From Namibia to Oxford

Bertha’s path of Purpose
This 25-year-old Rhodes Scholar from Namibia, has journeyed from local classrooms to the hallowed halls of Oxford University.
Ndapandula Lilonga
  • 1 Week Ago

For many young Namibians, the spires of Oxford University seem distant. Yet for 25-year-old Bertha Tobias, a Rhodes scholar who left home at 18, reaching one of the world’s most prestigious institutions was built on consistency, strong family support, and the courage to pursue ambitious goals.

Tobias’s education began in northern Namibia.

“I grew up in Ongwediva until the age of eight and attended Nekulilo Omagano Memorial School,” she says. “I later attended Vooruit Primary School in Otjiwarongo, then Suiderhof Primary School in Windhoek, and began high school at Delta Secondary School.”

She completed her secondary education at the United World College in Changshu, China. From there, she moved to California in the United States, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in International Relations from Claremont McKenna College.

Her academic performance earned her the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where she completed a Master of Science in Sustainability, Enterprise and Environment. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Oil and Gas Futures Studies at the same institution.


A growing community of global scholars

Bertha forms part of a growing number of Namibians studying abroad. While South Africa remains a common destination, more students are pursuing opportunities in countries such as Germany, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Many are supported by international programmes, including the Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright Programme, and Stipendium Hungaricum, which focus on fields important to Namibia’s development.

Studying at Oxford presented both academic and personal challenges. Tobias describes the experience as intellectually demanding and emotionally stretching. “This opportunity is not just for me,” she says. “It carries a responsibility to think beyond myself and contribute to Namibia and the wider world.”

Her research focuses on Namibia’s energy transition, particularly the balance between renewable energy, oil and gas, and institutional reform. Her aim is to ensure that current decisions support long-term, inclusive growth.


A strong support system

Tobias credits much of her success to her parents. Her mother, an educator, and her father, a businessman, supported her ambitions from an early age.

Her mother recalls her as a determined child who started reading before kindergarten. When Bertha chose to complete high school in China, her mother fully supported the decision.

“Supporting an ambitious child requires growth as a parent,” she says. “You have to adapt and learn continuously.”

Tobias encourages young people not to limit themselves. “You do not need to have everything figured out,” she says. “You simply need to begin and believe that you belong in those spaces.”

Her story highlights what is possible when determination meets opportunity, showing that Namibian talent can compete on the global stage.