Unam hostel students told to vacate rooms for sports tourney
Region 5 Youth Games participants to get the rooms
The university says it is working to resolve the matter, but did not provide concrete details.
Students at the University of Namibia’s (Unam) main campus in Windhoek have raised alarm after being instructed to vacate their hostels by Wednesday this week to make room for participants of the upcoming Region 5 Youth Games - despite the ongoing examination period.
The sudden notice has sparked outrage, especially among students from outside Windhoek, who now face the uncertainty of finding alternative accommodation on short notice.
In a public appeal, students called for national attention: “We, the students of the University of Namibia, urgently call on the media to cover a deeply concerning situation. This sudden eviction has left hundreds of students without clear alternative accommodation, and with exams ongoing, this disruption is unacceptable.”
Yesterday, students gathered on campus expecting to be addressed by Unam pro-vice chancellor Ellen Namhila. However, Namhila did not attend. Instead, senior university staff met with the students and provided only general reassurances that the university is "working on alternatives."
Students expressed frustration at Namhila’s absence, saying it undermined the gravity of their situation. “I'm very concerned because I'm one of those people who doesn't have family members in Windhoek who can accommodate me,” one student said. “The people who might help me can only do so for a few days - after that, their landlord will complain.”
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho confirmed to Namibian Sun that the university is working to resolve the matter, but he did not provide an official statement or concrete details.
As of yesterday, the eviction deadline remains in place for Wednesday, with no confirmed alternative accommodation plan in place. Students are continuing to appeal to the media and public for urgent intervention, calling the situation dire and unacceptable.
[email protected]
The sudden notice has sparked outrage, especially among students from outside Windhoek, who now face the uncertainty of finding alternative accommodation on short notice.
In a public appeal, students called for national attention: “We, the students of the University of Namibia, urgently call on the media to cover a deeply concerning situation. This sudden eviction has left hundreds of students without clear alternative accommodation, and with exams ongoing, this disruption is unacceptable.”
Yesterday, students gathered on campus expecting to be addressed by Unam pro-vice chancellor Ellen Namhila. However, Namhila did not attend. Instead, senior university staff met with the students and provided only general reassurances that the university is "working on alternatives."
Students expressed frustration at Namhila’s absence, saying it undermined the gravity of their situation. “I'm very concerned because I'm one of those people who doesn't have family members in Windhoek who can accommodate me,” one student said. “The people who might help me can only do so for a few days - after that, their landlord will complain.”
Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho confirmed to Namibian Sun that the university is working to resolve the matter, but he did not provide an official statement or concrete details.
As of yesterday, the eviction deadline remains in place for Wednesday, with no confirmed alternative accommodation plan in place. Students are continuing to appeal to the media and public for urgent intervention, calling the situation dire and unacceptable.
[email protected]
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