An accidental fall of a cousin from a cliff led Bradley Murorua to start applying pressure on the cut to avoid blood loss, a reflex that has developed a love for medicine. 

The University of Namibia medicine and surgery student is one of 14 recipients of a bursary, courtesy of the Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia). 

The 20-year-old said Namibia need a more specialised doctor, which is why he aspires to specialise in cardiology or urology. 

“But I need to have an in-depth understanding of which one is better for me first,” shared the Erongo-based Murorua. 

He added the lack of specialists in the country always leads to patients having to be transferred to other countries – and that option can be a costly expense. 

“If we address that issue and create more specialists and equip them with the necessary resources, the government will be in a better position to divert those funds and revamp or build better health facilities in the country,” said Murorua. 

 //Kharas region’s Fred Manyando (22) is passionate about the earth and what it stands for; he feels Namibia needs to tap more into the oil and construction industry.

He said many youngsters study certain fields because of their peers, which is not right. 

“Do the research and access the market. You need to forecast whether you will be easily employed or not,” stated the geology student at the Unam Keetmanshoop campus. 

He added that Namibians should not limit themselves to work in the country, as there is a market out there. 

Veterinary medicine student Unombuiro Mujoro is driven by the lack of knowledge people have about animals. 

“I have seen how people treat animals in the village and I don’t like it. Animals get sick often and they are not handled accordingly. I would like to know as much as I can, and come back to educate farmers and members of the community about the importance of animals in our society,” said the University of Zambia student. 

Alvaro Goeieman, who has started his civil engineering course at the University of Johannesburg, told Youth Corner the country needs more engineers to aid in the construction of buildings, which will ultimately be vital for the economy. 

“A lot of people depend on me; the country’s economy depends on how well I do – and with the captains of industry, we can do great wonders,” said Goeieman. 

He said Namibia has a shortage of civil engineers, and he is happy to have been selected for this bursary. 

“Underprivileged people look up to those who have been afforded opportunities. If you equip today’s youth with such opportunities, you will empower others to not give up on their dreams,” said Goeieman. 

The Namdia Foundation will invest approximately N$2.8 million per year in its first group of recipients, amounting to approximately N$200 000 per year per student. 

This would cover the students’ tuition fees, hostel accommodation, transport, study material and a monthly stipend to cover their expenses during their academic tenure. 

The foundation awarded 14 young deserving students from 13 regions to pursue their tertiary education in fields such as mining engineering, chemical engineering, medicine and agronomics.

Namdia CEO Alisa Amupolo emphasised that with 5% of Namdia’s gross profits being channelled to the Namdia Foundation, the bursary scheme can become an annual project, where more students will be selected for the programme. 

- psiririka@nepc.com.na