Us NAMIBIA APRIL-MAY 2017 • ISSUE 11 • N$20
The Country’s Premium Family Magazine
www.usnamibia.com.na
Unam Death Cover-Up:
Stanichia Isaaks and her twins deserve justice
Meet the Slamets, Namibia’s racing family
The secret behind Papa G’s recipe
Mother’s Day: Why
APRIL-MAY 2017 • ISSUE 11 • N$20
Moms & Daughters fight
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AUPA INDONGO
19
09
11
23 Tours for your convenience
The Grandma of Windhoek’s club life
Desert Hogs of Namibia
22
20
The Windhoek postman who never misses the party
Editorial
Pupkewitz Toyota’s long serving employee
14 Unam highway death cover up
If you pay close enough attention, you can pick up lasting life lessons in every aspect of your life.
Andrew Kathindi | Editor editor@usnamibia.com.na 081 800 0250
W
isdom comes in many forms… be it from the legendary entrepreneurial mogul, Frans Indongo, who lives a quiet life on his 27 hector farm, or a 71 year old sales executive named Astrid Finkeldeh, outperforming all her younger colleagues at Pupkewitz Toyota... ...or even a cleaner at club London who has managed to become a mother of many on a nightly basis.
17
Adrian & Meyer: Top Nam Master Jeweller crafting memories
Enter Ubi Caritas
Contents
In May, the month that we are specifically reminded to appreciate - where, perhaps our most important words come from - our mothers, I remember the wisdom that my own mom has passed to me and that has simply been to be myself.
04. Family: The Slamets share a family racing legacy.
It’s funny how life can turn on its head. I remember when I used to hide my bible whenever I had to accompany my mother to church while she proudly carried hers. Years later I finally understood to never be embarrassed of who am I, even at the risk of seeming odd to other people.
06. Mother’s Day: Restoring relationships with motherdaughter brunch.
I hope you can take a moment and appreciate your own mom, especially in an African and Namibian context, where many of our moms have to raise us alone, and show her how valuable she has been.
06. Mother’s Day: So Why Do Mothers and Daughters Fight?
07. Parenting: Raising children the right way in the technology era 10. Lifestyle: The secret of Papa G’s recipe. 16. Feature: The Namibian Mourning process. 21. Women: Making Women Leaders
Vernon Fenyeho | Marketing marketing@usnamibia.com.na 081 680 3066
Keneth Karamata | General Manager: Marketing 081 234 5678
Group Executive Editor
Head of Production:
Admin & Accounts
Layout & Design:
Contributor
Printers
Confidence Musariri
Wesley Urassa
Lindah Vengesai
Keith M. Tuwelo
Mwala Sinvula
Solitaire Press
Address: C/o Sam Nujoma Drive & Mandume Ndemufayo Ave., 5th Floor, Atlas House | PO Box 97562, Windhoek, Namibia Contact Numbers: Cell: +264 81 800 0250, +264 81 122 6850 | Tel: +264 61 254 005 | Fax: +264 61 254 004
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
3
HEROES FAMILY
The Slamets share family racing legacy
“
The first car I ever owned was a Ford V8 Sapphire, a Valentine’s Day gift from Soraya when we were still dating in 1998.
“ the Cape Town racing circuit and has raced multiple times in Europe. Richard’s sister Ronel Slamet-Underhill is the first and only female motor bike racer in Namibia. Richard’s son, Richard Slamet jr is the latest in the family of motor sport racers to join the sport. Despite professionally racing since he was 13 years old, it could have all turned sour for the young family last year when Richard sustained severe injuries in a crash during a rally, breaking two ribs off at the spine, a collar bone, raptured intestine and a torn liver. “It was one of our most difficult moments as a family,” Soroya, his wife of 12 years and high school sweet heart of 16 years tells Us.
Richard and the family
S
erene, orderly, and quietly stern, one would not believe they were seeing the same man who roared down the race track like a lion. Distinctively humble, you would not believe you were seeing the same man who at one point owned 18 cars, many of them high end. Currently, he’s down to 10. Meet Richard Slamet, Namibia’s recognized race track professional.
4
most
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
A drifter and professional racer, he comes from three generation of a racing family. The first and only in Namibia to date. The Slamet family is the first family in Namibia to have three generations of racers. The first racer of the Slamets was Richard’s father Ronald Slamet, followed by Richard and his siblings. His brother Ronald jr known as the Red Baron in the Western Province Championship is well known bike racer on
“It was especially hard for me because my grandfather, the man who raised me, died two days after Richard’s accident and our new born baby, Ziara, was colic. Just the year before, 12-year-old Richard jr had crashed during the Western Province Championship and dislocated his shoulder.” In retrospect, Richard snr says it was not quite a surprise that the breaks of his Nissan Pulsar failed, a N$ 70 000 car he turbo-charged and upgraded from a B class to an A class, when it was strained chasing his opponent’s BMW M3 worth N$ 350 000. After six weeks of recovery, it was back to the swing of things for Richard and Soraya; raising four children and handling the family business at I-S Freight as chief accountant and
Together they’ve also travelled to Portugal, USA and Cape Town even though Swakopmund remains a family favourite vacation spot. Usually, Valentine’s Day is celebrated at home, with a three-course meal all prepared by Soraya’s hands. With an elegant home in Hochland Park, and seemingly every desire of her heart at her finger tip, it is the handpicked roses that she says are her favourite Valentine’s Day gift because of the thought that went into it. For Richard, it is a little closer to the man’s heart. “The first car I ever owned was a Ford V8 Sapphire,a gift from my father in 1998. But I sold it later on, which I regretted. 12 years later, in 2011, Soraya bought me almost the exact same car for Valentine’s Day. It was a newer model of the Ford Sapphire, which is the first car I ever used to drift. We eventually tracked down the first car she bought me to an old German couple living in Tsumeb but they refused to sell it to us.” Quietly, the Slamet family is planning to dominate the local race circuit for another year. Us
general manager, a local courier company started by Richard’s mom, Irene in her garage while he was studying Law in South Africa. After joining the ranks, Richard saw the company grow from four employees to over 60 staff compliment with cargo transported all over the country and beyond. Richard jr, a Windhoek Gymnasium student owns the Namibian record for the fastest lap on the Go Kart circuit. The Go Kart circuit he races in is of course for high powered racing machines that go up to 190km per hour and are not like the recreational vehicles at the SKW track. Like any mother, despite already knowing this, Soraya’s eyes still bulge when Richard snr quips that he once overtook a city golf with his Go-Kart. That is the speed her 12-year-old races in monthly. Last year he was moved to an age class two years ahead in the Maxterino competition because he was lapping his opposition, some years older than him, in the second lap. While his eldest child Tzaria is not quite as keen on cars and racing as the males of the house, Richard snr says he’s prepared to buy her a racing car the moment she feels like it. Dating for over 16 years last year, Richard surprised his wife with a trip to Italy. “It was lovely because we hired a car and drove ourselves to all the lovely places from Venus to Rome. We stopped at some lovely sea side inns, it was very romantic,” says Soraya.
APRIL-MAY2017 • Us NAMIBIA
5
MOTHER’S DAY
C
urrently, mothers and daughters are suffering from an epidemic of relationship conflict. Mothers and daughters of all ages are struggling to listen to each other, respect each other’s differences, honour each other’s boundaries, and emotionally support each other.
