Windhoek-based students suffer under high rental costs

Wilma Cloete is a fourth-year scholar on the College of Namibia (Unam). Like many college students, she is passionate about ending her research and venturing into skilled life.

Thus far, nevertheless, it has not been straightforward learning in Windhoek, the place lodging and transport prices are steep, even for these with a daily earnings.

Cloete informed The Namibian this week that Windhoek lodging is so costly, many college students are pressured to both commute from cities like Okahandja or interact in dangerous actions to make ends meet.

“I not too long ago determined to commute from Okahandja to Windhoek, however I can’t even afford to pay the month-to-month transport payment of N$1 700 and have been absent from courses.”

Cloete mentioned the monetary pressure doesn’t simply have an effect on budgets however impacts psychological well being and educational achievement too.
She urged the Namibia Pupil Monetary Help Fund (NSFAF) to contemplate disbursing non-tuition charges earlier within the semester.

“I’m recommending that NSFAF pays the senior college students instantly as the tutorial 12 months commences, as a result of the delay in non-tuition charges contributes to monetary stress.”

Cloete’s predicament echoes that of many others learning within the capital, resembling Natalia Nandjiwa, who says college lodging, each on and off campus, usually pose monetary difficulties for NSFAF-funded college students, with refunds usually inadequate to cowl residing bills and meals.

“The timing of refunds usually presents obstacles, particularly when courses begin earlier than monetary help is on the market. This will create a burden for us college students who depend on these funds for transportation and sustenance.”

She mentioned shared rooms have develop into the norm, leaving little room for consolation or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours.
“The monetary pressure and restricted housing choices confronted by us, significantly these reliant on NSFAF funding, underscore the formidable challenges of pursuing greater schooling within the nation,” she mentioned.

Nandjiwa spends N$2 500 on hire per thirty days, she mentioned. As well as, she spends N$624 for taxis, N$500 on meals, N$400 on cosmetics and N$300 or extra on information.

“So, month-to-month I spend N$4 324, whereas NSFAF solely pays N$2 400 per thirty days.”

Fourth-year Unam scholar Johanna Jacob says as a firstborn daughter, she faces large burdens, significantly after being chased out of the home she was residing in.

“My cousin that I used to be first staying with handed on in 2021 as a result of coronavirus. That’s when life began exhibiting me flames as I used to be chased out the home by the youthful brother of my late cousin. I began renting in a shack at Okuryangava however I needed to transfer as a result of I couldn’t pay N$900, so I moved to Greenwell, the place I obtained a shack for N$600.”

In response to Jacob, her youthful sister joined her in the identical 12 months as a result of she was in her first 12 months on the identical establishment.

“Nothing is straightforward. Final 12 months we moved once more to a different shack as a result of the hire had elevated since my sister joined me. We moved once more to a different one which was higher, simply six months in and the owner elevated [the rent] once more,” mentioned Jacob.

ALTERNATIVES

The most recent payment reviews from Unam and the Namibia College of Science and Know-how (Nust) point out that whereas it might be cheaper to dwell on campus, it’s nonetheless very expensive.

Unam college students need to pay N$29 000 yearly for a single room, whereas a double room prices N$14 400, which is considerably cheaper than N$46 040 paid by Nust college students for a single room with a balcony and N$41 040 for a double room. That is along with N$11 520 for obligatory meals per semester.

When taking a look at personal residences, analysis performed by The Namibian reveals {that a} single room ranges from N$3 998 to N$5 800, whereas a double room (sharing) prices between N$2 000 and N$3 985.

These quantities exclude deposits that college students are required to pay, which often fall inside the ranges of N$500 to N$1 000.

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS NEEDED

Landless Individuals’s Motion Youth and Pupil Command Component president Duminga Ndala known as for collaboration between universities and the personal sector by way of rental costs.

“Universities ought to accomplice with personal corporations to supply subsidised scholar housing programmes with lowered hire and monetary help for lodging prices,” mentioned Ndala.

Ndala advocates hire management insurance policies to be put in place to forestall the exploitation of scholars resulting from excessive demand.

“Implementing hire management insurance policies would stop landlords from drastically rising hire, making certain affordability for college kids,” mentioned Ndala.

Moreover, as an organisation, they advocate establishing satellite tv for pc campuses nearer to college students’ hometowns, decreasing the necessity for costly lodging.

Namibia Nationwide College students Organisation (Nanso) spokesperson Dorthea Nangolo criticised the federal government’s lack of progress on a promised scholar village near Unam.

“Should you bear in mind within the 2016 funds, the federal government spoke of a scholar village, however in the present day there’s no signal of it. We’re advocating to handle using lodging,” mentioned Nangolo.

She added that Nanso advocates the registration of all scholar lodging suppliers.

“These registered areas would have a hire cap to make sure truthful pricing for college kids,” mentioned Nangolo.

Moreover, she mentioned NSFAF non-tuition charges must be elevated to a degree that realistically covers scholar wants, together with lodging, transportation and meals.

Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho mentioned the college is dedicated to supporting college students in recognition of their monetary challenges.

“Whereas 60% of Unam’s college students obtain funding by NSFAF, bursaries or foundations, which covers their hostel charges, the college recognises the struggles of self-funded college students,” mentioned Namesho.

He added that Unam gives 10 hostel rooms at no cost to college students with demonstrated monetary hardship. These rooms perform as momentary housing, permitting college students to transition to paid choices as they safe funding.

“Relevant in any respect 12 Unam campuses, the Pupil Help Fund provides monetary help to college students scuffling with lodging prices. Although the fund has limitations, it has been capable of assist plenty of college students,” mentioned Namesho.

Unam has additionally applied lowered hostel charges and a brand new versatile cost construction, he added.