Leonise Human, a 17-year-old learner from Gobabis Gymansium, surprised judges in the Bank Windhoek Feedmaster National Cattle Judging Competition when she scored a stunning 98percent in the judging of male and female simmentaler breeds at the conclusion of the competition hosted last week at the Windhoek Agricultural and Industrial Show.
A first for Africa, the Bank Windhoek Feedmaster National Cattle Judging Competition, awarded Human with a N$30 000 prize, while Henry Mudge Jnr and Juri Krafft, who scooped up second and third prize, won N$20 000 and N$10 000 respectively.
The prizes will go to the winning learner’s school fees and other necessities they will need in terms of their educational expenses. Bank Windhoek in collaboration with Feedmaster and the winning learner’s schools will administer the distribution of the money on behalf of the learners.
“We were stunned by Leonise’s aptitude in placing both the cows and the bulls in their correct winning order. It is rare that we see such skills in young judges,” the judges remarked.
“The competition was tough, but we are happy with the outcome of this first of a kind competition. The children gave their best and we are proud of everyone who participated,” said Feedmaster’s David Krause.
“Bank Windhoek’s partnership with Feedmaster is to create a platform to develop and provide the youth with exposure to this field of agriculture, which is very crucial to a country’s welfare and development. We would like to carry this message to the youth and inform them that there is a career in agriculture. As a Namibian Bank, we believe that, by investing in the Namibian youth, we are investing in the future of Namibia. Congratulations to the winners and everyone that took part,” said Bank Windhoek’s Head of Corporate and Social Investment, Bronwyn Moody..
The aim of the initiative was to provide school learners between grades 9 to 11, with the skills and knowledge of feeding and judging stud animals on the farm and in show rings, specifically the simbrah and simmentaler cattle breeds.
The Bank Windhoek Youth Cattle Judging Course and Competition attracted 16 schools countrywide.
Participating schools were Elnatan, Gobabis Gymnasium, Windhoek High School, Windhoek Afrikaans Private School, Windhoek Gymnasium, M&K Gertze High School, Dr. Lemmer High School, The Deutsche Höhere Privatschule, Agri College, Grootfontein High School, Tsumeb Gymnasium, Etosha Secondary School, Outjo Private School, Educate Otjiwarongo, Otjiwarongo High School and the German Private School Otjiwarongo.