One of the key issues I see over and over again is how our female history is defined by how women have been silenced. In our mother’s and grandmother’s day women were not asked what they needed, felt, thought or wanted. This conversation was entirely silent.
I hear on a daily basis how hurt and frustrated mothers and adult daughters feel about the lack of emotional connection between them, and how their relationship is being defined by incessant arguing, unwarranted criticism, and a general lack of mutual support. Why is this happening? What is causing so much misunderstanding and conflict in this vitally important female relationship? The answers I hear all-too often to these questions is that mothers and daughters fight because their relationship is highly complicated, or their personalities are too different or too similar, or it is hormones that are making mothers and daughters angry with each other. Yes, I still hear the age-old sexism of hormones being used to blame women for being angry. And from colleagues I hear how mental health diagnoses are used to explain why mothers and daughters fight. It is true that differing personality traits and mental health issues will influence how well a mother and daughter relate to each other. They are however, not the root cause of why mothers and daughters fight. And they also do not explain why mother-daughter relationship conflict is such an epidemic today. What I have learned over the last twenty-plus years I have listened to
I see in my clients’ mother-daughter history maps how our mothers were not heard or emotionally supported, and how this theme causes conflict and misunderstanding, and how it is passed down from mother to daughter.
thousands of mothers and daughters talk about their relationship issues is that there are two main explanations for today’s epidemic.
My life looks entirely different to my mother’s, which is where the rub lies. For some mothers and daughters, change is embraced as a challenge.
The first is the changes in women’s lives and roles over the last few generations that have increased women’s opportunities, choices, and freedom. And the second is women’s generational experience with sexism.
They incorporate the increased opportunities, choices and freedoms women are winning into their lives and relationship as they grow and change together.
Women’s lives have changed dramatically over the last two or three generations. When my grandmother was a teenager in Holland, women got the right to vote. When she married, my grandmother had to leave her job because the law dictated that married women could not work in government jobs. My mother did not get the educational opportunities I did, and she also became a mother during a time in New Zealand when mothers were criticized and shamed for taking paid employment.
But for other mothers and daughters change feels like a problem. In the past daughters would step into their mother’s shoes and walk a repeat of their mother’s life. Similarity was the mainstay of the mother-daughter relationship. But today, mothers and daughters have to navigate their different lives, opportunities, and views about being female, and for some mothers and daughters this causes conflict, as they fight over who is right and who is wrong. This dynamic is complicated by women’s generational experience with sexism.
What I see happening between mothers and daughters when women’s needs and feelings are not heard or honored by their family and culture, is that mothers and daughters are being set up to fight. Finding the reasons for motherdaughter relationship conflict requires a much deeper exploration than women’s personality traits, mental or emotional health issues, and hormonal problems. It requires an understanding that it is between mothers and daughters that we see the harm sexism and gender inequality inflicts on women. We see how sexism is internalized and passed on from mother to daughter, and how this disempowerment causes conflict. We see that mother-daughter relationship conflict is a symptom of families and societies that do not carefor and support women to be fully voiced and free. And we see how powerful the motherdaughter relationship is to challenge and change sexist beliefs and harmful cultural practices. Us
Restoring relationships with mother-daughter brunch
M
other and daughter relationships are some of the most strained relationships, especially for teenage daughters.
“After counselling with my mother at Pator Fernando Chimuco of Full Gospel Church, we were able to reconcile and now my mother is my best friend,” says Juelma.
For Juelma Malaquias, a senior administrator at VO Consulting in Windhoek, her strain in the relationship stretched half her life.
That sparked a passion in her to restore the broken relationships of mothers and daughters.
As a rebellious teen, arguments with mom, coming home late was the order of the day, and it slowly drove them apart.
6
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
It is not an impossible task, she believes.
She says, “The brunch will be a chance for mothers and daughters to spend a day to reconcile. We will have manicures, pedicures and other activities that will allow mothers and daughters time to bond.” The day will be hosted under Full Gospel Church, which has been existent in Namibia for 67 years.
Last year, she successfully founded Mothers and daughters who are interested can book a place for and hosted the Mother Daughter Brunch, and on 13 May this year, N$600 per couple. Us the second edition launches.
By Rosjke Hasseldine
So, Why Do Mothers and Daughters Fight?
PARENTING By Chris Hart
Raising children the right way in the technology era “Be flexible but firm, with clear expectations for their conduct and behaviour. Then they’ll become well adjusted, resilient and responsible.”
NEW CONNECTIONS
B
ut all those gizmos and designer clothes are soon forgotten.
Buying them stuff is fun, of course. But helping them develop good attitudes and values is far more important. And will last their whole lives.
In Summary • Tell them that’s because learning creates new connections in the brain, and that working hard at new stuff is what makes it happen. Once schoolchildren understand this, their marks start to improve. • Especially if you always encourage them to stick at stuff until they succeed. Because it takes time and effort to master a skill. • But if you give them a hard time whenever they fail, then their self-talk will soon be telling them that no amount of effort will make any difference. We all want the best for our children. So we work hard to give them all the things we missed when we were young.
So set high educational standards for yourself. Because your children will strive to reach the same education level as you. Be flexible but firm, with clear expectations for their conduct and behaviour. Then they’ll become well adjusted, resilient and responsible. Limit the technology in their lives. Because all those videos, messages and Facebook updates will reduce their school marks. Help them control their impulses, because that will make them more socially competent, trustworthy and dependable. Explain that nothing worth having ever happens quickly. And how good it feels to master difficult skills.
Because your comments gradually become that little Explain to your children voice in their head. That builds that what really makes you them up - or puts them down. successful is being focused and So your constructive reaction to hardworking. So encourage a failure encourages them to try them to work at the things again. they enjoy. And teach them to To keep going when things get persevere. tough, and to work even harder. For example by praising their They’ll gradually start seeing efforts in school and not their challenges as opportunities. grades! Then they’ll work And won’t fear failure. even harder. Especially once they understand that their But if you give them a hard time intelligence is not fixed, but whenever they fail, then their can be increased. self-talk will soon be telling them that no amount of effort will Tell them that’s because make any difference. learning creates new connections in the brain, That’s if they can’t do something and that working hard at now, then they’ll never be able new stuff is what makes it to do it. So why bother? They’ll happen. Once schoolchildren think every failure’s a sign that understand this, their marks they don’t have the intelligence start to improve. Especially if to succeed. And so they you always encourage them to gradually give up. stick at stuff until they succeed. So if your children come home Because it takes time and effort with poor marks, discuss what to master a skill. And it’s only to do about it positively. Do when they see that they’re they need to study more? becoming good at something, Differently? Ask more questions? that they start to develop selfPractice? Guide them towards motivation. the right approach, and How you talk about their they’ll do better next failures is important. time. Us
Don’t be overprotective. Because children need to learn how to fend for themselves. Or they’ll have a hard time adjusting to the real world when they grow up.
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
7
Introducing the Papa G’s store
that combats your hunger! istible s e r r i t It’s jus
On our new menu we also offer salad, pap, rice, chips, rooster brood.. Find us on the Corner of Frans Indongo Street and Werner List street
FASHION
Adrian & Meyer: Top Namibian master jeweller crafting memories “I was always creative. If I didn’t do this, I would have done music or art, but working with jewellery gave me a chance to express myself,” has had to take up a much more important role since his father retired. From creating one diamond pendant every two days, Rolf now oversees a complete process of working on over 53 clients a week.
