3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

Campus News Edition 3
6 BLA BLA BLA Exero 01, 5555
-Mathilda Shiweda
The general students’ assembly that took
place on the Tuesday the 8th of September
was surely one with a difference, because
for the first time in years, the student representative
council managed to pull a full
house of students who were eager to witness
the days’ events. Some might wonder
if the good turnout had anything to
do with the presence of one of Namibia’s
most prominent artists or whether they
attended for the interest that they have in
student politics.
The event was preceded by a memorable
clash (debate) between the Mighty
UDEBSO and their equally as powerful opponents,
The Law society.
The SRC Secretary General opened of
the event with a welcoming ’speech’ and
the singing of both the national and the
A.U anthems. He was followed by the SRC
President that gave the students a heartfelt
Second semester GSA; one to be remembered
speech and updated them on the events
and plans of both council and The University
as a whole. Amongst the things that
president Job Amupanda mentioned, was
the opening of the Student Corner which is
a new printing service for students ran by
students, a potential barber shop that is to
be opened in the G block and some of the
plans that management had in mind for
the University.
According to him, management had
plans to close down the parking at Olupale
Square and constructing a clinic where the
foyer is currently situated, but both plans
have been abandoned. Amupanda also
told the students about the outreach programs
that the SRC have been involved
in, such as the cleaning campaign and the
soup kitchen.
Many concerns were raised at the meeting
and many of them cut deep to the
hearts of the students. When students were
given the opportunity to ask questions, a
number of questions took centre stage.
Students expressed concerns ranging
from the ever problematic bag counter,
bad food from the dining hall, supposed
renovations that were to take place in
the hostels during the holidays, SRCs allegedly
not delivering the service that is
expected of them, the swimming pool
that has been closed for years and ‘the
playground’ that has been created by
the taxi drivers and the security guards
at the gate.
Kuda Dzenga expressed her dissatisfaction
with the tender at the dining
hall, because the food there is not up
to standard and her frustration of being
‘kicked out’ of the hostels because they
were told that renovations were to be
done on the hostels during the holiday,
of which none ever took place.
Another student’s bone of contention
was the ambulance that is used to take
students to hospital. The young lady had
problems with the horrible condition
that the vehicle is in and suggested
that the university get a new one, seeing
that they could afford to buy a new
quantum.
It is rather sad that when it comes
to matters that concern students and
opportunities for them to air their
grievances, members of management
seemed to deem it unnecessary to be
at the meeting and hear what the students
had to say.
After all the serious matters were
dealt with and gotten out of the way,
the entertainment part of the SRC’s
politainment (a cross between entertainment
and politics) kicked off. The
‘Kwaito master’ aka The Dogg entertained
the crowd with his music and
some rather erotic dance moves by his
male dancers but all in all the day was
very eventful and left people with a lot
to talk about.
Prof.De
Necker
Retires
-Freeman Ngulu
Lectures and students of the arts
department bid farewell to Prof. De
Necker who has been part of their
department since 1985 with the Old
Academy.
The professor has taught nearly
all the arts students that have come
through Unam. One of the great
achievements of his career has been
the raising of funds for art students
with Standard Bank Namibia and introduction
of the B.A fashion course
at the Arts Department. The professor
has also played a role in bringing arts
subjects at both primary and secondary
school level in state schools around
Namibia.The refurbishments of the
Arts Department that we see today
are also thanks to the Professor.
At his retirement Party, which was
attended by both students and lecturers,
the Professor had this to say, “you
the art students who will continue with
the subject are brave in their choice
instead of choosing main stream subjects”.
He also thanked his colleagues for
having given him a stimulating environment
to work in. The prof. will be
missed not only by the Arts Department
but Unam students and staff as
a whole.