Realising a world of greater possibilities

On 9 November, the Afrox Leadership Academy held a banquet to say farewell to its first intake at the Safari Court Hotel.
JUSTISIA SHIPENA
Justicia Shipena



It is also aimed at providing opportunities to young people and seeks to contribute to the development of the nation.

Afrox Namibia commissioned research to identify the best possible methods to intervene in skills development and poverty eradication in the country.

The academy hosted 16 grade 10 learners chosen from Delta Secondary School, Hage Geingob High School and Eldorado Secondary School, and the programme ran over a period of six months.

The learners received certificates for successfully completing the programme.

The learners completed a ­seven-day leadership training camp at the Rock Lodge and covered topics such as career guidance, performance and results, service delivery basic ­etiquette and project management.

The training was then followed up with a community projects.

The learners received mentorship and assistance, so their community work could be sustainable.

During the banquet the learners presented their community projects.

Delta Secondary School pupils Kyrah Hampe and Panduleni Shatilwe's community project focused on identifying learners that perform poorly in physical science at their school.

They tutored these learners every Tuesday and Thursday and these pupils registered a 5% improvement in overall marks.

Fanuel Shinedima, Joseph Julius and Ottillie Shangheta from Hage Geingob High School managed to secure sponsorship worth N$1 500 from PwC Namibia.

They used the funds to purchase stationery and toys for a community kindergarten.

First Lady Monica Geingos said education is not all about academics.



Words from Firt Lady

She also encouraged the students to “show up” no matter how hard the situation is, adding it is not always about money, when it comes to making a change.

Geingos told the students not to be easily provoked.

“In anger, that is where you do things you can't take back and there is always someone to provoke a soft heart and a hard mind,” she said.

Geingos said that it's okay to be weak in the eyes of the people whose values do not align with yours.

She also spoke about violence being a huge problem in Namibia.

“I have never seen as much cruelty as that on social media,” she said.

She also encouraged the learners to understand how digitalisation works and how it will impact their lives and career paths. She said when people talk about the empowerment of the girl child they should not neglect the boy child, and the importance of self-confidence.

“If there is one thing the world is good at is breaking down the confidence of young people.”

Namibian musician, Ees, urged the learners to work hard and strive for their dreams.