Chicalu urges young graduates to turn skills into opportunity

Namibia needs young people who are prepared not only to seek jobs but also to create them, according to Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) chief executive officer Sebulon Chicalu, speaking to graduates entering the country’s tourism and hospitality industry.

Speaking at the African Hospitality and Tourism Vocational Training Centre (AHT VTC) graduation ceremony recently, Chicalu challenged the Class of 2026 to see their qualifications as more than certificates, urging them to use their newly acquired skills to build careers, establish businesses and contribute to their communities.

His message came as young graduates celebrated completing Level 4 qualifications in fields including Food and Beverage, Advanced Commercial Cookery Skills and Housekeeping Operations.

Chicalu said technical and vocational education and training (TVET) plays an important role in equipping young people with practical skills, confidence and opportunities to participate meaningfully in Namibia’s economy.

“This graduation ceremony is a celebration of achievement, perseverance and determination. It is a celebration of empowerment. Through your education and training, you have now acquired skills that will enable you to participate actively in Namibia’s development, secure employment, create enterprises and become agents of positive change in your communities,” he said.

He reminded graduates that receiving their qualifications was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of greater opportunities and responsibilities.

“Graduation is not an endpoint. Rather, it is a gateway to greater opportunities, greater responsibilities and greater possibilities. The qualification you receive today is not merely a certificate. It is a symbol of your readiness to contribute positively to society, to serve communities and to participate meaningfully in Namibia’s economic development,” Chicalu said.

For Chicalu, the tourism and hospitality sector offers young Namibians opportunities to turn practical skills into livelihoods.

He said the industry creates employment, supports entrepreneurship, contributes to conservation, promotes cultural exchange and stimulates economic growth.

Whether graduates choose to work in hotels, lodges, restaurants, travel companies, tour operations, or event management, he said, their contribution can be part of the country’s wider development.

“Namibia needs job creators as much as it needs job seekers,” Chicalu said, urging graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and remain open to innovation.

He also encouraged them to continue learning as technology and customer expectations reshape the industry.

“The world is changing rapidly. Technology continues to transform how we do business. Customers’ expectations continue to evolve. New tourism markets continue to be created. To remain competitive, we must be willing to adapt, innovate and embrace change.”

The experiences of graduates at the ceremony reflected the different ways in which vocational training can shape young people’s lives.

For Ro-Ammi Shipanga, his qualification represents a journey that began with an opportunity to work in a kitchen.

Shipanga said the AHT VTC director played a significant role in changing the direction of his life after giving him an opportunity to join the kitchen staff as a baker.

“He opened and cleared the way for my journey. He helped me become someone, a bright, shining star in my life. He took me from the streets, let me put it that way, and made me part of the kitchen staff as a baker,” Shipanga said.

That opportunity sparked his interest in hospitality, leading him to complete Level 1 and Level 2 in Housekeeping and Commercial Cookery before progressing to Advanced Commercial Cookery.

“From there, I found myself becoming interested in the hospitality industry. I started with Level 1 and Level 2 in Housekeeping and Commercial Cookery, and then Advanced Commercial Cookery. So, I’m really grateful to that man. This man changed my life,” he said.

For Murangi Tjeripo, graduation marks a major career transition.

A Level 4 Food and Beverage graduate, Tjeripo is currently working for the Gondwana Collection at Etosha Safari Lodge in the Kunene region.

He entered the hospitality industry from a machining background and said the change was not easy, but it gave him a new sense of purpose.

“For me, becoming a Food and Beverage professional represents a significant change, as I come from a machining background. Now, I am proud to be part of the Food and Beverage team,” Tjeripo said.

“It was not very easy, but I’m happy to be in this industry, to serve our guests and to serve our nation.”

He urged other young people to remain committed to their education and ambitions despite challenges.

“I want to encourage young people never to give up on their studies or on pursuing what they want in life,” he said.

For Nadya Matthys, the achievement was both a professional milestone and a family first.

After completing her qualification in Food and Beverage Services, Matthys said her passion for working with people had helped drive her towards graduation.

“I love people, and I love customer service, and today is a milestone in my life. I just wish my mum was here to witness this achievement. I’m the first graduate in my family, so I’m beyond happy,” she said.

Chicalu urged graduates to carry that sense of achievement into the workplace, telling them that their conduct would influence not only their own careers, but also the reputation of the institutions and businesses they represent.

“Serve with professionalism. Serve with humility. Serve with integrity. Let excellence become your trademark. Let honesty guide your actions. Let respect define your interactions,” he said.

As the Class of 2026 steps into the world of work, Chicalu said Namibia’s future would depend on the talent, creativity and commitment of young people willing to seize opportunities and create new ones.

The challenge, he said, is now for graduates to turn their qualifications into action.

-isipunga@nepc.com.na

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