Selma Neshiko
Born and raised in Katutura, Namboga Immanuel and his nine siblings grew up in one home with only their father to depend on.
“Growing up with a lot of siblings was not easy, we had everything but the only thing we didn’t have is money. We all looked up to our father because he was always there for us and our situation at home did not stop us from reading our books but instead it motivated us,” says Immanuel.
Immanuel started his Grade One at Namutoni Primary School in Katutura than moved to the Augustinuem Secondary School till Grade Ten. After failing this grade, he moved to the North to repeat it at the Oshuuli Combined School. “When I moved to the North, I was the most hated kid on the school ground, simply because I spoke English with my teachers and other learners spoke Oshiwambo. So I realised that education is very important because it equalises. If all these learners could speak English the same way I did, then I don’t think there would have been hatred among us,” says Immanuel.
In 2010, he moved from Oshuuli to Onesi Secondary School where he completed his Grade 12. After Grade 12, Immanuel moved back to Windhoek and got an opportunity to study music for two years. As a child, he had big dreams of becoming a musician, an actor or a director and at the same time with a full time professional job. “I have a great passion for music but it was a challenge. I never had the resources needed to be a musician, I lived in a society that showed less appreciation,” he says.
Last year Immanuel shot a movie tittle , A Kind Heart, dedicated to the youth focuses more on the choices they make. He is currently a marketing student at the International University of Management (IUM). “Life at university is still a challenge but that does not break me down. I love challenges, without them life would be boring. To get a degree for myself and have a better job one day is the only ticket I have to achieving all my dreams. I want to see myself having my own movie company, and my own studio, and help talented young people out there to achieve their dreams,” Immanuel dreams.
And when he fulfils these dreams, he hopes to give opportunities to children who had a childhood like his.
“Dreams are for real and they don’t fail unless one gives up. No dream is too big. Work on your dreams because they won’t come to you, you need to go out there and work on them, just do something remarkable. And every situation that you faces now, no matter how hard it may be, it won’t stay like that for ever. You haven’t lived life yet, everyone that got where they are today had to start somewhere. When precious stones in space brake, they don’t die. They turn into stars,” he philosophisises .