The Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL) overall top performer award for 2024 was scooped by Oshana Region's Alfeus Nakanyala.
Nakanyala scored three straight A's in three subjects, which include mathematics.
NAMCOL hosted the prize-giving ceremony at its Jetu Jama Centre to award last year's Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Ordinary – NSSCO, as well as Advanced Subsidiary top-performing students across the country.
Nakanyala was awarded N$8,375 plus a tablet and a surprise N$30,000 scholarship from NAMCOL.
He shared his secret to his achievement.
"The secret to this achievement is dedication, nothing more than dedication, but also discipline. Discipline is the bridge between achievements and accomplishments. When you tell yourself. The ability to tell yourself to consistently do it without the need to be forced to do it is what made me achieve all this, so be disciplined and consistent in whatever else you want to do. Failure is not the end of the world but rather a stepping stone that leads to greater heights, so when you fail or when you get knocked out, it's not how you fall but how you fail that matters, but what you do after in order for you to get up."
The best overall NSSCO candidate received a cash prize of five thousand dollars and a tablet, while outstanding regions and centers also earned special awards, including a floating trophy for the best performing NSSCO / AS Region 2024.
Chief Executive Officer of the education institution, Dr Ngepathimo Kadhila, emphasised that the institution is dedicated to fostering success, stressing that NAMCOL is "not for failures" but for those striving for excellence.
"Here at NAMCOL we boast to say, Yes, you can, when others said no. Remember when you tried this and they said no, we only provide space for new grade 10s, 11s or 12s? So here we say, Yes, let's give you another chance, because we believe you can."
The ceremony also honoured the highest-achieving students from various regions and languages, as well as in different subjects, all of whom were awarded a cash prize of N$1,900.
Additionally, the best overall performances in the NSSCO in different subjects categories were also awarded.
Notable winners for NSSCAS by candidate and subject came from the |Khomas Region, where 10 candidates collectively earned N$2,500.