Lecturer dies by suicide on campus
Classes set to resume today
A 56-year-old arts lecturer who died by suicide yesterday has been described as a kind, introverted woman.
It was a sombre Tuesday morning at the University of Namibia’s (Unam) Hifikepunye Pohamba campus in Ongwediva when one of their own - a 56-year-old arts lecturer - allegedly died by suicide.
Nuusiku Shaanika had been employed by the university since January 2011, and taught arts education.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she taught drawing, printing, painting and sculpture-making, with a focus on social issues.
The police said no foul play has been detected and no suicide note was left behind.
The incident reportedly took place at around 07:30 yesterday morning.
Last prayer
The hostel matron on campus, Katrina Ashivudhi-Amakali, said Shaanika had been living with her for about a week.
This after a fire broke out at her house on campus and she needed somewhere to live while renovations were done.
According to her, the fire only destroyed some books.
“I believe she had planned to do this [end her life] last night because she informed me that she had papers to pick up from [her lecture room]. Without suspecting anything, I offered to accompany her. We grabbed the papers and returned home to prepare dinner,” Ashivudhi-Amakali said.
She added that Shaanika did not have dinner, and instead they did their nightly devotion, prayed and went to bed.
‘I saw her hanging’
Yesterday morning after Ashivudhi-Amakali took a bath, she put water on the boil for Shaanika, but later realised she had already left.
She said she asked her children, who responded that Shaanika must have left for class.
“I called her and the phone was ringing in the sitting room. I went to her office and she was not there. I proceeded to her lecture room and the door was locked. I peeped through the window and saw her hanging.”
Ashivudhi-Amakali said she then rushed to inform the other lecturers.
According to her, she had not observed any signs or change in behaviour lately, adding that Shaanika had been at home marking her students’ papers as per usual.
She had also attended a workshop on campus on Monday, she said.
Ashivudhi-Amakali described Shaanika as an introvert and a very kind person.
Providing support
Campus director Jacob Sheehama said the university suspended lessons for the day yesterday for the wellness of students and lecturers, adding that classes would resume today.
The university will also offer professional counselling to staff members and students through its wellness office during these “difficult times”, he said.
Nuusiku Shaanika had been employed by the university since January 2011, and taught arts education.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she taught drawing, printing, painting and sculpture-making, with a focus on social issues.
The police said no foul play has been detected and no suicide note was left behind.
The incident reportedly took place at around 07:30 yesterday morning.
Last prayer
The hostel matron on campus, Katrina Ashivudhi-Amakali, said Shaanika had been living with her for about a week.
This after a fire broke out at her house on campus and she needed somewhere to live while renovations were done.
According to her, the fire only destroyed some books.
“I believe she had planned to do this [end her life] last night because she informed me that she had papers to pick up from [her lecture room]. Without suspecting anything, I offered to accompany her. We grabbed the papers and returned home to prepare dinner,” Ashivudhi-Amakali said.
She added that Shaanika did not have dinner, and instead they did their nightly devotion, prayed and went to bed.
‘I saw her hanging’
Yesterday morning after Ashivudhi-Amakali took a bath, she put water on the boil for Shaanika, but later realised she had already left.
She said she asked her children, who responded that Shaanika must have left for class.
“I called her and the phone was ringing in the sitting room. I went to her office and she was not there. I proceeded to her lecture room and the door was locked. I peeped through the window and saw her hanging.”
Ashivudhi-Amakali said she then rushed to inform the other lecturers.
According to her, she had not observed any signs or change in behaviour lately, adding that Shaanika had been at home marking her students’ papers as per usual.
She had also attended a workshop on campus on Monday, she said.
Ashivudhi-Amakali described Shaanika as an introvert and a very kind person.
Providing support
Campus director Jacob Sheehama said the university suspended lessons for the day yesterday for the wellness of students and lecturers, adding that classes would resume today.
The university will also offer professional counselling to staff members and students through its wellness office during these “difficult times”, he said.
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