Free Tertiary Education or Vote Engineering?

The recent announcement by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to make tertiary education free should, in theory, be a cause for celebration.

In a country where access to higher education remains a barrier for many young Namibians, this is a seemingly progressive and necessary step.

Education is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for social mobility.

However, when such promises are made on the eve of an election – and without similar commitments to other vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly – their sincerity must be questioned.

It is no secret that Swapo’s dominance has been shaken by the rise of youth-driven political movements. The emergence of new parties with stronger performances in recent elections reflects a shifting political landscape.

These parties speak the language of the youth, understand their frustrations, and are becoming legitimate alternatives to the ruling party.

Within this context, the pledge of free tertiary education may be less about transformation and more about tactical vote engineering.

The timing, paired with growing youth disillusionment, raises the question: Is this a genuine step towards educational equity, or a strategic move to recapture the youth vote?

Namibia’s youth, the largest and most influential voting bloc, have long expressed dissatisfaction with government performance on unemployment, housing, and access to education.

Championing free tertiary education could be a calculated attempt to regain lost ground – an electoral sweetener rather than a policy built on principle.

If Swapo is serious about this commitment, it must present a transparent, costed implementation plan – not vague promises repeated every five years.

In contrast, the elderly – many surviving on the old-age grant – remain excluded from this new vision. There has been no meaningful effort to adjust the grant or provide economic relief for senior citizens.

It appears that older voters, perceived as a shrinking constituency with limited electoral influence, are being sidelined.

This is not only short-sighted; it is a form of demographic discrimination. A government that prioritises certain age groups for political gain undermines the principles of inclusive democracy.

If Swapo truly seeks transformation, it must demonstrate that its policies are rooted in justice, not survival.

Until then, free tertiary education will remain under scrutiny – not for what it promises, but for what it omits.

Namibia’s youth deserves sincerity, not strategic appeasement.

– Ernst !Noariseb

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