Best and Worst … Nangula Shejavali

Nangula Shejavali is not just a pretty face. She started the year with a bang expertly hosting #100DaysOfGeingob, did serious research work for IPPR and brought class and grace to NBC’s screens during the Local and Regional Elections results weekend.

2015’s ‘it’ girl?

Ally Angula. Her determination and drive in bringing Namibia to her full potential are inspiring. Both inside and outside the Leap Investment boardroom, Ally portrays power, balance, a level head, and a commitment to family and to our continent. And everything from My Republik simply slays.

2015’s ‘it’ boy?

Job Amupanda. Despite the controversy he may have engendered with his Affirmative Repositioning movement, Job certainly had Namibians – government leaders in particular – sitting at the edge of their seats this year – especially until 31 July.

What has been the highlight of the year for you?

Three things: (1) The varied opportunities I had to road trip around our beautiful country.

(2) Taking part in the planning and action for the March for Africa with a group of inspiring Namibians led by Ally Angula.

(3) Being able to give and receive love as an auntie and godmother to amazing little beings.

What 2015 song describes your year?

Jill Scott’s ‘Back Together’ (and her entire ‘Woman’ album).

Funniest social media moment of the year?

The Namibian’s (Martha Mukaiwa’s) live social media commentary at the NAMAs.

Biggest bandwagon cause?

The movement to stop xenophobia in South Africa (and throughout our continent). Namibia’s own March for Africa in April was certainly a cause worth being a part of, contextualising this cause from a Pan African perspective.

Biggest blunder of 2015?

I have to go beyond Namibia’s borders for this one and say President Jacob Zuma continuously proving that he was absent during Math class… and more recently in Geography class too. Eish!

2015’s biggest fool?

Poachers! And the fools who thought it was a good idea to dress up as the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and in blackface at the Swakopmund Carnival, and the newspaper that thought it was a good idea to publish this on their culture page. Just plain foolish!

2015 best political moment??

The unifying power of President Hage Geingob’s inauguration speech on 21 March. If the tenets of that speech and the vision it holds can be actualised, Namibia will be in an awesome place. But vision needs action. So far, there’s been a lot of talk… I can’t wait to see the action.

2015 worst political moment?

The Minister of Gender – Doreen Sioka – reportedly advocating for polygamy as a means to curb gender-based violence. (As if women are to blame for the GBV they experience at the hands of those said to love them.) Sioka’s utterances are just so wrong on so many levels, and completely counter to the spirit of Namibia’s gender policies.

Hero of the year?

My dear friend Tony Figueira, who to me, epitomises resilience and a yearning for continuous self-awareness, self-improvement, an open perspective and re-invention and innovation.

2015’s best chill spot?

The last three things you spent money on?

A flight ticket to Cotonou, Benin, a beautiful print dress by Afrocentric Namibian designer par excellence Ingo Shanyenge and my batch of daily newspapers.

Last thing that made you laugh out loud?

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