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The Namibian Academy for Tourism and Hospitality celebrated its annual Graduation 2005 at the NATH office in Windhoek.

This is the second time in its 11th year history, that NATH celebrated this important day at the premises at Mont Blanc Street No.10, in a leisurely and familiar open-air atmosphere, where not only the graduates, but also everyone, known or new to NATH could meet the Directors, Lecturers and the Students alike.

This day belongs to the Graduates and most of the Guides know each other from courses jointly participated in. Therefore it is heartwarming and strengthening to see the overwhelming greetings when Guides meet each other again, share experiences, laugh and contemplate on topics and course material experienced together at one of the many courses offered during their study periods.

Some graduates brought along their parents, friends and extended family members as far as Rundu.

The reason behind this idea is to celebrate and actively participate in talks and good chatter with people in the industry.

The day started off with champagne to welcome the guests, before everyone settled down under the big trees in the back garden, which provided shade for the guests to sit and chat, while cool drinks were enjoyed and a delicious braai was prepared to make everyone feel at home.

At 14h00 the official program started with the NATH chairman, Mr. Hennie Fourie welcoming all guests alike. Mrs. Gabi Wheal, CEO of NATH specially thanked Mrs. Jacky Asheeke, CEO of Fenata, for her participation and encouragement for the Tour Guides despite having such full diary. A strong message for all Guides to feel welcomed and cared for by the umbrella organization for the Tourism Industry "Fenata". Mrs. Asheeke, a personality in her own right, with visions and a sound background in her field of expertise, in her speech enhanced the importance of the Guiding fraternity and encouraged all guests, to actively participate in tourism matters within their fields of expertise. Fenata is therefore also present for Tour Guides with advice and help offered whenever needed.

Gabi Wheal mentioned facts about NATH and its database of over 2500 different participants taking part in courses at NATH during the past 11 years, she also announced, that NATH would, at this graduation proudly hand-out 30 Badge I certificates and 6 Badge II certificates. These graduates will bring the Family of Badge graduates nation wide to

267 Badge I

79 Badge II

6 Badge III

Gabi encouraged all Guides to aim for even higher qualifications and never stop learning as our Industry is dynamic and needs flexible input to achieve even greater standard.

The next speaker was Mrs. Nicole Grünert, who had a captured audience with her theme "snowball earth", a subject, which was mind-boggling to some, and a geological delicacy for most. All were reminded that the interesting Geology of Namibia is worldwide reknowned for the unique reason that so much of it is visible and not covered by vegetation. To accentuate her superb report, Nicole exhibited some extraordinary geological samples of stromatolites and was happy to explain and deepen knowledge to everyone who asked.

Before introducing the next speaker, Gabi took the opportunity to thank all friends and supporters of NATH for their input and cooperation, which is so highly appreciated. Without the active support of the Industry NATH cannot offer the courses and training tours at the prices they ask today. Names specially mentioned were:

Sense of Africa

Springbok Atlas

SWA Safaris

Pack Safaris

And the Nest Hotel in Lüderitzbucht for always going the extra mile.

Mr. Jens Vietor, summed up, what Tour Guides experience when going "On Tour with NATH". Vast knowledge gained is shared via team building and problem solving lessons, which could be encountered on a real Tour with guests who visit Namibia. This practical component is a must for all Badge recipients and Jens explained in detail why this learning experience is so important. He emphasized, that Issues learned on a practical tour will round off the Tour Guide learning with situations not anticipated beforehand. For the audience this was easy listening with funny situations explained in a way every Guide knew from their own experiences somehow.

Gabi introduced Mr. Operi Tjakuapi as an experienced Tour Guide and also a lecturer at NATH. Operi is working as freelance Tour Guide and entertained all attendees with a small repertoire of his experiences as Tour Guide and encounters when dealing with Guests from foreign countries. The audience was captivated and again wholeheartedly laughed while Operi remembered funny and memorable events in his career.

The exciting developments regarding the upcoming finalization of the unit standards for Tour Guides was the next issue and Gabi made it clear, that this very work intensive experience with the two Pilot courses haven taken place in Swakopmund during the month of January for Level I and in Windhoek during the month of February for level II, were more than rewarding for all people involved.

"We have so much to offer, we have great potential of human resources working in communities and rural areas which are only at the beginning of their careers, careers which must be developed for the better of the people, the country and the whole Tourism industry as such".

Mrs. Meike Woker, who facilitated the 3 weeklong level II course in Windhoek was called upon by Gabi to talk about these courses. Her expertise as lecturer and Tour Guide was essential for the success of these courses and she provided the audience with inside information, about the detailed structure of the set up and the great companionship all shared. She did not forget to also thank Dr. Hu Berry, who lectured the Swakopmund course for the work and knowledge that all trainers involved experienced. There was an overwhelming demand for knowledge from the participants who came from and guide in remote areas.

Then it was time to hand out the certificates and Mrs. Emily Asino, Manager of NATH to came forward to hand out the desired documents to the Guides, who had graduated with Badge I and II as well as "Train the Trainer" and "Elephant and their behaviour". Emily was assisted by Mr. Gideon Shilongo, CEO of NTB and an individual who is instrumental for Tour Guides and the upcoming registration, which is awaited with great anticipation.

When attending graduates were applauded with great enthusiasm it strengthened the fact, that our Country is blessed with a multitude of people eager to reach out to serve and to enhance and broaden the Industry. This accentuated the appreciation of one another for the betterment of all. Our tourism guests included.

Mr. Gideon Shilongo was the last guest speaker for this day and captivated his listeners as usual with his honest and most engaging approach. He reminded the Guides about the significance of aiming at the most important issue in our jobs, that being to fulfill our guests expectations, make them love our country and return many more times. The Tour Guide plays such an important role as ambassador of Namibia to our guests, that this responsibility must be emphasized and nourished and guarded to reach its full potential. Being a team player means we all want the end result to be the same and he ensured the Guides that he is a team player himself, is there for them and would do his best to achieve this common goal.

To conclude a relaxed day of accomplishment by so many guides, many happy graduates and contented guests, Gabi pointed out, that all Tour Guides, be it community or nationwide, can and should work closer together in an ideal symbiosis to achieve the end goal of building a strong guiding community to serve the industry and Namibia to its full potential.

This Graduation celebration was turned into a joyful event, accentuated by the enlargement of the big family of NATH. The camaraderie amongst the fraternity makes the guide learning experience much more than just going to school.