Namibia's Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has challenged the widespread perception of rural areas as being impoverished. Speaking at an event introducing the International University of Management's Graduate School of Business to the Southern African Development Community, Sankwasa emphasized the critical role rural communities play in feeding urban areas. He questioned how urban residents can be considered better off when they rely on produce from rural areas.
Sankwasa pointed out that urban residents depend on rural areas for essential goods such as milk, vegetables, eggs, and potatoes. He noted that it is common to find these products being sold in urban supermarkets, but the source of these products is often overlooked. The minister argued that rural areas are not poor, but rather, they are the backbone of the country's food supply. He emphasized that it is time to rethink Namibia's perception of poverty, education, and development.
The minister also called for a greater emphasis on practical skills in the education system. He observed that many skilled foreign workers are employed on construction projects in Namibia, and questioned where they acquired their skills. Sankwasa suggested that other countries' curriculums allow school leavers to acquire skills that can be used immediately, and that African education systems need to be restructured to equip pupils with skills relevant to their communities and economies.
Sankwasa emphasized that the country's education system should focus on providing young people with practical skills to create livelihoods, rather than solely depending on formal employment. He stated that yesterday's solutions will not solve current and future problems, and that it is time for a change. The minister's comments were echoed by IUM Graduate School of Business director Blessing Tafirenyika, who emphasized the need for business education and research to respond to Namibia's specific challenges.
Tafirenyika noted that while technologies such as artificial intelligence tools can provide information, they do not always provide answers specific to Namibia. She stated that the school aims to strengthen local research and innovation, so that knowledge produced in Namibia can better explain the country's realities. Tafirenyika called on businesses and other organizations to work closely with the school, sharing their challenges with researchers and providing industry perspectives to students.
The International University of Management's Graduate School of Business aims to provide education that is relevant to Namibia's needs. Tafirenyika suggested that local examples should be used in teaching, including allowing professionals from institutions such as the Bank of Namibia and the Namibia Securities Exchange to share practical knowledge with students. This approach will enable students to gain a deeper understanding of the country's challenges and develop solutions that are tailored to Namibia's specific needs.
IUM founder and council chair David Namwandi emphasized the importance of the university continuing to reinvent itself to meet changing national and global needs. He stated that the university is committed to providing education that is relevant and responsive to the country's challenges. The event highlighted the need for collaboration between academia, business, and government to address Namibia's development challenges.
Key points
- - Rural communities play a critical role in feeding urban areas in Namibia. - The country's education system should place greater emphasis on practical skills that allow young people to create livelihoods. - African education systems need to be restructured to ensure pupils are equipped with skills relevant to their communities and economies.
