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The Countr y’s Premium Family Magazine
May-June 2018 • Vol 2 Issue 5
Heinrich Hafeni
Dynamite in business The Silent Success of Matthews Hamutenya
Thomas Indji Born a banker
VOLUME No. 02 • ISSUE 05 • N$20
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Contents Andrew Kathindi | Editor editor@usnamibia.com.na Cell: +264 81 800 0250 Kenneth Karamata | General Manager: Marketing marketing@fortune.com.na marketing@usnamibia.com.na Cell: +264 81 667 6552
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Page 04 - Tourism Entrepreneurship: Heinrich Hafeni’s dynamism in destination... In an era when seaside resorts are the Namibian destination of choice, Heinrich Hafeni Nghidipaya was born.
Page 11 - Health: A new Oncologist in Town. For many years Namibian cancer patients would have to travel to South Africa for specialised radiation therapy, however, the Namibian Oncology Centre was opened.
Page 06 - Silent Success: The wisdom of Matthews Hamutenya... From the fifth floor of Millennium House, Matthews Hamutenya directs operations with a never-say-die attitude.
Page 12 - COVER STORY:
Page 08 - Fiscal Discipline: Talita Horn joins NWR focused...
Page 09 - Banking, FNB instrumental in Rehoboth’s growth: In April 2010, FNB unveiled new bigger and better facilities in Rehoboth as part of the Bank’s strategic goals to constantly increase its base. Page 10 - The Shaetonhodis: A generation in optometry... Linnea Shekupe Shaetonhodi thought she would follow in the footsteps of her animal husbandry grandparents. But life (and medical school) can take unexpected turns.
Page 14 - Born a Banker: Thomas Koneka Indji: At 21, Indji began showing signs of formidability within the banking industry with Bank Windhoek where he was to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Small Business Credit Guarantee Trust Scheme. Page 17 - Education: Medical milestone: 106 nursing graduates for Welwitchia Health Training Center. The graduates at the Center’s first ever Graduation was not only a dream come true for Rector, Sholastika Ipinge Page 18 NUST: The passion for learning. Meet NUST’s new Doctor of Informatics: Dr. Suama Hamunyela Page 19 NUST: Achieving your dreams through education: Dr. Jude Osakwe
Keith M. Tuwelo | Production Manager & Graphic Designer Cell: +264 85 639 6024 Confidence Musariri | Group Executive Editor confidence@musariri.com Cell: +264 81 122 6850 Marizaan Bock | Operations Officer admin@fortune.com.na Cell: +264 81 650 8855 Lindah Vengesai | Admin and Accounts Cell: +264 81 703 9499 Distribution & Sales +264 81 621 2688 distribution@fortune.com.na
Fortune Publications Tel.: +264 61 254 005 Fax: +264 61 254 004 C/o Sam Nujoma Drive & Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue 6th Floor, Atlas House, Suite 24 Windhoek, Namibia
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tourism
Tourism Entrepreneurship: Heinrich Hafeni’s dynamism in destination In an era when seaside resorts are the Namibian destination of choice, combined with memories of childhood breaks, holding a special place in many people’s hearts, Heinrich Hafeni Nghidipaya was born.
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rom Luderitz to Swakopmund, many a Namibian seaside town are slowly shadows of their once illustrious selves mainly characterized by the high levels of unemployment, welfare dependency and weak aspirations. From ebb to flow, Hafeni has disregarded all that malaise taking advantage of the beauty of nature to turn the tide for Namibia’s seaside towns.It was in 2010 with the whole ‘South African World Cup’
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hype that at 28, Hafeni Tours and Travel was founded with a boutique experience for tourists, taking advantage of the Atlantic coast’s rich heritage, proximity to nature and local flavour. He grew up in Mondesa, Swakopmund’s high density surburb seeing thousands of tourists flock into town now and again, where a few would give him sweets and snacks and in time, his curiosity and sense of intrigue for tourism was born.
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Initially as a 17-year-old dishwasher where he would interact with more tourists, and eventually as a tour guide where he was introduced into the tourism industry and travelled 14 countries, giving him much needed perspective of the scope and scale of tourism, Hafeni has the natural urge. “After that I resigned to pursue the passion of my life and work my way up, but it was tough. I lasted two weeks and realized I wasn’t ready so I had to go back.
tourism I was 25 then, so I gave myself three more years to save up. Today his business can market to young and edgy entrepreneurs and holidaymakers looking for their own “undiscovered” haven. From those that should be encouraged by a continuing shift in preferences towards frequent, shorter breaks over longer ones and domestic staycations – to those seeking a new pool of demand for specialised getaways be they art, food, culture or sportrelated, along the Atlantic. Under this brand, he runs very popular cultural Community Based Tourism in the very streets of Mondesa he grew up in. All his ideas were birthed while working as a tour guide when he would take clients to see the beaches and sand dunes but felt compelled to show tourists the location, to the streets he grew up in. Mondesa gave him this platform and he felt the only people who could tell the stories where those from the area. He partners up with certain community people from various tribes to put on traditional garb and they take tourists through the history and customs of their specific tribes. Today, Catherine Vijanda, clad in her majestic traditional herero dress, goes through some genocide history as some German, Swedish and Australian tourists listen attentively.
paying salaries of N$2000 and that was very scary for me as it made me aware of the responsibility I had to them.
to run the community tours, when he is required to, Nghidipaya steps away from the office and business development and fills in when necessary. Like riding a bike, the skill never goes away. But even still, there are challenges for young entrepreneurs.
You need help from strategic people. As a coach you can’t play everywhere. Recently I started the process of having a board and that is its own challenge as those are salaries you must pay, but I am in the process of going into the hotel industry as I am always looking out for opportunities.”
“When I started my business and registered through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the finance component was not made aware to us. For some of us, we are just excited about starting your own business. I think it would help young entrepreneurs if there was a template for your accounts department.
Success, he believes, can only be reached when you have assembled a team that sees the same vision you do, and not just waits for 5pm. And for Nghidipaya, consistency was a necessity because he came from a household of five siblings and a single mother. He learned financial discipline from his grandmother who could, he quips, could make a dollar last for the entire year. He previously served as the Chairman of the (Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry) NCCI Swakopmundf or four years where he learned some valuable lessons on leadership. The greatest of these lessons was the ability of be hands on in your business and leading by example. Although he has employed guides
Many of us start a business and then later on you hear you owe half a million in tax. I wish I knew this aspect when I started. Accounting and business go together,” he says. As a mentee of Walvis Bay businessman John Saava, Nghidipaya is passionate about youth mentorship and hence the co-founder of Swakopmund Youth With a Vision, constituency development committee CDC member, and Swapo Youth League district treasurer. He represented Namibia as a 2015 Mandela Washington fellow along with 24 other young leaders from 17 African countries.
