Growing up in a remote community should never limit a child's dreams or determine their future. 

At Otjinungwa Primary School, Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua encouraged learners to look beyond their circumstances, remain disciplined and pursue education as a pathway to a better future.

Muharukua reminded learners that their cultural background and upbringing should never stand in the way of achieving their ambitions, emphasising that even a child growing up in a traditional Himba household can become a professional.

"A Himba child, who has taken cattle to drink from a well, of a mother that is wearing traditional clothing applied red ochre, and a father with a traditional haircut, slept in a traditional hut, can study and become someone."

The governor stressed that attending a remote school should not limit learners' ambitions or determine where their education ends, urging them to work towards becoming professionals in different fields. Muharukua highlighted discipline, commitment and making education a priority as essential principles for success, using the example of their teacher to demonstrate the value of hard work.

"Your teacher here, when she was the same age as you, studied hard; when others were making noise, she used to study, while others went to bars, she was studying."

Drawing from his father's example, the governor encouraged learners to make reading a daily habit and carry their schoolbooks wherever they go. He also emphasised the importance of prioritising education before taking on adult responsibilities.

"To the girl child: I want to say that children remain until you finish your education and then become a woman. To the boy child: be a child in school, and after finishing, then you can become a man with your own homestead, wife and children."

Regional Police Commander for Kunene, Commissioner Eric Clay, further motivated learners to remain focused, highlighting discipline as a key foundation for achieving their dreams and eventually giving back to their communities.

"Discipline is the one that will guide you."

The joint stakeholder delegation also donated food parcels to the school hostel, supporting learners' nutritional needs and helping create a conducive environment for continued teaching and learning.