By Stephanus Pombili
In 2015, a significant transformation occurred in the heart of the Kavango West Region when the International University of Management (IUM) officially launched its Nkure-Nkuru Campus. What began as a humble academic initiative with fewer than 60 learners and five dedicated staff members has grown into a cornerstone of development, learning, and economic stimulation for this remote part of Namibia.
At the time of the campus’s establishment, Nkure-Nkuru, despite its status as the capital of Kavango West, had no institution of higher learning. Residents who wished to pursue tertiary education had no choice but to endure long, expensive, and often unsafe journeys to far-off towns and cities: Rundu (140 km), Ongwediva (380 km), Katima Mulilo (663 km), and even Windhoek, located more than 1,000 km away. This presented insurmountable barriers to many families. For years, transport costs, lack of affordable accommodation, and cultural limitations prevented hundreds of youths from accessing tertiary education. It was a crisis of opportunity, until IUM intervened.
Nkure-Nkuru: A Campus with Community at Heart
In Nkure-Nkuru town now stands a vibrant, modern, and aesthetically impressive campus. Equipped with academic halls, study lounges, a soccer and volleyball pitch, and green recreational lawns, the IUM Nkure-Nkuru Campus is more than an educational facility, it is a beacon of hope and change. The area is frequently abuzz with students, lecturers, visitors, and vendors. The vibrancy around the campus reflects its deep integration into the socio-economic life of the town.
A local head of department at Nkure-Nkuru Combined School shared a heartfelt perspective:
“As someone born and raised in Nkure-Nkuru and now working here, I can confidently say that the presence of IUM is a blessing to our community. Our region is among the poorest in the country, and previously, many families could not afford to send their children far away for education. But with IUM here, learners can now enroll from home, saving on transport and accommodation.
Economic Upliftment and Local Business Boom
The ripple effects of IUM’s presence go far beyond education. The university has sparked a dramatic boost in Nkure-Nkuru local economy. An anonymous businessman who rents out accommodation put it bluntly:
“IUM has brought business to this town. Most of the students are not from Nkure-Nkuru, so they need a place to stay. Rent is in high demand. There are over 2,000 students here, and the university doesn’t yet have hostels. So, we, the residents, are filling that gap. My brother, if you have money, come and build a flat here! Thanks to Otate Prof. Namwandi, our properties are finally generating income.”
What was once a sleepy administrative town has now become a hive of commercial activity. Street vendors, taxi drivers, landlords, and small-scale entrepreneurs are thriving. One vendor selling fat cakes near the campus remarked:
“IUM is feeding both our minds and our stomachs. Students buy from us every day, we are able to feed our families and send our children to school. This campus is a double blessing.”
Social Impact and Black Excellence
Perhaps the most profound impact of the IUM Nkure-Nkuru Campus lies in its ability to instill pride, confidence, and aspiration among the people of Kavango West. Today, many IUM graduates from the Nkure-Nkuru Campus hold key positions in government offices, private companies, and non-governmental organisations throughout the region. From administrative posts to finance departments, these professionals are changing the face of leadership and service delivery in the region.
This transformation aligns with the ethos of IUM’s founder, Prof. Namwandi, who has consistently emphasised education as a vehicle for black empowerment, dignity restoration, and self-reliance. He once said, “A developed Namibia begins with an educated Namibian.” That belief is now materializing before our eyes in places like Nkure-Nkuru, where education was once a far-off dream and is now a local reality.
Nkure-Nkuru is no longer defined by what it lacks, but by what it has gained, opportunity, vision, and progress. And this is the narrative that should be told across the nation: a narrative of black excellence, resilience, and self-transformation.
Looking Forward: From a Campus to a Regional Hub
While IUM Nkure-Nkuru has achieved a great deal in a short span of time, the community hopes for more. The demand for student accommodation remains high, and there is a growing consensus that the university should consider building hostels to support students from outside the region. There are also calls for the expansion of academic offerings, especially in technical and health-related programs, to further align with regional employment needs.
Moreover, the growing student population presents an opportunity to create partnerships between the university and local industries, allowing for internships, research projects, and enterprise development.
The story of the IUM Nkure-Nkuru Campus is a Namibian success story rooted in vision, sacrifice, and community partnership. It is a tale of how one man’s dream became a nation’s resource, one that transforms not only the minds of individuals but also the livelihoods of entire towns.
From dusty beginnings to digital classrooms, from borrowed buildings to state-of-the-art infrastructure, IUM Nkure-Nkuru stands as a reminder of what is possible when education is decentralized and democratically accessible.
Stephanus Pombili is an independent consultant and researcher. The opinion expressed here are those of his own and does reflect the official position of IUM
