Ndaitwah urges Ohangwena boys to take education seriously

National campaign calls for collective action
First Gentleman Eliaser Ndaitwah has urged boys in Ohangwena to stay in school, reject harmful notions of masculinity and take responsibility for their future.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 6 Days Ago

First Gentleman Epaphras Ndaitwah has taken his call to “take the boy child seriously” to the Ohangwena Region, urging boys to remain in school and take responsibility for shaping their future.

Ndaitwah made the remarks in Eenhana while addressing boys from schools across the region under the theme “Empowering the Boy Child for a Resilient and Equitable Future.”

His message builds on concerns he recently raised during International Day of the Boy Child commemorations, when he highlighted the growing educational and social disengagement of young males in Namibia.

Ndaitwah previously pointed to national figures showing that 8 720 Namibian boys dropped out of school in 2023, while only 76% of boys progressed from Grade 5 to Grade 6, compared with 85% of girls.

He attributed the challenges facing boys to factors including a lack of positive male role models, the decline of traditional mentorship spaces, substance abuse and limited emotional and mental health support.

In Ohangwena, the situation reflects some of these national concerns. About 1 750 learners dropped out of school last year, with boys accounting for 65% of the total.

Addressing the boys, Ndaitwah urged them to make use of the educational opportunities available to them, warning that dropping out could limit their prospects and expose them to social challenges.


‘Education the greatest equaliser’

“Education is the greatest equaliser. Do not waste time. You have no time to waste; we went to fight for you to be free today and pursue your studies,” he said.

Ndaitwah also challenged the boys to rethink negative ideas about masculinity, saying being a man should be demonstrated through responsible behaviour rather than substance abuse or criminal activity. “I am a man because I am a man, not because I am a drunkard, or because I smoke dagga, or because I am a criminal, but because I behave,” he said.

His concerns come as Ohangwena has also recorded an increase in crime cases, rising from 7 096 to 7 222 during the 2025/26 financial year.

The First Gentleman has previously called for a collective national response to the challenges facing boys, involving government, schools, families, the private sector and civil society. His office is also developing programmes focused on educational retention, structured mentorship, mental health support and responsible fatherhood.

Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa echoed the call for greater support for boys, stressing that their development should not be viewed as competing with efforts to support girls. “Supporting boys is not in competition with supporting girls. I repeat… it is a complementary investment in Namibia’s future, a nation because of a boy child,” Hamutumwa said.

The Eenhana engagement forms part of the Office of the First Gentleman's efforts to bring the national boy-child conversation directly to communities and to encourage boys to remain in school, make positive choices, and take responsibility for their future.