3 minute read
ROYAL HUSTLERS
from FlyWestair May 2020
James Mnyupe on growing into his purpose
A man at the helm of one of the leading investment companies in Namibia, James Mnyupe, did not have a predictable journey to where he finds himself today.
Born in Tanzania in the 80s, James spent the first four years of his life in Dar es Salaam until his enterprising mother moved the family to Kenya. They lived there for some time before settling down in the far south of the continent – in Namibia, the country which has since become his home.
James grew up with a strong community of women and attributes his professional success to them. “It’s really thanks to my mom and my sister, and to women in general, that I am where I am today,” he says.
As for his early career goals, James went through various phases. “Depending on which James you spoke to, that changed like the weather,” he jokes. At one point, he wanted to be a police officer, but after realising the hazards of working in law enforcement he considered a career in medicine.
“But when the reality of life hit me, when the rubber hit the road and I realised we just didn’t have money for me to go to medical school, I had to be quick on my feet, so I obtained my Bachelors of Business Administration – and then life just brought me to where I am.”
James says he was anything but a straight-A student in his early school years. Instead, he was very active and had a keen interest in sports. He moved from school to school until his mother enrolled him at a private school.
“She had to pay a significant amount of school fees to get me into that school. When I was there the utility of success and hard work became apparent,” he recalls. James became a diligent student with the help of coaches and mentors, as well as the continued support of his mother, who always wanted a bright future for him.
James joined Allan Gray Namibia in 2010 as a trainee investment analyst. This was a perfect move as he had been passionate about investments since he was a university student.
He moved to Johannesburg for a year and worked in the private equity division at Allan Gray. “My mentor and boss told me I had the potential to make a difference to lead and build on the foundations of Namibian business. I had humility and I dared to listen to that call of duty,” says James.
Now the Managing Director of Allan Gray Namibia, James has for the past three years been a consultant for the government. He serves on the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Ministerial Committee for the Minister of Finance, as well as on various boards. James sees these roles as his means of giving back to the community and paving the way forward. In fact, he donates some of his board sitting fees to two charities selected by his family.
James has come a long way since his student years. “I’ve learnt to be more humble and my rougher edges have become smoother. I believe at the core I have a big desire and passion to win, but as I become older, when I look at why I do what I do, especially some of the work where I volunteer my time, I start to think about my one-year-old son and the legacy I wish to leave for him.”
On how he defines success, James says, “I think success for me might be if I’m able to define myself as a contributor, a builder more than a consumer. It is something I’d love to pass on to my kids as well.”
A dynamic force both at work and in his community, James is determined to keep serving others. He approaches everything he does with passion and remains hopeful for the future of Namibia and his children.
This article is based on an interview with James on 99FM. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99 FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35.
