COMPUTER Aid Namibia – an institution that purportedly ‘is dedicated to helping Namibia’s disadvantaged population bridge the divides of information technology’ – appears to be a hoax.
Students who wanted to enrol with the ‘bona fide voluntary non-profit, non-governmental organisation’ have expressed doubt about its authenticity.Like the prospective students who complained about not being able to get hold of Computer Aid Namibia, The Namibian has also unsuccessfully called the cellphone number on the institution’s pamphlet.Another number from which one of the prospective students received a text message appears to have been switched off in the meantime.An e-mail was also sent to the provided address – to no avail.On the pamphlet, it is stated that ‘all training will take place at accredited organisations such as University Central Consultancy Bureau (UCCB) of Unam’.However, Utaara Hoveka, spokesperson of the University of Namibia (Unam), says they have no business with such an institution. ‘University of Namibia Central Consultancy Bureau has never dealt with a person or entity in the name of Computer Aid Namibia.’On the leaflet, it is promised that the information technology divide which disadvantaged people suffer from will be overcome by ‘soliciting donations of surplus and disused computer hardware, peripheral devices, software, books and funding to train young people’.Also, it is alleged, Computer Aid Namibia ‘is in the process of establishing a computer re-use and learning centre in Windhoek’.It is further claimed that Computer Aid Namibia ‘will provide full course fees’. However, participants will be responsible for their own accommodation, transport and meals during the training period.’The training allegedly starts on April 23 and ends on May 5. All applications need to be accompanied by a N$70 application fee.
