Kashindi:

Namambe interview with Dr. Petrus Angula Mbenzimbenzi photo : 18 September 2014

1.Welcome to the show Dr. Mbenzi, please tell us about yourself.

My name is Petrus Angula MbenziI. I was born and raised in Oniipa Constituency, Namibia. My parents are Jairus Etumo Mbenzi and Viktoria Kandenge Mbenzi.  I hailed from the family of ten siblings of which the eldest is deceased while he was in exile during the struggle for independence in Namibia. I have three daughters, Kuku, Meme and Kaneekandje.

2. How do you describe your childhood like?

I liked going to school and playing with my peers, but I sometimes was often withdrawn. I loved helping my mother with house chores. But I enjoyed Sunday schools.

3. In brief tell us about your educational background.

I attended my primary school and secondary school at Oniipa  and Oluno secondary school ( Now Andimba Toivo yaToivo Secondary school and  In the mid 80s I did Primary Teachers Certifacte at Ongwediva and taught at Oluno Secondary school for two years before enrolling for Education teachers Diploma at the for Academy for tertiary education ( now University of Nambia. While I was doing my first year Dr Dawie Fourie, our Oshindonga Lecturer encouraged me to enrol for BA. I accepted his advice and majored in Oshindonga. The following year 1992, I enrolled for BA Hons in Oshindonga which I completed successfully

4. The topic of your doctorate thesis is ‘The Political Rhetoric of Bishop Kleopas Dumeni in the pre-independence Era in Namibia, why did you choose this topic?

I was impressed with speaking techniques of Bishop Dumeni. I hailed from Oniipa where he lived as a Bishop. I listened to his speeches during the colonial era. In 2004 I came across the speech which Bishop Dumeni delivered in Minnesota, USA. I was quite impressed with stylistic devices and figurative language Bishop Dumeni employed to persuade his audience. The idea then crossed my mind that analysing Bishop Dumeni speech would a good topic for a PHD thesis. At the time I was still undecided about what I had to do research on for my doctoral study. I then decided to draft a proposal for my PHD thesis which my supervisor, Prof Jairos Kangira approved. From there on I got down to business!

5. What is rhetoric in a layman’s language?

It is a well-crafted speech that is meant to persuade the audience to respond to the message of the speech. In short, it is a speech with a language that is intended to evoke emotions in the audience.

6. You indicated in the thesis that the use of logos, ethos and pathos are essential yard sticks for the effectiveness of speech, does this apply to all types of speeches?

These modes of persuasions apply to any speech. If one wants to evaluate how effective a certain presentation is, one has to use these modes of the persuasion to measure. So those modes of persuasion can even be applied to evaluate teaching effectiveness or to evaluate a sermon. This implies that every presenter, preacher or teacher  should ensure that he/she incorporates the modes of persuasions and the five canons of Aristotle in the stages of his preparation for his/her presentation. Any speech or presentation which ignores the Aristetolian canons such invention, arrangement, style, memory and delivery plus the three modes of persuasion is likely to fail.

7. How long did it take you to write the thesis?

It took me three years to write the dissertation.

8. What were the challenges and opportunities during your studies?

I was not on study leave when I was busy with my study. I had to balance teaching with the writing of my thesis. Sometimes I felt my teaching load was an impediment to my progress, but it was also a good opportunity, because I could benefit from teaching as well. I could do the trialling of my findings with my students in course that were closely connected with my study.  I profited a great deal from my main supervisor who encouraged me to work independently. I was often left to my own devices to fish for relevant information and produced a scholarly piece which my supervisor subjected to further scrutiny. I must admit that I was encouraged to think critically and independently.  Caring for the family was another challenge. My children missed me a lot of time and kept asking me when I was going to complete my study. The sudden passing on of my wife was a serious challenge to my study, but God is great and source of all comfort. Against all the odds I managed to complete my study in a record time.

9. In one sentence how would you describe Bishop Dumeni?

He is a seasoned and charismatic leader.

10. Where can people find your thesis if they would like to read it?

It is available at UNAM Library at the special collection section. One can also access the thesis on the internet. CLICK HERE FOR THIS DISSERTATION

11. How many books/publications have you written so far?

They must be industrious, determined and eager to achieve their goal in life. They need read widely in order to widen their horizons. They should also stay away from alcoholism and irresponsible behaviour.

12. What is your message to students in Namibia?

They must be industrious, determined and eager to achieve their goal in life. They need read widely in order to widen their horizons. They should also stay away from alcoholism and irresponsible behaviour.

13. Any other thing that you would like to share with us?

I was inspired by my teachers to go for study. Teachers at Oluno secondary school then were so industrious and encouraged us to go for further studies.  In addition, Bishop Dr. Munyika and his wife Lovisa never gave up telling to abandon teaching and go for further study. Furthermore, my parents were also source of my inspiration as they always encouraged us to study hard to attain our goal. It is clear that if one listens to the advice of the parents one is highly likely to succeed in his/her endeavour.