Katima Mulilo
A special programme for the San, Ovatwe and Ovatjimba in the Office of the Vice-President is assisting over 156 students at tertiary level and 147 learners at primary and secondary level country-wide.
In addition, 46 nursing students are being assisted and 11 of them are being trained as nurses at the Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi Health Training Centre in Katima Mulilo.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Marginalised Communities in the Office of the President, Royal /Ui/o/o during his maiden visit to the Zambezi Region as deputy minister.
The visit was meant to gauge activities relating to marginalised communities in Zambezi.
According to /Ui/o/o, the special programme pays for students and learners’ educational related expenses including transport and accommodation.
“Assistance is being rendered to learners and students through the provision of tuition fees, school fees, transport, monthly allowances, toiletries and accommodation fees,” he said.
In efforts meant to capacitate schools accommodating such learners and to reduce the high school dropout rate experienced particularly among San learners, incentives are also provided to such schools to bolster their support systems.
“We have the back-to-school annual campaigns to encourage learners to go back to school. Also under this programme around fifty schools which enrol a high number of learners receive N$2 400 annually from the office to help with logistical and social support of learners,” elaborated /Ui/o/o.
He further said the office for marginalied groups has facilitated the employment of jobless marginalised youths in various sectors of the economy.
“We also facilitate the enrolment of unemployed youth in the police force, Namibia Defence Force (NDF), National Youth Service (NYS) as well as private companies and various ministries,” further stated the deputy minister
/Ui/o/o who urged a group of San students and community members that were present during the meeting with Zambezi Regional Governor Lawrence Sampofu to work towards their own self-determination, noted self-help projects abound in the region from which they could draw a livelihood.
“The Office of the Vice-President is to promote programmes that are aimed at social-economic integration of marginalised groups. Government also provides livelihood support programmes like gardening projects, beekeeping and bread making. Some of these projects are here in the Zambezi,” noted /Ui/o/o
The meeting included constituency councillors and traditional authorities.