Windhoek
With the grades 10 and 12 national examinations in full swing, the Namibia National Students’ Organisation (Nanso) has taken drastic measures by engaging the Namibian Police and City Police to ensure that shebeen owners close businesses as stipulated on their liquor licence so learners can have ample time to study.
Nanso has written letters to the Windhoek City Police as well as the Namibian Police for nationwide closure of shebeens operating beyond their licence hours and deal with bar owners who make learners work in shebeens.
“As our learners go for their final exams and might be the most important exams in their lives, we are still faced with the challenge of many of our middle to low income neighbourhoods still being the biggest noise polluters through shebeens that operate beyond their license trading hours, making it impossible for someone to study in that environment,” the letters reads in part.
In this regard, Nanso Secretary for Education and Research, Ashwell Forbes yesterday confirmed the Namibian Police responded well in some regions such as the Khomas, Zambezi and both Kavango East and West.
Over the past few months, the Namibian Police has been busy, especially on local radio stations, urging owners of shebeens adjacent to houses or in close proximity with schools to avoid loud music, so learners can concentrate during their studies.
The Nanso leadership further asked for assistance of communities to contact law enforcement agencies if shebeens and clubs in neighbourhoods extend their noise pollution especially during this time of exams.
Further, Nanso asked the police to intensify more patrols and the closure of shebeens as well as bars that operate with loud music beyond their license trading hours, including those that operate without liquor licenses.
“Most of the students that fall victims to failing grade 10 and 12 are our students from these neighbourhoods, and it is not because their intellect can be questioned but it is because the environment doesn’t allow them to perform to their fullest ability,” Forbes said.