The Zambezi Region honoured top-performing teachers and learners for their results in the 2025 national examinations.

Among those recognised was Grade 12 learner Mariana Chunga of Sanjo Senior Secondary School. Chunga is also among the learners representing Namibia at the Pan‑African Mathematics Olympiad in the Ivory Coast. Over N$19,000 was pledged for her after Zambezi Education Director Alex Sikume appealed for financial support.

“Mariana Chunga has demonstrated her exceptional abilities, ranking among the top six learners in the country coming from the Zambezi Region. Let us give her a round of applause for this achievement. As the director of proceedings has indicated, this is a milestone that deserves our support as a region. At the conclusion of this event, I would like to invite everyone to contribute towards supporting Mariana Chunga. I will lead by example and make a personal financial contribution of N$5,000,” Sikume said.

Overall, the best Grade 11 learner was Happy Tebuho from Kizito College, who obtained 45 points. Social Science teacher Candy Kulatau of Ngwezee also received an award.

“I would advise those preparing for examinations this year, or at any time, not to underestimate the time they have. Make the most of it. Additionally, do not pay heed to what others say; sometimes we are labelled as slow. However, you know your own abilities and potential. It is essential to recognise that and truly harness it,” Tebuho said.

Kulatau commented: “Honestly, this is fantastic because, nowadays, it is quite challenging for geography students to achieve such high marks. I would advise Social Science teachers, particularly those teaching Geography, to focus more on the two components: Paper 2, which covers map work, and Paper 3, which involves research. This is important because Paper 1 is primarily theory, and many learners can score high marks in the other papers.”

Motivational speaker and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Alfred Ilukena, said the event was noteworthy because it celebrated the success stories of both teachers and learners.

“So all of us have our innate ability to achieve whatever it is that we want to achieve. The question is, do we know where it is? Sometimes we just need to be motivated; somebody has to point out where your deficiencies are, and when you realise, you will see how quickly you will pick up. So don't put me in the dustbin because I am not able to read and write,” Ilukena said