3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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Campus News Edition 3 4 BLA BLA BLA Exero 01, 5555 His name Nditange is both traditional Oshiwambo and Christian name that means “I praised the Lord”. It was interesting to learn that his name is very silent on the “Lord” component and only Oshiwambo speaking people can snatch the meaning of what his father meant when bestowed at baptism at Tsandi ELCIN church as first-born baby in the late 1970s. To attempt the meaning of his surname Shigwedha, he said the direct English translation means “Add-more-to”. The surname Shigwedha is much domesticated name in almost all seven Wambo tribes and the Herero people with diverse variations in the orthographies. II. Your educational background from high school until today when you are working as the HoD the department of Food science. At Tsandi High School, his academic performance began with a stint outside the top ten brackets in first term, was in the top ten in the second term and finally came second best in the third term. From Standard five onwards, he emerged top in his class and in the combined streams of over 25 students in spite of lack of school text books, while his parents struggle to educate him and his other siblings. In recognition of his good mathematics and physical science aptitude, he was chosen together with his bosom friend, David Nathinge, while in Standard 9 & 10 (Grade 11 & 12) to represent his Ongandjera Senior Secondary School in English and Science Quiz of TUCSIN-funded student exchange program, which took him for a month to Gabriel Taapopi Senior Secondary School in Ongwediva. This was taken seriously by the young Nditange and he adequately represented his school as the ‘face of Ms Verena Nandago (English Teacher) and Mr. Garba Maikano (Science Teacher)’. It was in the same program where he first met with his long time UNAM classmate and former Head of Department: Food Science and Technology, Ms. Paulina Nangula Uusiku. While in our final year at Neudamm campus, Dr. Shigwedha remembers when Paulina used to say to him ‘if our class performance drops, our Lecturers, including Mr. Peter G Bille will think we are no more serious with our studies’ as they were much fanatical and were training us to take over the department in the near future. Believe it or not, he managed to graduate from Neudamm Campus in 2000 with his first BSc Degree in Agriculture (Food Science and Technology specialization). It was like a nightmare day for him to pass his first job interview and started working for Meatco Okahandja as a Laboratory Analyst (the position currently occupied by his lovely wife). He also remembers when his parents expressed an interest his time management skills. His father Abner said to him, “Listen my first-born-son, now the world is wide open to you if you are to pursue further in your profession, but just remember not to forget your family”. Although he could not grasp this clearly, after pounding the pavement for a while, he has just decided to lead by examples in a positive ways. The situation at Meatco laboratory was quite rewarding and life was just perfect. However, this did not last very long due to the fact that he had to continue with a postgraduate education in China. Nditange enrolled at China’s Southern Yangtze University (which was changing name from Wuxi University of Light Industry). Getting a clear idea about his research enabled him to settle for the thesis topic in the sixth month after going to China. It was no wonder that he attained the minimum requirements to receive an MSc (Food Science) degree with a distinction. His thesis was on the study on bifid bacterium strains with resistances to acids and bile salts. However, while at the Namibian Embassy in Beijing en routing to Namibia in 2003, it soon became a blessing when Nditange was recalled to take up the “Distinguished International Student Scholarship” (DISS) for his PhD studies in any field of choice beginning September 2003 at the same University. He was to make history once again by completing his doctorate (Environmental engineering (magna cum laude) in a record of 3 years in a country that takes an average of 3.5 to four years. This was not without another record in Environmental engineering field, specifically in industrial wastewater treatment. Attaining a PhD in China was as traumatizing as it was dramatic. During his PhD studies, Nditange published four scientific papers in referenced international peer reviewed journals and presented four other articles at international conferences. Those papers attest to food science and photo catalysis industry, innovativeness and perseverance. The result of the effort was a prestigious appointment as a Lecturer and subsequently the Head of Food Science & Technology at the elite University of Namibia, Neudamm Campus. He can honestly say that he feel more complete with UNAM. Throughout his life he knew that there was some calling in his years that had remained, up until now, unanswered. “Who knows that my career is maybe with UNAM? The Lord works in mysterious ways. ….Who am I to disagree with powers that I can hardly fathom?” Dr. Shigwedha chanted. He guessed that he could actually talk more about his first month at Neudamm Campus. It was just another excitement to join the caravan of old faces viz. Prof OD Mwandemele, Mr. PG Bille, Mr. S Barrion, Ms P Hiwilepo, Mr. L Shatipamba, Mr. S Kalundu, Ms P Petrus, Mr. L Samuzala, Ms S Niitembu, Mr. G Hatutale and Ms E Sheehama. III. How where your studies then? Although he was brilliant in class starting from my primary education, the going was not always easy but a jungle struggle, because one needs to work very hard. He worked hard with the help of his colleagues and friends. He quoted the local musician Ras Sheehama that his studies were of “a push and pull system”. IV. What motivated you all along? The love and support that he has been receiving from his family and family friends has been the most important motivating factor all along his life. For that, he has eternal love and respect for them. V. Do you think your hard work and time spent all that time finally paid off, if so what do you say so? A dedicated Christian, motivator and powerful orator as well as a committed family man, Dr. Shigwedha aspires to provide inspiration to UNAM community and his broad family in various aspects, especially by providing leadership in education. Not a man to bury his head in the sand, avoid thorny issues or keep what he believes can be of help to others. He is now an Editor of Namibia Development Journal (NDJ) and he keeps preparing other manuscripts for publications. He believes that poverty can be overcome by hard work and focused effort and that nobody has to wallow in
