99FM ROYAL HUSTLERS | Stephanie de Klerk

Be curious, be kind, be teachable

Never one to shy away from challenges and problems, Stephanie de Klerk has gone from competing as a gymnast to falling in love with law and public speaking, to embracing her role as the business development consultant at Sanlam Investments. This role, which did not exist five years ago, gives her the opportunity to live her purpose: “To transfer knowledge on investments that can generate wealth and inspire financial confidence in all Namibians.”

She was born to a single mother and a tightly knit extended family with her grandparents and cousins all in the same house in Tamariskia, Swakopmund. The youngest of four cousins, Stephanie was spoiled but also forced to toughen up if she wanted to play with her older cousins. “They would ‘accidentally’ hurt me,” she told 99FM. Stephanie confesses that she was “painfully shy” as a child, adding, “I couldn’t be a handful if I tried.”

To overcome her shyness, Stephanie’s mother got her into competitive sports from a young age. She competed in rhythmic gymnastics in primary school, which taught her about the correlation between hard work and reward. “If I didn’t practise hard, I wouldn’t get a medal.” She then applied this principle to academics, debating, sports and every other challenge along the way, making her highly driven and focused.

Stephanie grew up in church watching with awe how the pastor would hold the attention of the congregation. He would speak convincingly, and people would listen intently. He was loved and respected. She knew immediately that she also wanted to talk and have something valuable to say. “I have wanted to speak to many people and be respected for as long as I can remember.”

Her mother always valued education and insisted on the best schools. She was able to attend Jan Möhr Secondary School, where she learnt to ask questions. The school encouraged her curiosity and hunger for knowledge.

Jan Möhr also instilled strict discipline, academic vigour, consistency, leadership and integrity.

In high school, Stephanie met her mother’s friend, Norman Tjombe, at the Legal Assistance Centre. “I was sold on becoming a lawyer right there and then,” she says. Her grandparents helped her to go to law school and follow her dream.

Sticking with a law degree is a long and studious commitment. To keep her focussed, Stephanie would seek out the exceptions – instances when the law does not apply in the same way. These anomalies would excite Stephanie and keep her attention while studying. The law is there to govern relations because, in her words, “Human beings are at their very nature chaotic.” So, she would read the cases to understand the human element in how the law is applied.

Stephanie is motivated on a daily basis with the task of “learning myself”. If perfection is a farce, then all we can do is to be better than before: “Be better, do better, love better.” Stephanie is intent on passing on knowledge and staying teachable. She also encourages Namibians to be kind. “Choose kindness – to yourself and others.”

As a final word of advice, she warns that if you do not fail from time to time, there is no lesson to learn and you must be worried. “It might be time to get out of that sandpit,” she says. In a world of instant gratification, choose the road that is filled with lessons and self-improvement. Stephanie concludes, “Not everything needs a fast and quick ‘na enjoyment’ factor. Learn to learn, unlearn and relearn as much as possible.”

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