Former Martin Luther pupils to save school

MARTIN Luther High School, once considered a citadel of education renowned for its hardworking pupils who mostly later became prominent members of society, might shut down due to dilapidated infrastructure and lack of finances for operations.

However, former pupils, some of whom are now ministers, media gurus, governors, teachers, as well as other prominent persons, have refused to watch helplessly as the school falls to its knees.

Gathered in the semi-dark Macedonia Parish Lutheran Church in Windhoek’s Nama location last Thursday, the school’s alumni shared ideas on how to rescue the school.

In 2015, a portion of N$1,9 million the alumni had raised was used to renovate the school and the hostel. It was one of the first renovations since the school was set up in 1970.

The school, which accommodated around 200 pupils from Grade 8 to Grade 12, survived on funding from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) and other donors.

But when foreign funding dried out, along with funds from the church and coupled with the government’s reduced subsidy, matters became worse.

The school was drowning in debts from food suppliers. There were not enough toiletries and furniture, while buildings and roofs were close to collapsing due to disrepair. The alumni, who gathered last Thursday to make the critical decision of setting up a trust fund, were not impressed by that state of affairs.

Although only a group of 20 showed up for the meeting, a decision was made that a trust fund be set up within the next few weeks, and a visit be made to the school to establish what urgent assistance could be given to the institution.

Suggestions were also made to install a solar power plant, and find ways to draw underground water for use at the school.

Talk was likewise made to reduce the number of pupils in line with the school’s capacity and operations. Media personality Isack Hamata, who moderated the discussions, said they could not allow the school that made them who they are today to close down.

A group of five led by Hamata and Wendy Veii was nominated to spearhead the setting up of the trust that will not only raise funds for operations of the school, but will also help in its management.

The school was known for refusing to teach Afrikaans, but taught German instead, and most pupils would get opportunities to visit Germany.

Products of MLH include politicians such as Alpheus !Naruseb, editor Tangeni Amupadhi, newspaper’s Max Hamata, former Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) director general Albertus Aochamub, chief news and programming officer at NBC Menesia Muinjo, assistant news editor at the Namibia Press Agency Jata Kazondu, and senior journalist at the Southern Times newspaper, Magreth Nunuhe.

Namport boss Bisey /Uirab, deputy veterans minister Hilma Nicanor, and former Daures constituency councillor Ehrnst Katjiku also attended the school.

ELCRN’s bishop Ernst /Gamxamub could not explain why funding from the church dried up as he did not respond to questions sent to him.