Campus News Edition 3 Exero 01, 5555 BLA BLA BLA 5 poverty because the land of the braves is blessed. He is an ardent disciple of Ben Carson’s ideology that “Education is the only equalizer”, the only thing that brings a poor man to the same level with a rich man. As his name imply, “he praised God” that he set his frame of mind to believe he is not poor. Nditange speaks Oshiwambo, English, Chinese and a little Afrikaans. He is happily married to Li. VI. What do you think about the agriculture sector in Namibia with emphasis on food security? First of all, he defined what is meant by the term “food security”. His definition reads as “Access by all people, at all times to sufficient food for an active and healthy life. He said that Food security includes at a minimum - the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.” He stressed that Namibia is an agristriving country with a few hundred food and beverage market, with trade expected to grow about 10% by 2022. However, while Namibia is one of the largest fish and meat producers of the world, only a small percentage is actually processed into value addition products. Again, even though Namibia is producing small portion of fruits and vegetables, approximately only one per cent of the produce is processed. These statistics underscore the potential for food industry professionals. So Namibia would need about N$20 billion in order to raise its food processing levels by 8-10 per cent. The UNAM rice project at Kalibeza (Caprivi region) is worth mentioning at this stages as it stand as one of the measures that our government is supporting in line with food security. The investment potential is even more pronounced when you consider that consumer demand is growing exponentially. Namibia represents a market of about two million people who spend an average of fifty percent of their household income on food. Clearly, opportunities exist for food processors in retail, foodservices, and private label sectors. VII. What would you like to say to prospective students out there as far as Food science is concerned? Actually, it is not only Food science, but there is a component of the Technology that you have omitted. “Food science” is the discipline in which biology, physical sciences, and engineering are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying food processing. “Food technology” on the other hand is the application of food science to the selection, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe, nutritious, and wholesome food. To date, there are people like me, as food scientists, R&D people, chemists, microbiologists, QA/QC people, regulatory affairs people, academics, brand managers, marketers, technical salespeople, and executive management, just to mention a few as food professionals in the industry, academia, and government throughout the world. He advised prospective students to go on UNAM s’ webpage and familiarize themselves with the Food Science & Technology brochure, especially on departmental main area of focus. VIII. What would you like your message to students to be? He is of the opinion that he has said enough for this time. His other message to the students is that, “the future is in your own individual hands”. He is encouraging every student to show respect to their Lecturers, take their lectures seriously and add more oil for high production rather than slowing down. “You students are our main stakeholders and only through commitment and hard work that we can all keep UNAM’s reputation far above the ground,” IX. Do you think there is a need for young Namibians to study food science? To him, the Department of Food Science and Technology is the pioneer of food science and technology programs and the leader of food science research and education in Namibia. There is definitely a need for young Namibians to study food science and technology as this is a multi-disciplinary field where upon the completion of their degree that everyone will become a food professional. He could not even begin to tell what a great resource he has been for making professional contacts within two years. He happens to meet some really great people that he probably would not have gotten to know if it were not for his involvement in studying food science. He was referring to Prof. Owen R. Fennema (a famous American author of Food Chemistry Book) whom he said they met and had various discussions at international conferences on two respective occasions as well as to Prof. FM Rombouts (Wageningen University). He encouraged young Namibians to approach the department as it has been a great source for unbiased information on what is going on in the food industry. He could go on and on, but he emphasized to those interested to approach himself for more clarity. He resides in Food Science Building, 1st Floor, and Room 130. Or if you would like to talk with him about his experiences in the field, give him a call when you get a moment at (061) 206-3183. X. What else would you like us to know about your wonderful academic life and your carrier? He jokingly promised to say more in the next edition of Campus news ….
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3rd Edition 2009 - University of Namibia

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