‘Unemployment pushed me to the edge of the grave’

A Windhoek woman has spoken publicly about how prolonged unemployment drove her to the brink of suicide, as youth joblessness in Namibia continues to hover above 44%, according to official statistics.Overall unemployment stands at about 37%, according to the latest report by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged to create more than 500 000 jobs over the next five years, with N$85 billion earmarked for sectors including agriculture, oil and gas, and construction—an undertaking many Namibians see as critical to easing widespread economic distress.Loide Iinane (47), who was retrenched in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, said prolonged job insecurity and mounting financial pressure took a severe toll on her mental wellbeing, culminating in a personal crisis in September 2025.“I struggled with the reality of sitting at home all day doing nothing, with no income at the end of the month,” Iinane said. “Mental health affects people differently, and in my case, it almost cost me my life.”A spiral after retrenchmentIinane was employed in the Brakwater area on the outskirts of Windhoek from 2012 until her retrenchment. Despite repeated efforts to secure stable work thereafter, she said opportunities were often short-lived, with contracts terminated, positions declared redundant or probation periods not extended.The prolonged uncertainty, she said, led to depression and a growing sense of hopelessness.“When I was alone, that’s when it was at its worst,” she said. “I felt trapped in a dark space. Being around people helped me forget for a while, but when I was by myself, the thoughts returned.”The night everything collapsedOn the evening of 10 September 2025, Iinane said mounting debt, persistent calls from creditors and the inability to repair her vehicle overwhelmed her emotionally.“I convinced myself that disappearing would end the pain and the burden,” she said.She travelled by taxi to a bridge near the B1 shopping complex with the intention of ending her life, but did not go through with it after two Windhoek City Police officers on patrol intervened and escorted her home.Iinane praised the officers for their professionalism and compassion, singling out Sergeant Katiti for his handling of the incident. She said the matter was never reported publicly, allowing her the privacy and time needed to recover.Finding the courage to speak“It took me more than four months to find the courage to speak about what happened,” she said.Her decision to come forward, Iinane added, was influenced by President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s New Year’s message urging Namibians to speak openly about suicide and mental health challenges.“In that address, the president reminded the nation that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage,” she said.Unemployment as a mental health crisisIinane said unemployment remains a major driver of emotional distress in Namibia, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. With joblessness estimated at 37%, many households continue to face sustained financial pressure.In 2024, she sought funding for a children’s television project, approaching around 70 organisations, including government departments, media houses, NGOs, financial institutions and private companies. Only eight responded, none of whom were able to provide support.“After that, I quietly abandoned the project,” she said, adding that fear of public humiliation and online abuse contributed to her decision not to make the appeal public.‘People are expected to be strong and silent’Iinane believes many unemployed Namibians lack adequate coping mechanisms or support systems, particularly those without tertiary qualifications and men who feel constrained by social expectations to suppress emotional distress.“People are expected to be strong and silent,” she said. “We need to reflect on what this teaches the next generation.”She also questioned employment practices that exclude people without higher education, noting that many older Namibians entered the workforce with only a Grade 10 certificate at a time when jobs were more accessible.“When is a graduate supposed to gain experience if no one gives them a chance?” she asked.‘Your life matters’Iinane stressed that her decision to speak publicly was not driven by a desire for sympathy, but by the hope that her story might help prevent another suicide.“If talking about this discourages even one person from taking their life, then it is worth it,” she said. “Your life matters.”

‘Unemployment pushed me to the edge of the grave’

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-23

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‘Unemployment pushed me to the edge of the grave’

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-23

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