WINDHOEK - The First-ever Ongwediva Career Fair attracted learners from various schools from the town.
Initiated by two young entrepreneurs, Mwala Elija Chengekwa and Staden Siyoka, the event, held earlier this month, was aimed at bringing much-needed information and networking opportunities to the town.

Chengekwa says the expo was a resounding success recording with an estimated 1500 learners from over 24 local schools visiting the expo on a daily basis during the course of the expo.

There were over 20 exhibitors including the International University of Management (IUM), Ministry of Trade and Industry, The Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN), Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and the University of Namibia amongst others. “The students were happy and the event went well-including the fact that we funded ourselves and were able to make it happen.

We were very disappointed by the stakeholders as it seems that most of them don’t want to invest in the education system while learners are still behind in terms of information like studies, bursaries and further studies abroad,” he says.

Only a handful of the various tertiary institutions in the country, estimated at 32, participated.  “This simply showed that when it comes to working together, institutions are not willing to do that. They want to have their own things and its not a good thing because they are all here for one reason in the country, and that is to provide education. They should combine and create a network so we can improve the education system in the country,” says Chengekwa.

The idea behind the expo was to create a network where stakeholders, institutions and learners could meet and exchange information. Plans are already underway  for next years’ expo. “The idea is creating the educational network that starts here in Namibia, regionally, nationally then internationally and that involves creating networks with the whole SADC region and this is the vision of this career fair that we wish to achieve in the near future,” he says.