ZONE First Gentleman says boy child should be taken 'seriously'

Calls for urgent national action
Commemorating the International Day of the Boy Child, Namibia’s First Gentleman delivered a powerful address highlighting a critical surge in the social and educational disengagement of young males across the country.
Rozanne Swart
  • 1 Day Ago

The International Day of the Boy Child was commemorated globally last week, with Namibia’s First Gentleman, Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, delivering a strong call for greater focus on the well-being and development of young boys.

Speaking under the theme “Breaking the Silence: Boys and Mental Health”, Ndaitwah drew on his experience as a former military leader and father to highlight what he described as a growing national challenge: the social and educational disengagement of young males.

Ndaitwah cited national statistics to illustrate the scale of the issue. In 2023 alone, 8 720 Namibian boys dropped out of school. Data also shows a significant gender gap in academic progression, with only 76% of boys advancing from Grade 5 to Grade 6, compared to 85% of girls.

The disparity continues into higher education. At a recent graduation ceremony at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, women made up 60% of graduates and received 10 of the 13 doctoral degrees awarded.

Ndaitwah identified several contributing factors, including a lack of positive male role models, the erosion of traditional mentorship spaces, early exposure to substance abuse, and exclusion from sexual and reproductive health education.

“Too many boys are growing up without mentorship, structure, or emotional support. In many instances, the streets, social media and negative influences have become their teachers,” he said.

At the same graduation ceremony, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said: “We must take the issue of the boy child seriously if we are to strengthen our social fabric and advance economically.”

Echoing her remarks, Ndaitwah said: “Her Excellency reaffirmed that the family remains the basic unit of society, as provided for under our Constitution, and that for families to function effectively, we must safeguard and invest in both boys and girls equally.”

Rather than framing gender development as a competition, the First Gentleman said balanced national progress depends on supporting both boys and girls equally.

“We must also acknowledge the growing imbalance in male participation and engagement across the educational and social development pipeline. This is not about competition between genders. It is about ensuring balanced, inclusive and sustainable national development,” he said.

To address these challenges, his office is developing targeted national programmes focused on educational retention, structured mentorship, mental health support and the promotion of responsible fatherhood.

Ndaitwah concluded with a call for collective action involving government ministries, academic institutions, the private sector and civil society to integrate boy child development into national planning frameworks.

He also addressed boys directly, saying, “Do not allow circumstances to define your destiny. Through discipline, integrity, perseverance and hard work, you can rise above challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.”