By Victor Angula|
Mbahimwa Fenny Tutyavi has come a long way along the road of leadership; from student headship to today sitting in the National Assembly and serving the Namibian nation as a lawmaker.
At the age of 23 she is the youngest MP in the law-making assembly of 104 members.
Speaking at the recently concluded national ICT Summit-26 in Ongwediva at a gathering where there were more young people in attendance than any other age group, Tutyavi gave a motivational speech which pointed at the road she had so far travelled, and of which any young person could travel.
“As my starting point [in leadership], I think I was in Grade 3 by then, and [it] was as little as a table prefect,” Tutyavi said.
“But then I asked myself, what significance does a table prefect carry? But it required a particular level of discipline for the teachers to identify you as one that is able to maintain order and discipline within that very table you are seated.
“I went further, by joining the Learners Representative Council at primary school, of which I also joined at a very young age. I think I was in Grade 5, while normally they ought to take from Grade 6 and 7.
“At the same time while I occupied these various positions at that level [of leadership] academic excellence remained a priority to me. That is why, as we continue to take up leadership positions [as youth] we should always ensure that our school books are intact.
“As I went further to secondary school, of course I was in Grade 8, I saw one particular LRC. That person’s blazer had leadership accolades and academic accolades. And I told myself [that] one day I am also going to be like this particular LRC.”
Tutyavi said that her primary goal was for her to remain in school and ensure that she passed every test and exam and also represented other learners well until the level where she was able to also become like that particular Learners Representative Council member.
“And as I retired from secondary school I realised that I had gotten more badges than that particular LRC that inspired me at that time.
“And what does that tell you? When you put your mind to something you realise that you work so hard to ensure that you get into that space, a space that recognises your potential, a space that grows you.
“As I went further to university, while I of course had been an LRC at secondary school, there I was met by an orientation in the first year. There you meet a new politics identified as student politics.”
At university she identified what she wanted to study, while she got involved into politics a passion she holds dear to her heart.
“That [politics]is a space where leadership takes place in its truest form.
“Make sure you choose a career that speaks to you as a person. Because I chose one that singled me out.”
The young MP stated that a person’s background is of little consequence, but commitment and discipline is what takes a person to any level.
“To the young people, there is one thing I want to leave you with as a lesson, that in as much as I was raised by my grandparents, I had a mother who told me one particular lesson. She would always say take your five fingers, they might look the same but they are not the same in terms of size and how they are.
“She would put it to a practical example that when I am in school I must realise that I am sitting in the same classroom with the daughter or son of a minister, daughter or son of a business person, daughter or son of a teacher, daughter or son of a cleaner or of an engineer, a daughter or son of a doctor.
“But what you do, what you decide to do in that classroom is what will distinguish and pave the way for the future you want to have for yourself.
“So remain focused, and know that even you who come from a house of a cleaner, street vendor or any sector your parent may find themselves you too belongs at the table.”
In the photo: MP Fenny Tutyavi.