They were hosted by the University of Clark Atlanta in Georgia in the United States (US), where they completed an Entrepreneurship and Business programme. After hearing, then President Barack Obama speak in Washington about how he believed in Africa’s young leaders, he has aimed to pour his passion into legacy. In Erongo firstly, and then country-wide and Africa. “There are certain skills that are needed to run a business. Selfbelief is number one because you can’t achieve anything if you don’t believe you can do it. You have to be able to get out of your comfort zone and network with people. I’ve observed some entrepreneurs don’t want to get out of their inner circle. Being humble with a vision is also key. Some people who have been mentored by men like John Sava will turn around and start asking him for money which is wrong. Get knowledge and experience from your mentors and lastly, break your vision down into short term goals, this will give you operational methodologies,” he says. So next time you’re in Swakopmund and you see this Mondesa laaitie taking his tourist clients through the kasi, stick around, you might just learn and thing or two.
He also has the popular Hafeni Traditional Restaurant that offers a variety of traditional cuisines that most of its chefs grew up cooking for the families and friends, hence mastering the right tones and amounts of spice and salt in the mopane worms and fish. A large number of tourists find themselves at this restaurant through Google Maps and other online apps like Trip Advisor. “I employ nine people, many have been with me for a long time. When I started, I was
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Entrepreneurship
Silent Success: The wisdom of Mathews Hamutenya From the fifth floor of Millennium House, Mathews Hamutenya directs operations with a neversay-die attitude which seems to be ingrained even in his son, Miguel, Hamutenya’s most trusted lieutenant.
In pursuit of success, Hamutenya has seemingly been training his son for the future, where his interests through the group narrate his mercurial rise in business.
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n fact, when you think of success, Hamutenya is not a name that come to mind easily.
Yet, with over 20 year’s business experience and an unquenchable entrepreneurial drive, silent success defines him. It was 1999, right at the turn of the millennium when he founded the Millennium Investment Group.
Today, his towering Millennium House in Windhoek has become part of the vein and heartbeat of the architecture of the city, just as the National Museum, and the Christ Church in the center of town. But it has not been all smoothsailing as the Executive Chairman of Millennium Investment Group describes the many challenges he has had to endure including poor infrastructure, limited access
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to financing, bureaucracy in Government, stiff competition and incidents of insecurity. “Show me a successful entrepreneur who has never failed not once, but multiple times. Whether its investing all their savings and losing it all before the business even takes off, having extremely harsh competitors who can do anything to keep someone
else off their monopolized market or even business partners walking out on you. The list is endless,” he says. Over the past two decades the company was able to explore and establish itself in a number of industries – some more successful than others, however Hamutenya views opportunities which did not pan out as anticipated not as failures, but as events from which to learn and improve.
“Measuring success in business can be determined by various objective and factual criteria and here I can warn not to confuse revenue with profitability as these are diverse concepts. One business may create substantial revenue within a group but its ultimate profits may be marginal after deducting liabilities. However, money is not the only measurement criteria for long-term business sustainability – factors such as customer satisfaction, brand loyalty and confidence and retention of key employees are indispensable in achieving and maintaining profitability. In addition to ensure the sustainability of existing business, I aim to constantly explore new business ventures thereby expanding diversity within the group,” he tells Us. The scale and audacity of his leadership has invited naysayers to take a leaf from Hamutenya’s book. When he entered the world of business, he only had Grade 12 qualifications, yet today holds a Post Graduate Diploma as well as an MBA from the Bradford University School Of Management. He is also a holder of a Financial Business Management Certificate from the Woodland Height College in Cape Town. Despite his diverse business portfolio, he remains handson with every project, which has been a key factor in continued growth over the years, constantly shuttling between Europe and the regions.
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As we conduct this interview, a team of US businessmen is waiting in his exquisite boardroom to engage him. The Afrikaans proverb resonates much with Hamutenya. “Ver van jou goed, naby aan jou skade” (if you are removed from your assets you are close to loss). His days are meticulously planned to allow sufficient and meaningful participation in the various ventures which today employ approximately 163 direct full-time staff and about the same number indirectly via entities where the Group has shared shareholding with third parties. “Before arriving at the office, I usually make a turn at the gym. Most of my working day is spent at the office, in meetings or visiting business sites. Unless I have a business lunch, I prefer to spend a healthy light lunch in the office. I recently took up cycling and, especially in winter, I leave office at five to ensure sufficient daylight to cycle on some of my favourite routes. I believe in a balanced approach to life, following a nutritional diet and sufficient exercise. Evenings, I may entertain my close friends or family and sometimes it is most relaxing to spend a quiet evening at home,” he says. And yet, Hamutenya’s vision remains on legacy. In recent years, he has taken to bedding his sons, Miguel (24) and Ennio (20), into the business set up. Both his sons played professional football in Europe before
pursuing further studies and ultimately concentrating on a future in business. Miguel, who holds an Honors Degree in Business (Magna Cum Laude) from the United International Business School in Madrid, Spainhe started working closely with his father, focusing on Strategic Business Development. In 2016, Miguel was appointed as a Director with focus on Strategic Business Development within the Millennium Investment Group. “I am hoping to leave the Millennium legacy to my sons to continue building and expanding the group for the future. One’s children are not one’s own and they have their own dreams and ambitions of which I am supportive. I am fortunate in that Miguel has a personal interest in business and finance and decided to join the group fulltime now that he has completed his studies although he intends to continue with further studies in finance. Ennio will be completing his studies this year also in business. Simultaneously with his studies, Ennio is currently pursuing his own business opportunities in Europe and the States. At the moment he is working hard to establish and grow his company, LORD EMH, in apparel. We share a close working relationship and we are almost daily in contact sharing ideas and advice on various business ventures.”
orn Mathews Taapopi Hamutenya in the early hours of 27 December, in Windhoek, Mathews grew up in Okalongo in the Omusati Region where he completed his preschool, before moving to Oshakati Pre-primary School and thereafter Oshakati Secondary School.
Up to today, Hakahana SS remains Administration Management at one of the flagship subsidiaries of the Bradford University, School of the Millennium Group. Management.
He then relocated to Gibeon where he attended the Gibeon AME Community School until the end of Standard 7.
As Mathews business interest expanded, it was clear that he needed a vehicle under which to consolidate these various interests and thus Millennium Investment (Pty) Ltd was born.
At the beginning of Standard 8, he moved to Windhoek where he attended Shifidi High School until Standard 9. Mathews completed his final school year in Ongwendiva excelling in mathematics and getting national recognition. In 1992 Mathews invested N$ 60 000.00 in the Namibian petroleum retail industry and with the assistance of Caltex opened Hakahana Service Station.
