To be able to think quickly on our feet in order to put a point across during a debate is not only a talent, but an art form.
Endeline Chantell Inyemba is the co-director and moderator of the MTC Energy 100FM High School debate competition which places emphasis on the importance of learning to hash out differences of opinion, and making stronger arguments based on reason and compromise.
A political science student at the University of Namibia and a host on Energy 100FM’s daily primetime time show ‘The Essential Lounge’,Inyemba says the debate competition aims to encourage critical and creative thinking to impact academic excellence.
“This project resonates closely with who I am and my beliefs. It stimulates the brain,” said Inyemba.
Youth development is close to her heart and the debate competition is one of the ways she contributes.
Born in Windhoek 26 years ago, Inyemba says the high school debate competition was a dying concept that she and Fannes Namunya, the director of the competition, brought back to life, with the support of various corporate entities as sponsors.
The competition looks at creating a platform for pupils to openly engage in matters concerning the Namibian child and beyond.
She’s proud to be one of the organisers of this competition which she feels is planting a seed in the debaters, the listener and the sponsor. Having watched how the debaters grow over the years, Inyemba says it is beautiful to see some of them becoming head girls and head boys of their schools and others taking on law as their field of study at tertiary level.
“Debate allows no room for ignorance and we are looking at an ignorant free Namibia with the push of this project,” said Inyemba who is fascinated by the brain, its structure and how it operates.
She is particularly inspired by her mother, who she says is everything she would like to be to her children, family and friends. The qualities she most adores are her mother’s selflessness, how she embodies so much life, her warmth, work ethic and faith. “She is the only person in this world who reminds me money isn’t wealth, instead one’s riches are found in people, and how we treat them.” Her mother defines humility, perseverance and hard work.
Inyemba is also inspired by people who do not let society define them. “This for me is an element that encompasses so many things, from how you perceive the world, to how you look at attaining your goals and the kind of energies you consume and align with,” she stated.
On her radio career, Inyemba elucidated that what she loves most about radio is the power it holds, despite the ever changing dynamics and the evolution of technology. For Inyemba radio remains a ‘vuvuzela’ – loud and proud. It allows her to connect to and inform people across the world.
The best aspect of radio is that it is a platform for people to air their views, which she believes helps find a solution to future policies and implementation.
Something she finds fascinating about radio is the feeling of connection it provides, where one can relate to a total stranger.
With time, she says, as a radio host you grow to connect with your listeners, regardless of age, race, status or sexual orientation and this creates an equal platform to voice your opinion. “It is beautiful, to feel and witness,” said Inyemba.
Some of her defining moments in her life include being Energy 100FM presenter of the year twice, for 2015 and 2017 respectively. She also mentioned that 2017 was a good year for the debate competition which turned out to be a success even without sponsorship.
“The support of Energy 100FM was all we had, but look at us now. This year we have 24 schools, compared to 16 last year. I’d be a fool to not count my blessings,” Inyemba said proudly.
On her future endeavours, Inyemba said she is not one to announce her plans as she believes in putting in the work and letting the action speak for itself.
“Let’s just say the universe would know better, and apparently ones plans aren’t entirely yours,” she said.
However she did say she hopes to share a boardroom with Daisry Mathias over a cup of coffee someday.
“She forms part of a formula I desire to add to someday,” she said.
