In continued efforts to empower the nation through education, Mineworkers Union of Namibia, through its trust the NAMIT Education Fund handed over bursaries totalling N$ 748 181 to 147 students for the 2026 academic year.
The initiative continues to expand access to tertiary education, with a stronger focus on postgraduate students. The NAMIT Education Fund (EduFund), established in 2023 by the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), is a financial support initiative aimed at assisting members, ex-members, and their dependents with tertiary education costs, specifically by covering non-refundable registration fees at accredited institutions of higher learning. Funding is disbursed twice annually, in January and July.
The fund is uniquely designed to support NAMIT beneficiaries. The EduFund stands as the first initiative of its kind in Namibia where a trade union directly invests in the education of its members, significantly easing the initial financial burden faced by students. To date, the union has funded 584 students, and 50 beneficiaries have successfully graduated, with all regions across Namibia benefiting from the initiative. Of the beneficiaries, 70% are female and 30% are male. The grant, which previously catered to all students, now primarily supports postgraduate students, as undergraduate applications are no longer covered following the introduction of government-funded free tertiary education in 2026. Notably, there has been a 15% increase in applications compared to the 2025 academic year, reflecting a growing national appetite for advanced education.
This year, a total of 147 students were supported across various institutions, including UNAM, NUST, STADIO, IUM, Lingua, NIMT, Welwitschia, I-Care, NIT, and Triumphant, among others. Speaking at the handover, Jason Kasuto Principal Officer of Namitvest spoke on the urged the students to continue pursuing education to empower themselves “This initiative is a brainchild of the MUN, aimed at giving back to future leaders,” he highlighted. MUN President and Acting Chairperson of NAMIT, Poco-Key Mberiuana, emphasised the importance of supporting education through the initiative “The grant is designed to take care of our members as an organisation, including our former members and their dependents. Let us send our members and beneficiaries to school. We are joining hands with the government, and we do not want our former members to be left stranded due to a lack of funding. For those who have received bursaries, we want to follow up on their success and identify how best we can improve,” he stated.
In addition, John Ndeutepo, Chief Executive Officer of Nammic, highlighted the success of the program in funding qualifying applications and producing beneficiaries who are becoming professionals. He urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunities provided, emphasizing the inclusive nature of the benefits “I believe we have managed to fund all the qualifying applications, and I am very happy about that. I also thank the leadership for continuing to implement this much-needed initiative. The leadership is constantly looking for ways to improve and uplift our beneficiaries. I want to thank you for committing to your studies, ensuring that you succeed and obtain the qualifications the MUN has helped you achieve, so that one day you will also be able to serve others,” he stated. Furthermore, Brian Tjihero, the MUN National Coordinator emphasized the transformative role of the EduFund in supporting members “The leadership made a deliberate decision that, beyond being a movement, we must invest in our members, former members, and their dependents. Today, 80% of the grant recipients are either former members or their dependents.
This is why we must applaud the leadership at the time for taking such a forwardlooking decision, one that continues to shape the legacy we are building today,” he noted.
The beneficiaries shared their experiences, reflecting on how this initiative has changed their lives. Martha Iikela, a student pursuing a PHD in Extractive Industry Oil and Gas at University of Petroleum and Energy Studies in India, shared how this initiative empowered her “I lost my parents at the age of seven. My father was working in Oranjemund and was supposed to take care of my registration fees. For many years, I struggled to make it to university. Then the Mine Workers Union stepped in, offering assistance to the dependents of their members. I discovered that my father had been a member of the union, and through this support, my first registration was paid. I went on to complete my master’s in Oil and Gas, and all my registrations in January and July were supported by the Mine Workers Union. This year, I am proud to be registered as a PHD in Extractive Industry Oil and Gas. I am deeply honoured and committed to upholding the values of this organisation. The mining sector is the backbone of our country, we are looking forward to advancing our skills and knowledge and then research and will come back to give our skills for our nation,” she stated. Additionally, Johannes Paulus, a Human Resource Management student at the International University of Management, expressed his gratitude
“I am currently in my final year at the International University of Management, and this has been made possible by the NAMIT EduFund. On behalf of myself and all the beneficiaries, I want to sincerely thank you for stepping in. Today, we can proudly say that we are educated, and we are committed to giving back and contributing to this mighty union of ours,” he stated.
Haikali Haikali, a current student pursuing a masters in Data Science at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) urged the members to take advantage of this initiative “Let’s take up this opportunity and study. Remember, four years will pass regardless of whether you study or not. The difference is, if you study, after four years you will have a certificate to show for it. So, I encourage all members of the Mine Workers Union to seize this chance to further their education,” he stated Furthermore, speaking on the significance of the initiative, Janet Namises, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, shared how it positively impacted her family “I did not work in the mine, however, both my parents did. Today, my daughter has benefited from the union’s support. I sincerely want to thank my union, and also those sponsoring my daughter for this opportunity,” she remarked. In reinforcing its long-term vision, the NAMIT EduFund continues to position education as a cornerstone of sustainable development. By investing in the academic advancement of its members and their dependents, the initiative not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to building a skilled, empowered, and future-ready workforce for Namibia. As the programme grows, it remains committed to expanding its reach and deepening its impact, ensuring that no deserving student is left behind in the pursuit of higher education.