Valontino James
Every year, thousands of young Namibians walk onto university campuses with the same mix of hope and nerves. They’re ready to study, ready to grow, and ready to build a future for themselves. But for many, the very first hurdle they face isn’t in a classroom. It’s finding a place to stay. At the University of Namibia’s main campus alone, 2 389 students applied for only 1 150 beds for 2026. That means more than half of the students who need accommodation simply won’t have it on campus.
The pressure is coming from all sides. Of the applicants, about 1 500 are first‑years, taking their first steps into a completely new environment. Another 889 students are returning, having already gone through this scramble before. And this is not a Windhoek‑only challenge. Eleven of the university’s twelve campuses face more demand than supply every single year.
With campus residences full, most students turn to private accommodation. But this brings a new set of struggles. Many are paying big amounts for rooms they share with others, often in cramped or poor conditions. For students relying on limited funding or support from home, this amount is enormous. Rent takes priority because it has to. What’s left is a small bit of money that then has to stretch across food, books, transport and everything else a student needs to survive.
It doesn’t stop there. Students unable to secure rooms near their campus end up travelling long distances every day. Over time, it becomes clear who has a stable living situation and who doesn’t. One group can study, rest and show up ready. The other are constantly trying to catch up, not because they lack ability, but because their basic needs are not met.
This is why the housing issue is not just a logistical problem. It is an education problem. When something as fundamental as a bed influences who thrives and who falls behind, the system is failing the very people it’s meant to empower.
Solving this won’t happen overnight. It requires new ways of thinking and a willingness to collaborate. Universities, landlords, developers and technology partners all have a role to play. Tools that help students find verified, safer accommodation options are already easing some of the pressure, especially for young people travelling from far‑off regions, not knowing where to begin.
More Namibians are pursuing higher education than ever before, and that’s something to celebrate. But unless the country keeps pace with this momentum by ensuring students have decent accommodation, we risk losing too many of them along the way. Not because they lack potential, but because they lack a place to sleep.
Supporting students starts with meeting their most basic needs and giving them the chance to succeed on equal footing.
*Valontino James is the cofounder of Pozi.
