Patience Makwele
Former Olympic athlete Tjipekapora Herunga is encouraging young Namibians not to allow their backgrounds, circumstances or geographical location to define their ambitions, saying success is possible for anyone willing to work hard and remain focused on their goals.
Herunga’s journey from the small village of Ehungiro in the Otjinene Constituency to competing on the world’s biggest sporting stage serves as proof that determination can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
Today, the former national sprinter is using her experiences to mentor young athletes through the Tjipekapora Herunga Athletics Academy, where she hopes to inspire the next generation to dream beyond their circumstances.
“Many young people think opportunities only exist for those who grow up in cities or come from privileged backgrounds,” Herunga shared.
“I want them to understand that where you come from does not determine where you can go. Your background should never limit your ambitions.”
Growing up in a rural community, Herunga said she had limited access to resources and facilities compared to many athletes competing internationally.
Despite those challenges, her passion for sport pushed her to keep pursuing her dreams.
She started participating in athletics during her school years, competing in several track events before eventually specialising in the 400 metres.
That decision would later transform her life.
Herunga went on to represent Namibia at major international competitions, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London, while also winning medals at continental championships.
Along the way, she broke Namibia’s national 400-metre record, a mark that still stands today.
However, she believed the biggest lesson from her sporting career is not the medals or records.
“The greatest lesson I learned is that success requires discipline, consistency and patience,” she said.
“Many young people want immediate results, but meaningful achievements take time. You have to trust the process even when progress seems slow.”
Following her athletics career, Herunga furthered her education in Jamaica, where she studied Sport Science while training alongside some of the world’s top athletes.
She says education played a crucial role in helping her understand sport beyond competition.
“Sport can open many doors, but education gives you options for life beyond sport,” she said.
“Young people should never choose one over the other. The two can work together.”
Herunga believes many talented young Namibians fail to reach their potential because they underestimate the importance of balancing their dreams with education.
She regularly encourages young athletes at her academy to prioritise both academic and sporting excellence.
Youth development advocate Ndeshiko Hamunyela said Herunga’s story offers an important lesson for young people across the country.
“Many young Namibians are growing up in communities where unemployment, poverty and limited opportunities can make it difficult to remain hopeful,” he said.
“When they see someone who came from a similar environment and achieved success on a global stage, it reminds them that their current circumstances do not have to define their future.”
Hamunyela said role models who openly share both their successes and struggles play an important role in helping young people develop confidence and resilience.
Educational psychologist Anna Shaningwa believes stories such as Herunga’s are particularly important at a time when many young people are struggling with self-doubt and uncertainty about their future.
“One of the biggest challenges facing young people today is the belief that success belongs to other people,” she said.
“They see successful individuals but often fail to see the years of sacrifice, hard work and perseverance behind those achievements.”
According to Shaningwa, exposure to positive examples helps young people understand that setbacks are part of growth rather than signs of failure.
For Herunga, giving back to young people has become just as rewarding as competing.
Through her athletics academy, she hopes to create opportunities for young athletes who may otherwise never receive the support needed to develop their talents.
“It is not only about producing athletes,” she said.
“It is about helping young people build confidence, discipline and belief in themselves. Those are skills that will help them throughout their lives.”
Her message to Namibia’s youth remains simple.
“Never allow anyone to tell you that your dreams are too big because of where you come from,” she said.
“If a girl from Ehungiro village could compete at the Olympic Games, then young people across Namibia can achieve their goals too. Believe in yourself, work hard and never stop learning.”
As young Namibians continue searching for inspiration in an increasingly competitive world, Herunga hopes her story will remind them that success is not determined by where they start, but by how determined they are to reach the finish line.
