Joshua Kazanga
Recently, there were a good number of graduates from various fields and institutions, most notably the University of Namibia and the International University of Management.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate the graduates on a job well done. You have made yourself, your family and indeed the nation proud.
In this modern world of “be phenomenal or be forgotten”, as Eric Thomas puts it, you indeed chose to be phenomenal.
However, I have written to caution and share thoughts that are much needed in the real world rather than praise.
Albert Einstein once stated, “education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school”.
Einstein was separating schooling from education.
In the real world, it’s important to keep your morals and ethics. That is, treat humans with respect and dignity, especially people who are lower in standards and education.
After all, the real character of a person is measured not on how they treat their equals, but rather on how they treat people who they cannot benefit from.
By so doing, it makes one refrain from bias, nepotism and discrimination, as one is guided by ethics and morals.
To add on, the expectation on you is to use your knowledge in the real world to inspire, motivate and create.
After all, education is the most valuable resource a human can possess.
So, use your knowledge to help solve the problems that are facing our nation and the world at large.
Take up space in your community and make a difference.
You may own many degrees, but if you fail to utilise your knowledge in the real world, then your degrees would be worth nothing, and your education will, therefore, be incomplete.
Do your utmost best to gentrify your community, and improve the livelihood in this nation.
By doing so, you have to use your knowledge and skills to good use – not to merely please people.
That is, you have to live for a course – not for applause. Live life to express – not to impress.
Living for a cause comes with great discipline for yourself and the way you handle your finances.
It has to be noted that the real world is not rosy as Instagram might suggest, but it is rather cold and cruel at times.
For instance, there might be a challenge in securing a job or starting up a business, as you would feel you lack the fishing rod.
You might even get affected by the pandemic (directly or indirectly) or get distracted by the naysayers and failures in society.
In this regard, It is crucial to get the right person to share your time with, especially people who inspire, encourage and motivate you.
Nonetheless, you have already overcome the university hurdles, so every challenge you might face as a graduate should not determine your fate.
Use your skills and knowledge to benefit Namibia.
Also, get involved in the decision-making of this country and strengthen where the leaders are wavering and faltering.
It is not time to judge how bad the state of the economy or the politics of the day is, but rather to improve the situation where you can with what you can.
It is very important to take up space and make your contributions to building the Namibian nation.
Congratulations on your journey.
After all, it’s the journey that teaches you about the destination.
Lastly, remember, for every highly gifted person, there are well-equipped demons delegated and deployed for their demise.
With the great power you have now comes great responsibility!