With some help from Caltex, Mathews co-funded his studies at Woodlands Height College (South Africa) in Leadership and Financial Management, which he completed successfully in 1994. “A New Millennium”
The Millennium Group which is a private equity encompasses companies in diverse fields including property investment. Not having had the opportunity to study further after the completion of Grade 12, Mathews remained keen to augment his acute business skills through further studies. In 2006 he enrolled for a postgraduate diploma in Business
He completed his diploma successfully in 2008. He subsequently enrolled at the same institution for an MBA, which he will complete in September 2010. “In His Own Time” It is not all-hard work for Mathews, and in his own time, he has many interests, which he pursues. With a love for flying (piloting) it was not strange that Mathews obtained his private pilot licence in 2005 and he retained this avid interest in aviation.
The long-term growth and sustainability of the Millennium Group remains a major factor to Hamutenya. So are the challenges posed by entering a new business venture especially if it is in a completely new field. The Group has already made its mark in the retail fuel industry so, for example, it is a challenge for them to continue to expand in the energy sector. A few years ago, they began looking into the renewable energy sector and since then have established two companies within the group to explore opportunities in this sector. Running an organisation such as Millennium Investment Holdings needs the right people around. Here are the qualities and values that Hamutenya looked at when he built his executive team: • A strong work ethic in setting and achieving goals • Dependability and loyalty • Positive and supportive attitude • Self-motivation and, especially amongst senior staff, the ability to work effectively with little direction • Team players • Excellent communication • The ability to adapt to different circumstances and challenges
YEAR: 2009 - AWARD: Laureate of the Namibia Business Hall of Fame award. YEAR: 2010 - AWARD: Nouveau Leader Du future Crans Montana (New Leaders for tomorrow) award. YEAR: 2011 - AWARD: Century International Quality ERA Award in the gold category in Geneva, Switzerland. Year: 2017 - Award: African Business Icon Award at the African Economy Builders Awards in Ivory Coast
Mathews and his family love travelling (both locally and abroad) and family holidays are spent in both familiar and exotic places. On the right is a summary of the awards the MTH had bagged in recognition of his entrepreneurial prowess:
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On the move “Coming to NWR as CFO feels like destiny. It feels like a path in my life that has always been leading to this moment.”
Fiscal Discipline: Talita Horn joins NWR focused The Namibia Wildlife Resort (NWR)’s new Chief Financial Officer, Talita Horn’s career has been one carved with commitment, confidence and sheer determination.
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tarting off as an accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she did her articles, Horn rose through the ranks to Associate Director in London, Cape Town and Windhoek, eventually becoming partner responsible for Internal Auditing Services, before becoming President of the chartered accountants institute, (iCAN). “Coming to NWR as CFO feels like destiny. It feels like a path in my life that has always been leading to this moment. With the expectation from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, and
the Ministry of Public Enterprises, that commercial SOEs are driven by business objectives, I cannot wait to develop our talent, and build a stronger support function, so that the team can give tourists what they want – a memorable experience of Namibian hospitality,” she tells Us. While the world accounting and finance illuminate an illustrious career, Horn argues that her foundation was always within the tourism industry, having worked in South Africa’s tourism sector before joining Strand Hotel, Atlantic Hotel and Protea Hotel Thüringerhof, back in the day. Today, her role will be buoyed by the fact that while she has made much of her career auditing, most of her clients were in the hospitality establishment.
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After settling in and meeting her new team at NWR, Horn has been driven by the desire to bring fiscal discipline and demonstrate strong internal control. She has been keen to collaborate with all different skills within her network and see everyone bring their technical skills to enrich operations. As a woman who has built a strong career, Horn finds the prospect of working with NWR’s Managing Director Ms Zelna Hengari inspirational.
“It’s always important to look at the strengths that you identify with. I have learnt something from all the bosses I have worked for, whether it was the benefit of established procedures, or the importance of motivating your team, and I know Ms Hengari’s influence and ability to tackle difficult circumstances strengthens the organisation. The NWR team can create an environment which will attract success,” she says.
Horn’s work culture, outside her ‘must-have’ morning coffee is to allow flexibility within her schedule in order to help other departments operate as smoothly as possible. Of Horn and Mutumbulua’s appointments, Hengari stated, “I am pleased as they affirm the long-term vision of making NWR a great company to work for and the leading company in Namibia’s tourism sector. I am also delighted with the fact that the new executive team members are women of calibre whose mere presence at the senior level shall contribute to gender equality within the workplace at NWR in particular and the tourism industry in general. Being able to attract such considerable talent to our executive team is a testimony to the rise of the NWR brand within the marketplace and we are determined to build on the progress we have made.”
BANKING
FNB instrumental in Rehoboth’s growth In Short In April 2010, FNB unveiled new bigger and better facilities in Rehoboth as part of the Bank’s strategic goals to constantly increase its base and where necessary refurbish and find new premises to accommodate the needs of its clientele.
As part of FNB’s developmental
My daily duties focus on business
and social activity in Rehoboth,
relationships and financing/
the Bank is involved in yearly
investment banking.
agricultural shows in Rehoboth
old age homes, Christmas gifts for yearly town cleanup campaign, and the conservation of Acacia tree
service for Rehoboth Branch
deposit ATMs countrywide. This
Manager Patrick Beukes
feature became necessary to allow
who has overseen operations of
FNB customers the flexibility to
the Branch in one of Namibia’s
choose between using an ATM or
forgotten towns.
depositing inside the branch.
He is impressed that the Rehoboth
Rehoboth was part of this roll-
branch has shown good growth in
out of 30 and while there were
the past and achieved one of FNB
challenges due to high demand,
Namibia’s Big 5 Awards in 2016.
these ATMs have become instrumental for client’s convenience in the town.
opportunities – the influx of
“During month-ends it was a
people from Windhoek back to
challenge with one ATM at the
Rehoboth in recent years has
branch, which could not handle
resulted in opportunities to give
the increased volumes after
dignity back to the community by
introduction of e-wallet.
acquiring their own houses and businesses,” he tells Us.
The economy and drought have of
children in hospital, horse racing,
In 2017 FNB installed 30 cash
housing as well as business
reached - including housing.”
awareness projects, volunteering at
oon it will be 10 years of
“FNB has provided quality
sectors of the market were
events, soup kitchen and Hiv/Aids
forest.
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With satisfactory growth all
and Schlip, traditional Sam-Khubis
With the revamp, we installed two additional ATM’s which
course been a challenge and the cater for cash deposits as well. Customers now no longer have to wait in teller queues and can
effects of the drought in 2016 and moratorium on government projects resulted in difficulty in servicing
bank cash 24/7.
credit facilities for some clients.
This is the only such solution in
Restructuring of financial affairs
Rehoboth and is well appreciated by customers,” he says.
is one option in navigating these challenges as well as diversification by customers.
Beukes joined the FNB set-up in 2007 as Branch Manager for Tsumeb and Otavi branches until January 2009 when he took up the position as Branch Manager for
“Regarding transactional banking the branch is on par. However, as Rehoboth is generally known for the building industry this sector is
Rehoboth branch.
not doing well at all.
