Zebaldt Ngaruka 

EPUKIRO – Tjiveripo Mbahepa moved closer to his long-cherished dream of becoming a lawyer after recently graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Namibia. 

Hailing from Okavangua village in Omaheke’s Otjinene constituency, he could not say what exactly motivated him to succeed, but remembered that since the age of 10, he had wanted to be a lawyer. 

Mbahepa’s biological parents died while he was young, and he was adopted by Jahanika Mbahepa. 

They still live together in Okavangua village. 

He started his pre-primary education at Rosh Pinah, before going to Augeikhas Primary School in Windhoek in 2007, and then Ben van der Walt in Gobabis for the rest of his primary education. 

 He started his Grade Eight at C Heuva Secondary School in the Otjombinde constituency, passed Grade 10 with 30 points, and was the overall best pupil at the school at the time. 

Mbahepa completed his grades 11 and 12 at St. Joseph’s in 2018. 

“There was just that something about the law profession that drew me to it. After discovering it, I had a passion for law. I just set my mind on it, and I was determined to realise my dream, come what may,” he stated. 

The graduate added that it had been 13 years in the making. 

“Ever since I was 10, as mentioned earlier, I knew that I wanted to become a lawyer, so I had adjusted my life and daily habits to mirror who I wanted to be in the long run,” he noted. 

It took Mbahepa five years to complete the four-year degree programme after he failed to submit his research thesis on time due to health reasons. 

“I am epileptic, and spent a great deal of time in hospital due to persistent and aggressive seizures that I would always experience. This led to me missing tests, assignments and even examinations at times,” he said. 

He added that the situation affected him mentally; taking a toll on him as he sometimes felt like throwing in the towel. 

The other big challenge he faced was the consistent bullying due to his health, something which almost broke him. 

However, due to the unwavering support of the people in his life, he persevered and got a new lease of life. 

Mbahepa’s family, particularly his adopted mother, played a pivotal role in his education, as they paid his school fees from primary to Grade 10. 

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), through the programme for marginalised communities, took over catering for him from Grade 11 to university, something he is grateful for. 

He thus advises other San pupils willing to study at tertiary level to embrace who they are. 

“For the most part, San pupils endure a lot of bullying and ill-treatment from peers and society as a whole. This often leads to them hiding in their shells and trying to conceal their identity, just to fit in,” he said. 

He further encouraged them to take pride in their identity, and use multiple opportunities and platforms which have been provided to the community to empower themselves and the country as a whole. 

Also, the graduate played football and rugby earlier, but switched to a debate society and public speaking in high school. 

“I was once named best male public speaker in the Omaheke region in 2016,” he recalled with glee. 

His mother, Jahanika, said her son showed a high level of commitment and discipline at a very young age. 

“I saw this coming, as he was a smart child and performed well in school. There was a time when the OPM wanted to take him to St. Boniface while at Gobabis, but I refused for his health condition at that time,” she observed. 

The proud mother further said her son wants to study for a master’s degree in Cape Town, and his search for a study grant is continuing. 

“I want him to fulfil his dream, and I trust him wholeheartedly as he is a serious person. I am happy for him, and I regard him as a gift from Almighty God,” she continued. 

Jahanika adopted Mbahepa when he was three years old after his biological mother passed away. 

He was living with his grandparents at Okavangua at the time, but moved with the Mbahepas permanently when he was five. 

“I took him to Rosh Pinah, where I was working, and he started his pre-primary education there. The rest is history, and it is good to see him prospering. May all his dreams come true,” smiled Jahanika. 

-zngaruka@yahoo.com