Q&A with mechanical engineer Hizepa Tjijenda

Q: Namibia is positioning itself as a key player in the green hydrogen space. From your experience as a TVET trainer, do you think young Namibians are truly prepared to take up opportunities in this sector?

A: To put it frankly, young Namibians as a collective are very far from prepared for the emerging green hydrogen space mainly because of a lack of awareness of the impact this sector could have on us. The concept being new and very technical makes it very difficult for laymen youth to acquaint themselves with the complex technicalities, so most just conclude it to be another corruption scheme such as the fish and oil rots.

Q: As someone transitioning from training into engineering practice, where do you think this disconnect is most evident?

A: Academia is very slow-moving with the aim of providing quality training, whereas industry needs the problem solved as soon as yesterday, making it a very fast-paced environment, so when you enter industry, the issues that were relevant when you were studying will likely no longer be valid because the world will have moved to a different problem by then. In the same context, we graduates come into industry thinking we know everything, which creates a gap in the ability to be equipped with essential skills.

Q: Why do you think TVET remains critical, especially in emerging industries like hydrogen?

A: Vocational education was always considered the stream for the low-hanging fruit of learners that do not qualify to enter the tertiary space. The emerging green industries have proved the importance of artisans at large because we cannot all be engineers to do the designing work; someone needs to be on the ground catching on the spanners and machinery.

Q: Namibia’s youth unemployment rate remains high. Do you believe sectors like engineering and renewable energy can realistically address this, or is that expectation overstated?

A: I believe these sectors truly can address unemployment. Specifically, folks from the vocational space, for these individuals are trained to use their hands either to render a service or to manufacture a good.

Q: What challenges have you personally encountered as a young professional in engineering, and how have they shaped your perspective on growth and resilience?

A: My biggest challenge so far is the fact that one needs to work with professionals from various fields, which requires a significant level of emotional intelligence, and it has shaped my perspective knowing that everyone has a different view of life one needs to learn to respect.

Q: How important is it for young people, especially from rural areas, to see themselves reflected in roles like yours?

A: It is very important, to say the least. But, if someone from two houses down the street can do it, why can’t you?

Q: If you could challenge one misconception about engineering or the green transition in Namibia, what would it be?

A: It would be the misconception of thinking that engineering is only for smart people because it is honestly more about grit and perseverance than it has to do with intelligence.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to a young student who is interested in engineering but unsure if they belong in the field?

A: The element of feeling like you do not belong to the field specifically while you are a student is all a part of the process. Some may think that it gets easier with time, but it's quite the contrary; it gets very difficult as the years progress. You just need to remember your why and keep working your socks off, 'cause it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

**Hizepa Tjijenda holds a BEng in mechanical engineering from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. He currently works as a TVET trainer in Arandis, where he delivers certificate of competency training in hydrogen. Next month he takes up a new role as a mechanical engineer in training at Archetype Project Consultants in Windhoek. He also serves as a Green Young Ambassador representing the Omaheke region.