The NBC News team also hit the busy streets of Keetmanshoop to find out how families are handling the expense of school supplies.

It is only a few days before the re-opening of the schools; parents and  guardians are making the last-minute trips to cross things off their back-to-school shopping lists.

“I don't have a child in school, but my daughter's children go to school. I want to help, but I cannot because the stationery is very expensive, and we still need to buy food for the children, and that is very expensive for us. Can the government not help us out with books and some basic stationery because we are already buying school clothes?”

“The school shopping went well. I managed to get everything I needed, and the prices are not that expensive, so I am satisfied with it.”

“It’s a bit difficult and complicated, and I am a single parent, and I have to cover all parts of being a parent, and I am coping here and there. I am satisfied with some of the items for the back-to-school-stationary list. I will recommend Waltons because it is cheaper than PeP or ShopRite.”