KEETMANSHOOP – The //Kharas education directorate held a career fair in the town last week to prepare and provide guidance to senior secondary learners from the Kalahari education circuit.   

In a speech read on her behalf, Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) president Lucia Ndishishi said the career fair encapsulates the collective journey as a country to overcome the daunting challenges of youth unemployment that loom large over the nation.  “In a nation where youth unemployment remains a formidable adversary, this career fair represents a vital step towards a brighter future,” the Nanso president reasoned.  

She also reminded the learners present about their responsibility as young people to seize this moment, explore the myriad of career possibilities that lie before them, as well as to equip themselves with the knowledge, skills and determination needed to transform their dreams into reality. 

Ndishishi continued that Nanso calls upon educational institutions – both public and private – to forge partnerships with the industry, as well as to equip students and learners with practical skills and experiences that will make them job-ready from day one. 

She inspired the learners that, although the path to success may be riddled with obstacles, it will be their determination, resilience and unwavering spirit that will carry them through at the end.

Suiderlig secondary school learner Rachel Isaak told New Era it is her wish to become a lawyer. 

“Every day, we read about people being sent to jail whilst innocent, and only being released after successfully appealing their sentences. It is those people I want to assist legally one day,” she explained. Isaak continued that she found the career fair presentations interesting and informative.

In his contribution, another Suiderlig learner, Adriano Vries, expressed his desire to qualify himself as a social worker. 

“It is sad to see how school dropouts turn to substance abuse, and I am passionate to assist them one day to become productive citizens,” he added. 

Vries continued that the fact that many social and psychological challenges victims are hiding could lead to suicide, hence his desire to be part of those social workers counselling such persons before it is too late. 

- sklukowski@nepc.com.na