• Education

To be a man: Addressing the crisis of the Namibian boy child

• 1 Day Ago

Across many schools, boys are increasingly falling behind academically and socially. Recent reports indicate that girls are consistently outperforming boys, raising urgent concerns about what is driving this trend.
These questions were at the centre of a recent seminar titled “To be a man,” hosted at Augustineum High School in collaboration with Vision Core last week. The seminar explored social factors contributing to academic decline and substance abuse.
Founder of Vision Core and event coordinator Aletta Eises-Thanises said that boys often fall behind due to a lack of guidance at home. She noted that without strong male role models, boys often end up on the streets, exposed to negative peer pressure, drugs and other social evils.
Eises-Thanises emphasised that homes should operate with clear values and discipline, much like an organisation. Without these structures, she warned, "it may be too late." She stressed that "motivation is like bathing; just because we have bathed today does not mean we will be clean tomorrow."
True change requires internalising these lessons through ongoing mentorship.
While the seminar provided a roadmap for those present, the broader crisis requires expert insight from those working with male youth on a daily basis. We spoke with Michelle Itolua, coordinator of the MML5-A-Side Court League, to understand the systemic hurdles boys face today.
Primary barriers
When asked about the challenges of working with the boy-child, she highlighted emotional suppression as a primary barrier. "Many boys grow up being taught to 'be strong' but not about how to process disappointment, anger, pressure or failure."
She observed that without guidance, boys lack the tools to process these emotions, leading to withdrawal or a lack of discipline.
To help boys improve, she advocates for structured environments and positive recognition. "Many boys only get attention when they mess up," she said. “By acknowledging effort and growth, we build their self-worth.”
Her most profound realisation, however, strikes at the heart of the issue: "The boy-child is not lacking potential; he’s lacking safe spaces to express it. Underneath the toughness or silence, many boys are deeply sensitive, creative and eager to belong to something meaningful."
The event featured a powerful testimony from award-winning artist Jericho Gawanab, who narrated his history of substance abuse. “Today, I drink a lot of water. I don’t do drugs anymore… today has been four years,” he shared, proving that change is possible through discipline.
The seminar concluded with a brief but impactful performance, providing a creative space for the boys to reflect on the day's lessons through music. It served as a reminder that while the statistics are challenging, the future of the Namibian boy-child is ultimately in his own hands.