Nust graduate faces disappointment amid job shortages

Otillie Hamwatile (27) recently graduated from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) with a degree in criminal justice and policing.

Growing up as the only child at the small village of Okasegele near Ongha in the Ohangwena region, she was raised by her grandmother. Her education began at Ehambelele Combined School, where she completed grades 1 to 7.

“After moving to Windhoek, I repeated Grade 7 at Namutoni Primary School in 2011, marking a new start. In 2012, I continued my studies at Karibib Junior Secondary School until Grade 10. In 2014, I faced challenges when I became pregnant, but I managed to pass my exams. After giving birth in 2015, I encountered many difficulties, including financial struggles with my child’s father being unemployed, but I persevered.

“In 2016, I returned to school at Eenhana Senior Secondary School and completed grades 11 and 12, though I failed Grade 12 in 2017. Determined to improve my situation, I enrolled at the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) through Elite Tutorial College in 2018, passing my subjects, but still not qualifying for university,” she says.

After facing setbacks in 2019, she resumed her studies at the Yetu Yama Namcol Centre in 2020, commuting daily from Goreangab to Soweto.

“I passed all my subjects in 2021. Later, I worked at Shoprite and re-registered for English at Namcol to enhance my qualifications despite being scammed by a fake institution”.

In 2022, Hamwatile finally enrolled at Nust to study criminal justice in policing.

She joined the student representative council at the Eenhana campus during the 2022/23 academic year.

“I am grateful to God, my family, and the support of mentors like Mr Shikulo and Mr Sibolile. Their encouragement has been essential in my journey.”

She says after graduating earlier this month, she found herself navigating a period of uncertainty while trying to remain hopeful and proactive.

Since graduating, she has been applying for jobs in the policing and criminal justice sector. She says she has also been using her free time to strengthen her CV with professionals in the field, adding that she is considering taking a short course while still pursuing employment opportunities.

“It has been discouraging to not find employment. I found myself at a crossroads since graduating. I was hopeful about securing a position with the Namibian Police but was disappointed when I didn’t get shortlisted since I applied while still completing my degree,” says Hamwatile.

The job market is very competitive, and the rejection from the police has been disheartening, but she is not giving up hope, she says.

“Since graduating with a degree in criminal justice, I also found myself disappointed as I could not secure a position with the Namibian Police,” says another recent graduate from Outapi, Lukas Mandume.

“Unfortunately, I have yet to secure employment in my field of studies. The job market is very competitive and I remain optimistic though about the future by continuing to pursue my passion and connecting with those who share similar goals,” he says.

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