3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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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.
Campus News Edition 3 Exero 01, 5555 BLA BLA BLA 7 Peer Counsellors: Friends or foes? The way forward hosts Soup Kitchen, Part 2 -Anna Auala The Peer Counselling Society hosts what is known as a pyjama party for the girls and a bullz talk for the guys every Thursday in the different hostel blocks. At these events they ask the students to submit issues that they feel need to be discussed. They then talk about these issues and seek advice from the very competent staff members from the Office of the Dean of Students who are always present at these talks. These talks cover everything from relationship issues, academic problems, personal issues and the mandatory talk about sex. The Peer Counsellors preach abstinence, but as many students are already engaging in sexual activities, they also demonstrate the proper ways to use condoms and femidoms. Last semester they covered the blocks at the old Hostel and this semester they are busy with the block of the New Hostels. In all the blocks which have already been covered, it is shocking to see how many students are engaging in sexual activities and not using protection or how many don’t even know how condoms and femidoms are properly utilized. So it would seem that the information that it distributed by the Peer counsellors would be most welcome. - Anna Auala On the 22nd of August 2009, a busload of excited and eager students drove from campus to the other end of Windhoek. But this time, the bus wasn’t headed to Okahandja Park as it was last semester. This time the students were going to tackle another area whose plight was just as bad, if not worse than Okahandja Park’s. This area is the infamous Havana. The exact location was the DAC Community Village. The aim was to host a successful soup kitchen for the children of Havana. The DAC Community Village was initiated by volunteers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Namibia (ELCIN). They then received funding from the Official Development AID from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and from another organizations called KAFU. The DAC houses four projects, mainly an Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Programme, a support group for people living with HIV/ AIDS, a hygiene and sanitation programme and a bread baking scheme. However the village does not host a soup kitchen. They have a kindergarten that provides food, but only for the children who attend it. The SRC Community Development, Maggie Haimbodi therefore decided to make this the target of the next community outreach. Unlike the first semester, there were no sponsors. The funds that made this event possible were donated by the SRCs and in turn by the students of UNAM. For many of the students, this was the very first time they were going beyond their comfort zone and experiencing the harsh reality that many of our Namibian people were living. And to many, it was a real shock to the system. Willem, SRC academic affairs, wanted to see the living conditions and the suffering that he had always heard happened in these areas. And see it, he did. But apart from this, he also wanted to have fun with the children and to inspire them to reach for greater heights. He believes that although UNAM students are doing something to assist their fellow people, they could do so much more. “The societies on campus could all come together and go out into the communities. They don’t have to do great things, just taking some sweets and books to read to the children and distribute hugs by the truckload. Sometimes, that’s all that’s needed.” The food was plenty and very delicious. Soup, made as if by Jamie Oliver, with fresh white bread and refreshingly cool juice was served to the children, and judging by the expressions on their faces, they enjoyed the food just as much as the cooks enjoyed preparing it. The children were very pleased with their food. Magdalena, an 11 year old learner from Olof Primary School felt that it was a very good thing that the UNAM students were willing to go out of their way to ensure that for at least one day, the children of Havana had something to eat, because many of them were starving. De-olva Ngutjiua Handura, one of the women from the community who assisted with the organization of the soup kitchen offered her appreciation to the students of UNAM for making it possible, but she felt that the university This does not however appear to be the case. There have been complains that the Peer Counsellors are instigating students to have sex, with these condom demonstrations. Is this so? Should the Peer Counsellor’s Thursday Night Pyjama parties and Bullz Talks be banned? Or is the information they provide too vital for them not to continue? Have your say, in the following issue. Drama at the Space with Jacques By Freeman Ngulu Jacques Mushaandja a talented a 4th year Drama major and media student who is known for his acting, scripting and well directed plays of which most are played out in the Space Theatre in the main hall. Jacques first thought of Drama as a second major but later on as his passion for it grew he took more interest in it and polished up his acting, directing and script writing skills. He still insists that media has not taken a back seat. He has starred in, directed or written more than 10 academic plays with his recent non-academic industrial theatre road show play with the help of Namibian company Ohlthaver & List Company where they will be performing for the company’s 500 employees around the country. Another play he featured in was No Good Friday by Athol Fugard where he gained experience by acting alongside actors that have up to 20 years of experience. His latest academic plays that have received much applause from the students are Heal the World adapted from the Michael Jackson song and the Cinderella in The Land of The Brave. The Drama Department offers diversity and drafted a curriculum covering aspects around theatre with job market related experience, with developmental theatre which is for educational topics like HIV/Aids.This aspiring artist’s plan is to get his Masters and get exposure abroad and come back to his mother land and invest. His long term goal is to run his own theatre company or become the General Manager of the National Theatre of Namibia. His message to the students is to develop a theatre watching culture and audience on campus and which would encourage Drama students, he also urges students pursuing this field of study and be pro active in getting exposure and be confident as it`s a dog eat dog profession.
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3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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