching nearly 30%, while broader youth usage (ages 13–25) may be as high as 31%. Between 2021 and 2024, Namibia imported N$1.4 billion worth of vapes and related nicotine products sold for as little as N$100, prompting educators to regularly confiscate devices from primary school pupils.

    2 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Child parliament speaker reflects on advocacy and representation

    The speaker of Namibia's sixth children's parliament session, Jane Phiri, says child parliamentarians represent children's voices and advocate their rights, having held discussions on education, child protection, health and youth empowerment during their term that began in July 2024. Although they cannot pass laws, they make recommendations to decision-makers to help create a more inclusive environment for Namibian children.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Katima medical students settle tuition fees with cattle

    Students at Shiramed Medical Institute in Katima Mulilo have negotiated with the institution to pay tuition fees with cattle instead of cash, an arrangement the principal tutor says has helped those without ready cash but who own livestock. The Students Union of Namibia supports the model, suggesting payment with livestock and agricultural produce could help rural families access higher education.

    14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 6 July

  1. Education committee launches stakeholder engagement programme

    The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has begun a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight. Committee chairperson Bethuel Tjaveondja said the sessions would help the committee assess whether institutions are fulfilling their roles in education, research, innovation and skills development.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Education committee begins stakeholder engagement on sector challenges

    The National Council's standing committee on education, science, ICT and youth development has launched a stakeholder engagement programme to better understand the challenges and priorities of institutions under its oversight and measure whether they are fulfilling their roles in national development priorities.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Parliamentary committee emphasizes stakeholder engagement for oversight

    Bethuel Tjaveondja, addressing the Standing Committee on Education, Science, ICT and Youth Development, called for stronger parliamentary oversight through direct engagement with institutions under the committee's portfolio, arguing that effective oversight requires more than examining reports and policy documents.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 21 June

  1. Minister suspends NYC leadership elections amid delegate tensions

    Minister Sanet Steenkamp halted proceedings at the National Youth Council General Assembly in Swakopmund on Saturday night after tensions over delegate accreditation and election timing escalated into disorder, forcing postponement of the leadership vote scheduled to elect a new executive chairperson and board for four years.

    21 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 18 June

  1. Youth bodies reject calls to scrap NYC chair position

    Youth organisations and political parties have rejected parliamentarian Imms Nashinge's calls to abolish the National Youth Council chairperson position, arguing the office is necessary and was established through legislation. The debate emerges as former Nanso presidents Esther Simon and Simon Taapopi contest the NYC chairperson position in General Assembly elections at Swakopmund.

    18 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Youth coalition endorses Ester Simon for NYC chairperson

    A coalition of youth and student groups from across Namibia's political spectrum has endorsed Ester Simon as their sole candidate for executive chairperson of the National Youth Council, ahead of the NYC's elective General Assembly in Swakopmund. Simon will contest the position against former NANSO president Simon Taapopi.

    17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 15 June

  1. Boys punished with overnight corridor confinement at school

    Grades 8 and 9 boys at Caprivi Senior Secondary School were forced to sleep in cold corridors without blankets as punishment for losing hostel keys. The incident has drawn condemnation from parents and the Namibia National Students Organisation, with the regional education director confirming the matter and pledging to address it through public service staff rules.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Government advances N$247m to NSFAF for faster student payments

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has provided an additional N$247 million to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to accelerate student allowance payments, with disbursements expected to begin this week, as NSFAF continues to face criticism over payment delays.

    10 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister Steenkamp accused of irregular special advisor appointment

    Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has been accused of irregularly appointing Uhuru Dempers as her special advisor on youth matters and paying him without following proper recruitment procedures. Sources claim Dempers has been attending meetings on the minister's behalf since October 2025 and allegedly lobbied on behalf of an interim board at a National Youth Council meeting in ways not provided for by the NYC Act.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Nanso, NSFAF reach deadlock over student fund delays

    The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) walked out of talks with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) over delayed disbursement of tuition and non-tuition funds, rejecting proposed timelines and calling for a protest at Government Park on Friday after the fund failed to meet previous commitments to release funds in April.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Government orders universities to permit NSFAF-funded student exams

    The Ministry of Education has directed higher education institutions to allow NSFAF-funded students to write examinations and access results while funding payments are being finalised. The ministry is processing about 100,000 student funding records; delays stem from a high volume of applications, implementation of a new tertiary education funding model, and NSFAF integration.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Mines minister to investigate dumped CVs in Karibib

    Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse says his ministry will investigate allegations that CVs submitted by unemployed Namibians to M15 Mining Contractor, a Chinese company working for Osino Resources Corporation in Karibib, were dumped in the open. Amutse described the handling of job seekers' personal information as unacceptable and indicated the Ministry of Labour may also become involved due to both labour and ethical concerns.

    21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 4 May

  1. Commemorating Damara community leader Simson !Gobs

    The Damara community remembers Simson !Gobs, who died on 4 May 1985 after playing a significant role during Namibia's liberation struggle. Operating under the Damara Raad, !Gobs helped facilitate dialogue and cooperation between the Damara community and Swapo, including participation in the historic Damara Raad–Swapo Lusaka Summit.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. PSC retains 16 officials over 60 amid youth joblessness row

    The Public Service Commission retained 16 officials over the age of 60 due to their specialised skills, citing legal provisions for critical expertise gaps, but the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition over potential political patronage and youth unemployment.

    28 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Advanced Subsidiary curriculum review planned as performance declines

    Five years after its rollout, Namibia's Advanced Subsidiary curriculum will undergo review as the percentage of candidates graded in at least three subjects fell to 70.30% in 2025 from a 2021 peak of 76.00%. The Ministry of Education cited performance data, monitoring visits, and examination analysis as informing potential revisions.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Government extends costly emergency school food contracts six months

    The government has cancelled a restricted bidding process for school hostel food procurement and extended costly interim emergency contracts for six months to avoid disruptions while a new tender is finalised. The extension follows legal procedures linked to the procurement process, though stakeholders raise concerns about transparency and the impact on vulnerable hostel pupils.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 April

  1. Student unions demand fair funding model after Nanso suspension

    Student unions have called on the government to establish an equitable funding model after the suspension of funding to the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) amid allegations of misuse and favouritism. While some unions welcome the halt to Nanso's exclusive funding, they oppose complete removal of financial support to student bodies and instead urge the Ministry of Education to distribute budgets fairly among all three student organisations in Namibia.

    18 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 13 April

  1. Nanso raises N$26,600 for school furniture repairs via football tournament

    The Namibia National Students Organisation held a 7-a-side football tournament in Windhoek involving 12 corporate teams to raise funds for its #FixMySchool initiative, which aims to repair and restore school furniture like desks and chairs. The event raised awareness about infrastructure challenges in schools and emphasised collective stakeholder responsibility in improving education conditions.

    13 April 2026 · New Era →

Namibia National Students Organisation — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute