Africa-Press – Namibia. MAGRED Katjava (19), who recently completed her secondary education with flying colours, is dreaming of going to university. Katjava who lives at Okahandja Park with her parents and siblings, matriculated last year with 39 points in five subjects with a distinction in economics.
“All I need is a good Samaritan to consider me and my siblings,” she says.
Katjava had to give up her dream to further her studies as she could not afford the N$4 200 fee the Namibian University of Science and Technology (Nust) charges to start her bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Additionally, she is taking care of her six younger siblings. “Due to a lack of finance, I’m unable to further my studies. Therefore I’m pleading nationwide to please help me fund my education,” she says.
Katjava says she could not celebrate her matric results knowing she would not be able to go to university. “I didn’t even bother asking the university to give me time to pay my fees, because my parents said they don’t have a penny,” she said.
Life has been tough since 2012, she says. Her father got a job last year, but his salary was a measly N$2 000, not nearly enough to pay Katjava’s registration fee and provide for his family.
“My mom is unemployed, and my dad struggles to bring food home. He works at a shop in Windhoek West. He earns a salary of N$2 100 per month,” she says.
Katjava says the family has lost several relatives to Covid-19 in the past two years. She said she cannot access the government subsidy provided through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund before paying the deposit.
She completed her school career at A Shipena High School. “Because they did not offer Advanced Subsidiary level at Jan Jonker Afrikaner, I moved to A Shipena for my Grade 12. With all the problems my parents went through they helped where they could,” she says.
“I don’t see myself at the university, rather just sitting hopeless and broke. I feel like my dreams have been shattered,” Katjava says.
She says her parents’ dream has always been to see all their children successful with improved living conditions. “My dream is to study hard and get a job to help my siblings so they don’t sit at home crying like their elder sister.”
A.Shipena Secondary School teacher, Veiko Lusaki described Katjava as a good performer and multi-talented learner. Lusaki said she was not only good academically, but was also an excellent performer in extramural activities.
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