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PM urges class of 2026 to move beyond lecture halls

• 3 Days Ago

In a call to action at the 2026 University of Namibia (UNAM) graduation ceremony, Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare urged graduates to move from academic theory to “innovative practical solutions” for national development.

Addressing graduates in Rundu last week, Ngurare said graduation should not be seen as a final achievement, but as “the beginning of purpose and impact.”

A significant portion of his address focused on the untapped potential of UNAM’s regional campuses. He specifically challenged the Rundu campus to help revive key agricultural infrastructure, including the defunct Uvungu-Vungu and Mashare agro-processing initiatives, as well as stalled green schemes, which he said were critical for national food security.

Ngurare also turned his attention to the Katima Mulilo campus, urging a partnership with the relevant ministry to establish a mango processing plant in the Zambezi region.

“We want to go beyond talking; we want UNAM to move,” he said, adding that the government was engaging traditional authorities to secure land for such projects.

Reminding graduates of their role in nation-building, Ngurare called for a shift in mindset, urging young people to translate their qualifications into tangible progress through collaboration, entrepreneurship and leadership.

He said the true measure of their success would be reflected in improvements in the public health system.

Speaking at the same event, Ngurare challenged graduates entering the health sector to help strengthen service delivery and ensure that improving public healthcare becomes a reality for all Namibians, rather than remaining a policy aspiration.