The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, says exam results cause anxiety amongst learners and that they need support at all times.
Nghipondoka said this after an incident where a 17-year-old male learner, Shatiwa Nghifilenga, allegedly committed suicide after failing Grade 11.
She urged learners to have a positive mindset that, after failure, there can also be success.
A visual artist is using his talent to raise awareness about suicide in Rundu.
Paulus Kanyanga believes that his "Suicide Mural Project" will encourage more Namibians to open up about the realities behind the act.
Titled "Only in the Darkness Can You See the Stars," this piece of art depicts a reality that many Namibians are currently facing.
The mural is dedicated to those who have committed suicide as well as loved ones who have attempted to take their own lives.
A recent spate of suicides in various regions of Namibia has raised concern and shed light on a pressing need for enhanced mental health support and awareness.
The weekend police report shows that multiple suicides occurred between the 6th and the 8th of this month, including a 13-year-old, prompting a call for action. The report indicates that these tragic incidents affected individuals of different ages and backgrounds, underscoring the pervasive nature of mental health challenges.
Twenty-nine children committed suicide over a period of one year. They are part of the 770 people who committed suicide during the same period.
It is against this background that Abundant Life Ministries, in partnership with the Namibia Diamond Trading Company, held a campaign against suicide in Namibia. Suicidal thoughts are a sign of mental health conditions. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.
679 cases of suicide have been reported in Namibia since last year, of which 82% were men.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, stated that the suicide rate among men is high because men are discouraged from seeking help because they are often labelled as weak.
In a speech delivered on his behalf at the conference on mental health and psychosocial support for men at Oshakati, Health and Social Services Minister Dr. Shangula said mental health is one of the current public health crises globally.
A 21-year-old mother took her life after murdering her 5-year-old daughter at the old Ombili informal settlement at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday.
Police in the town were alerted to the crime between 16h50 and 17h00.
According to Regional Police Community Liaison Officer Maureen Mbeha, the deceased have been identified as Hileni Vemujendavi Virere and Winny Virere.
Mbeha says Hileni strangled her daughter to death, after which she proceeded to commit suicide with an electrical cord she tied to the roof of her shack.
WEEKEND CRIME | The Namibian Police report four suicides and one sudden death over the weekend.
A senior citizen, 72-year-old Julius Hengombe, was found hanging from a wire under a tree at the Ojikango Ekwenya village in the Otjozondjpa Region. No suicide note was found.
26-year-old Ndara Eveline Mbava was found hanging from a tree with a piece of cloth around her neck. The incident occurred in the bushes at the Mabiye beach area next to the Kavango river.
Robberies, theft, murder, suicide, culpable homicide, and possession of harmful substances were crimes reported by the Police this past weekend.
Three deaths by suicide were recorded, the first being Mashadia Marques, a resident of Windhoek's Dorado Valley.
She hanged herself at home, allegedly following an argument with her husband.
Sem Johannes from Windhoek's Wanaheda also hanged himself, while an Okahao resident identified only as Mapenzi also took his own life by hanging.
A senior police officer allegedly shot and killed his wife at Mariental before turning the gun on himself on Thursday.
Hardap Police Acting Commander, Deputy Commissioner Gesina Nell confirmed the senior cop, who held the rank of inspector, shot and killed his wife inside the Aimablaagte AGS church in full view of other congregants.
He then left the church and allegedly killed himself at a government home assigned to police officers.
Deputy Commissioner Nell said the cop was on sick leave when he committed the murder and suicide.
A 43-year-old man, Ndafelai Nghilifilwa, committed suicide by stabbing himself in the stomach and cutting his throat with a traditional knife (Omukonda) in his bedroom at Ononge village in the Nehale Lyampingana constituency in full view of his seven-month-pregnant wife.
It’s alleged that the deceased told his 37-year-old wife that he was going to visit his mother in the morning, and upon his return in the afternoon, he came back with a container of Otombo and gave it to his wife.
Nghilifilwa then told their kids to go collect beans in their mahangu field.
