Africa-Press – Namibia. THE deployment of the 278 newly trained correctional officers is not only a boost to the effectiveness of the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS); it is also a strategic contribution to the nation’s collective vision of shared prosperity and social transformation.
This was said by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in a speech delivered on her behalf by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare at the NCS’s 31st graduation ceremony in Omaruru on Wednesday.
The President stated that by creating meaningful job opportunities and developing a skilled, disciplined workforce, the NCS directly supports national priorities and aligns with the Government’s broader agenda to strengthen public institutions, enhance service delivery, and build a safer, more inclusive society.
GRADUATION: Scenes from the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) Basic Training Course Graduation. Photos: Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
“Within this framework,” she said, “the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, through the NCS, plays a central role in promoting peace, justice and national stability.”
She noted that Wednesday’s graduation took place at a pivotal moment in Namibia’s national development journey, as the Government intensifies efforts to combat unemployment and reduce poverty — two of the most urgent challenges facing the country.
The NCS’s 11-month basic training course serves to transition newly appointed officers from civilian life into a disciplined, regimental structure, and is designed to instil teamwork, discipline, cardiovascular and mental fitness, and a clear understanding of the daily responsibilities and ethical standards expected of correctional officers.
Of the 280 recruits in the 2024 intake, 278 trainees — 181 males and 97 females — graduated and are ready for deployment. Only two recruits were unable to graduate, having been dismissed for violating the Training College’s rules.
The marked improvement did not go unnoticed by President Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“This represents a significant improvement from the 2023 intake, where 14 trainees did not complete the programme,” she said, adding: “I am particularly impressed by the academic achievements within this intake, where the highest trainee scored an impressive 95%, and the lowest a respectable 50%.”
In addition to academic performance, there were other outstanding accomplishments in categories such as Best Overall Recruit and Best Shooter (male and female).
“These achievements reflect the hard work, dedication and discipline of our graduates,” she said.
The graduation was held under the theme “Strength through Adversity”, a theme the President said underscored the resilience, perseverance and inner strength required to overcome challenges.
“For correctional officers,” she said, “it speaks to the necessity of maintaining integrity, discipline and resolve in the face of the many difficulties inherent in their line of duty. It also highlights the idea that adversity, though difficult, can serve as a catalyst for growth, character-building and empowerment.”
Besides senior politicians, senior government officials, traditional and religious leaders, the event was also attended by members of the local community, as well as family and friends of the graduates who had travelled from all corners of the country.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
