Youth from across northern Namibia were left inspired and spirited when award-winning philanthropist and youth icon Mavis Elias presented a touching keynote address at the Elite Tutorial College award event.

The event was held at both the Omafo and Ondangwa campuses last week. 

Speaking to almost 100 high-achieving learners, Elias did not just deliver a speech – she interacted. 

Her story, interrupted by periods of self-doubt, perseverance and resolve, resonated with young minds grappling with their own intellectual and personal struggles. “My story is a bit complicated. I couldn’t be labelled ‘problematic’, as I was a good learner. I couldn’t be labelled ‘good’, as I was talking back to teachers. I was simply attempting to figure myself out — like many of you are today,” she said.

Elias, who is also a co-founder of the EM Love Foundation and Ehaveco Events, described how her experience was not all sunshine and rainbows.

This is despite scoring 39 points in Grade 12. 

She confessed to having flunked two of the six subjects during her first semester in university, reminding students that mistakes are part of the process. 

“Humility is the posture of your heart – knowing when to ask for help,” stated Elias.

She encouraged the youths to take charge even before they could prepare themselves thoroughly. 

Elias said: “You don’t have to be qualified to be called. God qualifies the called. But you have to be found doing”. 

At the age of 20, she was already exposing herself to leadership roles when she began her Charity Foundation. 

That courage took her as far as Buckingham Palace in 2018, where she was given the Queen’s Young Leader Award. 

She left learners with a powerful message.

“This is a celebration of the work you put in when no one was watching. May life one day tap you on the shoulder and say: ‘Look at you now. It was all worth it,” she remarked. 

A total of 98 outstanding learners from the Class of 2024 were honoured with the Elite Tutorial College awards. 

Gold winners received brand-new laptops, while silver award winners each received N$1 500. 

Another 82 learners won N$750 cash rewards for achieving A* symbols in individual subjects. College director Apros Tendaupenyu announced that over N$200 000 was invested in this year’s ceremony to recognise excellence and effort in students. 

“This is not about celebrating outstanding grades but celebrating effort and improvement,” he said. 

“High achievers deserve the recognition,” he added. 

Tendaupenyu said the awards are a message of hope. 

“Failure is not what makes our students. These events make them proud and motivated,” he added. 

Since its establishment in 2017, the programme has strived to drive academic transformation and restore confidence among learners through second-chance learning and mentoring.