WINDHOEK– About 700 young people, mostly young women, converged at the University of Namibia (Unam)’s gym hall for the second annual “national women’ s day” meeting on Saturday.
Under the theme you are a gift the meeting is the brainchild of 57-year-old Angela Katjimune, a mother of two, who has a passion for positively impacting the lives of young people. Katjimune explains that the primary purpose of the meeting was to unleash the youths’ inner potential and strength. The youths in the 21st century are confronted by overwhelming challenges, making it difficult for them to reach their full potential, Katjimune said in an earlier interview.
The jam packed programme on Saturday saw speakers taking to the podium touching on topics such as self-acceptance, forgiveness in relationships, sex education and money matters. Musical and poetry performances were also included in the programme. Although the young people were required to give a N$ 10 ‘commitment fee’, they enjoyed breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the programme, says Katjimune. She adds that the proceeds from the commitment fee would be used for future projects, with an early Christmas event for the elderly slated for November. Windhoek Junior Mayor, Emma Theofelus, commends Katjimune and all who made the event possible saying the meeting enlightened her and many young girls and women who attended.
“I feel very happy to have attended the National women’s day because I can pass on the message to other young women and girls in my community as well as others that I meet in my line of work as the city junior mayor,” Theofelus comments. Miss Polytechnic 2013, Inocensia Aribes sharing her experience says,”All the speakers did a tremendous job on their respective topics” mentioning in particular the impact of Althea Van Wyk who talked about the power of a positive attitude. “Her (the speaker) most captivating phrase was to have a negative attitude is like having a flat tyre that goes nowhere, therefore you must always have a tyre filled to drive and receive everything you deserve,” shared Aribes.
About the outcome of the event, Katjimune says: “It’s a journey and a day is not enough but we have to start somewhere”. She further informs that this far she has received positive feedback with some demanding that the event be held more than once a year, and also for young men to be equally catered for in the future. Various sponsors made the event possible, Katjimune notes. “I really thank them all.”
By Alvine Kapitako