Windhoek, November 28 — Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Hon. Dino Ballotti, commended the achievements of top performers from the National Skills Competition Swakopmund 2025 (NSCS2025) during a monetary awards handover ceremony. The event celebrated the transformative role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Namibia’s development, with gold, silver, and bronze medalists receiving cash prizes amid strong public-private partnerships.
Hon. Ballotti opened by thanking Namibia Training Authority (NTA) CEO Mr. Erick Nenghwanya, the board, management, and staff for their efforts, while spotlighting Namport as a key sponsor. He acknowledged industry representatives, development partners, Youth Service leader Dr. Felix Musukubili, correctional facilities leadership, competitors, experts, and media. Special mentions went to standout competitor Ms. Saara Hamalwa from Omusati region’s Onawa school and her expert Ms. Beatha Shinana, noting their custom garment as a symbol of pride.
The Deputy Minister regretted the absence of Minister Hon. Dr. Sanet Steenkamp, who was attending duties in southern Namibia, and reflected on the vibrant Swakopmund event held 66 days prior from 22-27 September at the MTC Dome, featuring 165-179 competitors across 16 skills. He urged champions to invest modest awards such as N$15,000 for gold, N$10,000 for silver, and N$5,000 for bronze into entrepreneurship or further training, with total sponsor contributions reaching N$1,420,500.
Ballotti emphasized TVET’s centrality to national priorities like modernizing curricula for renewable energy and digital sectors, expanding apprenticeships, upgrading infrastructure, and promoting inclusivity. He praised those selected for the WorldSkills Competition Shanghai 2026, promising national pride and support, encapsulated in the call to “Komesho with that Nam Pride.” Mentors, parents, centre managers, and the NSCS2025 Steering Committee received thanks for their foundational roles.
Drawing on a Japanese proverb “fall seven times, stand up eight” the Deputy Minister motivated competitors, stressing discipline and commitment as key to success: “The harder you work, the luckier you get.”The ceremony underscored Namibia’s push for a skilled, innovative youth driving socio-economic progress through enhanced public-private collaborations.
