San student: A diploma is just the beginning

Zebaldt Ngaruka GOBABIS – Frans Boeppens will continue furthering his studies past the diploma level after he graduated recently at the University of Namibia (UNAM)’s Southern Campus. The 26-year-old from the marginalised San community, hailing from Omaheke, obtained a Diploma in Junior Primary Education (DJPE) and still has a desire to study and achieve big things in education. Even though there are no clear statistics of San graduates from Unam, there are individuals who are San students obtaining degrees in law, agriculture and teaching fields, among others.

Simon Namesho, Unam’s spokesperson, said there are about nine San students from the university this year, among them Boeppens. Boeppens told New Era in an interview that he will be studying beyond a diploma level to enhance employability and unlock senior management roles. “Studying further will deepen specialised knowledge, and this diploma is just a starting point to bigger qualifications ahead.