Allexer Namundjebo
Student leaders are unhappy about hostel evictions at the University of Namibia (Unam).
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) and the National African Students Association (Nasa) have objected to Unam’s reported plan to evict students from hostels during exams.
The move reportedly aims to create space for renovations ahead of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games.
Namibia is set to host the 11th edition of the AUSC Youth Games in Windhoek and Swakopmund from 4 to 13 July.
The games were initially scheduled to be held in Mozambique, but after their withdrawal, Namibia stepped in as the replacement host nation.
Nanso spokesperson Jessy Abraham expressed support for the Unam Student Representative Council (SRC), which submitted a petition to university management and demanded a response by 14h00 today.
Abraham said evicting students during exams is unacceptable, especially for international students who may face homelessness.
“The university’s prioritisation of renovations after years of neglecting dilapidated hostels, while disregarding students’ academic needs, is deeply troubling,” she said.
Abraham said current hostel residents are anxious about both their exams and the possibility of being removed on short notice.
“That should say enough that the university has failed to, as an academic institution, prioritise its students,” she said.
She said it is even more concerning that the university is only now attending to hostel renovations after many years of neglect.
“The economic benefits of holding the Region 5 Games aside, we cannot abandon our students at the expense of hosting games that will disadvantage our students,” Abraham said.
Nasa spokesperson Du Plessis Sibinda also rejected the eviction plans, calling the move “shocking” and a violation of students’ constitutional right to education.
Sibinda asserted that Unam’s leadership lacks understanding of the realities encountered by the majority of middle-class students.
He warned that any effort to remove students could result in mass protest and demands for accountability.
A student currently living in the hostels, who asked to remain anonymous, said the timing of the eviction is disruptive and poorly planned.
The student said it affects study plans and creates challenges in finding new housing during exams.
The student also questioned why participants of the games cannot be accommodated elsewhere and noted that students are paying for the spaces they are now being told to vacate.
An international student living in the hostels also shared concerns about affordability.
“We can’t be hiking to school for exams. The reason why we are in the hostel is that we can’t afford to be hiking. Where are we going to get accommodation? We didn’t budget for that; they must find another place to accommodate their guests, not in our rooms that we pay for,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho were unsuccessful.
Questions sent to the university about the eviction order and whether students were given enough time to secure alternative accommodation went unanswered.
This will be the second time Namibia hosts this important event, having previously staged the competition in 2006.
A total of 12 sports codes are expected to be showcased throughout the tournament.
A record 2 229 athletes and officials are expected at this event, where all will be vying for honours.
