Amupanda brands Swapo’s Ndama school critics ‘drunkards’

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda has dismissed claims that his criticism of the Ndama East community-run school saga is politically motivated, calling his Swapo critics “drunkards and lightweights” who have no concern for educating Namibian children.Speaking to Namibian Sun in a telephone interview on Wednesday, Amupanda rejected statements by Swapo Rundu Urban district mobiliser Frans Moyo, who accused him of politicising the overcrowding issue at Ndama East school.“I cannot respond to drunkards,” Amupanda said. “They must tread carefully. I know exactly what is happening, including their bank accounts and the money they’ve been receiving. I’m focused on the serious business of education, so I can’t waste time responding to lightweight guards.”He further criticised the role of alcohol in undermining the credibility of those attacking his stance. “Alcohol is a problem in the country. They want me to elevate their names, but I can’t participate in that,” he said.Accusations of political agendasEarlier this week, Moyo claimed that Ndama East, a school set up by unemployed teachers, has been politicised by educators and activists aligned with opposition movements. He alleged that some teachers linked to the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) and independent candidates deliberately kept learners at Ndama East instead of enrolling them in a nearby school completed in 2023.“This is not a genuine issue; it is a political agenda,” Moyo argued. He also alleged that some volunteer teachers charged parents fees, though others denied using personal resources for this purpose.Moyo added that one teacher involved had faced a disciplinary hearing. “You don’t mess with people like that. We know who is behind this, and we know exactly what they are doing,” he said.Conditions at Ndama EastThe war of words follows Amupanda’s visit last week to the Kavango and Zambezi regions, where he highlighted alarming conditions at Ndama East. The school accommodates 552 learners with only 14 qualified teachers, most classes being conducted under trees without water, electricity, or toilets.“You think you are in Namibia, but learners are being taught under trees without basic facilities. This is unacceptable,” he told Namibian Sun.Amupanda contrasted the situation with schools in other regions closing due to low enrolment, describing the disparities as a failure of planning and resource allocation. “Planning should match where the learners are. Here, it doesn’t,” he said.Parents at Ndama East echoed these concerns, accusing government officials of visiting without effecting meaningful change. One parent appealed to the prime minister to see the conditions firsthand.While Swapo officials maintain that the matter has been hijacked for political gain, Amupanda insisted his focus remains on addressing systemic challenges. He warned that unless urgent intervention occurs, “an entire generation risks being left behind.”phillipus@nmh-hub.com.na

Amupanda brands Swapo’s Ndama school critics ‘drunkards’

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-12

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Amupanda brands Swapo’s Ndama school critics ‘drunkards’

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-12

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