The Namibian University of Science and Technology celebrated a momentous graduation ceremony on Friday, bestowing its highest honour on beloved sports icon Frank Fredericks.

He was awarded the honorary title of Doctor of Philosophy in Sports Management for his outstanding contribution to the world of athletics, as well as his tireless dedication to empowering the youth. Born on 2 October 1967 in Katutura, Windhoek, Fredericks has achieved remarkable feats in his illustrious career, winning four Olympic silver medals in the 100m and 200m events at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996. 

Throughout his career, he has left an indelible mark on the continent and the world of sports. Accepting the prestigious award with an open heart and a standing ovation from the crowd, Fredericks delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech in which he shared his perspective on the power of innovation, stating that innovation has always been the driving force behind his goals. 

He said: “In our pursuit of advancement, we must not lose sight of our most valuable asset – the human element. I was raised in the dusty streets of Katutura during the apartheid era.  Poverty was rife,

crime was high and opportunities were bleak, especially for a young boy like me, raised by a single mother. Witnessing my mother’s struggles at an early age gave me a purpose to lift us out of poverty – and one of the vehicles to achieve that was athletics. With our unique talents, we are all born with the purpose to serve in various spheres. Mine was sprinting and getting an education”.  

“It is important to find your purpose. Seek what drives you and what you are passionate about, and do it well,” he said, advising the graduates and encouraging them to lean on God to direct them to their purpose. 

“Without his grace, I would not have achieved what I have achieved. Put God first.”

He also urged them to be disciplined, stating that it is the cornerstone of success.

Fredericks also noted that the young adults of today live in the tech era, with many distractions like social media – and while he did not have the same challenges growing up, he knew that to get ahead, he needed to be focused and disciplined. That meant limiting association with undesirable friends and distractions, and staying away from drugs and alcohol.

He congratulated graduates, some of whom were the first to graduate in their families, breaking what seems to be generational curses, as well as others who made so many sacrifices to graduate.  “Keep that discipline; continue to work hard, remain consistent, and don’t take shortcuts.”  Fredericks acknowledged the presence of youth and sports minister Agnes Tjongarero, who accompanied him to the ceremony, as well as his mentors, by highlighting the crucial roles they played in his life. “Find a mentor; I had three – my mom at the beginning, Uncle Dan (Daniel Tjongarero) and Aunt Agnes, who were part of my journey for the past 50 years. I believe one cannot elevate to the next level if you don’t have people speaking into your life, motivating you.”

“Find one or two who keep you accountable and challenge you to leverage your opportunities.”

He also advised graduates to take risks: “Don’t be scared or be foolish in the choices you make”; take a leap of faith, and embrace failures. Closing his impactful speech, he underscored his role as an ambassador for Namibia, and his dedication to creating change and fostering inclusivity, equal opportunities and representation through the Frank Fredericks Foundation.

“The foundation supports educational initiatives, empowering young people and providing them with opportunities to fulfil their potential.”

Fredericks stressed the importance of scholarships for education, saying, “Half of the scholarships need to go towards education because, after your sporting career, there is a life, and education is all you have”.

He urged the graduates to dedicate themselves to the family and the community, and to contribute in any way – whether through their time, resources or sharing skills. 

“True rewards lie in making a positive impact in someone’s life.”

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