Rundu residents are raising their voices against what they describe as years of neglect in Kavango East, one of Namibia’s most populated yet least developed regions. The dispute was reignited after the Ministry of Education declared Ndama East School “illegal” and advised parents to transfer their children elsewhere.
The school, which accommodates more than 500 learners and provides jobs to locals, has now become a national talking point. Parents argue that moving their children is not an option, as nearby schools in Rundu are already overcrowded, with learners sitting on the floor due to a lack of desks and chairs.
Community leader David Ndumba, speaking during a peaceful demonstration on Monday, said the people of Kavango East feel abandoned. “We want the ministry to come here, see for themselves, and give the go-ahead for a permanent structure. Our children deserve proper classrooms, not excuses,” he said.
The protest has also drawn attention from political activist Job Amupanda, who criticised leaders for failing the region. In a strongly worded statement, he compared Ndama East to Ngcove Junior Primary School, a government-registered school in Kavango East where pupils reportedly use old tyres and blankets as desks and chairs. “I don’t understand why the regime wastes time defending instead of building proper schools for children,” Amupanda said.
Residents say the issue goes beyond one school, pointing to what they call systemic neglect in Kavango East despite its political representation in parliament. For them, the Ndama East saga highlights a deeper problem of inequality in development across Namibia.