Q
uality, imagination and craftmanship that only a master jeweller can achieve. Adrian & Meyer continues to bring form to your dream jewellery. Jewellery is a boundless part of our everyday experience. Above all, it is an extension of love, an impression of beauty and also a sign of wealth.
designs for over a 100 years. In 1987 Rolf joined his father, Peter Adrian, founder of Adrian & Meyer, quitting a job as a goldsmith in South Africa. “I was always creative. If I didn’t do this, I would have done music or art, but working with jewellery gave me a chance to express myself,” Rolf tells Us.
Imagine owning a jewellery store in a diamond producing country like Namibia? Rolf Adrian is one. At 55, he remains the custodian of a legacy that is 111 years in the making.
He is one of Namibia’s few master jewellers and a founding member of The Jeweller’s Association of Namibia (JASSONA) that has trained over 27 jewellers to artisan level, one of the highest levels for a jeweller.
In fact, Adrian & Meyer was established two years before the first diamond was discovered in Namibia in 1908 and has provided unique and timeless
While Rolf is passionate about the creative process - making a custom wedding ring from raw liquid metal to an elegant ring is what gets his juices flowing - he
“I love working closely with the client. It is important to listen and understand what they want because they might not always be articulate in expressing what they imagine. For example, a client would want a ring with a wide gemstone, but if they have short fingers, we can advise them to get something better,” says Rolf, overseeing a workstation where Isak, his oldest employee, is shaping a Tourmaline Gemstone wedding ring. They have a long-standing and extensive list of clienteles whose needs range from practical functionality to beautifully handcrafted custom work. Besides being the leading watch distributor of brands such as Rolex, Tag Heuer, Rado, Tissot and other high grade brands, Adrian & Meyer also does valuation of jewellery for insurance, stringing of pearls and other services.
December and August, wedding season in Namibia, are their busiest months. Adrian & Meyer's goldmiths have become winners in the internationally bi-annual acclaimed NDTC Shining Light Award in 1996, twice in 2009 and again in 2011, 2013 and 2015. And as technology advances, Rolf has always opened himself up to new methods and moving with the times. In 2006 he invested in a laser welder for which he coughed up N$250 000, and now a process that took days is completed in one, in the backroom of Adrian & Meyer. “Coming up with new ideas is what our whole backroom staff enjoys. Since taking over ownership of the shop, I don’t get to sit on the bench much often and create jewellery as I must run the store, but that is something that I miss. Because of our creative designs, we get a lot of tourist customers as well,” says Rolf. When trying to meet deadlines, sometimes Rolf and the team can work up to 2am. As such, mountain cycling and swimming are what he uses to relax after a stressful week. He is the father of Olympic cyclist, Vera Adrian, who represented Namibia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Us
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
9
LIFESTYLE
Demand for the secret Papa Gs recipe grew and the trailers started getting daily visits of 100-150 customers daily and 300-350 on weekends. Anyone can sell roasted chicken, but his Papa Gs recipe is what has placed him as a peer next to the likes of KFC and Nandos. When he’s at one of his trailers, German seems like a regular employee as you’ll probably find him at the till or blowing charcoal.
The secret to Papa G’s recipe
E
aster Monday, Africa Day, Braai Day, Sunday, Monday… whatever. Windhoekers love Papa G. He has been entertaining and feeding scores of open-fire chicken fanatics with their amazing menu. Sometimes it’s good to cater beyond the braai, but Papa G’s mobile kitchens prepare the best loxion chicken around town. Papa G has over the past two years become a favourite spot for both up-and-coming urban professionals avoiding kapana in Kututura or that family running returning home from church. In visiting these establishments, one realises just how communal the experience is. The quality of chicken is also important as there is no point in enduring some of the more basic places if the meat is going to be tough and tasteless. When German Modi first set up his chicken business his plan was always expansion. It all began in 2013 when hungry folk drove past the corner of
Rand Street and Shanghai Street at the strategic intersection between Khomasdal and Katutura, got a waft of the mouth-watering chicken and were compelled to park and grab a bite.
Rotisserie chicken was the answer.
The Dogg, Harry Simon and Paulus The Hitman Moses are also regular customers.
Then, German told his then staff of four, “Our business is not selling chicken, our business is selling ourselves, who we are.” After all, many others were selling chicken at the same spot, it was starting to look like a kapana set. In order to survive, German needed something more. He needed a brand and a recipe, and thus Papa Gs was born. He had always wanted to run a business that he had quit a formal teaching job in Mathematics and Science at Emmanuel Shifidi Secondary School to import ostrich eggs from South Africa, which he would sell to Oshiwambo women making traditional Oshiwambo waist beads. But in 2012, struck with import restrictions for all bird products from South Africa due to the Bird Flu disaster that struck the globe, he found himself unemployed. His first solution was to travel down south to the plantation at Aussenkehr to order grapes and sell them by traffic circle between Rand Street and Shanghai Street between Katutura and Khomasdal. “I had seen the grapes during my trips to South Africa.
10
But as grapes are a seasonal produce, I soon became jobless,” he says.
He did not even notice when the security staff of Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stopped by and ordered his staff to “prepare this one very well, it is for the Prime Minister.”
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
Everyone else was doing braai meat or kapana, and after observing the chicken trailer chicken business that was operating next to the Hochland Park cemetery, he improved the concept and ran with it. “Within a year, we built another trailer in Olympia and we even eventually bought out the chicken trailer at Hochland Park as they weren’t doing much. Due to some quarrels from other chicken vendors at the spot at the semi-circle in Khomasdal, we were forced to vacate and settled on Greysblock. We opened another in Dorado Park and last year in December we opened a 5th in Walvis Bay,” says Papa G. From four, today he employs 45.
However, “With trailers, you’re restricted to selling chicken only. There is no electricity so you cannot even serve cold drinks regularly. When it rains, our sales drop by 40% and it’s the same thing for the windy and winter seasons.” Thus, in late March this year, he opened up the Papa Gs restaurant in the centre of the capital. With it, he expanded his menu to compliment the chicken and now sells pap, rice, salads, burgers and others. It was always part of his expansion plan. “The recipe is not in the chicken, it is in the planning and maintaining a focus,” he says. Us
Andrew Kathindi
Having grown up liking to experiment with food, German loved making up different concoctions until one eventually stuck, the Papa Gs recipe.
LIFESTYLE
Desert Hogs of Namibia
A
group of men clad in leather jackets and T-shirts and scarves are gathered at Dros, just outside Tsumeb. They're not doing much, but members of the public look on nervously, or curiously, it could be. Some of the jackets have a patch on the back with strange words, many have tattoos, creating an intimidating sight for some which have already driven several people to either come closer or move over.
The freedom of the open Namibian road from the coastal town of Walvis down south along the Orange River was all the group wanted to experience, but not before close encounters with locals who take a dim view of bikers or with dangerous animals crossing into near-by farms for a kill. It is now like a religion with a rising culture, in Namibia for the Harley Owners Group (HOG), Namibia Chapter whose convoy. Harley Davidson is the most famous motorbike brand in the world that has formed community groups around the world of Harley owners who meet to promote a community lifestyle of Harley Davidson.
They are about 60 of them, and look like the bad boys in a Chuck Norris movie. Yet they have two things in common. Harley Davidson motorbikes. And despite their intimidating presence, have not actually been charged with any offences.
