SWAKOPMUND – Namibia not only scooped the best competitor award during the Worldskills Africa competition, but also clinched four gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals during the final day of the competition held in Swakopmund.
The week-long event brought together technical experts and competitors from eight African countries to compete in preparation for the Worldskills competition that is slated for later this year.
Vice president Nangolo Mbumba expressed satisfaction with the skills of the competitors.
In his remarks at the awards ceremony on Saturday, he said competitors showcased skills that align with the continent’s Agenda 2063 – Africa’s blueprint for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and development.
“It is a vision predicated on the development of Africa’s people as its most important resource, and one which recognises the transformation potential of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in leveraging Africa’s economies,” Mbumba added.
In her remarks at the same event, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the competition lived up to its billing as a capacity-building platform from which to gain more traction in the collective endeavour to upskill the African continent.
The biggest winner of the competition was Elisabeth Isa, who not only got gold for her savvy cooking skills, but also scooped the competitor of the competition award.
Namibia’s Antonio Hilzebecher was awarded gold in the Electrical Installations category, where Ghanaian Ibrahim Adam got silver and David Irimaso from Rwanda took bronze. The Wall and Floor tiling category was won by Lifasi Sinvula from Namibia, while Ngoy Kahese from the Democratic Republic of Congo took silver.
Namibia’s fourth medal was awarded in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning category that was won by Sakaria Hofini with South Africa’s Mogamed Isaacs.
Marina Iyambo and Natangwe Shikongo took silver in the Mechatronics category, while South Africa won the gold with Mathaila Morokolo and Boseman Mpete.
Filipus Mwadingo took silver in the Technology competition, while gold went to Ceajay Bosman of South Africa.
Muhambi Sizuka won silver in the Water Technology competition, and Fhatani Libago from South Africa gold.
Namibia’s Ipinge Asser won bronze in the Welding division, while Rwanda’s Janvier Neyimana took gold and Mutombo Kamag from DRC silver.
In the Hairdresser category, Andrea Rooinasie took bronze, while Hilke Minnie from South Africa won gold and Nakabamb Yav from DRC scooped silver.
The Web Technology competition was won by Ghana’s Manfuki Yao Agbo. Silver went to Mwinkeu Mukala of DRC, and Azanda Zama of South Africa took bronze.
Kenya took the Restaurant service competition as Shradha Shah won gold, Alisoa Wolhauser from Madagascar silver, and Uganda’s Mugerwa Husama bronze. South Africa won the only medal in the Plumbing and heating category with Sphesihle Masina, while Ghana also won the only medal in Mechanical Engineering with Louis Morgan. Gold went to DRC’s Tshimago Mpoy in the Joinery competition. South Africa also scooped gold in the Fashion Technology competition, with Ghana’s Deladem Oko winning the silver. Euphrasia Mulenga, WorldSkills Africa Representative, has appealed to more African countries to join the WorldSkills movement to support African youth through TVET, and to empower each other as an African union. “The world is not complete without Africa, and having 55 countries in Africa with less than 10 member countries of WorldSkills is not enough,” Mulenga stressed.
More than 90 competitors from nine African countries and a first-ever refugee team competed in 16 different technical and vocational trade areas at this event, which also included an international conference and a careers’ exhibition.