'Just be yourself!'

Iréne-Mari van der Walt
"Just be yourself, be true to who you are and where your roots are."
This is what Tuarirovangu Kasirua says, who received her LLB degree at the University of Namibia (Unam) last week.
Tuarirovangu, who is originally from Opuwo, attended her graduation ceremony in traditional OvaHimba dress.
She says she didn't think the photo taken at her graduation ceremony would attract so much attention.
“My social media just lit up; I didn't expect that at all. I didn't do it for attention; I did it because it's important for me to remember who I am and where I come from," she says.
During her studies, Tuarirovangu was elected a member of the student representative council (SRC) and was given the task of representing minority groups, whether cultural groups or other groups such as disabled students.
She says the way of thinking about her cultural dress, especially in Windhoek where she studied, did not bother her.
"In the North, like in Opuwo, nobody would think twice if they saw a group of OvaHimba women in their traditional dress, but here in Windhoek it's like people think you're naked, but it didn't bother me much .”
She is currently doing her internship at the law firm Thomas Andima & Co Inc. and she encourages others to reach for the stars.
“If I can do it, anyone can. Keep working and don't give up. Don't let them change you, just be yourself," she says.
She's already aiming towards an LLM degree and a doctorate in law. – [email protected]