Student unions cry foul over ‘secret’ funding

Student unions are urging the government to implement a fair funding model following the suspension of funding to the Namibia National Students Organisation’s (Nanso) budget amid allegations of corruption and favouritism.

The call comes after member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement leader Job Amupanda on 14 April claimed funds allocated to Nanso over the years were misused, describing the process as “secretive and corrupt”.

National African Students’ Association (Nasa) founder and board chairperson Paulus Vihemba says while the organisation welcomes the decision to halt funding to a single union, complete removal of financial support to student bodies would weaken student representation.

“We appreciate the ministry’s decision to halt funding for Nanso.

It is a first step we welcome to rectify inequality and favouritism practices.

However, Nasa does not support the permanent removal of funding for student bodies,” he said yesterday.

Instead, he urged the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture to develop new funding arrangements that will benefit all the three student bodies in Namibia.

“We are calling on the ministry of education to sit with all the bodies and set aside a unified budget for student bodies that can be divided equitably to all bodies,” he said.

Vihemba said Nasa has never advocated for the exclusion of Nanso, but rather for fairness and inclusivity in funding allocation.

He also commended the parliament for addressing inequality and called for continued efforts toward establishing a new funding model.

Nanso dismissed the allegations, saying they are politically motivated, according to yesterday’s Namibian Sun.

Its president, Dorthea Nangolo, has confirmed receiving funding but maintained that all funds were properly accounted for.

“We have always submitted audited financial statements to the ministry, accounting for every dollar received.

Receiving government funding does not make us corrupt,” the article reads.

She said the union’s funding has never been a secret, and that the Student Union of Namibia (SUN) has also received funding from the ministry.

However, SUN president Natangwe Shikesho disputes the claims, saying his union has never received funding from the government.

“We host all our engagements from our pockets, and members’ contributions,” he says.

Shikesho says it is unfair that the ministry only funds one organisation when others are also in need.

He says limited funding undermines the ability of student bodies to serve pupils, especially those in remote areas.

“It would be fair if all student bodies were being funded. For an organisation to serve their students in places like Katjinakatji or remote areas, they need money to go there,” he says.

Amupanda on Facebook alleged that successive Swapo-led governments have allocated between N$200 000 and N$500 000 annually over the past 15 years to Nanso, while excluding other student organisations.

He claimed that the misuse of funds included trivial expenses, and announced an end to what he described as “15 years of corruption”.

Amupanda said the funds would be redirected to research initiatives.

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