Master Your Destiny

Odile Gertze

On the power of connection

Multitalented queen of the stage and big screen, Odile Gertze, graces MYD Africa Show with her presence in this throwback interview.

This interview happened just after she won the title of best actress in film at the Namibian Film andTheatre Awards. Blessed with beauty and brains, Miss Namibia 2010 has gone on to grow a formidable brand. She shares the meaning of connection, support and following one’s dreams.

MYD: What is it like changing gear to that degree, to go from being crowned Miss Namibia to the dance work that you’ve done, to then playing a character who is unliked? How do you change gears?

I must say that before Miss Namibia, before any of that, I’m a performer, I’m an artist, I grew up dancing and roughly about the time when I was 13 or 14, I was like “mommy I’m quitting ballet”, enough is enough.

You know I was the only one there who felt like I’m really pushing and no one’s really enjoying it and the teacher is tough and I didn’t want any more ballet. About six months later she took me to a theatre production of Swan Lake in South Africa, and that was when I wanted to go back to it.

So she was always incredibly understanding, always encouraging me, pushing me to continue my love for If you humble yourself and choose to uplift and serve others in the process, you will be uplifted through that yourself. dance, because she could see it. I definitely have the support of my family and my parents when it comes to the performing element. The Miss Namibia pageant was always part of my bucket list.

MYD: What does independence mean to you at an individual level, and at a community level?

Being able to fly so low with your support system under your wings.

It’s incredibly important. We are not on this planet on our own, there’s always going to be someone next to us whether we like them or not, so to me connection is about understanding, it’s about listening, it’s about humbling yourself so that you can uplift others. If you humble yourself and choose to uplift and serve others in the process, you will be uplifted through that yourself.

MYD: What are the tools to build good connections? Obviously there are going to be connections that might not be the best for you?

How to build the good ones, that is actually a very, very good question. You know, my first thought is to make sure communication is key, never to give up and listen, but that goes both ways, because communication is only successful when both parties understand.

So that’s my first and most important tool. Everything else I’ll figure out on the way and then I’ll let you know.

Follow MYD Africa on Instagram @mydafrica.

Odile’s story is part of a series celebrating Namibians in partnership with Master Your Destiny. Read more in the MYD Journal at: www.issuu.com/99fm/docs/99fm_myd_book_2018 Catch MYD Heart on 99FM, Mondays to Fridays on ‘The Pulse’ at 17H35.