Reinchard Redecker says Harley Davidson promotes “freedom and a positive way to detox from the stress of work and life.” They travel to South Africa for servicing of their bikes and to purchase the latest one currently costing around N$370 000.
Tired of their humdrum lives, some middle-aged friends led by Reinchard Redecker in 2013 decided to temporarily ditch their responsibilities and take a motorcycle trip.
“We have monthly events in Omaruru, Tsumeb, Swakopmund and all over the country. Sending a bike to South Africa just to be serviced is a struggle and it inconveniences our events and
bikers,” Redecker tells Us.But the culture of Harley Davidson in Namibia was given a huge boost when the Harley Davidson store was officially launched on 1 April in Namibia. Under the M+Z Group brand, in just three months since opening their doors in December, Harley Davidson have already exceeded their yearly target within the first quarter. More than 50 Harleys have been sold and each purchase gets a year membership to the HOG of Namibia.
With a background in advanced drive training and customisation, Kruger was selling and servicing Harleys on his own for four years. He had his first bike when he was five.Their next big event is the Skeleton Coast Rally which will be held in Swakopmund on 4-6 of May. There are 452 entries already and 100 Harley Davidson members from South Africa attending. Us
General Manager of Harley Davidson Windhoek, Guilliaume Kruger, tells Us, “We do full service and have a custom shop. As a result, the HOG of Namibia has grown tremendously. Today they have 104 members. We are also the sponsoring dealership of the Namibian Chapter.” The fastest selling Harley is the Soft tail family. Our full range of Harleys go from N$96 000 to N$460 000, but as customisation is also done at the store, you can even build yourself a monster bike with the value of N$1 million.
Tshavuka Tours Students! Explore Africa and travel with us! Tshavuka Tours is more than just your average touring company. We offer great deals on all traveling costs and packages built for . We tour through Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and many more Cell: +264 81 323 2361 | Email: tshavuakthika7@gmail.com | Website: www.tshavuka.wix.com
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
11
LEAD STORY
A Day with Aupa Indongo: The Man behind the Legend His name is synonymous with one of Namibia’s most legendary rags-to-riches success stories. Dr Frans Aupa Indongo is, after all, the man renowned for building up a business empire from nothing but a vision, determination, perseverance and hard work. Hailed as the “father” of the local entrepreneurial world, the founder of one of the country’s top investment companies and a businessman worth billions, Dr Indongo’s track record of industry feats has turned him into a proudly Namibian household name.
T
he founder of the Frans Indongo Group has spent the better part of the last half a century seated at the head of boardroom tables, making decisions that launched the Group into the upper echelons of industry. Yet who is Dr Indongo away from the spotlight of business success? We recently paid him a visit to spend the day getting to know the man behind the legend.
A home away from the bright lights The 81-year-old Dr Indongo prefers a quieter life to the hustle and bustle of the country’s capital. Together with his wife, Beata, he lives on his 23 000ha farm just outside Otjiwarongo, the proverbial stone’s throw away from the luxurious Frans Indongo Lodge.
Surrounded by the majestic landscape of Namibia’s renowned thorn bush savannah, the Indongo’s home is decidedly more down-toearth than some would expect from the country’s wealthy tycoon. Yet Dr Indongo’s life has always
12
been reflective of the principles of prudence and simplicity that have served him well on his way to the top. Squandering profits on excess and opulence, he believes, equals a waste of precious resources and opportunities. Besides, he shares, “I am happy here. Would ten more houses improve my life? Would that bring happiness?” These days, Dr Indongo spends most of his time on the farm. Yet although he no longer has to answer to the dictates of a corporate clock, he still rises before the sun, a long-standing habit of his. “I am up before sunrise,” he says. “Daily, I wake up early and count the cows on my farm.” Even though his foreman is responsible for this task, he insists on going through the numbers himself.
Dr Indongo ventures into the city whenever the need arises. “I visit the various businesses across the country,” he explains. Even at 81, he continues to play a role in the company he built up and that bears his name, albeit in a different capacity. In 2006, the Group’s structure changed from an owner-managed to a corporate-managed model. Dr Indongo passed the management baton to a Chief Executive Officer, a Board of Directors and a Board of Trustees, while taking up the position of a Trustee of the Group. The transition was a personal goal of his to ensure that the Group continues to flourish well beyond this generation.
“I am happy here. Would ten more houses improve my life? Would that bring happiness?”
This, he points out, is no menial task devoid of purpose but rather a 60-year-old business principle of hands-on
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
accountability that has played a key role in his business success.
The journey to the top Looking back over the past 60 years to where it all began, the prospects of the once penniless prospective entrepreneur from a tiny rural community in northern Namibia has arguably changed beyond even his wildest dreams.
Yet despite the trappings of wealth, prosperity and one business feat after the other, Dr Indongo’s vision, purpose and character remained steadfast.
One of eight siblings, Dr Indongo’s parents were people of the soil, dedicated villagers who worked the land to forge a living for their family. One of the life lessons the Indongo children learnt from birth was the merit of honest, hard work. “Both my parents taught me that you do not get anywhere unless you work hard,” he tells Us. “Hard work became a part of me. Everyone has the capacity to work hard, you may not like it at first but anything done consistently becomes a habit and in this case the rewards motivate you to persevere.” Dr Indongo’s business vision was born at an early age. Even as a boy, the industrious youngster saw prospects in unexpected places and approached life with a sense of purpose and determination. Growing up, he watched his father doing various tasks with the sole purpose of learning. Proving a quick study, Dr Indongo picked up the fundamentals of cutting trees, building huts and other jobs. Skill coupled with excellence and a strong work ethic meant that his services as a tree cutter were soon in demand. This proved the spark that ignited his entrepreneurial flame and the young man began bartering wood for goats and old clothing. Cutting trees lead to a sewing business, with Dr Indongo charging his customers first 5c and then 10c for a handmade pair of trousers.
“When I look back at my life I am grateful for everything God has done for me and I am grateful for the principles and work ethics instilled in me by my parents. I love what I do and I have loved being part of growing the Namibian economy.” In his free time, he also hunted and then dried the meat to sell the produce around the village. As a young man, Dr Indongo left his village to work as a migrant labourer, sending his earnings home to support his family. His first job was as an electrician and mechanic in the Walvis Bay Municipality.
Hard work, frugality and perseverance paid off. Dr Indongo opened the doors of his first shop in 1964. The store was located in his own building – constructed of mud bricks and topped with a thatched roof. The young entrepreneur continued to thrive and the doors to a second store opened not long after the first. This time, the building was constructed from bricks and topped with an iron roof. Dr Indongo’s name began to be associated with good service and quality products. As the years went by, the Frans Indongo brand continued to grow from strength to strength. A keen sense of business foresight prompted the budding businessman to invest in a select number of projects, partner with various forward-thinking organisations and buy into some potentially burgeoning ideas. When his investments paid off, Dr Indongo’s reputation as a future captain of industry was cemented – and the road to the establishment of the Frans Indongo Group paved. As his business network grew, Dr Indongo realised that he could not manage the scope of the empire he had built by himself. He appointed the first Frans Indongo Group Board of Directors to ensure the continuation and growth of the businesses, increase the income of all Indongo-associated businesses and ensure excellent leadership and management.
Never one to sit around idly, he used his time off work to start a brick making business and then bought a sewing machine to sew and sell his wares in the Walvis Bay worker’s compounds.
