ROYAL HUSTLERS
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Sam Shivute’s inspiring journey
aving started at the bottom as a security guard at the Bank of Namibia, Sam Shivute is the epitome of successfully working your way up.
He is one of the most sought-after transformational coaches and motivational speakers in Namibia, and his life is nothing short of inspiring. Sam was born and raised in Olunkono, a very small village in northern Namibia. “I wouldn’t say I was an A student but I did not know how to be under or above that, so I was either the first or the second or the third. I didn’t know how to be number four,” says Sam about his early school life. Despite being so gifted, Sam’s mother struggled to keep him in school and by the time that he was 13, he found work with a veterinarian. The extra cash which he earned helped the situation at home. He also found another way of making money for his mother by selling soccer kits at his school. Knowing that his mother would not be in a position to pay for him to study further, Sam didn’t even bother to apply to any university after completing grade 12.
Life after school Sam’s first job after school was as an assistant taxi driver. That was followed by a stint in the Namibian police force. He also worked at the United Nations for about two years before getting an offer to head the Bank of Namibia’s security division. Alongside his work, Sam relentlessly pursued his education and obtained a Diploma in Police Science at the Polytechnic of Namibia (NUST) as well as a BJuris and an LLB from UNAM. A firm believer in the concept of having no limits, he went even further and obtained a Masters Degree in international finance and banking law in the UK.
I believe that to be truly unlimited, you should continue working, you must continue serving.
“My subjects were higher grade and I passed with exemption but I didn’t apply because I knew my mother struggled to put me through school, and I never wanted to give her additional stress,” he says. Since he didn’t apply for a bursary either, he was forced to find a job in order to fund his education himself.
A life of limitless opportunities “I believe that to be truly unlimited, you should continue working, you must continue serving,” says Sam who is now the Bank of Namibia’s Director of Banking Services. Apart from his full-time job at the bank, he also runs two popular motivational platforms – Night of Inspiration and a book club. With all his accomplishments, Sam continues to be hungry: Hungry for knowledge. Hungry for growth. Hungry for success.
And for those who are struggling to stay motivated, he has this piece of advice: “Let’s believe in ourselves, let’s know and believe that we are unlimited, only limited by the concept of limitation that we place in our mind. I just want to encourage people to be unlimited and excited about Namibia”. This article is based on an interview with Sam on 99FM. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99 FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35.
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