Lukas Matati Josua
Prof Rehabeam Katengela Auala, a great educator, was born in Oniipa village on 11 September 1947. On Friday, 11 January 2023, Prof Auala departed from this world in Windhoek at the age of 76. He devoted his 40 years to educating as many people as he could in every manner.
He was first exposed to the elements of teaching at
Ongwediva College (1971-1972), and from 1976-1981, he taught at Oshakati Secondary School. Within five years, he served the school as a head of department, deputy principal, and principal. He subsequently pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at University North in South Africa (1973-1975). After that, he made his way to the United States to continue his postgraduate
studies in educational administration and
management.
After earning a Master of Education (1982-1983) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education (1984-1986) from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, he returned to Namibia with a focus on curriculum development, educational management, administration, and supervision. These qualifications were all completed with distinction.
Following his return to Namibia, Prof Auala relocated to Windhoek, Namibia, and was employed in a variety of capacities at the University of Namibia (Unam) from 1986 until 2018. He oversaw numerous master’s and doctoral students in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate students. He has served in a variety of leadership capacities at the Faculty of Education, including dean, assistant dean, and head of department.
The professor published several books, book chapters, journal articles, and academic commentaries as well as
conference presentations, over the course of a 36-year career. He performed a variety of academic quality assurance and improvement duties as an external examiner and moderator. He was an external examiner for several institutions, including the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town University, University of Pretoria, Twane University of Technology, South Africa; University of Botswana, Swaziland; University of Kenyatta, Kenya; University of Dar es Salaam; Mkawa University College of Education, Tanzania; Makerere University, Uganda; and Mauritius Institute of Education, Mauritius.
His legacy is one of civic engagement and service. In addition to holding other academic and professional positions and being a well known author and co-author of academic literature, Prof Auala dedicated his political assistance to the Swapo Party’s efforts as well. He was a bona fide member of the Swapo Party Elders Council (SPEC). He was a member of SPEC’s Central Committee and Secretariat. He faithfully and ably served this political system. The professor leaves behind three children and his devoted wife Meme Hilma Auala.
We should continue finding inspiration in his legacy.