Calls for National Unity as Oshana Region Mourns Three Teachers Lost to Suicide
Namibia’s Prime Minister, Elijah Ngurare, has taken to social media with a powerful and deeply personal message, revealing that he once contemplated suicide during a period of intense financial distress between 2015 and 2019.
Ngurare shared that during those years, he was overwhelmed by financial pressures, with his house and car nearly repossessed due to prolonged non-payment. He admitted that suicidal thoughts crossed his mind, hoping that his family could benefit from his life insurance to clear the debt.
“Between 2015 and 2019 I was in serious financial stress. The house and car were on the verge of being repossessed. The thought crossed my mind to commit suicide with the hope that my family could benefit from my life cover and pay off the debt in full,” Ngurare stated.
However, he said it was the unwavering support from family, friends, and comrades that helped him push through those dark moments. “Thanks to the support of family, friends and comrades, I managed to thwart off those thoughts. Financial stress happens to most of us and I am still paying off the debt,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when the country is facing a disturbing rise in suicide cases, with emotional and financial challenges being among the main causes. Just recently, the Oshana Region reported the tragic loss of three teachers to suicide. One of the deceased was reportedly struggling with severe financial difficulties.
Ngurare used his own experience to issue a heartfelt appeal to those battling similar challenges: “To whomever finds themselves on the verge of suicidal thoughts, please don’t go through with it. Fight on, the sun will shine again amidst all hardships of life. To be alive is priceless—especially to one’s family.”
He also called for a united response to mental health and financial hardship, urging both public and private institutions to play their part. “Let’s hold hands as a nation to save those in financial distress. By all of us, I mean both government and the private sector,” he emphasized.
“May God bless you all, and may God bless Namibia,” he concluded.
Ngurare’s honesty has resonated with many Namibians, drawing widespread praise from citizens and mental health advocates who say such leadership is critical in breaking the stigma surrounding mental illness and encouraging open conversations about suicide prevention.
