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Family’s First Graduate raises Hopes
In June this year, 26-year-old George Hamukoto became the first university graduate in his family. He received his Honours Degree in Secondary Education from the International University of Management (IUM) based in Windhoek. George says he could not give up on his studies because he wanted to improve the financial situation back at home at Ondobe village in the Ohangwena Region.
George was among the 1900 graduates at IUM’s winter graduation ceremony that took place in Windhoek in June. The young student was joined by his parents who travelled from the north to witness his graduation.
"I am able to change the situation for my mom and dad, so I am excited,” said George, further encouraging students to always remember the reason they came to varsity. “Please stay focused, don’t follow others' ways. We are from different backgrounds. Always remember the poverty that has chased you out of the Ohangwena Region to come to Windhoek to study. Don’t forget about that. It should be your motivation every day you wake up,” was George’s message.
Please stay focused, don’t follow others' ways. We are from different backgrounds. Always remember the poverty that has chased you out of the Ohangwena Region to come to Windhoek to study. Don’t forget about that. It should be your motivation every day you wake up.
"I came to witness what my son has achieved. I am very proud of him,” said George’s father, Kristoff Hamukoto.
His parents are unemployed but did everything they could to put their son through university. “We told him to go to school so that he can pass. In his first year, he didn't perform well and I was so disappointed. I sold some of my cows to pay for the module he failed, which cost N$6500. He used to struggle with taxi money to get to school, which forced him to walk from Okuryangava to the Dorado Campus”, Kristoff Hamukoto recalled.
Julia Lala, George’s mother, added that despite being unemployed, they sold everything they could to ensure that their son completed university.
Among the qualifications that were awarded at this year’s ceremony were 888 Honours Degrees, 77 Postgraduate Diplomas, 75 Masters' Degrees and one Ph.D. Degree.
