After a challenging early education journey, Anna Simeon (31) vowed to give back to the community, particularly by ensuring Namibian girls thrive academically.
The school administrative officer at Omafa Combined School reflects on her challenges and shares her determination to make sure no Namibian child goes through a similar struggle.
TOO OLD FOR GRADE 1
Simeon arrived at Walvis Bay in 1998, at age seven, to join her mother.
“I still remember vividly how I would sit in our makeshift structure, wishing to join my peers after I was rejected by formal schools at the town. For the first year, it was because I did not have a birth certificate. When I finally obtained it, my mother was told that I was already too old for Grade 1,” says Simeon.
She began accompanying her aunt to a needlework class at the Iceida Training Centre at Kuisebmond, where adult literacy classes were offered.
“Thirteen other children in the same situation joined me.”
The literacy classes ended in 2006, and Simeon found herself sitting at home hopelessly again, this time at the age of 14.
An employee at the centre, Helena Asino-Shikulo, however, refused to give up on the bright teenager.
“I looked at that girl and thought that it was unfair. She really deserved to be at school with other children. Imagine coming from the north, speaking only Oshiwambo, but catching up so fast in an adult literacy class. She was catching up at the level of those at formal schools. She was even used as an interpreter in the community. I started to make an effort to beg schools to give her a chance in the grade where she belongs,” recalls Asino-Shikulo.
THRIVING ACADEMICALLY
Although many schools refused to admit Simeon, the staff at Flamingo Primary School were impressed with her performance and immediately admitted her to the then semi-private school in Grade 7.
The good news, however, came with challenges. She did not have money for transport, school uniforms, tuition fees or stationery.
“My story in the media attracted the attention of the then deputy minister of local government and housing, Kazenambo Kazenambo, who travelled all the way to Walvis Bay with school uniforms, stationery and funds to pay for my transport,” she says.
Simeon thrived academically, becoming a top pupil. She later moved to Kuisebmond Secondary School, where she obtained 35 points in Grade 12.
She was then employed at Hanganeni Primary School at Swakopmund as an administrator and later transferred to Omafa.

She went on to obtain a bachelor of communications degree from the Namibia University of Science and Technology in 2017.
Simeon now uses her life story to assist those in need of education, a promise she made at the age of 14.
“I talk to pupils about my past and encourage them to take their education seriously. As an administrative officer, I consider pupils who do not have birth certificates. I encourage parents to make declarations at the police to apply for birth certificates. I did this for most pupils from the DRC informal settlement at Swakopmund, to avoid them losing out in life.”
Simeon says not having birth certificates is one of the reasons that some, if not most, children end up on the street, just like she did.
“Hence, I am busy helping both fellow mothers and children in this matter.”
She appeals to communities to play their part in education by assisting those who are struggling financially, through encouragement or by sharing information on study opportunities.
“The late Kazenambo, Mrs Shikulo, the then staff of Flamingo Primary School and the reporters did it for me. I would probably be jobless and suffering with no way to help myself, or my family, if I was not admitted in a formal school. Everything that I have, is because of what I have learned in school.”
DELIVERING ON HER PROMISES
Simeon recalls how the late Kazenambo described her circumstances as an eye-opener and urged Namibians to help those in weaker positions.
“I remember him reminding me that education is the master key that will take me far, and that I am an asset to the country. I promised him that I would study hard and give back, especially to girls. I am delivering on that promise,” she says.
Simeon initiated a prize giving ceremony in 2023 at Omafa Combined School, to motivate pupils. This is after noticing that most rural schools don’t have such programmes.
“I asked for donations from community members, especially companies, shop owners and private doctors at Outapi, among others. This year, pupils are competing and their will to learn is improving, because they want to be on the list,” she says.
Simeon notes that the ministry, teachers and parents are doing their best, but pupils must understand the importance of education.
“I also have individual sessions with especially troublesome pupils, while visiting literacy programme centres to prove that literacy classes open a path to a better future.”
The geography teacher at Omafao Combined School, Vistorina Nashapi, says Simeon is always ready to take on new roles.
“Anna is a valuable asset to our school and beyond. As administrator, there are so many pupils she volunteered to help, which even most of us teachers do not do. Her idea truly changed our pupils’ academic performance overall.
“She goes the extra mile in giving attention to the children during her free time. She is truly changing their perception on education, leaving them with the motivation to make it in life. She gave hope to them,” says Nashapi.
Simeon gets sad, remembering all the young pupils she left behind at the Iceida Training Centre – with some becoming young mothers or sitting at home. It is with this in mind that she appeals to the nation never to give up on such children.
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