The plight of our students In Namibia we only have a few worthy institutions of higher learning and most notably, the University of Namibia is one of these institutions, but for how long we do not know. Not that we are criticising the quality of tuition that our students get – there are many fantastic and dedicated lecturers at the University of Namibia, lecturers that believe in quality and in life-long education. It is the abhorrent and unhygienic conditions that our students have to endure in order to receive this valuable education that is of grave concern. At the outset, let it be said that many of our Namibian students studying at Unam and other institutions of higher learning in Namibia come from previously and in most cases, still disadvantaged backgrounds. These are students who have triumphed for better or for worse against all odds, they have survived the pathetic education and sub-standard system and they have succeeded in beating the odds, which have in most cases been stacked heavily against them; despite this, they have shown their mettle and resolve. Now they have finally achieved what they perceive to be their “dream” – they have been admitted to Unam to receive a higher education, the education which is supposed to be “the great equaliser” – they have seen light at the end of the tunnel. They have seen a path out of that poverty which they want to leave behind, the endless cycle of poverty that has seen no hope for generations. Now alas, for the “cream of the crop” of our country and the “hope for our future” there spears to be darkness at the end of the tunnel, not much light, as they face the stark reality of lack of accommodation and hygienic and clean ablution facilities. In the north, our students have to face sub-human living conditions, while the authorities only make empty promises about building hostels to appease them. In Windhoek at the main campus, which should be a source of pride and joy to all of Namibia, the bathroom facilities at that huge and landmark facility, catering to thousands of students are sickeningly filthy and unhygienic.The plight of our students In Namibia we only have a few worthy institutions of higher learning and most notably, the University of Namibia is one of these institutions, but for how long we do not know. Not that we are criticising the quality of tuition that our students get – there are many fantastic and dedicated lecturers at the University of Namibia, lecturers that believe in quality and in life-long education. It is the abhorrent and unhygienic conditions that our students have to endure in order to receive this valuable education that is of grave concern. At the outset, let it be said that many of our Namibian students studying at Unam and other institutions of higher learning in Namibia come from previously and in most cases, still disadvantaged backgrounds. These are students who have triumphed for better or for worse against all odds, they have survived the pathetic education and sub-standard system and they have succeeded in beating the odds, which have in most cases been stacked heavily against them; despite this, they have shown their mettle and resolve. Now they have finally achieved what they perceive to be their “dream” – they have been admitted to Unam to receive a higher education, the education which is supposed to be “the great equaliser” – they have seen light at the end of the tunnel. They have seen a path out of that poverty which they want to leave behind, the endless cycle of poverty that has seen no hope for generations. Now alas, for the “cream of the crop” of our country and the “hope for our future” there spears to be darkness at the end of the tunnel, not much light, as they face the stark reality of lack of accommodation and hygienic and clean ablution facilities. In the north, our students have to face sub-human living conditions, while the authorities only make empty promises about building hostels to appease them. In Windhoek at the main campus, which should be a source of pride and joy to all of Namibia, the bathroom facilities at that huge and landmark facility, catering to thousands of students are sickeningly filthy and unhygienic.