Accountability, respect, punctuality
We are thankful for the recovery
are key ingredients in his recipe for
in the agricultural sector since
successful leadership.
2017 with good prices for
“I assisted the branch in growing
economy since 2016 also
business which resulted in two
negatively influenced investment
major renovations in 2011 and
banking and savings,” Beukes
2016/2017 resulting in the
relates.
livestock. The impact on the
modernized revamped building.
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family After an eye test and putting on those lenses, she blossomed. She returned a year later, not led by anyone this time and I was so happy to hear that she was doing so well at school. That is my reward,” she says.
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innea Shekupe Shaetonhodi thought she would follow in the footsteps of her animal husbandry grandparents, as she often exhibits immense agricultural passion, among them dehorning and injecting the cattle by herself. But life (and medical school) can take unexpected turns.
With a few months still left in the year, she plans to take leave and focus on her farming. Besides the cattle that she has, she wants to expand and look into different kinds of vegetation. Her only regret in her career was that her profession did not allow her to treat.
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orn in Ondobe in Ohangwena region, she was to become the country’s pioneer of optometry among the native Namibians, the first black optometrist when she opened her first practice in Oranjemund 1986 and for 31 years now, Linnea still has the urges of animal husbandry. Today at a mature age, even her daughter Twapewa soon became fascinated by how the eye works, with all its delicate and intricate parts and has followed her mother’s footsteps as Linnea now oversees six practices across the country. Vision plays such an important role in so many activities that make life interesting and satisfying, such as “reading, watching a movie, driving a car or seeing the faces of friends and family,” explains Ms Shaetonhodi, “Vision is such an amazing thing to preserve.” Over the years her story has been re-written countless times, from her patients being those poverty-stricken villagers whose eyesight was scared by the liberation struggle to those over the age of 60 in the cities, where the risk of glaucoma, cataracts and other vision problems increases rapidly and to the young brigade which views going to an optometrist as a fashionable trend to keep young. Ms Shaetonhodi has over the years also developed a special interest in glaucoma. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in our country and if detected early it can be controlled. There is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be controlled with vigilance. Successful treatment, she says, often requires “a lifelong relationship with
The Shaetonhodis: A generation in optometry an optometrist and ophthalmologist.” She enjoys establishing these relationships with patients of all ages. In fact, one of her young patients recently was thrilled to discover that her grade-school teacher was also a patient of Ms Shaetonhodi. And yet with all such a hectic title, she attempts to live a normal life, “A normal day for me starts with preparing breakfast for my husband. I love cooking and I do it out of that love. When I’m at the office, I look at my appointments for the day and then get to work. Since I’m not as occupied as I used to be, I have choir practice twice a week. I worship at Hosianna Church and choir practice is something that both enriches my faith and relaxes me.” Married to former TransNamib CEO, John Shaetonhodi, MsShaetonhodi qualified as an optometrist in 1980 and has seen the profession evolve over the years. For one, back then, after an eye test, clients would have to wait up to a month to get their glasses as most workshops
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that provided lenses were based in South Africa. Today you can get your glasses the same day as your eye test. She however stresses that there are still not many black Namibian optometrists, hence Twapewa has now taken up after her mom. Her son, Panduleni is the General Manager of the six practices, and the imprints of third and fourth generation optometrists is visible. Ms Shaetonhodi says if you’re considering pursuing a career in optometry, you’ve probably already started researching how to apply to optometry school. And it’s never too soon to start thinking even further ahead. After establishing herself in Oranjemund, she conducted outreach programs in the northern regions in the late eighties to early nineties, when there were no Optometric practices. “While it was not easy, my most satisfying moment in the profession was when a young girl was led in by hand as she had an extreme case of short sightedness.
“We don’t give medicine. We only diagnose and give glasses or contact lenses, yet we are the primary contact for the people. I want to see the day when optometrists start treating eye diseases. We see the problems in remote areas but because of legislation we can’t help them.” With her son directing the operations, her daughter attending to the other practices, Ms Shaetonhodi has a mix of patients on a daily basis. “Some I’ve been seeing longterm, some are new patients who specifically want to see me, and some have been referred to me by primary care physicians. It’s always an interesting mix.” With a knack for simplifying complicated concepts, when she could not get loans for her practices, Ms Shaetonhodi pushed on with the same level of dedication and her principle of teamwork has never had her too proud to ask for help. Over the years, she opened up clinics in Windhoek, Eenhana, Outapi, Ongwediva Medipark, and she still has the practice in Oranjemund that she opened in 1986 and just opened one in Katima Mulilo recently.
Health On top of that, they also have a very soothing supplementary hospital which is essential to patients that need chemoradiotherapy. Apart from the skills and experience they have, the other two doctors went through a breaking therapy course and she will go for a similar course soon so that they start with a breaking therapy by July this year.
A new Oncologist in Town
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or many years Namibian cancer patients would have to travel to South Africa for specialised radiation therapy, however, exactly three years ago, the Namibian Oncology Centre (NOC) was opened and things have only gone for the better. According to Cancer.net, Oncology is the study of cancer and its various branches. An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer and provides medical care for a person diagnosed with cancer. The field of Oncology has three major areas: medical, surgical, and radiation. After three years of offering progressive, comprehensive cancer care through sophisticated treatment modalities whilst simultaneously promoting early detection, treatment and prevention of cancers, the NOC announced Dr. Sybil Eksteen as its latest Oncologist, bolstering a state of the art cancer treatment facility. Dr Eksteen, who specialises in Oncologist Radiation, studied Medicine at Stellenbosch University and did her internship in Bloemfontein. She did her community service in Kimberly and graduated in 2012 with Stellenbosch. She moved to Namibia after five years of private practicing in Cape Town. “With my experience in the private health sector, I can deliver quality health practice to our patients. One of the advantages in the clinic is being a woman.
By Paulina Haupindi
“Back in Cape Town, it used to be quite hectic, a normal day would be from 6am when I started my working day and ended at 20hoo. One of the reasons she relocated to Namibia was to improve my quality of life. A normal working day at the moment is 08:00 am – 17hoo which is more adjustable for any normal human being,” quips Dr. Eksteen.
My two other colleagues are men and most women feel comfortable being treated by a woman doctor especially when they have to disclose their bodies when treated or examined for breast or cervical cancer.” The important lessons Dr. Eksteen has learned in her time practising Oncology is that as a doctor, one needs to build a relationship with their patients. Oncology patients visit the clinic frequently; every third or second week during chemoradiotherapy. She therefore believes it is very vital to build a relationship with the patients. However, she also learned to distance and not get herself involved with the patient’s emotions or it can get overwhelming.
