The The First Lady of Namibia, H.E. Monica Geingos, launched the #BeFree National Prize 2022, where Namibian young leaders have the opportunity to promote their initiatives and share them worldwide. This prize aims to amplify youth voices who are leading social, technological, cultural, and entrepreneurial initiatives in improving youth access to critical SRHR and SGBV services, education, and strengthening resilience. The award was done in partnership with One Young World.
5
Winners
1
Cohort
The First Lady of Namibia, H.E. Monica Geingos founded the #BeFree National Prize as she believes that no segment of society can match the young demographic in terms of impact, power, idealism, enthusiasm, resilience, and courage.
#BeFree National Prize 2022
Andreas Marungu
Youth Development Officer at African Youth and Adolescent Network for Development
Namibia
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We're the ones we've been waiting for and we are the change that we seek.
Bio
My name is Andreas Marungu, I am currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree in clinical nursing science at the University of Namibia. I am a youth activist in my country and around the globe, I am currently volunteering and working in different national and global networks and organizations. I volunteer and work as the regional secretary for Education, training, and research for the Namibia National Students’ Organization, then for the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association. I also work for the African Youth and Adolescent Network for development as the youth development officer in Namibia. I am passionate about good leadership and I aspire to make a difference in the world. Empowering other people to be good activists for change provides me with enormous gratification. Reading and writing are my hobbies.
Expertise
Education, Healthcare
Ellen Nanyeni
Women’s Right and Reproductive Justice Activist
Namibia
No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens
Bio
I am Ellen Nanyeni a 23 years old Women’s right and Reproductive justice activist. I have been intensely involved in work to help curb SGBV in Namibia. I was at the forefront of #shutitalldown Namibia which was a wave of anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence protests across the country -aimed at stopping the spread and continuation of physical and sexual violence against women. I am also a poet and use my talent to help in the fight against Sexual Gender Based violence. Through this talent, I have won several awards including the #BreakFree 16 days of Activism 2022 Art show.
Expertise
Women's Rights
Hamlet Luboni
Legal Research Intern for the Law Reform and Development Commission, Ministry of Justice
Namibia
We were all humans until race disconnected us, religion separated us, politics divided us and wealth classified us. It is our mandate as youth leaders to help unite humanity again.
Bio
My name is Hamlet Luboni, I am a Legal Research Intern for the Law Reform and Development Commission, under the Namibian Ministry of Justice. I enjoy using my skills to contribute toward disability inclusivity and reasonable accommodation into the law reform process of Namibia. I hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Honours Degree from the University of Namibia class of 2020, certificates in the Protection of Indigenous Peoples Rights in Africa and the Protection of Forcibly Displaced People in Africa class of 2021 from the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. I am accepted as a Master of Laws (LLM) candidate at the Hillary Rodham Clinton school of Law, University of Swansea, United Kingdom. In my spare time I run an NGO that focuses on providing access to clean drinking water and sanitation for the poorest communities in Namibia. In 2022 we are embarking on a ProjectWater4All whose main objective is to provide boreholes and pit latrines for improved health and sanitation that has the combined potential to impact over 5 000 Namibians living in extreme poverty.
Expertise
Law, Human Rights, Water & Sanitation, Displaced People / Refugees
Hikuru Tjazapi
Geoscience Graduate from the University of Namibia
Namibia
Small acts [of kindness], when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
Bio
I am a 28 year-old-youth from Ombombo village in Opuwo Rural, Kaokoland of the Kunene Region and this is where I’m currently based. I am a geoscience graduate from the University of Namibia having obtained an honours degree in Physics(minoring in Geology). I have a passion for community & youth development as it relates to education, health, sports, etc. I use my time to volunteer under KADEWO to promote improved living conditions for rural-based communities & schools in Kaokoland by soliciting donations for them.
Expertise
Community Building
Tuyeimo Haidula
Advisory Board Vice-Chair at Adolescent and Youth Health+ Centre
Namibia
Bio
Tuyeimo Haidula is a health journalist with six years of experience on print, wire agency and digital outlets across Namibia, South Africa, India and the UK. Haidula works for the Namibian Sun and is a freelancer for BBC Africa. She has worked for Bhekisisa, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, openDemocracy, The Namibian and Citizen News Service. She was named Health and Social Welfare and Community Journalist of the Year in Namibia in 2019. Haidula also serves on Namibia health ministry’s advisory board for the country’s Adolescent and Youth Health+ Centre as the vice-chairperson. Haidula recently completed the Journalist Scholarship Programme for the first international Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2021). She focuses on stories that showcase how people are solving – or attempting to solve problems.
Expertise
Journalism, Healthcare, Public Health