Outapi
The Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary for education, Simeon Haihambo, says the recent “fees must fall” demonstrations at the two public tertiary institutions in the capital were fuelled by frustrated Nanso members.
Haihambo distanced the SPYL from the demonstrations, saying that the fees issue could have been resolved without placards.
According to Haihambo what emerged at the recent demonstrations is that Nanso appeared to be demonstrating on behalf of the students and not the students demonstrating for themselves.
Haihambo remained mum on who the frustrated individuals within the Nanso leadership are.
“If there is a frustrated leader who is leading a certain organisation what else do you expect – these demonstrations that you are seeing were not planned by the students themselves but rather by Nanso. We don’t really know what Nanso wants,” said Haihambo.
Haihambo said although SPYL was not involved at the beginning of the demonstrations, the movement was involved in the negotiations with the ministry to delay payment of the registration fee.
He brushed off allegations that some of the SPYL leadership spotted at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) demonstration had gone to spy on students, as alleged on social media.
According to Haihambo those particular leaders had gone to sympathise with the students and partook in and spearheaded the negotiations with the concerned ministry to delay payment.
“It was because of them that the minister of higher education and the vice-chancellor listened to the whole situation,” said Haihambo.
He added that it should be made clear to students that the registration fee was not abolished but that students were accorded an opportunity to register and settle their bills later.
“From the onset SPYL was not involved in the negotiations, but when we saw the students crying, we went and cried with them,” said Haihambo.
Haihambo said his office is aware of the socio-economic imbalance especially of students from previously disadvantaged communities.
“Government is also aware and that is why there are loans and grants to address the imbalance,” said Haihambo.
He appealed to the nation to remain calm while government finds its feet to implement free tertiary education, adding that the SPYL has already resolved and recommended the idea to the government.
He said he is personally of the idea that fees should remain static, as it puts pressure on students who want to be educated but do not have the means.
Haihambo also implored Nanso to converse with his office and the ministry before indulging in further demonstrations.
He said as radical youth leaders of SPYL his office is prepared to guide and support students and rectify problems through the correct channels.