• By Chollastic Tjehiua

A group of close to 10 young Namibians is adamant they will continue camping outside the Osona military base facility, with the hope that the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) might reconsider its decision to not absorb them for training as recruits.

 This comes after their names did not appear on the list of those recently called up to undergo the intensive military training. However, the group has been camping outside the base for more than two weeks now. Recent media reports indicate that the NDF also called upon those candidates who were declared medically fit but whose names did not appear in the list of those previously called for training.  

NDF spokesperson Colonel Petrus Shilumbu, is quoted saying these individuals will undergo a medical examination before being officially cleared for training. Among the 10 camping outside the Osona facility, only one person was called up to come for training as well. 

Meanwhile, the group now consisting of nine people, claim the NDF decided to call only one of them for training, after he threatened the government with a law suit. The validity of this claim was not confirmed by the time of going to press.

Last week Confidente reported, that the group said they were declared fit for training after passing their physical fitness and subsequent medical tests conducted across the country and they saw their names appearing on a list widely circulated on various public platforms. 

However, upon arrival at the Osona military base they were informed their names are not on the list of new recruits which the NDF published. At the time, Shilumbu explained: “Our recruitment process started with a list of 3,000 candidates who underwent physical fitness and written tests. They also did 2.4km run and push-ups as well as sit-ups. 

We then trimmed that list to 1,500 people who then went for medical [screening] and fingerprints.  I am aware of [the aggrieved group]. I have engaged them. There is even someone who never appeared on our initial list, but he is there [outside Osona military base].

He added: “There are those candidates who did not make it but are now taking chances. If your name is not our official list, then you have no reason to be there.”