Windhoek: A total of 153 trainees graduated from the Namibian Correctional Service's (NCS) ninth basic orientation training course at the Lucius Mahoto Correctional Service Training College on Thursday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, 159 trainees initially reported for the three-month training on 01 September. The group comprised 72 males and 87 females from various academic backgrounds, including psychology, nursing, social work, theology, media, and engineering.
The graduation ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu. She highlighted the transformation of the trainees from ordinary civilians into disciplined correctional officers ready to safeguard custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration. During her speech, Iipumbu requested a moment of silence in honor of trainee Andreas Keendjele, who lost his life during the training, and the 12 correctional officers who died in a road accident in August.
Minister Iipumbu remarked on the mental, physical, and ethical transformation of the trainees, emphasizing their new roles as officers of the Namibian Correctional Service. She also addressed the current staff shortages within the NCS, noting that some facilities experience shortages of up to 65 percent. The minister commended the leadership for generating savings within the remuneration budget, allowing the intake to proceed.
Iipumbu further discussed the government's recruitment plans, which include hiring 420 officers in 2025/26, with the current group expected to graduate in April next year, and an additional 400 officers in 2026/27. This targeted recruitment is aimed at enhancing operational capacity and addressing youth unemployment. She also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as inadequate uniforms, transport constraints, and housing shortages within the service.
NCS Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela emphasized the service's commitment to rehabilitation as a proactive and evidence-based practice. He highlighted the importance of psychological services, education, vocational training, spiritual guidance, reintegration planning, and structured behavior-change programs in reducing reoffending rates.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating cohort, Gideon Eibeb described the training as a defining journey of discipline, endurance, and personal transformation for all graduates. He noted that the training tested their physical limits, emotional resilience, mental strength, and collective unity.