• Jugend

Humanity over everything

Ndelipewa Ndapandula Mungoba, a 19-year-old young lady and a first-year Law(LLB) Student at UNAM was nominated for the AfriYan awards.

AfriYan Namibia is an African youth network on population and development that is at the forefront of Africa’s development. AfriYan Namibia was officially launched in 2012 during National Youth Week.

The young student who was recently nominated in the AfriYan awards won the Southern Africa Trust Adolescent Activism Awards.

Being a law student did not stop Mungoba’s strong driving urge for humanity and to serve the people especially the youth.

The young Mbadja village lady that grew up in a small village called Ndibwanime best known as Omufitu wamalanga in Angola, had to move to Walvis a few years later for best education's sake.

Raised by a dad alone from pre-primary till grade 12, and later had to move to Windhoek to further her studies.

“I believe in touching lives before money, and ensure that I serve the youth through caring safety, because where hearts are healed hope is nurtured, and faith in God-self and others is developed”.

Mungoba believes that one day at a time is always the aim. To make that poor girl that is hardest hit by life and circumstances believe that she deserves and must have hope that the world is her oyster. Her greatest award is making a difference in the life of an adolescent and young girls coming from a disadvantaged background.

For Mungoba it was never about the awards.

Mungoba who says she was surprised that her colleagues submitted her name for the awards was humbled that people she looks up to see the potential in her to recommend her for this life-changing award.

Award Journey

Mungoba mentions that the nomination journey as being humbling as she did not expect to win.

“The other participants are also doing exceptional work in their communities in their ways and I would love for us to join hands to fast track commitments to young people to make their lives better and restore their hope and dignity that I believe that every young person is born to have”.

With all the lockdowns, uncertain times and unprecedented moments Mungoba and her team had to work three times harder than ever before.

There was an increase in Gender Based Violence (GBV), young girls started disappearing, just to mention a few were the issues affecting our young people.

Menstrual health is what free flow is all about, it’s about restoring dignity among young girls.

The one thing for sure is that the advocacy will upscale and fast track on a whole new level.

“I want to ensure that menstrual health is incorporated into all Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) related work and outreach activities.”

She strongly believes that this not only about her, but also about her team and the young girl.

“We don't want charity we want accountability, we don't want free sanitary pads we want Tax Free Pads,” she further added that the one thing for sure is that the advocacy will upscale and fast track on a whole new level.

She describes AfriYan as a true representative of young people and the Namibian Free Flow Campaign was birthed out of AfriYan and that is where she belongs by Membership and heart.

PHOTOS : Contributed

Photo 1: Ndelipewa Ndapandula Mungoba

Photo 2: Ndelipewa Mungoba and Kylvert Mwandingi The President of AfriYan Namibia