Shock and sorrow have once again hit the Nangolo Mbumba Combined School at Omboloka village in the Okongo area after another 16-year-old learner took his life.
According to the police weekend crime report, the body of Ndafelai Nghipangelwa (16) was found hanging from a tree at Omboloka village in the Ohangwena region.
The tragedy comes just seven months after another 16-year-old learner from the same school, who was also Nghipangelwa’s close friend and classmate, hanged himself earlier this year.
School principal Lazarus Shapwa confirmed the incident. He described the situation as heartbreaking and marks another dark chapter.
“The two learners were good friends and classmates. As teachers, we never noticed any strange behaviour or signs that could have led to this,” said Shapwa. He added that the repeated suicides have caused fear and confusion among other learners and the community.
“This situation is worrisome. We have already contacted the Ohangwena education director to arrange social workers to come and talk to our learners,” he added.
He said the school has been conducting general meetings with learners, encouraging them to speak up when facing difficult situations.
Shapwa stated that they continue to remind them to seek help and not isolate themselves.
The death of two close friends from the same school within months has left the community in shock, with teachers, parents and leaders all calling for stronger mental health awareness in schools and at home.
Nghipangelwa’s guardian Beata Itangwa, who raised him since he was eight months old, said she the incident has left her in disbelief.
“I was not at home when I got a call from neighbours saying my children were fighting. After the fight, Ndafelai left the house. When I came back, I looked for him but didn’t find him. I thought he went somewhere as he usually does when upset,” she said.
She only discovered the tragedy the next morning.
Itangwa said when they woke up, they found his body hanging from a tree.
Last month, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed serious concern over the increasing number of suicides in Namibia.
She urged Namibians to be more caring and reach out when facing challenges.
Police data reveals that 542 suicides were recorded between 2023 and 2024.
Of these, 449 were men, 80 were women, and 13 were children below the age of 18.