Words of wisdom
Dr Indongo returned home in 1957 and embarked on what he describes as his first steps towards building a thriving trade empire: working as a travelling salesman, pending his produce to customers from the back of his bicycle or balanced on a pole. Soon, business was booming.
Dr Indongo credits his success to a number of aspects. One of these is the support of business pioneers such as Tomas yaNakambonde, Nangolo dhaMukwiilongo and Samuel yaAmbunda. Having a business community to fall back on for advice and guidance proved vital, he holds.
God granted every person different skills, muses Dr Indongo. “It is important to find out what you are good at and hone those skills. When you know what you are good at and you do it well, you create products that are valuable, ensuring a good income.”
Yet things are different these days, he adds. People see each other as threats and are unwilling to help others succeed for fear that the person they help will overtake them.
According to Dr Indongo, his business expanded at such a rapid rate because he recognised skill and improved on it. Moreover, he knew how to adapt to the time and the needs of the people he served. Another principle that paved the way to business success was saving every spare penny he earned from his various ventures to grow and expand his trade. “You should never squander your profits but rather invest it in your business to ensure your company has a future and the ability to reinvest in Namibia,” he advises.
Another crucial ingredient in the recipe for success is appreciating the value of community. “Community extends to people that work with you and for you. Esteeming the worth employees bring to an organisation is an important aspect in seeing the business grow.” Although the hierarchy in Dr Indongo’s growing business was clear, his focus remained on building a community where everyone was valued. The man who has spent his life building a thriving empire from the ground has many words of wisdom, gleaned from personal experience. Yet perhaps the most important piece of advice he has to offer is that no business grows without challenges and perseverance. There are no fast fixes or get-rich-quick schemes, he professes. Getting to the top requires integrity, excellence, hard work and hard work – all poured out over a number of years.
A life in review Handing over the reins of the business that bears his lifeblood and his name in 2006 was no easy decision, Dr Indongo admits. Yet ever the strategic thinker, he recognised the shifts in the business environment nationally and globally. The change, he explains, was needed to ensure that his legacy would live on long after his death. Passing the management torch in no way implies that he will be disappearing from the business world. In fact, the finding father continues to maintain a healthy interest in all the Group’s ventures and intends to do so into the future. More than six decades has passed since Dr Indongo embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. It was a journey that prospered not only the once penniless man but also his community and the entire country. “When I look back at my life I am grateful for everything God has done for me and I am grateful for the principles and work ethics instilled in me by my parents. I love what I do and I have loved being part of growing the Namibian economy.” Us
4 things you did not know about Frans Indongo • Does not like fancy gourmet cuisine and still prefers his wife’s pap and spinach. • His 3 favourite travel destinations are Washington (USA), Germany and South Africa (Pretoria). • His first salary was 10 cents per 100 bricks in the Walvis Bay construction industry in the 1950s. • Whenever in Windhoek, he still lives on the upper deck of the Indongo building, the same building that houses his HQ.
Dr Indongo with employees at the launch of the Group’s new brand: From left to right: Lucinda Feris, Kobus van Graan (Chief Executive Officer),Tanya Beukes, Dr Frans ‘Aupa’ Indongo (Trustee) and his wife Mrs Beatha Indongo, Rebecca Joseph (Financial Assistant), Etienne Cloete (Coco) and Jacobina Lungameni (Financial Manager).
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
13
TRAGEDY
Is there a cover-up on the Unam highway death?
A
normal Sunday afternoon drive to pick up the kids from their grandma and prepare them for the school week ahead ended in tragedy for 28-year-old Stanichia Isaaks, her first born son Daquan and twin siblings. She has used the Unam/Pioneers’ Park route many a time connecting into Pioneers’ Park extension as her kids are fond of their grandmother. It would not take time, she would not mind leaving her cell phone at home on the charger, or her washing machine drying some of the kid’s uniforms. Alas, the gods of Namibia’s road carnage were roaming that normal Sunday. Approaching the intersection at the new UNAM gate, she exchanged chuckles to a group of students who were smiling and waving to her twins - many people adored them. Everything was normal, even the girls were jovial in their seat-belts at the back seat, narrating how grandma was playing with them and the cartoons they had watched that weekend at grandma’s. Discussions would change to Daquan’s birthday activities which was that same day. And the family was looking forward to getting home to mommy’s cake. Approaching the 3-way stop at the corner of Mandume Ndemufayo and Hendrik Witbooi Streets, she paused briefly as she has always done and as she proceeded, disaster struck.
14
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
TRAGEDY
A huge SUV Toyota Land Cruiser mowed into the belly of her tiny Toyota Yaris right in the middle of the intersection, dragging it for some meters onto the grass pavement. Assumedly, the driver of the Land Cruiser had not stopped at the intersection, judging by the impact. Stanichia died on the scene, her son fought his way up to the hospital, but his injuries were too severe. The twins… the twins became part of a miracle.
A concoction of errors It could have been a case of negligent construction that led to Stanischia’s death. A year ago, this intersection was a normal three way stop. However, with the numerous construction of the Unam connection roads, it was changed to a give-way stop where vehicles in the Mandume Ndemufayo highway had right of way, then it was changed again to a three way stop, where all cars had to stop and give way to traffic on the right before proceeding. When the crash occurred the City had removed the stop signage from both streets Mandume Ndemufayo during the construction. A day (Monday) after the February 19 accident, City of Windhoek officials were on site marking the road and installing the right signs, returning the junction to a three-way format.
“They considered him to be a witness of an accident yet my sister had just died. How can someone testify against the dead without any full investigation being completed?”
broken back and internal injuries which specialists were attending to. Major General Tjivikua was initially entrusted with the investigation but his retirement last month leaves trails of a cold case. Detective Hatutale who is handling the case could not provide answers on why the tourist was allowed to walk.
Delta remembers Daquan When our news crew visited Delta Primary School where Daquan was a grade 1 student, the teachers were distraught.
Not only were there no signs on this fateful day but the Namibian police also bungled the initial investigation. The police did not arrest the South African tourist driving the Land Cruiser, Kobus de Kock, as is the norm and charge him with culpable homicide.
“Daquan went to heaven to be with Jesus,” his classmates say.
The police confirmed that his passport was no confiscated, neither were blood samples or even a breathalyser test taken, as he protested that the late Stanichia was wrong. “They considered him to be a witness of an accident yet my sister had just died. How can someone testify against the dead without any full investigation being completed?” says brother Deon. De Kock flew out of the country without even meeting the bereaved family, an apology or providing any logistical assistance to the twins who lay unconscious in comma for a month.
The teaching staff of Delta Primary School is still in shock too. Ms Hancock his teacher was too emotional to stand in front of her students and face them without Daquan. Us
“He told the police he was driving 60km per hour. But how do you drive 60km per hour at an intersection? If there were no signs, who will take the blame? We lost a life?” said Deon. At the funeral, Stanichia’s mother Valemine suffered a stroke at the cemetery. When our crew visited the twins at Paramount Medical Centre, one was learning to walk again and could still not speak while the other had a
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
15
FEATURE Death rituals in Africa are deeply rooted in the cultural beliefs, traditions, and indigenous religions of the continent.
