By: Anton Kamerika
In response to the urgent national need for more trained social workers and equitable access to tertiary education, I am calling on the Namibian government and tertiary institutions to expand the social work course offering to all campuses nationwide and not only limit it to Windhoek. This move would go a long way in addressing the social challenges facing vulnerable populations and ensuring that aspiring students from rural and remote areas are not excluded due to location and financial barriers.
Currently, the only opportunity to study social work is offered in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city. This centralisation poses a major challenge for potential students in regions such as Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi, Kunene, and others. Many capable and passionate young people are unable to pursue the course due to high accommodation costs, transportation challenges, and family responsibilities that keep them grounded in their home regions.
As someone based in Rundu who is deeply passionate about community development, I too am among the many who wish to pursue a qualification in social work but are held back by these limitations. I witness firsthand the increasing demand for professional social workers in our region – a demand that continues to overwhelm the current workforce.
In regions such as Kavango East and West, existing social workers are overloaded with cases ranging from child protection, gender-based violence, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency to poverty-related crises. Some officers handle hundreds of cases per month, an unsustainable situation that compromises service quality and the well-being of both practitioners and clients.
Moreover, Namibia needs more male social workers to enter the profession. In many communities, especially traditional and rural ones, male clients may struggle to open up about sensitive issues to female social workers due to cultural or gender dynamics. Having male professionals in the field can enhance trust and improve engagement with men facing issues such as depression, domestic violence (as victims), fatherhood challenges, and substance abuse.
Another concern is the low number of applicants for social work from certain regions. This is not due to a lack of interest but rather a lack of awareness, limited career guidance, and lack of access to institutions offering the course. By decentralising the programme to other university campuses – such as in Rundu, Ongwediva, Katima Mulilo, and Keetmanshoop – we can stimulate interest, improve gender balance in the profession, and increase the number of qualified professionals serving our people.
Social work is a vital pillar in nation-building. From supporting families in crisis to rehabilitating offenders and advocating for the rights of children and vulnerable groups, the profession plays a crucial role in strengthening our communities. The government’s support in expanding this programme nationwide would not only create equal education opportunities but also help close the gap in much-needed psychosocial services.
It is time to act. Let us decentralise social work education to meet the needs of the nation and to give passionate individuals from every corner of Namibia the chance to make a difference.
Anton Kamerika is a Youth Development Programme Officer in Rundu. The views herein are his own.