The biggest challenge faced by the Oncology Centre is finances. Drugs that are prescribed to patients are tremendously expensive and it costs a single patient about N$30 000 – N$40 000 per month for treatment. Developed by Namibian-owned investment company, Spitz Healthcare Investments, NOC aims to address cancer needs to the benefit of, first and foremost, Namibia’s cancer population. Dr. Eksteen believes that the secret to a cancer free society is to live by a healthy lifestyle. Avoiding stress is also important because stress is one of the biggest cancer aggravators. Women with a family history of breast cancer are advised to go for regular check-ups as they are prone to cancer. According to the Dr., “Namibians are aware of the services we offer because we are involved with the government. We treat many patients from the government PSEMAS medical aid who are transferred to us from government hospitals. Everyone is welcome to do a diagnosis of cancer at Namibia Oncology Centre” she says.
Before the NOC, the only other radiation treatment that was available in Namibia was at the state hospital in Windhoek, which uses an older, cobalt radiation unit. The new Elekta linear accelerator, the first of its kind in Namibia at the cost N$2m, at the NOC offers a wider scope of treatment protocols utilizing multiple energies capable of addressing a large variety of cancers. In addition to their services, which include counselling services, the NOC has a dedicated Oncology Pharmacy, an in-house Laboratory, and a 12-bed cancer care ward and there are still plans to expand the clinic.
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Dr. Sybil Eksteen
Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
cover story
Naufiku Hamunime: The Rise of Standard Bank’s Leading Economist As one of Namibia’s most exciting prospects within the world of finance and economics, Naufiku Hamunime’s trajectory since completing her Master’s Degree at the London School of Economics has been one not even she could have envisioned. At 26, in the last 2 years, she has risen at Standard Bank to be one of the country’s leading Economists. The term economist can be quite broad, walk us briefly through your role at Standard Bank.
Economics is something I studied throughout university, but not necessarily something I thought I would do professionally.
“Standard Bank focuses on motivating young people to grow into leadership positions.
What I do here is support the different business units across the bank with economic research or market intelligence information. I also contribute regularly towards board reports, strategy documents and focus
I joined through their graduate programme straight after finishing my master’s degree.
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on positioning the Bank and the institution as an expert in the industry.”
What is a normal day like for you? A normal day definitely starts with a coffee, because some days can be longer than others. I’ll usually check in with our Head of Public Sector and Market
Intelligence and see what needs to be done during the week. My role focuses on support so this means meeting with the departments, finding out what they need and joining the work. It’s exciting because I get to actually look at the economy of the country holistically and advise different clients and investors.
cover story You’ve given your opinion on the importance of manufacturing over mining being key to the healing of our economy. Could you summarize this significance & how well or poorly we are doing in 2018? As a country we need to focus more on diversifying our economy. Industrialization will be crucial in enabling us to achieve this in the same way that we’ve witnessed in newly industrialised countries in East Asia and what we are currently witnessing now in East Africa. Over the past decade Namibia’s manufacturing sector has remained largely underdeveloped with its contribution to GDP having steadily declined from 14.4% to 10.8% between 2006 and 2017.
In terms of budgeting location, what can be done so that we can really focus on generating growth through our manufacturing sector? I feel there is still room for improvement. However, I believe that Government has recognized this and this is something they trying to push through, we just need more follow through and emphasis on that through the Growth at Home Strategy.
Anything that excites you about the economy moving forward and where are the opportunities for investment? Watching young people being more proactive. Over the past two years, as a result of the economic slowdown we’ve seen a lot more young people investing and actually wanting to know what is happening in the economy and what they need to focus on in order to grow the economy which is great.
“Over the past two years, as a result of the economic slowdown we’ve seen a lot more young people investing and actually wanting to know what is happening in the economy and what they need to focus on in order to grow the economy - which is great.” You studied at the London School of Economics. What lessons did you learn there that you are using in your role at Standard Bank? I did my Master’s Degree in African Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science which was a really great experience for me. The thing that contributed the most to my growth was definitely the people that I met there. I met the most driven, hard-working people from around the world all of whom are passionate about making a difference and contributing positively to the world. This helped me to see that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve as long as you have a vision that drives you.
What is your priority at Standard Bank for the remainder of 2018 and how will you measure growth? For me, measuring growth is about making a positive contribution at the end of the day. My personal goals and vision really match with Standard Bank’s overall vision of Driving Namibia’s Growth and that is something I am passionate about. I really want to continue to contribute to the Bank’s goals and vision.
Tell us about your career highlights. What I really appreciate about Standard Bank is having leaders that support me and believe in empowering young people. A highlight for me is definitely how my voice is appreciated here in the sense that I have been lucky to be able to contribute to the Bank’s strategies which is amazing and something that I did not think I would be able to do at this age.
Who inspires you? I do not think I have one person who inspires me. I am inspired when I see powerful and strong women across all sectors. To see women especially black women that have overcome whatever they are facing in the corporate world inspires me to be the best version of myself. I believe that there are young girls who will see me and be encouraged to enter the world of finance and corporates. In a sense I am kind of breaking the ceiling for them and I hope to make their path easier. What values do you hold in terms of career growth? Integrity is a value that I hold highly especially when it comes to people I look up to. The way that you treat others is important. You can always tell what kind of a person someone is by the
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way they treat others, especially those who cannot give them anything or cannot benefit them in any way.
What do you prioritize to achieve results as a leader? I am definitely a results-oriented person and also a perfectionist which can sometimes be problem, but what I really value and try to focus on in my work is to always give my best. If I am working in a team I try to push everyone to do their best. I always focus on making everyone know that they have something valuable to contribute.
Tell us briefly about yourself outside the office. When I find time, I am really big on personal development, because I just feel like it’s something that comes through in every aspect of my life, whether I’m at work or with friends or family. I recently finished reading Shonda Rhimes’ Year of Yes which was amazing. In the book she described her experience as a middle age African-American woman dominating television writing and production and being the first black woman to achieve this in her industry.
Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
personality --At 21, Indji began showing signs of formidability within the banking industry with Bank Windhoek where he was to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Small Business Credit Guarantee Trust Scheme and the establishment of the SME Unit at Bank Windhoek Oshakati Branch.--
Born a Banker: Thomas Koneka Indji Northern Namibia is producing millionaires and successful business personalities faster than any other parts of the country, with prominent movers being in the global political and social landscape.
I
t seems an innovation, impact, job creation and the ability to overcome obstacles are the reasons many in the North have risen to prominence, and it remains debatable who is the richest of them all. Some have assets like property, private property while others have millions and a few are wannabe exaggerators. There is no definitive list unless you see their balance sheet, perhaps. Mirror mirror on the wall, there is one Northerner who does not fit the billings of richness yet is among the most influential sons of the soil.
Thomas Koneka Indji owns no business, neither does he boast of sprawling assets across Wamboland, but his impact on Namibia has been tremendous. What is interesting of this 38-year-old is not his riches or lack it, but rather the impact he has made since his star shone 15 years ago. At 21, Indji began showing signs of formidability within the banking industry with Bank Windhoek where he was to play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Small Business Credit Guarantee Trust Scheme and the establishment of the SME Unit at Bank Windhoek Oshakati Branch. By 2004, FNB Namibia had gotten wind of this budding banker and they recruited him in Oshakati, as a senior sales consultant.
