Duminga Ndala unpacks free tertiary education, N$5 billion set aside annually to eliminate tuition fees

[PODCAST]

The promise of free tertiary education has long echoed through Namibia’s political landscape. Now, under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, that promise has become policy—with N$5 billion set aside annually to eliminate tuition fees at all state-run universities and vocational training centres by 2028. But can Namibia afford it? And how will it work in practice?

While institutions like Unam and Nust welcome the move, they say they’ve received no operational details. Economists warn of budget strain, rising enrolments, and a possible drop in education quality.

We were joined by Duminga Ndala, youth command leader of the Landless People’s Movement, to unpack whether this bold promise is truly practical—or just political.