Technology

Community neglect threatens Namibia school project despite success lessons from other regions

Monday, 19 January 2026 10:29AM UTC

A community-led school initiative in Namibia faces failure due to vandalism and lack of sustained local involvement, highlighting the need for structured support and inclusive planning to ensure long-term success.

Erastus Nekomba, chair of the Muthiya school board, has warned that a community-led school project in the Omusati region risks failing unless local residents, traditional leaders and government bodies step up to protect and maintain the facility. According to The Namibian, Nekomba said vandalism, a lack of sustained local involvement and weak municipal support have left the project vulnerable and threatened long-term benefits for learners. ^[1]

Nekomba described how the initial momentum that completed construction has not translated into durable community stewardship, with incidents of theft and damage to materials and infrastructure undermining operations. He said volunteers and donor-supplied resources are being eroded by “opauyelele” , a breakdown in shared responsibility , and urged clearer ownership arrangements between the school committee, parents and the ministry of education. The Namibian report quoted him stressing the need for stronger by-laws and local monitoring to prevent further losses. ^[1]

Local leaders' concerns mirror obstacles seen in other contexts where community characteristics complicate project delivery. According to a report in The Star about the Nyota youth grants in Garissa County, Kenya, nomadic lifestyles, poor connectivity and limited electricity can blunt the impact of well-intentioned programmes unless interventions are tailored to local realities. That experience underlines Nekomba's point that one-size-fits-all approaches to rural education projects can fail if they ignore mobility, infrastructure and communication barriers. ^[2]

Project histories elsewhere also show that engaging local technical capacity and managing expectations are crucial. HEAL International's account of a water-supply project at Kimundo Dispensary highlighted how involving local engineers, adapting to weather-related delays and setting realistic community roles helped salvage outcomes when challenges arose. Those lessons support the Muthiya board's call for inclusive planning and for training or incentivising community members to assume ongoing maintenance roles. ^[3]

Broader research on youth and community participation further explains risks to sustainability. A Harvard study of agribusiness engagement in Papua New Guinea identified cultural norms, high costs and limited access to finance as barriers that keep young people disengaged from local economic projects; similar dynamics can reduce the volunteer base schools need for continuity. Academic reviews of urban and rural development work reinforce that institutional weaknesses, unclear communication and poverty constrain citizen participation unless programmes proactively address those obstacles. ^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Nekomba has urged the ministry and municipal authorities to formalise support, including assistance with security, supplies and skills training, and to create mechanisms for local contributions beyond one-off donations. He warned that without clearer roles and faster responses to vandalism, the facility risks becoming another unfinished promise rather than a durable asset for children and the wider community. The Namibian noted his appeal for partnerships that combine government, community and non-profit efforts to sustain the project in the long term. ^[1]

📌 Reference Map:

##Reference Map:

^[1] (The Namibian) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 6
^[2] (The Star) - Paragraph 3
^[3] (HEAL International) - Paragraph 4
^[4] (Harvard Business School Clinic) - Paragraph 5
^[5] (World Journal of Arts, Research and Resources) - Paragraph 5
^[6] (Kampala International University thesis) - Paragraph 5
^[7] (Journal of ARJASS) - Paragraph 5

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.namibian.com.na/nekomba-okwe-lilongekida-okuungaunga-nomikundu-adishe-di-li-momuthiya/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2025-10-09-nomadic-lifestyle-poor-connectivity-obstacles-to-nyota-project-garissa-youths - In October 2025, youths in Garissa County, Kenya, expressed concerns over the Nyota project, a national initiative providing grants to young entrepreneurs. They highlighted challenges such as poor network coverage, limited electricity access, and the nomadic lifestyle of local residents, which could hinder the project's success. Local leaders acknowledged these issues and called for collaborative efforts to address them, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions that consider the community's unique circumstances.
https://www.healinternational.org/blog-1/2018/3/31/lessons-learned-from-a-community-development-project - HEAL International collaborated with the Kimundo Dispensary to install running water, improving sanitation and patient care. The project faced challenges, including weather-related delays, resource shortages, and community expectations. Engaging local engineers and involving the community in decision-making were key strategies to overcome these obstacles, highlighting the importance of adaptability and collaboration in community development projects.
https://bsc.hks.harvard.edu/2024/11/11/low-economic-engagement-of-youth-in-agribusiness-opportunities-in-kutubu-papua-new-guinea/ - A study in Kutubu Local Level Government, Papua New Guinea, examined the low participation of out-of-school youth in agribusiness. Factors such as social and cultural norms, lack of ambition, high business costs, negative perceptions of agribusiness, and limited access to finance were identified as barriers. Addressing these issues is crucial for empowering youth and strengthening the local economy through agribusiness opportunities.
https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-0422.pdf - This paper reviews the impact of non-profit organizations on urban community development in the USA and Africa. It highlights the multifaceted challenges of urban development and the need for innovative, sustainable solutions. The study emphasizes the importance of non-profit involvement in facilitating urban community development and draws comparisons between different regional contexts.
https://dhdr.kiu.ac.ug/uploads/form14/2023-08-19742_1746627912_revised_thesis.pdf - This study examines the challenges of community participation in urban development in Somalia. It identifies structural and institutional barriers, such as limited awareness of participation rights, weak communication strategies, and community power dynamics, which hinder effective engagement. The research underscores the need for inclusive and effective community participation to achieve sustainable urban transformation.
https://journalarjass.com/index.php/ARJASS/article/view/489 - A study in Kibaha Town Council, Tanzania, investigated challenges to community participation in constructing ward secondary schools. Findings revealed social challenges, economic constraints, and institutional barriers, including low community knowledge on the importance of participation and household poverty. The study recommends both formal and non-formal education to enhance community involvement and suggests alternative contributions to financial support, such as providing labour.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The article was published on 19 January 2026. A search for similar narratives did not yield earlier publications, suggesting originality. However, the content's freshness is slightly reduced due to the time elapsed since publication.

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: Direct quotes from Erastus Nekomba are used. While the quotes are consistent with the context, they cannot be independently verified through other sources, raising concerns about their authenticity.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The article originates from The Namibian, a reputable news organisation. However, the specific author is not identified, which slightly diminishes the source's reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The concerns raised about community involvement and infrastructure maintenance in the Omusati region are plausible and align with known challenges in similar contexts. However, the lack of independent verification of the quotes and specific details reduces the overall credibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The article presents plausible concerns about community involvement and infrastructure maintenance in the Omusati region. However, the inability to independently verify the quotes, reliance on a single source without identified authorship, and lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets significantly diminish its credibility. These issues lead to a FAIL verdict with MEDIUM confidence.

Education
Community engagement
Namibia