RÖMI

When I Started Respecting Namibia During my master's program, there were some Namibians attending the same school as I was, though they were enrolled in education programs. Along with students from other African countries, we all belonged to the African Student Association. For the Namibians, their tuition fees were covered by their government, and they also received a stipend of €1,000 per month. In contrast, those of us from West and East Africa were either self-sponsored or funded through our university scholarships. While we scrimped and saved every cent, juggled part-time jobs, and tried to send money back home to our families, the Namibians were living up the life, traveling, clubbing, and indulging in exotic foods that we simply couldn't afford at that time, as students🤣. After graduation, the Namibians threw a special party, and they all WILLINGLY returned to Namibia. I mean, every single one who had come for a master's degree went back. There was one woman pursuing her PhD at the time who stayed longer, but she returned immediately after completing her program. I was close to two of them, so I asked each, separately, why they weren't staying behind to build a life here. Their answers were remarkably similar: "Stay back for what? There's nothing here for us. We can always come for holidays. There's so much more to enjoy in Namibia. We're paid well, and we've been travelling to different countries even before coming here to study." I was shocked. One even laughed at the question and asked why I'd want to stay back in such a cold place. If you've been following me for a while, you've probably noticed how often I mention wanting to visit Namibia. I really do. I can't wait to go. One of those two friends keeps asking when I'm finally coming to visit. Being the "African giant" isn't about population size, oh no. We're just clinging to past glories. In our parents' era, some were sponsored abroad by the Nigerian government for studies, and most returned home. These days, how many are even sponsored, and how many actually come back? Namibians truly love their country, and you won't find them scattered all over the world like us.

BREAKING NEWS: Namibia's third president, Hage Geingob, has died at a hospital in Windhoek. He was 82. Vice president Nangolo Mbumba announced that Geingob died on Sunday morning. "By his side was his wife and his dear children," said Mbumba said.