Staff Writer
Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture minister Sanet Steenkamp has urged employees of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to continue supporting students as the fund adjusts to its integration into the ministry.
NSFAF was formally integrated into the ministry on 1 March and will now fully operate from within the ministry.
She said students depend on the fund and services must continue during the transition.
“I must emphasise that students depend on NSFAF, and service delivery must not be compromised during this period,” Steenkamp said during her first meeting with NSFAF employees at the fund’s offices in Windhoek on Monday.
She said NSFAF remains an important department and its work supports thousands of students across the country.
“The Fund continues to serve thousands of students because of the professionalism, resilience, and dedication of its employees,” she said.
Steenkamp acknowledged that the integration process has created uncertainty among staff. She said employees raised concerns about remuneration and the impact of the changes on their livelihoods.
“These concerns are legitimate, particularly when change affects people’s livelihoods. I want to assure you that your concerns are understood and taken seriously,” she said.
She said the integration was introduced to strengthen governance and improve alignment with national education and skills development priorities.
“The integration of NSFAF into the Ministry was intended to strengthen governance, improve alignment with national education and skills development priorities, and enhance long-term sustainability,” Steenkamp said.
She told staff the transition was not meant to undermine their work or reduce the value of their contribution.
According to Steenkamp, the department’s mandate remains the same and focuses on ensuring students have access to financial support for education and training.
She said engagements had already taken place with management, union representatives and staff members during the transition. These included departmental meetings, letters and explanatory memoranda issued to employees.
Steenkamp said consultation must go beyond meetings and ensure employees feel properly informed.
She said any gaps in communication must be addressed.
According to her, the ministry’s next priority is stabilising the department while ensuring operations continue without disruption.
She said this includes confirming staff roles, reporting lines and internal processes to provide certainty.
The ministry will also work to strengthen communication with employees and address operational challenges affecting the department.
Steenkamp said filling critical and approved positions will help manage workloads and improve service delivery.
“I therefore call on all of us to engage respectfully, focus on solutions, and remain committed to the work entrusted to us by the Namibian people,” she said.
Caption
Sanet Steenkamp
