In a moving ceremony that blended tradition, academic celebration, and the solemnity of professional commitment, the University of Namibia’s School of Nursing and Public Health held its annual Oath-Taking and Awards Ceremony on 23 April 2025 at the Main Campus.
For the nursing and public health students, the event marked more than just a milestone, it was a defining moment in their journey towards becoming caregivers, advocates, and leaders in Namibia’s healthcare system.
The ceremony opened with warm words and direction from Mr. Benjamin Manetti, Lecturer in the School, who gracefully guided the proceedings. Setting the tone for the occasion was Professor Louise Pretorius, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing and Public Health, who delivered powerful opening remarks.
“Being a nurse is not just a profession, but a calling rooted in compassion, diligence, and integrity,” she said, reflecting on the immense responsibility carried by healthcare workers. “Today, we don’t just celebrate your academic success, we celebrate your readiness to serve humanity in its most vulnerable moments.”
The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Taimi Amaambo, Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and a proud UNAM alumna. Drawing from a career that spans qualifications from five international universities, including Harvard, Ms. Amaambo reminded students of the influence they wield as future healthcare workers.
“Today, as you take your oath, remember that your impact will stretch far beyond hospital walls,” she said. “You are stepping into a profession that demands not only skill, but humility, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning.”
One of the most symbolic moments of the event was the Florence Nightingale Lamp Procession, an emotionally charged tradition representing the light nurses bring to the world. As the students held their lit lamps, a hush fell over the room, honouring not just their oath, but the legacy of caregiving.
Ms. Taimi Amakali-Nauiseb, Senior Lecturer in Health Service Management, spoke eloquently about the lamp’s symbolism. “The lamp in your hand is the symbol of those who keep vigil over the sick,” she said. “It means you are ready to be the eyes for the blind, strength for the weak, and a role model in your field.”
The ceremony also celebrated the brightest stars in the School’s academic galaxy, with awards given to top-performing students across various nursing specialisations:
- Best Bachelor’s Practical Student (Clinical Honours) – R.N. Titus
- Best Practical Diploma Student – Anna S.
- Best Operating Room Nursing Student – Natalia H.
- Best Second-Year Nursing Student – Nehemia Rosalia
- Best Third-Year Nursing Student – Hamunyela P.P.
- Best Fourth-Year Nursing Student – Chantel D.
- Best Practical Student (Honours) – J. Francis
- Best Practical Student in Midwifery Science (Diploma) – Juliana H. (Award Sponsored by the Midwifery Science Department)
- Best Postgraduate Diploma Student in Health Service Management – Hilka H.
- Best Student in the Specialisation Diploma in Mental Health – Elifas M.T.
- Overall Best Student in Health Service Management – Hamakali H.
As the lamps glowed in the auditorium, they illuminated not only the students’ faces but also the future of healthcare in Namibia, brighter, bolder and in compassionate hands.
