ROYAL HUSTLERS

David Namalenga on growing Namibia by lifting up its people

He wasn’t born with a silver spoon and life was never easy during his childhood. But with hard work and determination, David Namalenga overcame his difficult upbringing to create a life that is inspiring. Talking to the breakfast team on 99FM’s Royal Hustlers show, the Managing Director of Dinapama Manufacturing and Supplies shared his story and why he is so passionate about helping others achieve their own dreams.

Empowered to empower

“It’s all about uplifting others because that’s what actually makes me happy,” he said when asked what motivates him.

David Namalenga was born and raised in the Okathetu village in the Omusati Region. By the time he was 11, he was put to work at the family’s cattle post, where he would spend up to a month looking after cattle. This duty, along with his weekend errands for his father’s carpentry business taught him independence and responsibility early on in life. “It was a journey, it was quite tough but here I am today”.

Despite the harsh realities he was faced with at the time, David took his work seriously, and he learnt then that accountability was important in everything he did. He also points out his father’s role in shaping who he is today. “Because of him, we were not short of anything. He always provided what we needed,” he said fondly.

Building up a nation

Inspired by his father’s work ethic and the impact he had on his community, David has been guided throughout his career by a strong desire to serve and uplift others. “I ask myself how I can replicate my father’s servitude and ensure that the community and the people of the country are developed as I was developed by him,” he said. One of the biggest mantras he lives by is the concept of “saving people by serving them”.

David is also a strong believer in the notion of time being a limited resource, saying that whatever we do needs to be guided by that reality. “Life is like a one-time pin, if you do not use it wisely, it’s gone”.

David himself built his career slowly. His first official job as a cleaner at a Windhoek hotel brought about his entry into trade unionism which became a bigger part of his career story.

Dinapama

“We believe Namibia is a country that can be served by its people, no one must lack anything,” says David about one of the guiding principles that Dinapama is rooted in. He adds that the company is founded on the policy of nationalism and its strategies are aimed at empowering Namibians and growing the economy for the benefit of the people. On how the company navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, he says that the priority for Dinapama was to position itself to assist essential service providers by providing masks and other essential supplies. This included supplies for hospitals and retail outlets. It opened up a whole new service for the company - the production of masks was not on its list pre-pandemic. “We kept ourselves busy and later had to call people back from leave to produce these supplies”.

David is hopeful that one day manufacturing in Namibia will become a bigger sector that is supported by all Namibians.

His parting words on this note are a call to Namibians to support Dinapama and other Namibian manufacturers. “Manufacturing is key. We need to create awareness of the importance of buying local to grow Namibia.”

Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35 or rewind on the 99FM App (now available on Play Store and the App Store)

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