New 'posh' Unam hostel not for the poor

WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER The University of Namibia's new Emona Student Residence might be too much of a good thing. The hostel, being built to alleviate the shortage of student housing, boasts with state-of-the-art security systems and facilities, but according to information on the developer's website, the cheapest rooms will cost N$2 150 per person sharing per month, while the more expensive rooms will cost N$2 300 per person sharing per month. According to the website, Emona Student Residence was designed "with 21st century student lifestyle in mind, offering a safe and convenient on-campus location, innovative biometric access and 24/7 security, a progressive architectural layout and quality services and facilities". The hostel is being built by Hanganeni Emona, a consortium consisting of Hanganeni Investment Holdings and Unam. Unam contributed the land, while Hanganeni is responsible for the construction and will operate the hostel for profit until it has recovered its investment. Namibian Sun spoke to Swapo Youth League Secretary Elijah Ngurare, who described the privatisation of education as unacceptable. "We have held the view that Windhoek is a place where people from all corners of Namibia, including the poor, come to have their academic and economic dreams realised and all students at universities should have access to the same facilities regardless of their economic background," he said. Ngurare said few students would be able to afford living in such upmarket hostels. Asked whether this would create class differences among students, he said: "It's the same thing as rich students going to private high schools and universities in other countries because they can afford to. It's the same with the new hostels, as only the rich can afford these new hostels." Nanso's Unam branch chairperson, Vincent Shimutwikeni, expressed outrage at what he described as the plight of the poor being turned into a business venture. Shimutwikeni said the new posh accommodation doesn't cater to the poor students who are currently renting living space in areas like Havana and Greenwell Matongo. "Many rural students from outside Windhoek who are [studying with] loans stay in these areas because they didn't get university accommodation and they can't afford to stay in more posh areas in Windhoek as it is too expensive and these new hostels have prices that many such rural youth can't afford," he said. The student leader questioned why a State-funded university is turning the needs of poor students into a business venture. According to Shimutwikeni, underprivileged students who were fortunate to get accommodation on campus are already struggling to pay the hostel fees, as the loans provided by the Ministry of Education don't cover all accommodation and tuition costs. "Those who are in real need of accommodation simply won't be able to afford this new accommodation. Those who saw the luxury that comes with this new residence, whose need isn't as dire, will be filling these new student residences," he said. Unam spokesperson Utaara Hoveka hadn't responded to questions sent to him by the time of going to press.