Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
August 2026
The Namibian
Students Union of Namibia board chairperson Benhard Kavausaysgovernment is failing to turn good policies into tangible results
Source
“Students Union of Namibia board chairperson Benhard Kavau says Namibia has good policies for young people, but the government is failing to turn those policies into tangible results.”
The Students Union of Namibia (SUN)welcomesthe arrangement of payment with livestock
Source
“The Students Union of Namibia (SUN), welcomes the arrangement saying payment with livestock and agricultural produce could help more rural families access higher education.”
Students Union of NamibiahonouredKennedy Kandume with an Award of Excellence
Source
“The Students Union of Namibia (SUN) recently honoured former Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) acting CEO, Kennedy Kandume, with an Award of Excellence for meritorious leadership in advancing student opportunities in Windhoek.”
Students Union of Namibiaconvenedgeneral students assembly
Source
“I extend my heartfelt commendation to the leadership of the union for convening this important assembly, which embodies the spirit of democratic participation and student representation within our national discourse.”
Students Union of Namibiahas saidVenezuela-US events offer important lessons on governance and sovereignty
Source
“The recent Venezuela-United States (US) events offer important lessons for youth in the Global South on governance, sovereignty, and the consequences of institutional failure, the Students Union of Namibia (SUN) has said.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
On International Youth Day, young people and youth advocates say Namibia must move beyond policy promises and consultations to deliver concrete results. A Students Union of Namibia leader cited unfulfilled pledges on sport infrastructure, while a youth ministry officer noted that consultation without actual policy change does not constitute meaningful youth participation.
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.
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.
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.
The Students Union of Namibia honoured Kennedy Kandume, who served as NSFAF's acting CEO for eight years until last month, with an Award of Excellence for his transformative leadership in expanding financial support to students and procuring laptops during the Covid-19 pandemic. NSFAF has since been reintegrated into the education ministry as a department.
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa addressed the Students Union of Namibia general assembly, encouraging young people to transcend organisational divisions and collaborate for national development. He emphasised that democracy requires active student participation, that youth should study relevant skills for market deployment, and that graduates should consider opportunities in rural areas to ensure inclusive development.
The Students Union of Namibia has cited Venezuela's recent political crisis as a lesson on the dangers of weak governance and institutional failure, warning that both misrule justified by nationalism and foreign intervention disguised as democratic support weaken institutions and destabilize youth populations. The union's legal secretary called for young leaders in the Global South to prioritize accountable institutions, economic diversification, and youth employment over personality-driven politics and narrow resource dependency.