Allexer Namundjembo
Twenty-six-year-old Nanzila Litah Lota from Katima Mulilo is carving a new path for herself after years of personal hardship.
She is one of more than 1 300 students supported by Palms For Life to pursue vocational training at the Community Skills Development Foundation (Cosdef).
Lota is studying office administration level 2. She was born to a mother from the San communities of the Kwe and a Totela father from Katima Mulilo. Her childhood changed sharply when her mother died in 2013 while she was in Grade 4. Her paternal grandmother, who became her guardian, passed away in 2015. Lota was then left to navigate life with her two siblings and look for support where she could.
She completed Grade 11 in 2021 and upgraded her subjects through the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) in 2022. She said losing the two central figures in her life forced her to grow up quickly.
“Life was very fine when my mom and grandma were alive. When they passed on, everything changed,” she said.
“I faced many challenges and had to move around to find support. I eventually went to live with my maternal grandmother.”
In 2023, she moved to Rundu with support from Palms For Life to continue her studies at Cosdef.
She described the move as a turning point. “Everything has been fine since I came to Rundu. I really appreciate Palms For Life; without their support I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said.
“It is not easy to achieve something when you are just at home. Now at least I have a certificate in business management, and I am continuing with my studies.”
Lota hopes her story encourages other young people from marginalised communities to keep pushing toward their goals.
“If I can do it, they can also do it,” she said.
