Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has received support from public figures after he shared that he once considered suicide during a period of financial hardship.
Ngurare made the revelation last week on social media, saying that between 2015 and 2019, he was under severe financial stress and nearly lost both his house and car due to nonpayment.
During that time, he said the thought of suicide crossed his mind in the hope that his life cover would settle his debt and support his family.
“Thanks to the support of family, friends and comrades, I managed to thwart those thoughts. Financial stress happens to most of us, and I am still paying off the debt,” Ngurare said.
He urged people experiencing similar distress to speak up and seek help.
“It is therefore from this personal perspective that I say to whoever finds themselves on the verge of suicidal thoughts, please don’t go through with it. Fight on, the sun will shine again amidst all the hardships of life. To be alive is priceless, especially to one’s family. Let’s hold hands as a nation to save those in financial distress. By all of us, I mean both the government and the private sector. May God bless you all and may God bless Namibia,” he said.
Ngurare’s remarks come amid national concern over suicide cases, including those of teachers who recently left behind notes citing financial struggles.
The ministry of education, arts, and culture has since announced it will offer psychological support to teachers and learners across the country.
Former Namibia Desert Diamonds chief executive officer Kennedy Hamutenya said it takes strength to speak openly about depression and financial distress, especially in a society where men are often expected to remain silent.
“Just recently, in a WhatsApp group, we were discussing the heartbreaking suicide of a Namibian man, just days before his wedding. One of the comments read, ‘Depression is for sissies; people must man up.’ I had to challenge that kind of thinking – because it’s precisely those dangerous, outdated mindsets that push men to suffer in silence,” said Hamutenya.
He described Ngurare’s public statement as an act of leadership.
“I am incredibly proud of him and pray that the Almighty God continues to guide, protect, and bless him,” he said.
Zambian politician and former University of Namibia (Unam) student leader Joseph Kalimbwe said Ngurare’s statement highlights the silence around mental health struggles in African communities.
He praised the prime minister’s accessibility and humility.
“It’s a lesson to all, in politics and beyond. We all go through rough patches and need the help of others. Stand tall and don’t take the route of suicide, life has a better chance coming,” said Kalimbwe.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member and former member of parliament Hidipo Hamata said Ngurare’s message brings hope and emotional strength to those silently battling debt.
He called for practical policy responses, such as giving civil servants access to part of their pensions.
“Your vulnerability reminds us that these challenges are real and closer to home than we sometimes admit. However, beyond comforting words, we must also seek practical and amicable solutions as a nation,” said Hamata.
He added that allowing controlled pension access could ease financial pressure and restore dignity.
