Swapo Govt has strived to improve economic conditions – Mbumba

President Nangolo Mbumba says the Swapo government has strived to improve the economic conditions of Namibians, particularly the youth.

He was speaking at the launch of the University of Namibia Foundation and fundraising projects in Windhoek yesterday.
Mbumba referred to 2015, when president Hage Geingob’s administration declared poverty as a key focus area to be addressed.

“For that reason, the first and second Harambee Prosperity Plans were developed to eradicate structural and historical poverty caused by the discriminatory policies of the apartheid administration in Namibia,” he said.

Mbumba said education plays a vital role in bringing shared knowledge to communities, and the government should ensure that Namibia derives maximum gains from the utilisation of its local mineral resources.

He said it is the government’s obligation to ensure that the funding allocated to education is well spent.

“Much will need to be done to ensure a healthy balance between the operational expenditure and funds spent on the welfare of both pupils and university students,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the issue of textbook shortages, infrastructure deficiencies, and the quality of lecturing, curriculums and education aids should be addressed in an efficient and effective manner to ensure the country derives maximum value from allocations to the education sector.

Mbumba said he is happy that the University of Namibia (Unam), under the Unam council and office of the vice chancellor, has established the foundation to secure additional resources to provide excellent educational infrastructure, quality teaching, learning, innovation and research.

“The main purpose is to provide a well-resourced conducive environment to help equip students to become well-grounded graduates,” he said.

Additionally, he said he hopes the foundation’s website, which was launched yesterday, will be supported.