Degrees gathering dust as Swakopmund graduates battle unemployment

For many young graduates in Swakopmund, earning a university qualification was expected to be the first step towards a stable career. Instead, many have spent months, and in some cases years, searching for employment, forcing them to rely on side hustles to make ends meet.

One of them is Rauha Shapaka, who graduated with a Bachelor Honours Degree in Property Studies. Despite completing her studies a year ago, she has yet to secure employment.

"It has been a year since I graduated, and I have applied for countless vacancies without success," Shapaka said.

To survive, she assists university students with assignments, saying the work helps cover basic living expenses while she continues searching for opportunities in the property sector.

"I never imagined I would still be unemployed a year after graduating. I remain hopeful that one day an employer will recognise my potential and give me a chance," she said.

For Laimi Ismael, a computer science graduate, the struggle has lasted nearly two years.

Unable to find employment in her field, she started a nail business to generate an income.

"My nail business keeps me going, and I am grateful for every client who supports me. But my dream has always been to work in the field I studied," Ismael said.

She believes one of the biggest barriers facing graduates is the demand for prior work experience.

"Many companies require experience, but how do graduates gain experience if no one is willing to employ them? We're willing to work. We just need someone to give us an opportunity to prove ourselves," she said.

Searching

Another graduate, Tangeni Shikongo, who completed his teaching qualification at the University of Namibia, has also spent the past year searching for employment.

"I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in children's lives, but a year later I am still waiting for my first opportunity. It has not been easy, but I refuse to give up," he said.

Shikongo said unemployment has taken an emotional and financial toll on many graduates who invested years in their education with the hope of building meaningful careers.

The experiences of the three graduates reflect the reality faced by many young professionals in Swakopmund and across Namibia. While some have turned to entrepreneurship and informal work to survive, they say these ventures are a means of survival rather than the careers they worked hard to pursue.

The graduates have appealed to both the public and private sectors to expand internship programmes, graduate trainee opportunities and entry-level positions to ensure young professionals are given a fair chance to contribute to the country's development.

As Swakopmund continues to grow, they hope economic opportunities will translate into jobs for the town's educated youth, ensuring that their qualifications become tools for nation-building rather than certificates gathering dust.