The Namibian Mourning process
They are guided by Africans' view of existence after death and the power and role of the deceased ancestor. Rituals evolved through the infusion of Christianity, Islam and modern changes, but traditional themes survive in Namibia’s diverse cultural and tribal groupings. Funeral and burial customs in Namibia vary from village to the city, from tribe to regional settings. When a person dies in Namibia, there are customs that are practiced that combine the traditional and the modern that makes a funeral uniquely Namibia or rather African. As soon as the person is pronounced dead, the immediate relatives of the deceased will inform the network of all the close relatives in the city as well as villages in the rural areas. A close relative will go to the nearest NBC radio to request a public announcement, the address where the funeral is taking place and any burial arrangements.
16
V
irtually every day on NBC radio, death announcements with sombre organ music are made.
The grief-stricken closest relatives, host or hosts of the funeral (who could be parents or mother and father of the deceased, uncle, aunt, sister, brother, surviving spouse) sit on the sofa or couch crying, mourning, and sobbing in the living room of their home. The relatives who arrive by foot or by car start mourning aloud as soon as they arrive or get out of the car in front of the house. They will cry as they enter the house. By this time all the neighbours can hear the mourning and all will show up at the home at some point during the funeral period. After a few first minutes, the female relatives go to the kitchen to begin preparing meals, accepting food contributions, mealie-meal, and money for buying food and other funeral expenses. They all begin making arrangements to make sure the coming mourners will be fed and relatively comfortable. Men close relatives gather outside to begin to make arrangements for men’s responsibilities at the funeral.
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
As mourners arrive they make donations for food, for fuel used to run errands. Some men will be assigned to get a truck and to go and get some firewood from the bush for the all-night bonfire funeral wake outside the home. In other tribes, some will even go slaughter a beast at a nearby farm. Some of the men will offer or are assigned to drive the women from the kitchen to go to the grocery store for bulk shopping for the evening gatherings. The men and women close relatives will coordinate when and where the funeral church service was going to be, burial time and place and the cemetery, through the pastor, who mostly liaises for a memorial services of the deceased. The mourners sing funeral songs all the time and majority weep and mourn. Large crowds gather at the funeral home and line up for body viewing of the open casket at the funeral home. Then the funeral procession goes to Church for a funeral service, and last to the cemetery for the burial. Some especially in the coloured community will rush to arrange City police escort for the funeral procession, which can have up to 50 vehicles.
FEATURE Working in the gravestone business can be a delicate process. Although the installation of a gravestone often happens about 2 years to strengthen the earth at the burial site, many families are still grieving.
The men go to arrange for the purchase of the casket, when the body would be moved from the hospital morgue or mortuary to the funeral home to be prepared for public viewing and burial. They also will obtain the Death certificate from the City Council. Typically, among the urban middle class, burial takes place about the third day. The three days give enough time for most of the relatives travelling from remote areas to arrive in the town. On the day of burial, the funeral procession or convoy of cars of mourners starts from the house to the funeral home. During the burial at the cemetery, men who are least close to the family of the deceased grab shovels and take care of the physical burial rituals at the grave site. They lower the casket into the grave. All close members of the deceased are asked to throw dirt or soil into the grave. A priest says last prayers, people will make some lastminute comments about the deceased and some of the comments can be so funny and some very serious. Crying and mourning aloud at this last point for departed loved one is expected as some relatives may get so out of control with grief, that other relatives physically restrain and console them. The men then shovel the dirt into the grave and the grave is covered and a mound is created. After the burial is complete, most mourners disperse and go home. The closest relatives and friends are the only ones who return to the house of the deceased. The following morning, the house yard and the house are cleaned and swept. Some of the relatives leave but the closest people to the deceased relative are never left alone for almost two weeks. Some relatives stay with them to support, cook, feed them, and console them. Us
Enter Ubi Caritas
I
t is like burying your loved all over again and in many ways, it is the final phase of laying your deceased family member to rest. Annatjie Maritz can relate. When she started Ubi Caritas Gravestones, it was on the backdrop of retrenchment from a local touring company and six years after burying her own son.
The gravestones are manufactured out of granite, which is a rock that is composed of four minerals from magma that has cooled far under the earth’s surface over hundreds of years.
“We do not really stop grieving until the day we die ourselves. I left my job of many years at Agra after my son died because it was too difficult to continue a normal life,“ she tells Us.
Annatjie says going through this process has taught her that God stands with you when you are at your lowest.
In 2005, she began working for a South African who sold gravestones in Namibia, but as he was extremely slow with deliveries, she could bear the sight of disappointing grieving families with delays was the last thing she wanted to do.
In fact, she has even struck lasting relationships during that time with one of her customers who told her she also had breast cancer.
The following year, Annatjie started Ubi Caritas. For her it is a love task. Her own healing process. The customers and Annatjie are in a relationship in such a way that several families deal with Ubi Caritas Gravestones in good times as well as drought years. Annatjie had to learn the process of engraving and cutting from scratch. With a small cutter, she began putting on names on the gravestones, before she moved on to roses and other images. Today, Ubi Caritas is able to construct advanced gravestones and bedstones based on the needs of the family with her team of eight, including husband Johan and daughter Marguerita.
In 2007, a year after establishing Ubi Caritas, Annatjie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was picked up from her first doctor’s visit since her son died. It was a bitter-sweet moment as it was the same time her daughter was getting married. I t was at this time that her husband, Johan, joined Ubi Caritas and kept it going while she was sick.
The Rustenburg granite is imported from Transvaal in South Africa. “Sometimes the deceased loved playing music and that’s how the family remembers, so they will request gravestones in the shape of a guitar. We have made gravestones in the shape of a Mercedes Benz, and lorry and flowers. This process takes a bit longer with cutter that has a blade made from diamond.” They also do lazer engraving which allows accurate portraits of the deceased to appear on the gravestones.
After a year and a half in chemotherapy and the cancer going into remission, she was back to business and today Ubi Caritas gets about 20 customers daily. People can spot and trust expression of genuine care. “We also do installations of the bedstones and gravestones and have gone as far as Oshakati, Otjinene, Omaruru and other places around the country. We do this about twice a month but most of it is in Windhoek,” Annatjie says. Ubi Caritas also makes inauguration plates including one unveiled by then Presidential Minister Affairs Minister Albert Kawana at the Epalela/ Olushandje Fish farm in Omusati.
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
Us
17
na mi b i a’s marbl e & Granit e t o m b ston e s u p p l ier s Annatjie Maritz cell: +264 81 127 2864 | Marguerita Maritz cell: +264 81 284 8614 | Tel: +264 61 305 669 / 230 965 | Fax: +264 61 308 357 | Email: info@accessnam.com | PO Box 31788, Pionierspark c/o Mandume Ndemufayo & Parsons Str. Windhoek Namibia
NIGHT LIFE
The Grandma of Windhoek’s club life Those that visit nightclubs on a regular basis knows that between cover charges, table reservations, and drinks (and drinks and drinks), the costs associated with going out can add up quickly, and that means big business for clubs and venues.
