Young africa nurture dreams
Kelao Neumbo
The Young Africa skills centres operate in nine different locations in five SADC countries.
The Young Africa feature interviews aim to highlight individuals who have been impacted by these skills centres.
This week we spoke to Beatrix Vivian Jahanika Ujamba.
She is a 26-year-old woman who lives and works at the Young Africa skills centre in Walvis Bay.
She grew up in Otjiwarongo, where she matriculated from Paresis Secondary School.
As a child, her mother always encouraged her to work hard.
“She always used to tell me, ‘there is no time for sleeping and self-pity; stand up, brush off the dirt and get to work, because God has a plan and you should trust His timing’. And that is what always kept me going,” she explains.
Before Young Africa, she applied for jobs and worked part-time for her mother as a seamstress. Ujamba came across Young Africa a little over a year ago, as a caterer to a workshop where the posters caught her attention.
“I looked at the posters that were on the wall and they were advertising the 2017 intake and there was only one course that caught my attention and that was solar technology. I was very curious to find out what it was about and I decided to apply,” she said.
When she was admitted, Ujamba was the only female student at the centre at the time, but that did not pose an obstacle. In fact, it only motivated her.
“It was very exciting being the only female student there because I think the male students were more intimidated by me than I was by them and that was very empowering. I made sure to push myself every day, as it was a challenge but it was worth it.”
Fast forward a few months, and Ujamba graduated second in her class with an average of 79% in solar technology.
Her motivation and drive is evident and has largely contributed to her earning various accolades, such as certificates in:
Hospitality from South African College of Tourism in the Eastern Cape (2011);
Early Childhood Development from the Northern Pre-Kindergarten Teacher’s Training Centre (2015);
Solar Technology and Welding from Young Africa (2017);
The Sunrise Intermediate Course from the Solar Maxx Academy (2017); and
Solar Power Designer Back Up from Solar Maxx Academy (2018).
Young Africa had another intake in July for courses ranging from solar technology, affordable green building, electrical engineering, plumbing, basic computer skills, and international computer driving licence (basic and advanced).
The courses will take place over five months. Young Africa also offers financial assistance to individuals through the Henk Willems Fund. Young Africa in Otjiwarongo is also looking to employ a business promoter, marketing consultant and entrepreneurs in electrical engineering and plumbing. All prospective students and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Kelao Neumbo is a Young African in Namibia
The Young Africa skills centres operate in nine different locations in five SADC countries.
The Young Africa feature interviews aim to highlight individuals who have been impacted by these skills centres.
This week we spoke to Beatrix Vivian Jahanika Ujamba.
She is a 26-year-old woman who lives and works at the Young Africa skills centre in Walvis Bay.
She grew up in Otjiwarongo, where she matriculated from Paresis Secondary School.
As a child, her mother always encouraged her to work hard.
“She always used to tell me, ‘there is no time for sleeping and self-pity; stand up, brush off the dirt and get to work, because God has a plan and you should trust His timing’. And that is what always kept me going,” she explains.
Before Young Africa, she applied for jobs and worked part-time for her mother as a seamstress. Ujamba came across Young Africa a little over a year ago, as a caterer to a workshop where the posters caught her attention.
“I looked at the posters that were on the wall and they were advertising the 2017 intake and there was only one course that caught my attention and that was solar technology. I was very curious to find out what it was about and I decided to apply,” she said.
When she was admitted, Ujamba was the only female student at the centre at the time, but that did not pose an obstacle. In fact, it only motivated her.
“It was very exciting being the only female student there because I think the male students were more intimidated by me than I was by them and that was very empowering. I made sure to push myself every day, as it was a challenge but it was worth it.”
Fast forward a few months, and Ujamba graduated second in her class with an average of 79% in solar technology.
Her motivation and drive is evident and has largely contributed to her earning various accolades, such as certificates in:
Hospitality from South African College of Tourism in the Eastern Cape (2011);
Early Childhood Development from the Northern Pre-Kindergarten Teacher’s Training Centre (2015);
Solar Technology and Welding from Young Africa (2017);
The Sunrise Intermediate Course from the Solar Maxx Academy (2017); and
Solar Power Designer Back Up from Solar Maxx Academy (2018).
Young Africa had another intake in July for courses ranging from solar technology, affordable green building, electrical engineering, plumbing, basic computer skills, and international computer driving licence (basic and advanced).
The courses will take place over five months. Young Africa also offers financial assistance to individuals through the Henk Willems Fund. Young Africa in Otjiwarongo is also looking to employ a business promoter, marketing consultant and entrepreneurs in electrical engineering and plumbing. All prospective students and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Kelao Neumbo is a Young African in Namibia
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