Tribute to an educator, a reputable administrator and a visionary leader

It is with profound sadness that I learnt about the passing of His Excellency Dr Hage Gottfried Geingob, a distinguished scholar, reputable administrator and visionary leader who also happened to be my neighbour at the Farm at Otavi.

When the late Hage was appointed prime minister of Namibia after independence, as a young man, I followed him with keen interest as to how he was administering government affairs at the time. I was also so fascinated by the manner in which government affairs were run at the time by him being the prime minister of Namibia. I admired his administrative skills, let alone his charismatic leadership style.

When Hage was prime minister, based on his passion for vocational education and training at the time, he was an obvious choice of leader.

We, as management at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC), under my leadership as principal, decided to invite him to officiate at our third graduation ceremony on 7 July 2000.

He accepted our invitation without any hesitation.

What a memorable occasion it was to be accorded such an honour by a distinguished leader.

Graduation day marked my first encounter with the late Dr Hage Geingob. I could not believe I was sitting on the left side of the prime minister at the high table.

I must admit that, as a young man and the principal of the centre, I was so frightened to address the audience in the presence of the prime minister, although I was overjoyed to be seated next to him.

Nonetheless, as invited speakers were delivering their speeches before the keynote address, the two of us had a conversation on the sidelines. I was telling him about the WVTC's activities. He whispered in my ear, telling me: “Young man, you are doing a great job."

Little did I know that our leaders were watching what we were doing at the center. His words brought total joy and calmness to me, and that’s when I realised that he was a people’s person.

Spotlighting vocational education

Fast forward: Before the late Hage became Namibia’s head of state, vocational education and training was not receiving the prominence it deserved.

When Hage was appointed president, he decided to split the education ministry into two ministries, namely the Ministry of Education Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation.

With the creation of the higher education ministry in 2015, vocational education and training began gaining the prominence it deserved.

With the Namibian House solidifying, the late Hage championed the Harambe Prosperity Plan (HPP1), which was an accelerated plan to achieve the aspirations of Vision 2030.

With an interest in the prosperity of the Namibian people and the economic development of this country, the late Hage ensured that Namibia had the right technical and vocational skills to take the country forward.

The late Hage stated the following in the HPP document: “Namibians have overcome tremendous historical obstacles in the past and through the HPP. I am confident that we will rise to the challenges of the present and those we will encounter in the future. This plan ushers Namibia into an era of prosperity for all.”

Being a proponent of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) myself, what stood out for me, especially in the HPP document, was the following: Hage stated that “developed economies were not built by PhD holders, but by craftsmen and artisans. We cannot expect development without these requisite skills.”

I personally fully subscribe to this notion because most developed nations across the world have developed because of TVET-skilled people who are building and shaping their economies.

The HPP document includes the following strategies:

* Vocational education training expansion

* Recognition of prior learning

* Improve the quality of VET provision

* Improve the image of VET

* Apprenticeship and funding

I am happy to report today that the HPP goals as set out were achieved as follows:

1. Vocational education training expansion: Today, all 14 political regions in the country have a public TVET Centre. The number of private TVET providers has also increased significantly over the years. It is equally important to mention that enrollment at TVET centres increased significantly from 1 200 in 2000 to over 34 000 today;

2. Recognition of prior learning: A system was introduced to recognise the technical and vocational-related skills of persons who acquired them outside of any formal education system;

3. Improve the quality of VET provision: The sector has upgraded most of the public TVET centres, and efforts are currently underway to improve the quality of TVET practitioners and trainers;

4. Improve the image of TVET: TVET was previously perceived as a secondary educational choice. Today, the TVET image has improved significantly to the extent that more and more school leavers are opting to pursue career choices in TVET, and

5. Apprenticeship and funding: The apprenticeship system was reintroduced, and more companies are participating in the apprenticeship scheme than ever before. Also, the VET levy was introduced to ensure sufficient funding for the sector.

The above are just some of the TVET sector achievements under the leadership of the late Dr Hage Geingob.

Although not all strategies under HPPII targeting the TVET sector have been realised, efforts by the relevant line ministry and agencies are still underway to ensure that they are accomplished.

Building a country’s economy only requires visionary leaders, and one such leader was the late Hage, who put TVET at the forefront. For Namibia to become an economic powerhouse, we need TVET-skilled people.

I extend a clarion call to all those involved with the implementation of TVET in this country, urging them to ensure that the TVET legacy left behind by our beloved president continues to flourish for many years to come.

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Madam Monica Geingos, the children and the entire extended Geingob family during this time of mourning for our beloved president. May his beloved soul rest in eternal peace.