OMUTHIYA – An engineering graduate from a local institution is devastated and reeling in shock after she was threatened with legal action by her technical institute due to tuition fee debts of over N$60 000.

This has brought undue stress on a 27-year-old graduate from Omuthiya, who has no other means to settle the amount, as she is unemployed with no source of income. In February, Selma Indongo graduated with a higher Diploma in Manufacture Engineering at the National Institute of Technology formerly known as the Centre for Training and Project Development. 

Despite having weathered all storms associated with learning to obtain a qualification, she could not be conferred with a certificate on the day of graduation because she owes the institution.

She has been languishing home hopeless, thus she is appealing to Good Samaritans to assist her to deflect the legal action being contemplated.

To make matters worse, she is unable to apply for a job, as she does not have her qualification.

“I have been stressing since my graduation in February when I was told I owe the institution about N$63 000, which I need to pay to get my certificate. Failure to do so, my name will be handed over to debt collectors and subsequently handed over to ITC,” she stated.

She tried applying for financial assistance from several organisations, including the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) but all her requests were declined. 

Indongo nearly quit in her first year, as she could not secure any financial assistance, she had soldiered on hoping there would be light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am so furious that my future and financial credibility will be tainted even before I start working. This will have far-reaching repercussion for me, if I am to be blacklisted, I won’t be able to do anything for myself as I am labelled a ‘risk’,” bewailed a distressed Indongo.

Furthermore, she said, “I am just an orphan, living with my grandmother who is a pensioner, with our only survival being the pension grant. That is why I am here today appealing to anyone that could offer relief from this distressful situation, and I will see how I repay them if I am to get employed.”

Based on the previous statements of results, Indongo has been the best academic performer. She majors in welding and metal fabrication as well as pneumatic and hydraulics. 

– osimasiku@nepc.com.na