And yet in those ten years, she has never shown her dance moves but blends in with the rest on the dancefloor picking up trash, mopping the dance-floor of spilt beverages and vomits or cleaning the toilets for revellers. “When I first got the job, the owner of the club, Kelvin Strauss aka DJ Droopy, gave me a brief orientation of the club and showed me what
F
or Droopy and Ouma Ruth, their relationship is more than just club owner and cleaner, it is almost like mother and son. When Ouma’s son died, Droopy was around to support burial and covered the transport costs and other necessities. “Another thing I am grateful for is when my other son failed grade 10, Droopy took him under his wings and helped him improve his points and now he is at university. He always helps when I need a hand,” says Ouma Ruth. In fact, Ouma has become so close to Droopy’s family that he lets her take care of his child at home.
and how to clean,” says Ouma Ruth, as she has come to be known. “My first impression when I got the job was not awe-inspiring as the place looked like it hadn’t been cleaned for a while although there were people cleaning the club already. Before I officially started with my job the owner of the club told me how unhappy he was with the tidiness of the place and I immediately knew that I can take on the challenge.” The grand-matriarch of nightlife, known for her calmness has picked up a lot of lost belongings from handbags, cellphones to money. Not once has she been accused of stealing.
“I know that my daughter is safe in her hands, so I need not to worry when I leave her in her care,” says Droopy, adding, “She is a hard-working old lady, I don’t even get mad at Ouma when she shows up late for work because she is so appreciated at the work place.” He is planning to keep Ouma until the day that she decides that she cannot do the work anymore. “She is one of a kind, Ouma does her work so neatly and am impressed with her.” When Dj Droopy got married Ouma started working at his house on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and on the other days she’s at the club. Us
Club granny smile s
Born 59 years ago, Ouma Ruth has seen it all about Windhoek night life. She has been cleaning at Club London for the past ten years from the days of Club Ladeedas to the presentday Club London.
mily Droopy and fa
The Club Scene You don’t have to be a DJ to know that Windhoek is blessed with some of the finest clubs and nights out on the planet. Whatever your taste in music and whatever kind of party you’re looking for, Windhoek has a huge amount to offer and a host of incredible venues in which to host the fun. From intimate spaces that host full-on techno parties to vast, globally acclaimed clubbing institutions, you’ll never be bored when partying in the city, particularly if you start with the top ten we listed on the right.
Here are the top ten clubs in Windhoek. Top 10 Windhoek Clubs: 1 Club London 2 Vibe 3 Chopsis 4 DMT Lounge 5 Warehouse (The Loft) 6 Chill-Out 7 Jokers’ 8 The Lounge 9 Fashion Bar 10 Navara *In no particular order.
APRIL-MAY 2017 • Us NAMIBIA
19
WOMEN
Pupkewitz Toyota’s long serving employee still smashing targets Conventional wisdom suggests that spending a long time at one company can harm your career prospects. So how do you put a positive spin on long service when you decide to move? Longest-serving Pupkewitz Toyota employee has the answer.
T
he business of people is not just something Pupkewitz Toyota sales executive Astrid Finkeldeh has mastered, she has made it an art. At 71, Astrid is not only Pupkewitz Toyota’s longest serving employee for 22 years, she has been around since it was opened, but she is the highest selling sales executive at the branch. Her secret is understanding people. She has watched the company grow and expand.
me a lot of joy I don’t like to be alone, I like to engage with the client and in so doing I’ve made a lot of friends,” she tells Us. One of those being Botswana High Commissioner to Namibia, Claurinah Tshenolo Modise, who still invites her to events and diner from time to time. After a 16-year spell as a real estate agent, Astrid left after the market began to get flooded. After 22 years at Pupkewitz Toyota on Independence
“I love the connection with people. Seeing a young woman satisfied after she buys her first car or a father buying his son a car brings
“Being a real estate agent taught me the importance of honesty. Always be honest with the client.”
20
“I want to keep working. I will only leave when my employers finally decide to let me go”
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
Avenue, her idea is to always smile, even when the client is grumpy. In fact, Astrid has no plans of retiring. “I want to keep working. I will only leave when my employer finally decides to let me go... ...My husband died after an illness last year and my son is living in London, so when I’m at home I’m just taking care of my garden and my birds. The job gives me a sense of purpose.”
Born in Otjiwarongo but raised in Grootfontein, Astrid has also worked for Bank Windhoek and the City of Windhoek but it is her experience as a real estate agent that she believes prepared her for life as a car sales executive, and given her such success. “Being a real estate agent taught me the importance of honesty. Always be honest with the client.” Not every experience of course goes smoothly. She recalls once booking a test drive for a Land Cruiser, only for them to buy the same car at another dealer. Astrid deals with disappointment the oldfashioned way, by sealing her next sale. “Perhaps it is because I am old school, I still have my old Nokia, as long as I can text and call I am happy... ...I guess what I don’t like so much about the car industry these days is that every six months there’s a new model of a different car with only one button added or new rims, I’m happy with my Toyota Corolla which I have had for a long time.” Us
Making Women Leaders Often, it feels like women must go the extra mile for leadership positions. The potential of women’s leadership is not something that is always widely taught.
F
rom Baronice Hans, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, Tania Hangula and First Lady, Monica Geingos, young ladies have a template to which to inspire but this representation still pales compared to men. Founder of the Women of Vision International, an organization with a vision to empower women across all denomination lines, Prophetess Titilayoh Goroh believes that women are basically the backbone of every successful society. A Women’s Convention taking place from 11-14 May is looking to empower and inspire more women to fulfill their destinies. “Leadership skills will be introduced to women in this year’s Convention as these skills are needed by women in today’s society... ...This year’s Convention seeks to empower women to rise to the challenges of taking up leadership roles in society. We look forward to educate and enlighten women on how to lead,” Prophetess Goroh tells Us. Gracing the Convention is Dr Beverley Wolmarans, seasoned preacher from the US and cofounder (along with husband,
Dr Theo Wolmarans) of Christian Family Church (CFC), in 1979, which has more than 500 branches including Namibia. She is a very popular speaker and shares life lessons she has learned as a mother and a wife. This year’s Women’s Convention is aimed at women with vision. “As this is a huge event of its kind, women who will take part will be taught how to maintain their marriages... ...Issues that women go through in their lives in general and in marriages will be looked on at this year’s event,” says the Prophetess. She adds, “Women have important roles to play in their children’s lives in marriages and in their husband’s lives, so this event will be a platform for these women to share their experiences and learn from one another... ...This event will result in reduction of socio-economic evils such as passion killing, partly caused by vulnerable women.” Apart from the event itself, there will be a platform for women to showcase their talents. Ladies from different categories and backgrounds will have a chance to sell their products and to showcase the services they offer or provide. The 24th Women’s Convention will be taking place at Okuryangava, Ombili Jesus Center Church.
