Stefanus Nashama
In a passionate plea, Parliamentarian and Lawmaker Inna Hengari from the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has called for a thorough review of the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) policies governing loan conditions for students.
Hengari made this impassioned appeal during her recent parliamentary address, where she urged NSFAF to explore ways to incentivize loan beneficiaries to pursue entrepreneurship and job creation after completing their studies.
According to her, the current six-month grace period for repaying NSFAF loans is inadequate and leads to a troubling situation where unemployed graduates find themselves burdened with debt shortly after receiving their degrees.
“It is like they’re handing out degrees with one hand and a bill with the other – graduate today, debt collector’s best friend tomorrow,” she lamented.
Hengari stressed that the existing NSFAF policies inadvertently ensnare unemployed youths in a cycle of debt, making it difficult for them to secure gainful employment within the stipulated six-month period.
“For unemployed students, the daily worry intensifies as they grapple with the relentless challenges of covering basic needs like rent, utilities, groceries, and transportation. The looming spectre of loan payments adds an extra layer of anxiety, turning their financial struggles into a seemingly insurmountable mountain,” the Parliamentarian reiterated.
She urged Parliament to take immediate action and implement solutions to address this pressing issue.
Hengari also pointed out that the current NSFAF loan policies should be amended to create an environment conducive to employment opportunities for youth, especially recent graduates, without creating unnecessary hurdles.
In addition to her concerns about loan policies, Hengari accused NSFAF, particularly Acting Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Kandume, of mismanagement and failing to account for millions of dollars due to lost records.
“As a former Student Representative Council vice president at the University of Namibia (UNAM), we consistently had to beg the Minister of Higher Education and the former Minister of Finance, Calle Schlettwein, to explain how the fund was mismanaged,” she recalled.
Hengari expressed her frustration with NSFAF’s handling of the matter, highlighting discrepancies and inconsistencies in their responses to the Public Accounts Committee.
She questioned the need for NSFAF to pay two CEOs concurrently and called for greater transparency and accountability within the organization.
In response to these allegations, the Minister of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, Itah Kandji-Murangu, placed the blame on missing documents, further fueling the call for reforms within NSFAF.
