The National African Students Association (Nasa) officially launched its branch at the University of Namibia’s (Unam) main campus last week, marking what the organisation described as a renewed effort to strengthen student representation and advocacy on campus.
The branch will operate from an office at the Unam main campus and will serve as a platform through which students can raise concerns and engage with university management through student representatives.
Nasa regional spokesperson Matheus Isak said the branch was established in line with both the association’s constitution and Unam’s campus society regulations.
“The Unam branch is now fully registered as a society, and an interim executive committee has been put in place until the branch conference for elections,” he said.
According to Isak, the branch had initially been operational following the registration of the association in 2021 but later became inactive due to financial constraints and failed to secure registration for 2025.
He said student demand and the need for stronger advocacy structures inspired the relaunch of the branch.
“For the past years when the branch was not so active, students reported issues and called for the organisation to register the society because if the SRC is failing, then student unions become the option and create balance in the campus student parliament,” he stated.
Isak added that Nasa continues to face challenges in registering societies at institutions of higher learning due to what he termed political interference and misconceptions surrounding the organisation’s identity.
“Often, people question why Nasa exists when there is Nanso, but Nasa maintains that we are our own identity and should not be likened to Nanso,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address at the launch, Nasa national deputy president Elizabeth Silas urged student leaders to serve with integrity, courage and humility.
“Leadership is not about titles. Titles do not change communities, people do. Leadership is about sacrifice, listening and serving even when nobody applauds you,” she said.
Silas also emphasised the importance of inclusive leadership and collective action in building an empowered and united student community.
A presentation on advocacy and leadership by Isak further called on student unions and leaders to work together instead of treating leadership as a competition.
He said the initiative would allow students’ concerns and suggestions to be addressed directly by branch executives, who would engage with university management and relevant stakeholders on behalf of students.
“With the union actively involved in national consultative meetings with stakeholders, the students’ voices will be amplified,” he noted.