Fashion stylist and MC Reinhard Mahalie is determined to give back to young Namibians.
On 26 September, the Forbes 30 Under 30 2021 alumni introduced the inaugural gifting ceremony of the Reinhard Mahalie English Laurel Floating Trophies, as a former deputy head boy at PK de Villiers Secondary School at Keetmanshoop.
Floating trophies were awarded to the best Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils in English during the school’s prize-giving ceremony.
“As a prolific figure in the fashion and entertainment industry, I felt the need for my brand to plough back on a big scale and make an impact.
“The Reinhard Mahalie English Laurel floating trophies will be given annually to the best Grade 11 and Grade 12 pupils. It is an initiative I have presented to the school and they have welcomed the idea,” he says.
The initiative is sponsored the First National Bank of Namibia and Mahalie himself.
This year, with a sponsorship of N$10 000, Mahalie seeks to acknowledge students who have displayed exceptional language proficiency, prowess and linguistic passion.
He says this is a way of ploughing back into the school and the community at large.
“My hope is that I encourage and motivate pupils to excel in their grades and to transform our alma mater into a hub of educational brilliance. The first two recipients were Shahida Engelbrecht and Christa Shapaka,” says Mahalie.
As an alumni of the school, he believes it’s important for him to encourage, inspire and motivate young people at the town.
Through the project, he says he aims to let youngsters know it is possible to strive for success against all odds at Keetmanshoop.
“ . . . instilling hope and dignity in our community that my initiative would transcend beyond the school and that my contribution would be impactful in a positive light,” Mahalie says.
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