The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare’s deputy director of marginalised communities, Rebekka Namwandi, has encouraged marginalised community members to apply to tertiary institutions to obtain qualifications.
Namwandi made the remarks in an interview with Nampa after members of the Hai//om Marginalised Community (MC) from the Namutoni Gate in the Etosha National Park expressed their unhappiness with their treatment from the government.
The deputy director said the marginalised communities should apply to study and consult the ministry to assist in paying their tuition fees.
The spokesperson of the Hai//om community at the Namutoni Gate, Martha Oases, recently told Nampa they not only feel like their rights to resources in Etosha are too restricted, they also want to be recognised and employed by the government.
She claimed that when Hai//om community members apply for positions in their area, they are not shortlisted for interviews.
“We are not saying the government should not employ other people, but we also want to benefit… We want work, we are unemployed,” Oases said.
She added that Hai//om youth want to study but do not have the means to do so.
“The Hai//om youth try to go to school but our mothers do not have cattle and goats to sell to take us to universities,” she said.
Oases added that even amongst those who do go for further studies, the dropout rate is high. She suggested more vocational training for young people from marginalised communities.
Namwandi meanwhile, while encouraging marginalised community members to study, acknowledged that they face various barriers to education.
These include a lack of national documents required by the Ministry of Home Affairs, making it difficult for parents to register their children for social grants. This in turns prevents learners from obtaining school uniforms and necessary supplies, leading to bullying at school and discouraging them from continuing their education.
She also noted bullying due to living standards, high teenage pregnancy rates, and substance abuse among some marginalised community members, all of which contribute to a high dropout rate.
“Additionally, some are nomadic, so they move from one farm to another with their kids not caring about kids attending school,” she said.
Namwandi proposed several solutions, including the construction of hostels to accommodate learners from marginalised communities, as this would reduce the burden of long commutes to school. She also called for awareness campaigns on alcohol and drug abuse and advocated for simplified requirements and the provision of national documents marginalised communities.
Source: Namibia Press Agency