Patience Makwele
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah has questioned whether President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s concerns about the boy child will lead to real reforms.
Kamwanyah said public discussions about the boy child have happened before without producing major policy changes.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, during the Namibia University of Science and Technology graduation ceremony in Windhoek last week, said the country must take issues of the boy child seriously.
She expressed concern over the lower number of male graduates compared to women and said the figures did not reflect the female-to-male population ratio of 51.2% and 48.8%.
A total of 2 962 graduated from Nust, comprising 1 187 males and 1 775 females.
“We have heard concerns about the boy child raised before, including in public discussions and graduation ceremonies. The question is whether this conversation will move beyond political statements and lead to actual interventions,” Kamwanyah said.
Kamwanyah cautioned against drawing broad conclusions based only on university graduation statistics.
“We like to make statements that are not always backed by sufficient research or data. Looking at graduation figures alone does not tell us what the real issue is,” he said.
He emphasised the need for more evidence-based research before implementing policy interventions.
“There are quite a number of factors that we have to rule out. We need proper evidence-based research before we can talk about meaningful policy changes,” he said.
Kamwanyah added that university education is only one pathway to economic success.
“Many boys may be choosing other routes such as skilled trades, entrepreneurship, technical work, or informal sectors that are not captured in university statistics. Some may enter the workforce earlier and earn stable incomes without a degree,” he said.
He warned against reducing the issue to a competition between men and women.
“A proper discussion needs a broader, evidence-based approach. We should look at employment, income, business ownership, skills training, mental health and social outcomes before making sweeping claims. Graduation rates can tell part of the story, but they do not tell the whole story,” he said.
Political commentator Theodore Collin Nauseb said the president’s remarks reflect growing concern over the challenges affecting boys and young men.
“The concern is legitimate, but concern alone is not policy. The question now is whether government institutions are prepared to invest in interventions that specifically address the challenges affecting young men,” he said.
Nauseb said the issue extends beyond education and includes unemployment, absent fathers, substance abuse and economic pressures.
“What we are seeing is not simply an education problem. It is also a social issue linked to unemployment, absent fathers, substance abuse and changing economic realities that affect young men differently,” he said.
He said many boys disengage from the education system long before reaching university.
“By the time we talk about graduation statistics, the system has already lost many boys years earlier. Young men today are caught between traditional expectations of masculinity and an economy that no longer guarantees opportunity through physical labour alone,” Nauseb said.
He said Namibia must continue empowering girls while also supporting boys.
“For years, Namibia focused correctly on empowering the girl child because women historically faced structural barriers. The challenge now is finding balance without creating the perception that gender equality has gone too far,” he said.
Nauseb added that many boys lack mentorship and emotional support.
“A significant number of boys are growing up without strong mentorship structures, and schools are often ill-equipped to address behavioural, emotional and psychological challenges affecting male learners,” he said.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes said Namibia is already seeing the social effects of neglecting boys and young men.
“For many years, the focus was rightly on empowering the girl child because girls were disadvantaged. But in the process, we may have unintentionally neglected the boy child, and today we are beginning to see the consequences,” he said.
Johannes linked the issue to crime, substance abuse and social problems among young men.
“If you look at the streets, the majority of the people involved in crime, substance abuse and social problems are young men, while most graduates are women. That already tells you there is a difference in how boys and girls are developing in society,” he said.
He blamed weakening family structures and lack of guidance for some of the challenges.
“We are raising boys who are being groomed more by the streets than by their families. Many young boys spend most of their time outside without guidance, and eventually they learn destructive behaviours from their environment,” Johannes said.
Education commentator Mariam Mukwambi said the discussion should focus on why boys disengage from education early.
“We are seeing more boys struggling with discipline, motivation and academic consistency from an early stage. By the time we look at university graduation statistics, many have already dropped out of the system long before reaching the tertiary level,” she said.
Mukwambi said social pressure and economic expectations often affect boys’ academic performance.
“Many young men feel pressure to make money at an early age or to appear independent before they are emotionally prepared. Others simply do not seek help when they are struggling academically or psychologically,” she said.
She called for stronger mentorship and psychosocial support systems for boys and young men.
“There is still a stigma around vulnerability among boys. Many suffer silently instead of seeking support, and that eventually affects performance, behaviour and completion rates,” Mukwambi said.
Sociologist Israel Chatunga said the issue reflects wider social and cultural changes in Namibia.
“The traditional role of men in society is changing, but many young boys are not being adequately prepared for those changes. The modern economy requires discipline, adaptability and education, yet many boys are still socialised around outdated expectations of masculinity,” he said.
Chatunga also warned against politicising the issue.
“This should not become a competition between genders. The focus should be on creating balanced social policies that ensure both boys and girls are adequately supported to succeed,” he said.
