WINDHOEK– Hard work, discipline and commitment best describe the 2013 NSSC (Grade 12) ordinary level overall best achieving learner, Samuel Shailemo from the Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School in the Omusati Region.
The 20-year-old Shailemo was awarded the Ordinary Level overall best performing learner , Best Cambridge International Examination (CIE) subject prize and best overall regional performer. He grew up with his parents at Omakondo Village in the Ohangwena Region and that is where he went to school till Grade 10, which he pass with flying colours. He then went to Haimbili Haufiku SSS for his Grade 11 and 12.
Everywhere you go there are ups and downs, Shailemo too meet them in his way, saying they did not have enough textbook and there were lots of challenges around the learning process but he did not let that get in his way. “It was not easy yet I made it,” he says. “With all those committed hard-working and helpful teachers and very supportive parents it was so hard to let them down. I thank God for he is the reason I made it. My parents were by me all the way. They supported me by buying me some extra modules. Although my mother is unemployed my father try his best to help me throughout my life. To my teachers, my second parents, it is because of you I get all this awards. It is your hard work and commitment that I am going to be someone in life and I cannot thank them enough,” says Shailemo.
Shailemo is going to further his study at the University of Namibia (Unam), following medicine. “I have always wanted to be a doctor to help our people.”
To those that did not make it, “u must not give up, go register yourself at Namcol and always try your best and remember if I can do it you can too”.
By Sabina Elago