Two teachers from the Ohangwena region have reportedly died by suicide on Tuesday in what has shocked the education fraternity and the nation at large. 

No suicide notes were found at the scenes of the suicides. The deceased have been identified as Titus Nuuyi (34) from Enyana Combined School and Lukas Kalwenya (39) from Ohehonge Combined School. 

Last weekend, another teacher, Nestory Namhinda (28), from Eenhana Secondary School, was also reported to have died by suicide. 

Ohangwena Namibian Police Deputy Commissioner Melanie Mburu confirmed the devastating incidents. 

According to the police, Nuuyi’s body was discovered by schoolchildren on their way to school. The children alerted nearby residents, who then contacted the police. Meanwhile, Kalwenya was found hanging in his bathroom with a rope around his neck. 

His body was discovered by a housemate. Namhinda’s body was found in the bushes by children who were collecting firewood. 

It is alleged that, on the day of his death, his girlfriend, with whom he lived in Eenhana, was trying to reach him, but his phone was switched off. 

Learners from all three schools were left shocked and heartbroken by the news of their teachers’ deaths. 

Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi described the incidents as tragic and deeply painful. 

“This is indeed sad news, not only for the Ohangwena Directorate but for the entire Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and Namibia as a whole,” he said. 

“One young life lost in Ohangwena is a young life lost in Namibia. Just recently, newspapers have been filled with stories of rising suicide cases in our country. This is becoming unbearable,” he added. 

Hamatwi stressed the complexity of addressing suicide in Namibia. 

“It’s difficult to address this growing situation. One of the biggest challenges is that our society remains highly secretive about the causes of suicide. Sometimes, what is said publicly is not the actual reason behind the act,” he said. 

“If we, as a country, are to take any concrete action at all levels, including within institutions such as regional directorates, we need access to suicide notes. These would serve as a starting point for more informed and targeted interventions,” Hamatwi said.

He expressed his condolences on behalf of the directorate. 

“The office of the director presents its heartfelt condolences to all affected families, schools and circuits. It is truly an agonising week in Ohangwena and Namibia at large,” he remarked. Teachers who spoke to New Era anonymously have called on human resources departments to implement wellness programmes for educators. 

“I feel that we are not given enough support in terms of wellness and team-building activities. The team-building exercises we do at schools are not funded by the government, but I see other civil servants enjoying wellness activities fully paid for by the State,” one teacher said. Another teacher highlighted financial challenges as a major contributor to teachers’ stress. 

“Teachers in Namibia, like in many countries, often face financial burdens. Salaries are low and may not be enough to cover basic living expenses, especially in rural areas where the cost of living is often higher,” he said. 

– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na