UNAM’s Examination Breakfast Continues to Support Student Well-being during Exam

(By: Frieda Jona )

(Images: Cipriano Sirongo, SRC for Academic Affairs)

(Images: Late Dean Magriet Mainga)

Images: Cipriano Sirongo, SRC for Academic Affairs (left) and The Late Dean Magriet Mainga (right)

The University of Namibia (UNAM) free breakfast programme for students during examination seasons continues to thrive thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Directorate of Student Affairs (DSA).

Originally introduced by the late Dean Magriet Mainga, the programme was envisioned as a way to ensure that no student faces the stress of exams on an empty stomach, ensuring that every student starts their exam day with the energy needed to focus for better performance.

In a recent interview with Campus Connect, Cipriano Sirongo, SRC for Academic Affairs reported that they have experienced students collapsing during exams due to hunger and this is why they have taken up the mantle to ensure the programme’s continuation across campuses, reflecting the institution’s commitment to student wellness and academic success.

“This programme is part of our commitment to student wellbeing,” Sirongo said. “We know that students perform better when they are not hungry. Dean Mainga believed in supporting students in every way, and we are proud to keep that going.”

Students say that the breakfast makes a big difference and they hope to see the programme grow. “It really helps,” said Maria Nghidinwa, a thirdyear Education student. “I do not have enough time to prepare something to eat in the morning, however the breakfast offered on campus gives me the energy I need to write my paper.” Simon Paulus, a final-year economics student, further adds: “We would love to see it grow into something bigger, maybe cooking clubs or nutrition workshops where students can learn and contribute. Partnering with agriculture and hospitality departments would make it even more sustainable.”

This principle ensures that programmes like the Breakfast Initiative are not simply passed down, they are shaped by student voices, strengthened by student leadership, and built on a shared commitment to academic success and wellbeing. With the SRC and the DSA working side by side, Dean Mainga’s legacy is not just being preserved, it is growing, evolving, and being carried forward by the very students it was meant to serve.