Motinga secures prestigious bursary

Hailing from the village of Berseba in the //Karas Region, Hassan Said Motinga unleashed his passion for teaching later in life, marking a pivotal moment while temporarily teaching at a primary school.

Motinga's enthusiasm for shaping young minds led him to pursue higher education, aided by a bursary from the Association of German School Societies in Namibia. This financial boost propelled him into full-time enrollment at the University of Namibia(Unam), where he is currently a second-year student in the bachelor of secondary education in English and German honours programme.

Fuelled by his academic journey, Motinga sought additional opportunities, applying for a bursary to attend a winter school sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). His commitment to enhancing German language proficiency paid off as he was selected as one of two Namibian students to embark on a transformative academic journey in Germany.

Expressing his delight, Motinga said he sees this as an enriching experience that promises to bridge cultural gaps between Germany and Namibia while advancing his academic pursuits.

During his six-week stay in Leipzig from 3 January to 14 February, he will partake in intensive language classes and cultural excursions while gaining first-hand insight into German life and society.

Motinga aspires to immerse himself fully in the local culture and academic environment, anticipating personal growth and a broader perspective to enrich his teaching capabilities upon his return to Namibia.

This unique opportunity aligns with his goal of becoming a proficient teacher of German as a foreign language, contributing significantly to the educational landscape in Namibia. His succinct advice to his peers echoes his journey, with the soon-to-be teacher urging them to seize every opportunity that comes their way.

Gerda Wittmann, head of the German Language Section at the Unam, expressed immense gratitude to DAAD for their unwavering support, emphasising its invaluable role in fostering international academic relations and cultural exchange within the university community.

Associate Dean John Nyambe, along with the entire School of Education, applauded Motinga's achievement and extended heartfelt thanks to DAAD for its generous support.