Fed-up graduates threaten protest over delayed refunds

Former trainees at the Rundu Vocational Training Centre (RVTC) are threatening to stage a protest over delayed refunds of registration and examination fees.

The group has accused the institution of poor communication and possible financial mismanagement.

The graduates claim that after completing their studies last year, the institution instructed them to submit claim forms as a procedural step to be reimbursed for deposit registration fees.

According to the vocational students, after submitting these forms in June 2025, nine months later no payments have been made, with some claiming over N$6 000 in outstanding registration and examination fees.

A student representative, speaking to this publication on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the money in question was paid as deposit fees before their funding from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) was approved.

“We were told repeatedly that the money would be refunded before the centre closed for the holidays in December last year, but nothing happened. Now we are left with silence and no answers,” the representative said.

He added: “We’ve waited months, and some of us even paid registration and examination fees for two consecutive years, totalling about N$6 000, yet there is still no clarity on our refunds.”

While the institution told Namibian Sun the refunds will eventually be processed, the graduates warn that continued delays could lead to protest action.

“This is about fairness and respect. We will take action if the situation does not improve immediately. We want the institution to give us answers by Friday, or a full strike protest will take place on the premises,” the group said.

Frustration grows amid silence

The students say repeated attempts to obtain updates from the institution have largely gone unanswered, fuelling frustration among affected graduates. In response, the former students have created a WhatsApp group with more than 100 members to coordinate their grievances and demand urgent action.

According to the representative, the issue affects several graduates who completed their programmes last year. Each paid N$2 710 in registration fees and N$490 in examination fees – money they say should be refunded in cash upon completion of their studies.

“Some of us paid registration for two years before receiving NSFAF funding and are entitled to over N$600. Our concern is that NSFAF has since paid the institution, but they are taking too long to reimburse us,” the group said.

The former students are calling for intervention from the Namibia Training Authority and the Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure transparency.

They claim that the continued silence from the institution raises concerns about its financial management.

Delays acknowledged

RVTC’s chief liaison officer, Henok Sivambi, said the institution is aware of the students’ concerns and noted that engagements had taken place before the students approached the media.

“The funds in question are registration deposits,” he confirmed. “We require a deposit from students while we process their NSFAF funding applications on their behalf. Once NSFAF pays, students are entitled to receive this money upon completion of their studies.”

Sivambi confirmed that the institution received the students’ claim forms last year but said administrative disruptions and staff movements had contributed to the delays.

“When staff are transferred or leave, some tasks are left unfinished," he admitted.

"Currently, the head of finance and administration, who is responsible for processing the refunds, is out of the office, which makes it difficult to provide a definitive timeline,” he added.

Sivambi urged aggrieved parties to give the institution adequate time to address the