By Jolene Bok The Certificate in Local Government Studies is a one-year Certificate Course that was introduced at NAMCOL, under the Professional Programmes in 2005. The first intake was in 2006. Due to its popularity, the student numbers increased tremendously from 92 to 192, a statement from Namcol said. The aims of this course are the following: – providing support for the decentralization and democratization process in Namibia; – supporting capacity initiatives of regional councils and local authorities through a tailor-made academic programme; – providing opportunities for school-leavers who have an interest in a career in regional and local government; – providing an academic programme that would be acceptable as a basic entry qualification for students interested in enrolling for a Diploma in Local Government Studies in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies of UNAM. Students are posted all over Namibia. The first orientation workshop for the 2007 intake took place at the UN Plaza last month. This is a face-to-face workshop in which students meet their tutors and fellow students enrol for the course. Here are the views of some of the students on the course: Aina Newonga, 23-year-old woman, from the Otjikoto Region, and particularly Ondangwa. “I am unemployed. I took up this course to further my studies at a later stage. At the moment, I am unemployed. It is very hard for me to do this course, but I know that this course will open doors for me in future. I will make a success of it.” Bellington Mabakeng, 31-year-old man from the Erongo Regional Council. “The Course is indeed very relevant to what we are doing at the work place. This is capacity-building on Regional Council level. Regional and Local authorities employees can benefit greatly from the relevance of this course.” Cansen Kaisuma, 30-year-old male, a Police Officer from Omaruru. “The course is very interesting, and the indepth studies are very relevant, for example the practicals. Although I work in Omaruru, I am from Opuwa, and hope to finish my studies to go back to Opuwa. I want to make a difference in the lives of the people in Opuwa, if I can take up a position in the Local Government. The Basic Economics in the course is a bit difficult for me.” Elias Marthinu, 33-year-old male, a teacher from the Oshivelo Village, Otjikoto Region. Elias quit the teaching profession to venture in another direction. He was a teacher for 11 years. “I would like to make a change in my career. This is just the start for me. I would like to pursue a career in Local Government. Who knows, I might be a future director or CEO in local government!” Elias Mpengo, 22-year-old male. “I hope to get a degree one day in local government. The standard and quality of the workshop are good, I like what I see and experience. Foibe Nangolo, 31-year-old female, Oshikoto Region, Ondangwa. “I am unemployed, but enjoy the course tremendously. I also want to pursue a career in local government one day.” Hemedia Haindongo, 33-year-old female from Oshana Region, Ondangwa. Works for Shell Co. “The work is very relevant and interesting. I would just like to broaden my horizon, that is why I am doing this course. The work is different, and we will struggle a bit but will see it through.” Hertha Shiyandja, 20-year-old female. “The course is not difficult at all. You should just plan properly, get assistance from your tutors, speak to other students and get through!”. Theopolina Petrus, 32-year-old female, from Oshana Region, Ongwediva. “I am self-employed, but would like to have a career in this field one day, maybe in the local municipality or the local government. The course is tough, but I will pull through. All the dynamics of local authorities seem like Greek now, but it will take some time to understand the full dynamics of local government”.