Staff Reporter
A TOTAL of 40 hostel learners from Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School in the Kavango West Region are receiving medical treatment at Katjinakatji Clinic following suspected food poisoning.
This was confirmed by the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp.
It is alleged that the learners complained of food poisoning symptoms after they ate bread with butter and polony for dinner last night.
Steenkamp said those affected range in age from 13 to 22.
She explained that the learners experienced body weakness, nausea, watery diarrhoea, and vomiting.
“The ambulance is currently taking them to Rundu. There are two ambulances on site: one from Rundu and one from Ncamagoro. Currently, none of the cases are serious, but they are being taken to Rundu Hospital for further treatment,” Steenkamp said.
This is not the first time an incident of food poisoning has been reported in the Kavango Region. In September 2025, a total of 33 learners from Maria Mwengere Secondary School in Kavango East were hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning.
Investigations into that matter concluded that the school hostel’s water was contaminated.