WOMEN Reasons why women make great leaders: They are empathetic. “Most women are naturally empathetic and value relationships. This enables them to have a strong understanding of what drives and motivates people, and how to acknowledge different people for their performance.” – Anna Crowe, CEO and founder, Crowe PR They make great listeners. “Women make great leaders because we take the time to listen instead of reacting right away. We appreciate people and their viewpoints. Whether they are right or wrong, we hear them out and then make our decision. We tend to give people chances that no others do.” – Jo Hausman, career and leadership coach and author, “Go For It! A Woman’s Guide to Perserverance” (Best Seller Publishing, 2016) They are nurturing. “One of the key aspects of leadership is the ability to help your team members develop their own skills and strengths. Women are naturally nurturing, which in the best scenarios can translate to helping those around you succeed.” – Marilyn Heywood Paige, vice president of marketing, FiG Advertising They focus on teamwork. “The women [I’ve worked with] consistently demonstrate passion, enthusiasm and an immense capacity to serve and be served by others. I’ve observed women make bold and wise decisions as leaders while relying on others to be part of their team. The environment is less authoritarian and more cooperative and familylike, but with solid leadership.” – Katharine M. Nohr, principal, Nohr Sports Risk Management They’re good at multitasking. “Women make great leaders as we are natural multitaskers. The ability to decisively and quickly respond to simultaneous and different tasks or problems at a time is a critical component to successful leadership.” – Carolann Tutera, president, SottoPelle They’re motivated by challenges. “We are creative problem solvers motivated by obstacles. The desire
to overcome a challenge fuels us to get things accomplished. Leaders don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” – Jackie Zlatanovski, founder, Flik Flops They’re strong communicators. “Communication is said to be among a woman’s strongest skill — and female leaders know how to use it! Whether communicating with employers, co-workers, or partners, an open communication stream allows for clarity in executing roles and responsibilities. Female business leaders are able to communicate regularly, clearly and openly.” – Tina Bacon-DeFrece, president, Big Frog They dream big. “Women make great leaders because they have an innate ability to dream big, challenge assumptions and inspire teams — and they know how to translate big ideas into concrete action and results.” – Angela Dejene, executive vice president, Crosswind Media & Public Relations They handle crisis situations well. “Many women, especially moms, are trained caretakers and know how to deal with crisis situations at home with compassion and patience. These attributes become very relevant when a woman leader is dealing with crisis situations whether this is related to HR or [clients].” – Huma Gruaz, president and CEO, Alpaytac PR They can wear many hats. “Wearing many hats is often a regular occurrence in a women’s life. They often balance careers, households and even aging parents, among other things. Women pivot, adjust and focus on solutions. Resting in the doom and gloom can be time-consuming, so many shift to find positive solutions to life and work problems.” – Gretchen Halpin, chief strategy officer, Hewins Financial Advisors They check their egos. “Ego so often gets in the way of good decision-making in the C-suite. Women exhibit ego differently and they are good at decision-making with the ego held in check. This is a key advantage in working with boards of directors, partners and customers.” – Joan Wrabetz, CTO, Quali
APRIL-MAY2017 • Us NAMIBIA
21
HEROES
“What gives me the most satisfaction is knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life. Not just meeting their expectation, but exceeding it.” ‘better safe than sorry, better late than never’,” explains Gowaseb. With the digital advancements in the world supposedly chocking the life out of courier business, Nampost remains with over 25 000 customers weekly. Gowaseb says that they have not winced at technology. If anything, Nampost has embraced technology by diversifying innovation.
Postman
A case in innovation is the courier company’s EasyPack product which allows customers to send parcels that weight less than 2Kg overnight to any destination in Namibia for only N$55.
This Nampost Courier Manager of Customer Service and Sales, each morning handles over 2000 parcels from customers following up on their parcels.
The Windhoek postman who never misses the party
T
he shift in consumer habits driven by e-commerce and increasing competition in recent years have negatively affected a record number of courier and haulier businesses, which in turn sparked a record number of insolvencies in the logistics industry.
the fact that Nampost does appreciate our impact,” Gowaseb tells Us.
But not for Hosky Gowaseb.
From thousands of MTC cell phones going out to clients on a daily basis, hundreds of blood packages for the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Pathcare and the Namibian Blood Transfusion Services (NamBTS), which must be delivered within 24 hours to their various destinations countrywide in order to still be usable.
By evening each day, Gowaseb oversees over 6000 parcels leaving Windhoek destined to 140 Post Offices depots around the country, through Nampost’s six-line haul trucks and 70 other vehicles. He doesn’t seem to tire. In fact, that Nampost’s courier division has been awarded the PMR Diamond Arrow for the 5th time in a row, inspires his determination. “What gives me the most satisfaction is knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life. Not just meeting their expectation, but exceeding it. For example, sometimes a parcel will get misrouted and if a customer is waiting for their parcel at 10am, we have to go out of our way overnight to intervene and sometimes it gets to its destination before 10. My energy subsequently comes from my team and from
22
Besides the regular account holder and walkin customer, Gowaseb also oversees some big accounts.
Can you imagine what will be the effect if one of the deliveries is not completed or there are technical glitches within the department? “There is no room for error. From the packaging to the drivers. We treat each package with unique care. For instance, blood samples that must be transported to Katima Mulilo within 24 hours will be handled differently to a bank cheque that has to be delivered to a company in that same town who wants to pay their salaries. So care is key, and to achieve it, we know,
Us NAMIBIA • APRIL-MAY 2017
The shifting demands of ecommerce have forced companies like Nampost to overhaul operations and invest heavily in new IT systems and automated warehouse operations that enable companies to process large volumes at speed, as well as providing customers with updates on a parcel’s progress. “If you don’t have very sophisticated systems to manage those things you’ll find yourself losing out to competition,” says Gowaseb. “The businesses that have made investments and are at the forefront are in a stronger position to grow market share, and the ones who haven’t may find it’s too late. Nampost is a trendsetter,” he adds, citing the company’s new system that allows you to track wherever your package is, right up to the moment of delivery, as well as the Nampost App that is in the offing. As the largest courier company in Namibia, Nampost Courier also partners with international courier companies that allows sending or receiving parcels from oversees effortlessly. Us
TOURS
Tours for your convenience The experience of living starts when one finds the pleasure of enjoying those little things around us creating unforgettable moments which last a lifetime.
countries such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania. Tourists would to visit such countries because of the landscape the lifestyle of people
T
shavuka Tours and Accommodation is one of the best companies to consider when planning tours in and around Namibia.
Since the company started back in 2013, it has been growing and Tshavuka tours is getting more exposure and the services being offered is getting better with time.
“Each detail counts to satisfy our clients who travel to Namibia, especially the European market,” says Thomas Ndemwoongela.
Its team of specialists work with great passion, discipline and knowledge not only to show you the best of Namibia, but allow travellers to feel it with all their senses.
“Each detail counts to satisfy our clients who travel to Namibia, especially the European market,” says Thomas Ndemwoongela.
“The company is hoping to offer student tours and this will expose students to different environment in Africa and around the world. We believe that no matter how great a place is, only an experienced travel expert with passion for the job can help you discover its unique and amazing qualities,” Thomas concludes.
Growing up in Germany Thomas, upon settling in Namibia, always had a knack of assisting German tourists to understand the country. “The passion of tourism inspired me to venture into business,” Thomas says. In tourism, competition is the main challenge because of the number of stakeholders involved in the tourism sector where each company has its unique factors to attract customers or clients.
in those countries. Tshavuka is a 100% Namibian tourism company providing professional knowledge in each destination and services in the region, and has excelled in specialised receptive tourism market. “This is why we look into every detail of your trip, to insure each itinerary has all the
“I have segregated my clientele. I mainly deal with European tourists. I have a longing to work with local tourists but they are not as fond to travel this majestic country. My dream is for the tourism industry to provide more exciting packages to entice locals to explore this country,” he says.
The company’s priority is to ensure clients a 100% safe and comfortable trip. This is why they continually invest in flotillas of its fleet which is maintained in a daily basis. The trips are carefully designed to combining cultural and natural riches with, comfort, safety, luxury and adventure to create trips guests will talk about for a long time. Us
Many of the Tshavuka clients enjoy visiting
Mother Daughter Brunch Second Annual Event N$ 600 per mother and daughter. Big five Mini lodge Rsvp at: +264 817 155 526 13 May Starting at 11am
APRIL-MAY2017 • Us NAMIBIA
23