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“I saw the Bank as providing me with a combination of challenge and growth in my professional banking career. The position of Senior Sales Consultant required me to carry inter out duties such as selling and promoting FNB’s products and supervise the sales staff, among others. I was later promoted to the position of SME Business Analyst for the Far North. In this role, I carried out the following activities: assessing and evaluating business plans and proposals, recommend SME projects for financing, identifying viable business opportunities and advising SME clients, etc.”
Three years later Koneka was promoted to the position of Manager: New Business (Oshakati Branch) in October 2007. This position entailed assessing and evaluating SME business plans and proposals, recommend SME projects for financing, home loans, and personal banking relationship. A year later, Koneka was promoted to the position of Lending Manager (Oshakati Branch) responsible for lending and credit-related issues. Today he runs the Ongwediva branch, acknowledged as a leader in understanding the challenges of growing market share in a declining economy.
personality His advice is simple: to compete in this disruptive environment, you need to unlearn your own learnings. The single most important tool at your disposal is the ability to understand that what got you here won’t get you there.
Top Lesson: “Do not let people question your integrity. It is not about what is physical. Integrity is not physical but if you have it, you can go far. I believe in my name being more important than anyone else.” That time he was only boasting of a Diploma in Marketing with the Institute of Bankers (SA), plus a few short courses around town. Today Koneka is a holder of a Master’s Degree (MBA) in Entrepreneurship and completing his Ph.D. with Stellenbosch Business
But his journey to the corner office was more than just a talented and ambitious banker moving up at a global banking behemoth, Koneka is the chairman of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI-North), a position he has held since 2008.
virtue, an overarching theme of his personality. “I have so much respect for my elders. I present my facts with respect, especially when we differ, I wish today’s young people could carry that with and not play to the gallery,” he says.
education at Ombuga Combined School till Grade 9 and attended both the junior and senior secondary education at Oshakati. He says of the current state of affairs:
It has been a decade of lessons and impact, being the voice of poverty ravaged, flood-prone emerging entrepreneurs whose obstacles are unique to them than any other part of Namibia.
“As the youth we
And it is those SMEs that are closer to his heart that listening to him soliloquize, you would align him to an entrepreneurial activity of some sort, gunning for a revolution in financial innovation and freedom.
We need to tone
He has the political clout too. Koneka has been a Swapo Youth League Secretary for Economic Affairs before being succeeded by the current governor of Kunene region, Hon Marius Sheya, the youngest governor in the land.
School. Yet humility remains a
He attended his primary
“Does that not tell you something? My successor, my protégé is now a governor and we continuously exchange notes on development,” he says with delight. Single and with a trademark smile, Koneka was born at Olukonda, in the area of Ombugaya-munyoko in Oshana Region on 1 February 1980 in a family of five.
have a different characteristic and leadership style, but the country belongs to us all. We have one country and it remains Namibia.
down the tension because we have to build this country as one.” Having completed secondary education, his first employment was with Discom Katutura in Windhoek in 1998 before he moved to Game the same year as a stock controller. In 1999 he was part of the group that opened Game (Oshakati) serving in the same capacity until August 2000.
“Banking is not just giving money. It is about advising the business on how to operate better, manage cashflows and the whole business element. It is tough to deal with people with money more than you, but it is satisfactory to have them start believing in you and the greatest satisfactory is when those people refer each other to me. That is what is key to me. They believe that confidentiality is key and they value what they get from me. Imagine, dealing with four people who are all in competition businesses and you know their financial positions etcetera, worse off, when all of them come to you for advice.”
A board member for Namibre, Valombola, and NCCI, Koneka is now the country director of Regent Business School. As if that is not enough, Koneka says his name will remain a name for the future. “Let us become legitimate rich, legitimate business,” that is his mantra.
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Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
First Ever Welwitchia Health Training Centre Graduation
Photo: Wilson Z. Ziunye
education
Medical milestone: 106 nursing graduates for Welwitchia Health Training Center
“We are calling for our Graduates to immediately pursue their Masters and PhD Programmes to be able to teach their fellow citizens such that we do not rely more on Expatriates from the Philippines, Kenya and Zimbabwe who have helped over the years. I must thank the Expatriates with us who have done a good job to date.” Sholastika Ipinge
The 106 graduates at the Welwitchia Health Training Center first ever Graduation was not only a dream come true for Rector, Sholastika Ipinge, but is an achievement of the University’s target for an average number of expected Graduates per intake.
D
ue to the demands of the profession, and the growing national challenges, it became imperative for Welwitchia University to make provision to produce a minimum of forty 40 Graduands per intake per Campus to achieve the set target of locally training Nurses and the desirable Patient-Nurse ratio in all Namibian health facilities. The new entrants into the profession also pledged to comply with all moral, legal and professional standards in the execution of their duties, and to inspire others in achieving our shared vision. They also pledged to maintain the highest level of knowledge and skills; and to contribute towards the development of the profession through research and continuous professional development. “Our main Campuses, the Windhoek and Lady Pohamba Campuses started in 2013 offers flagship programme, the Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree for four years which is fully accredited by the Health professions Council of Namibia and the Namibia
Qualifications Authority (NQA) in terms of Applicable regulations.
elderly communities who are not accustomed to English.
We have also introduced an additional Certificate, Diploma, and Post graduate Diploma at this Campus, which have all been approved by the Health professions Council of Namibia and now awaiting Final approval by the NQA, which includes the two-year Certificate in Enrolled Nursing (NQF Level 6) that we offer,” Ipinge says.
“We continue to experience local Teaching Staff shortages and if we get some, it is difficult to retain as they continue to migrate to greener pastures in the Private Sector and Public Institutions.
The Nkurenkuru, Kombat and Walvis Bay Campuses also offer Bachelor of Nursing Degree, and the Certificate in Enrolled Nursing Programmes among other commercial programmes with the expectation of the regional Campuses to address the Regional and Racial Demographics. Welwitchia Health Training Center is making a clarion call to the Herero and Damara Communities to enrol into their programmes, and to improve the communication barriers currently being faced in major hospitals due to a limited number of Damara Speaking Nurses to serve the respective
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We are calling for our Graduates to immediately pursue their Masters and PhD Programmes to be able to teach their fellow citizens such that we do not rely more on Expatriates from the Philippines, Kenya and Zimbabwe who have helped over the years. I must thank the Expatriates with us who have done a good job to date. Furthermore, it has proved very difficult to deploy local staff members in our remote campuses, and most favour Cities. Thanks to our Expatriates who have managed to endure less favourable conditions in our small towns,” Says Ipinge. Local renowned eye specialist Dr. Helena Ndume expressed her confidence in the addition of
106 nurses in Namibia helping to bridge a significant gap. “Most of the graduates have already been absorbed into the system, including the private sector. This is a sign that your achievement is not in vain. Welwitchia Health Training Centre continues to develop and expand to other Regions in the effort to make learning accessible to most previously disadvantaged Namibians despite economic hardships. The pledge of service of the graduates indicates that they are now prepared to develop the profession, and to practice it in the light of the sciences, which are the building blocks of medical and nursing sciences. It confirms that they are prepared to carry out professional acts in accordance with the legal and ethical codes and to care for people in their uniqueness with knowledge and compassion,” she says.
Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
Tel.: +264 61 207 9111 | Fax:+264 61 207 2444 13 Storch Street, Windhoek, Namibia Private Bag 13388 Windhoek, Namibia
The passion for learning. Meet NUST’s new Doctor of Informatics: Dr. Suama Hamunyela But it has not been all smooth sailing towards her Doctorate. “I had ups and downs. Situations over the last three years, that would have made someone else quit. But I did not give up.
The highly sought-after Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programme at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in the Faculty of Computing and Informatics peaked recently when it reaped its first fruit of graduates.
The supervisor I was assigned at the beginning changed universities and so I was without a supervisor for a year. Getting a new one was like starting from scratch. Thankfully, I had a very strong network of support.
Spearheaded by the Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Dr. Anicia Peters, the Doctorate programme was introduced in 2014 and has already delivered several success stories, like NUST Computing Science PhD student, Lameck Amugongo being selected as one of only 200 young researchers from around the world to attend the 5th Heidelberg Laureate Forum in Germany last year.
My mom would call me at midnight just to find out how I am doing and what I did that day. That kept me strong,” says Dr. Hamunyela. She also serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Namibian Women in Computing and Chairperson of the local ACMW Chapter. With regard to her achievement and being an inspiration for her students, who broke out in chants of adulation, ululation and exaltation, during the graduation ceremony, Dr Hamunyela sees her Doctorate as leading to capacity building for her Faculty.
T
hen there is the first Namibian and first female to receive a NUST PhD in Informatics, Dr. Suama Lineekela Hamunyela. Currently a Lecturer in the Department of Informatics at NUST, Hamunyela began her academic career at the institution as a Junior Lecturer for Business Computing at the age of 25. In fact, her journey with academia rewinds to when she began her first year at NUST as an IT National Diploma student. Born in Omungwelume in the Ohangwena Region some 33 years ago, her interest in Computing started at Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in where she took up computer lessons outside her normal school hours at an IT company called “Future Kids” in the then dusty streets of Ongwediva. “I was always inspired by the Professors here at the Institution when I arrived in Windhoek after matric. I am passionate about teaching, it comes naturally. I love learning and sharing knowledge.
“More PhD holders in the faculty will only strengthen it and see more companies taking in our students in the IT fields. We already have a strong base of students designing apps in our Department. After completing my Masters in IT at the Cape Peninsula University of Science and Technology, I started to seriously consider PhD studies in 2014 and I enrolled for the programme in 2015,” she says. Dr. Hamunyela’s PhD research was undertaken within the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). Her research was based on how the MoHSS offers services through stand-alone applications that are unrelated, non-interoperable, fragmented and non-integrated. It has been a great challenge for the MoHSS to select and implement ICTs effectively.
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As a result, healthcare data and information is scattered in different places leading to files and health passports getting lost or misplaced. To overcome this problem, the main objective of Dr. Hamunyela’s research was to design a framework for evaluating Health Information Systems (HIS) in Namibia towards integration. Her research philosophy is derived from the fact that research should influence the quality of service delivery and transformation of the organisational processes.
I want to see more collaboration between the Faculty and industry. We always get commended for having good software developers and I want to see that continue,” she says. Dr. Hamunyela’s aim now is to see more IT graduates focus on entrepreneurship and not only on finding employment. Her next step does not rule out a postdoctoral qualification as she aspires to become a Professor.
Tel.: +264 61 207 9111 | Fax:+264 61 207 2444 13 Storch Street, Windhoek, Namibia Private Bag 13388 Windhoek, Namibia
Achieving your dreams through education: Dr. Jude Osakwe “I began my PhD in Mobile Computing in 2015 and Dr. Onjefu even helped me fill in some forms and I was assigned two supervisors, Prof. Nomusa Dlodlo and Dr. Nobert Jere. I met good people here and visited 6 regions during my research.” and Informatics and published nine journal articles and five conference papers towards his PhD thesis. Coming from Nigeria with over 250 different ethnic groups, Osakwe did not find it difficult to adapt to Namibian culture and the peaceful status in the country endeared him to Namibia. During his research, he was able to cover 18 public high schools, three per region, 720 learners and 144 teachers.
J
ude Osakwe had just been accepted at a UK university for his PhD programme, when his friend at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Lecturer Dr. Sylva Onjefu, encouraged him to rather join NUST’s then newly established PhD programme for better access to research resources. And he has no regrets. “I began my PhD in Mobile Computing in 2015 and Dr. Onjefu even helped me fill in some forms and I was
assigned two supervisors, Prof. Nomusa Dlodlo and Dr. Nobert Jere. I met good people here and visited 6 regions during my research,” he says. Osakwe is currently the Director of IT at the International Training College of Lingua. He obtained a B.Sc in Apllied Statistics from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria in 1999. From 2002-2015 he worked as a Computer Science Lecturer at the Benue State College of Education in Nigeria, rising from a lecturer grade to a senior lecturer.
He is also an external examiner for two universities and a visiting Lecturer at the National Open University of Nigeria. His PhD research project was titled “A Framework for the adoption of mobile learning technology for Namibian public high schools.” This stemmed from his passion for technology in education and his belief that technology should be an integral part of education at all levels. During this time, he taught part time on a voluntary basis in the Faculty of Computing
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“Informatics is a wide area and part of IT. I have been teaching for over 16 years and I really want to go into research and focus on how technology can be useful in education. The Doctorate will be helpful in this. The Faculty was very supportive, getting material was never an issue. Dr. Anicia Peters is a woman that one can depend on. She made me the voluntary coordinator of the post graduate research students on a voluntary basis which of course fueled me to give more,” Dr. Osakwe says.
Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
Tsumeb Almost 50 years ago no one was interested in this part of Namibia, today we are a prime centre for tourism, logistics, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, water and manufacturing.
By Andre Neethling
M
y interests in Tsumeb stems from its triad set-up with Otavi and Grootfontein. It all started during the formulation of
Ongopolo.
I remember we sat in a community meeting with the then Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob at Etosha High School back in 1998 as we pondered on the way forward following the closure of Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL). We were devasted to say the least. But in that meeting we got the assurance from the Prime Minister who himself was the highest ranked Tsumeber in government. His message was clear, “do not leave town because the mine has closed. Stay and organise yourself, we will support you.”
Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
The Triangle Vision: How Tsumeb was saved I remember we sat in a community meeting with the then Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob at Etosha High School back in 1998 as we pondered on the way forward following the closure of Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL). We were devasted to say the least. -20-
It was there that I was elected in the 10-member committee that would come up with practical solutions to save Tsumeb. I was the representative of the mine then. We established Project 2000 and the reset button of saving Tsumeb from being a ghost town had just been switched on. I remember vividly names such as Dr Helen N Nkandi- Shiimi, the late Oscar Norich, Nico Kaiyamo, Ds Tienie Van Rensburg and others. We established a company and a Trust to get the mine going.
Tsumeb Project 2000 then saw the
Since we reset the town, along
Yes, I keep myself busy with a
reengineering of the mine under
came Weatherly opening its
lot of things. “If you can dream
Ongopolo using the former TCL
doors, Ohorongo Cement has
it, you can do it”. That is what I
employees together with leaders
sheltered in the triangle, B2Gold
have learnt with the resetting of
Pro-bono
in the trade unions. To us that
is operational, we are now busy
Tsumeb. We dreamt it and now
was historic. Along with this
with a steel plant in Otavi and
we are living it.
My pro-bono activities are vast.
reengineering were 52 other
personally, I have becoming
outsourcing companies which
fascinated with mining
we established, most of whom
exploration and associated
are still operational to date.
projects.
isolation. We are the hub of
One of the outsourced
I am also involved with Uris and
with an efficient corridor system
companies required a
Khorab Lodges and have been
into SADC, hence there is need
professional medical service
actively involved in a group of
to invest in the new emerging
and a suitable hospital. It took
previously disadvantaged locals
market called the triangle.
two days to convince me to take
to gain access to the fishing
up this challenge as I initially
sector.
Almost 50 years ago no one
Khorab was set-up then to
Namibia, today we are a prime
support the cement project where
centre for tourism, logistics,
the core activity.
we accommodated the key
agriculture, mining, infrastructure,
experts during the formulation
water and manufacturing.
It is now 20 years since we reset
of Ohorongo. Since then we
Tsumeb. We have reimbursed
served the business community
our investments and I am a
and specifically B2Gold during
director within the private
the construction phase.
refused to be involved in any of the 52 outsourcing companies – I opted to remain focussed on
hospital which rooms have now been upgraded to the levels of Lady Pohamba Private Hospital. We are now servicing the triangle, not just Tsumeb. It is also safe to say the reset of Tsumeb has brought so much to
That is where the legacy is. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
But close to my heart are the San
The strategy of the triangle is to act collectively and not in northern Namibia, the gateway
children that we support. I am particularly thrilled by the three learners whom we have identified and pledged to support from primary school until they become medical doctors, scientists or engineers, whatever career they chose to take.
was interested in this part of
My focus is not just Tsumeb, it is the triangle as a competitive whole.
Roseta is a grade 8 girl from Tsitsabis, Paulina is in Grade 7 at Lundishaven/Huigub, and we have also Samuel, a grade 5 learner at Ombili. Their parents have been consulted and this is a dream come true for us and the learners that we are assisting through Lions International and all the
Through my interests in the
Of course, the towns in the
tourism industry, we are busy
local Lion members like Hon
triangle are not in the same
completing the Omuramba
Betty Kaula, Nico Kaiyamo, Jan
region which might seem a
Meander, a new tourist route
Xamiseb, my dear wife Irma and
set-back to some but the fact that
between Namutoni, Tsumkwe
others.
they are one package, they are
and Waterberg.
easy to sell.
the triangle.
“Think Big – Start Small and Never Give Up!!”
I could have fled to Windhoek when the town nearly fell apart, but I chose to stay and rather create a new “Windhoek”. There is more potential here than anywhere else in Namibia. Our biggest resource is water, space, agriculture, climate, mineral resources and time.
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Us NAMIBIA • MAY - JUNE 2018
Women WomenininBusiness Business But despite the slow early progress of the business, I had faith and knew that it would work. My target market in the beginning was most my friends and family, who didn’t really have the money to spend on the weaves even though they liked the quality,” she tells Us.
The Virgin Hair Boutique Cc Quality you can always trust
Now 30, Ndishishi was born in a small village called Onekwaya West in the Ohangwena region, before moving to Windhoek at the age of 9. After matric at Khomas High School, she enrolled at to the University of Namibia in 2006 majoring in Industrial Psychology and Sociology. An exchange programme to Europe exposed her to entrepreneurship. Upon her return, she recollected her savings from her threeyear saving plan and from the scholarship to invest in hair extensions to sell. She originated the business only to sustain her through to graduation, but obliviously started a long-term plan.
Hair: For Albertina Ndishishi it’s woman thing
A
lbertina Ndishishi started using hair extensions when she was in her early teens. She wanted long hair, preferably spanning the length of her back. At university she was selling weaves to fellow students, the business soon grew from weaves to snacks, returns which were enough to supplement her taxi fare. Along the way, she tested a vast amount of different brands and models, but was seldom satisfied. She wanted more. Soon her friends were showing large interest in her small inventory. She now owns Virgin Hair Boutique (VHB) at Park Foods in Khomasdal with three branches
in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Ondangwa and about 20 people on her payroll. From selling to her family and friends, Ndishishi has hundreds of customers across Namibia, if not thousands. Since Ndishishi started trading in 2008, and officially registered the business in 2011, Virgin Hair Boutique has grown impressively, a key factor being innovation. Although the boutique sells the staple virgin Brazilian hair collaboratively, they also have their own very exclusive line of hair care extensions under the VHB brand along with their own exclusive hair product care line such as shampoos and conditioners
Us Us NAMIBIA NAMIBIA• •MAY MAY - JUNE - JUNE 2018 2018
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By Paulina Haupindi
Her biggest challenge to date in business remains the fact that as they mostly deal with international currencies, she is at the mercy of money markets, considering her prices are fixed.
produced with a partner company in Singapore. With a mission to build a brand, everything is custom-made and made by the locals. They are into the saloon business; they are professional weave makers and install extensions. Ndishishi’s team also gives wing training for those who want to enter the business. She now envisions further growth in photography, transport and logistics sectors. “In the early days, the business was very slow. I had to really be patient. The first time I got my first batch of extensions, I stayed with them for about four months without selling anything.
In addition, the high taxes and duties imposed on importers also makes her to reconsider pricing which results in certain products pricy. Yet what has made them standout has been the consistency in service and quality delivery to clients. The busiest time of the year for VHB is the wedding seasons, being anytime from August to December. But Ndhishishi thinks with the hair industry, it is a women thing; women always need to look good. “You need to lead in on the front, you need to be exemplary. You need to be a person who is very principled and have a very strong value system. People do not do what you tell them to do, they do what you do. You cannot be preaching something and then do the opposite. If you want to lead the people you need to lead by example,” she emphasises.
Women in Business
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