Govt insists NSFAF has money, Nanso says

The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) says only about 4 000 of an estimated 46 000 beneficiaries had received their non-tuition allowances by early June, despite assurances that payments would start on 28 April.

The figures were contained in a petition delivered to the education ministry on Friday during nationwide student protests over delayed Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) payments.

The petition highlighted that during a recent high-level meetings with government officials, the state reportedly explained that the delays “currently being experienced are purely administrative in nature and not the result of a lack of financial resources.”

On Friday, Nanso president Dorthea Nangolo stressed that “more than two months later, the overwhelming majority of continuing students remained unpaid. Such delays cannot be normalised, and commitments made to students must be honoured”.

She said the delays had left many beneficiaries in severe financial distress.

“Students are being threatened with eviction because they cannot pay rent. Students are going to class on empty stomachs. Students are unable to afford transport to and from their institutions to write their examinations,” Nangolo said.

Promises made

The protest follows engagements between Nanso and NSFAF, as well as a high-level meeting on 4 June attended by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, officials from the education and finance ministries, and NSFAF.

Following the meeting, government and NSFAF pledged to complete all outstanding non-tuition payments to continuing students by 15 July.

Nanso last week warned it would hold the fund to the deadline.

"No student must remain unpaid after 15 July 2026,” the organisation said.

Among the commitments secured were weekly Friday disbursements, quarterly engagements between NSFAF and student leaders, support for students facing eviction and the resolution of outstanding historical funding cases.

While welcoming the commitments, Nanso said the demonstrations served as a reminder that students remain dissatisfied with frequent funding delays and want long-term reforms to prevent similar crises in future.

The organisation has called for the integration of institutional and NSFAF systems, improved application timelines, administrative reforms within the fund, and a more predictable and transparent funding model.