NSFAF acting chief executive Kennedy Kandume resigns amid reintegration into ministry

Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) acting chief executive Kennedy Kandume has confirmed his resignation from the institution.

“I am no longer employed by NSFAF, since the end of February,” he told The Namibian yesterday.

Kandume’s resignation comes after the announcement of 100% subsidised tertiary education and the reintegration of NSFAF into the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture last year.

According to Kandume, this exercise led to the resignation of a number of employees from the former state-owned enterprise.

“As part of this reorganisation, some employees opted not to join the ministry, including myself,” he said.

NSFAF spokesperson Percy Tjahere says 87 permanent employees have been reintegrated into the ministry.

He says it is unclear how many temporary employees were let go as most of them worked on special projects.

The Students Union of Namibia (SUN) on Wednesday raised concern about the transparency of the reintegration of NSFAF, saying the resignation of the chief executive comes at a crucial time.

“The ministry must give directions as to who is responsible for NSFAF now,” the union said, as they want a smooth transition.

The union said NSFAF non-tuition fees are often paid after April, which has become a recurring concern.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, SUN secretary of education Tuhafeni Shalongo says the delay of payments places students from disadvantaged backgrounds under financial pressure at the beginning of each year.

“Non-tuition fees are not a privilege, but a necessity that covers accommodation, food, transport, learning materials and other essential needs required for students to participate fully in their studies,” the union said.

The union added that this exposes students to eviction threats from landlords who entered into agreements with the expectation of NSFAF paying them on time.

“Why does NSFAF pay in April if school starts in January?” Shalongo asks.

The union said the delays have forced students to walk long distances to campuses due to lack of transport money.

This, he said, leads to students missing academic deadlines, and, in some cases, being excluded from online learning platforms due to a lack of access to digital resources.

Shalongo says this situation not only undermines academic performance but entrenches inequality within the education system, disproportionately affecting vulnerable students.

“We are calling on NSFAF to ensure the immediate and timely disbursement of non-tuition fees,” Shalongo says.

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