NUSTodian Shines as Namibia Tackles U20 Barthés Trophy Victory
Namibia’s triumphant return to the top of the U20 Barthés Trophy was not only a proud national moment—it also marked a major personal milestone for one of NUST’s own.
Joshwin Solomon, a 19-year-old full-time Accounting student at NUST, was part of the national squad that clinched the prestigious continental rugby title in Zimbabwe last month. Namibia powered past Zimbabwe (41-22), Kenya (32-22), and Tunisia (81-7), reclaiming the trophy for the first time in seven years.
Hailing from a sports-loving family, Joshwin’s passion for rugby was inspired by his father, and uncle who plays in the Namibian Premier League. But juggling books and boots has not been easy. “Balancing sports and academics is tough, and if you do not have the right mindset, it will tear you apart,” he admits.
A typical day during the tournament was packed with stretching and training sessions, occasionally followed by a recovery session in the pool, and at night, his focus would lie on his schoolwork. “The discipline from rugby pushed me to improve my time management,” he says. Adding that: “NUST really backed me. I got the chance to write supplementary tests, and that allowed me to keep pursuing both sport and studies.”
While Joshwin is passionate about rugby and hopes to pursue it professionally, he remains realistic about the unpredictability of life. His decision to study Accounting at NUST is a strategic one, providing him with a strong academic foundation and career path to fall back on. With equal enthusiasm for both sport and academics, he is determined to carve out a future where he can succeed in either field, or even both.
