Getting to Know the Inspirational Taleni

Twenty-four year old Taleni Shimhopileni, born in Oshakati and raised in the capital, triumphantly steps into the spotlight as she shares a bit about her life and her recent Dean’s List Award achievement.

The young vibrant lady spent the first few years of her life in Ongwediva and then moved to Windhoek. She attended St Paul’s College in Windhoek and then studied at the University of Namibia (Unam). “I’m a loud and proud Unam graduate from the Law class of 2009. I then moved to Johannesburg, South Africa to study a second undergraduate degree in Film and Television, majoring in Producing.”

Taleni was selected by Google as one of their Young and Brightest Minds in 2011, she has published poetry and article pieces, participated in community development projects, adjudicated (judged) university debate championships on a local, continental and international level including the World Universities Debate Championships. She is known as a leader amongst her peers and believes the youth of Africa, have begun and will continue the inevitable rise of Africa’s true, uncompromised glory.

Taleni recently lit up the stage at the inaugural TEDxWindhoek where she spoke about ‘Unleashing African potential from an African youth perspective’. She spoke about the need for African people to speak, develop and preserve African languages.

We sat down with Taleni to find out more about what makes her tick…

I have many. I love cooking new dishes and baking and then having my friends eat and smile. Swimming is one of my greatest joys, I even swim in winter. I also enjoy engaging in intellectual discourse with friends and hanging out at awesome cafes reading, surfing the net or just chilling out.

I’m a huge fan of good drama and comedy so the likes of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Boston Legal’, ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ are some of my ultimate favourites. From the books, some of my favourites include: ‘Reedeming Love’ by Francine Rivers, ‘Piercing the Darkness’ by Frank Peretti, ‘The Purpose and Power of Man (and Woman)’ by Myles Munroe and ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren. These are just some of many.

I worked at the Namibian Broadcating Corporation from the age of 13 until I was 17. I moved over to One Africa Television for a year. I also worked as a radio show host from the age of 13 until I was about 16.

I loved my job in media, sharing ideas, meeting and interviewing ordinary and extraordinary people alongside laughing and giggling with our cameramen and soundmen backstage. I loved every bit of it, although I didn’t always enjoy the natural, everyday attention that came with being on national television, but it comes with the territory so one gets used to it.

My mom and dad are huge inspirations to me. If it wasn’t for them, I might not be all that I am today. Knowing my God-given purpose and having the desire to fulfill it is of divine inspiration alone.

Yet, if I’m to go beyond that, courageous mentors and amazing people doing amazing things across the world like:

• Namibia’s Dawie Fourie who started the African Leadership Institute

• Uganda’s Ashish J Thakkar for his boldness and humility while being listed as Africa’s youngest billionaire currently

• Kenya’s two time medical specialist, one of the youngest doctors to receive the Professorship title, Dr Amer Karim in all his warmth and his servant heart

• America’s provocative film maker Tariq Nasheed, creator of the ‘Hidden Colours’ documentaries

• America’s black female TV guru Shonda Rhimes, creator of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Scandal’ and ‘Private Practice’

• South Africa’s Dr Ramatsemela Masango who is a nuclear scientist and one of the coolest ladies I know when it comes to being an academic, pursuing a corporate career while being a true, hands-on family woman

• Namibia’s Dr Kavena Shalyefu, one of Namibia’s first female two-time Ivy League graduates with a wealth of knowledge and passion for Africa and Community Development.

That and being her daughter is so much fun.

• The mothers who sell vetkoeks and airtime vouchers on the street to put their children through school.

These are few of the many I can’t all mention here whom inspire me greatly.

Working hard and smart and not to being satisfied with anything else but one’s optimal best.

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