The Bank Windhoek Feedmaster National Youth Cattle Judging Competition was held at the Windhoek Agricultural and Industrial Show on Monday, 30 September 2024. Kevin Jakob, a learner from Otjiwarongo Secondary School, won the competition. Melanie van der Merwe from Gobabis Gymnasium Private School was awarded second place, and Gabriela Ritzdorf from the Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS) was awarded third place.
The competition is a collaboration between Bank Windhoek and Feedmaster. It allows high school learners across the country to showcase their passion for livestock and the knowledge they have acquired about cattle. After the competition concluded, a prize-giving ceremony was held to recognise the learners’ participation.
The programme’s leader, Christo van Zyl, said the competition continues to grow annually. “This year, we received applications from 111 learners from various schools, and 88 learners from 18 schools participated. The huge turnout shows all participants’ commitment and passion for livestock,” he said. Van Zyl further thanked Bank Windhoek for supporting the competition. He said he is happy with the progress he observes from the learners.
Fuelled by early childhood passions
Kevin Jakob, who won the competition, is a learner at Otjiwarongo Secondary School. He said his experience of cattle judging was fun and educational. “When I started the competition, I just saw cattle as they were. After completing the competition, I look at cattle differently—I do not just see a bull; I see a good bull with capacity and attractive features.
Jakob has always been interested in learning about the livestock on his family’s farm. Once he heard of the competition, he took the chance to fulfil his dream of judging cattle.
Melanie van der Merwe from Gobabis Gymnasium was awarded second place. She said she had attended the Windhoek Agricultural and Industrial Show with her father since she was a toddler. “I specifically enjoyed the practical part of the competition, where we judged five Brahman cows and five Brahman bulls. I learned more about different breeds and their standards of excellence for the breeds,” she said.
Awarded third place, Gabriela Ritzdorf said her late father nurtured her passion for livestock and cattle judging. “He always taught my sister and me about cattle while on the farm,” she said.
Okamatapati Combined School learners who participated in the competition said they had a fun learning experience. Uaanaro Mbakunguna said he grew up in the village where his family farms with Brahman cattle. He said this background made the competition more effortless and more enjoyable. Muteresi Muharukua said that even though he has yet to gain the best skills, he looks forward to participating in the competition next year. The Okamatapati Combined School is situated 100 kilometres east of Okakarara in the Otjozondjupa region and accommodates 1,000 pupils.
Bank Windhoek’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and Sponsorships, Bronwyn Moody, said it is great to collaborate on such events that propel the growth of Namibia’s agricultural sector. “It is encouraging to see many female learners participate in the competition. We encourage them to continue developing their skills and take advantage of opportunities such as these,” she said, adding that the Bank looks forward to seeing more learners from across the country participate next year.