By Johanna Absalom

Caption: Mr Charles Matapi Kabajani, retiring Deputy Executive Director: Formal Education

Mr Charles Kabajani, the Deputy Executive Director for Formal Education in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture will retire from the public service on 31 July 2019. Mr Kabajani, a passionate, skilled educator and educational leader served the education fraternity and public service at large for over 33 years in various capacities.

He started off his career in education as an unqualified teacher in February 1982. He then obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Education) from the University of South Africa in 1986. He served as a school teacher at Mweshipandeka and Caprivi Senior Secondary Schools (specializing in Biology and Agriculture) and subsequently Head of Department during the period February 1982 and December 1990, a role in which he embraced quality teaching with many students scoring high in examinations.

He also served in the following positions:

• The school principal of Ipumbu Senior Secondary School from January 1992 and December 1995.

• Senior Inspector of Education during the period: 1996 -December 2001

• Chief Inspector of schools from January 2002 to 2003

• Director: Programmes and Quality Assurance (Period: September 2004 -May 2006)

• Under Secretary: Schools/Formal Education (June 2009 – October 2013), a role under which he also served as the ETSIP Programme Manager in the Ministry of Education

• Deputy Permanent Secretary/ Deputy Executive Director: Formal Education (as from September 2013 to time of retirement)

Having been at the helm of the education system before independence, he leaves behind a legacy of an education system with policies based on the principles of the provision of equitable, quality and inclusive education.

Caption (L- R): Knox Imbuwa, Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration, Sanet Steenkamp, Executive Director, Charles Kabajani, retiring Deputy Executive Director for Formal Education and Veno Kauaria, Deputy Executive Director for Life Long Learning in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture bidding farewell to Mr Kabajani. Mr Kabajani retires from the public service on 31 July 2019 after 33 years of service (Photo: Andiswa G. Masuku)

During the farewell function held on 25 July 2019, Sanet Steenkamp, Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture lauded Mr Kabajani for his commitment, gentle yet firm leadership, diplomatic demeanour and transformative input towards education in Namibia.

Of note, Mr Kabajani has also been the mastermind behind the establishment of Rukonga Vision School in the Kavango East region. The Ministry established the first-ever Vision School (Rukonga) in the remote part of the Kavango East Region at Divundu, targeting disadvantaged learners across the country.

This is a complete secondary school offering grades 8 to 12 with the aim to provide and sustain intensive educational support. Rukonga means bring together in Thimbukushu.

“In terms of education, the philosophy is that we are bringing learners from different background across the country to study and learn together, ultimately creating cohesion and nation building,” said Mr Kabajani.

The Rukonga Vision School, opened in January 2013 was officially inaugurated on 22 July 2013 by His Excellency Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba, the President of the Republic of Namibia. The concept has been developed in accordance with guidelines stated in the Education and Training Sector Improvement Programme (ETSIP) – pro-poor expansion of secondary education.

Caption: (L-R) Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Moses Gorengecho, school principal of Rukonga Vision School and Mr Charles Kabajani, retiring Deputy Executive Director for Formal Education at the official opening of Rukonga Vision School in July 2013. Mr Kabajani was instrumental in the establishment of the Rukonga Vision School (Photo: MoEAC).

Mr Moses Gorengecho, school principal commended Mr Kabajani’s commitment and contribution in transforming the school into a school of excellence.

“We take the opportunity, to recognise the person behind the establishment of Rukonga Vision School, its values and principles and subsequent exploits and achievements-Mr Charles Kabajani. The Deputy Executive Director (Formal Education), Mr Charles Kabajani, did not only contribute in originating the idea of improving the quality of education in Namibia through vision Schools, but also addressed the issue of Equity in that education, by ensuring that formerly marginalised and vulnerable learners are targeted to benefit from the vision School concept. This initiative saw the current crop of learners (around 520) and former learners who graduated in 2017 and 2018 attending Vision School, being given the chance to attend such a prestigious institution. They came from formerly marginalised communities, the orphans and vulnerable,” he said.

Moreover, Mr Kabajani has also touched the lives of many people at many levels, including learners. One such person is Josua Shilongo, who was assisted by Mr Kabajani to secure placement in the field of his choice in 1996.

Caption: Mr Josua Shilongo, currently a school principal said that Mr Kabajani played a huge role towards the attainment of education and access thereof.

Mr Shilongo has since completed his education and is now the school principal of Oshakati Senior Secondary School in Oshakati. Mr Shilongo describes Mr Kabajani as a blacksmith who pressed the right button that would eventually yield to prosperity.

“With that golden heart and such a caring hand, I am very certain that Mr Kabajani has touched many other souls out there. It is a true-life testimony that he was not in the education system for nothing. Mr Kabajani has left a mark that will shine forever. We (Mr Kabajani’s products) are making waves in many sectors around Namibia and beyond. You (Mr Kabajani) have done your part, and deserve the best and restful retirement,” said Mr Shilongo.

Caption: The Late Dr Abraham Iyambo pictured with Mr Kabajani

Finally, Mrs Steenkamp said that the education fraternity, stakeholders and wider public service take away great emulative attributes from Mr Kabajani such as the exemplary leadership approach, dedication to work, humility, selflessness as well as tolerance and embracing of cultural diversity as part of personal development and progression.

On his part, Mr. Kabajani said that:

“I have dedicated my whole life to the improvement of Education and more importantly the welfare of children, learners and students by addressing their needs though leading, guiding, teaching, educating, counselling and addressing their needs so that they become responsible members of the society. More so, reforming education in order to respond to the needs of learners in schools and students at Universities.”

He urges people to look after their health, as wellness is key to productivity and successful interaction in a professional environment.