ROYAL HUSTLERS Job Amupanda on the pursuit of economic liberation
H
ailing from the northern village of Omaalala in the Oshana Region, Dr Job Shipululo Amupanda is the poster child for the Namibian dream.
With his ascent to the highest office in the capital city’s municipality, he has given rise to a new hope among young Namibians that dreams come true when pursued with relentless passion. Sitting down for his first ‘Royal Hustlers’ interview soon after he was sworn in as the Windhoek Mayor, the straight-talking activist, astute academic and firebrand politician shared with us his journey to where he is today. Humble beginnings Job’s childhood was like that of many other Namibian children. “Growing up in the village, you lived with what you know, you’re content with what you have,” says Job as he recalls his humble beginnings. For him, nothing seemed out of the ordinary about his life until he came to urban Windhoek and realised that his background was different. This realisation came with a desire to aspire for more in life, as well as an appreciation for everything that village life taught him. “Growing up in that environment teaches you the principles of identity, determination, rules and of not surrendering,” he says. His introduction to leadership came in the form of an SRC nomination when he was a Grade 8 learner at Iipumbu Secondary School. At this young age he already showed promise, competing with senior learners to become the deputy head boy of the school. The true meaning of success “Success must be inspired by the local context and circumstance. Success cannot be an independent variable, it’s something that you have to work for.” For Job, personal success has always been linked to the success of his community. This started with his efforts as a university student to bring electricity to his homestead and continued with his work in the mayoral office and the AR movement. Job is very passionate about liberating his people, particularly from socioeconomic challenges. Liberation is incomplete if it isn’t accompanied by economic freedom, he says. He is driven by his pursuit of success and he has even taken a symbolic approach to hold himself accountable
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to achieve most of the objectives he sets out for himself. “After achieving the major objective, that’s the only time I cut my hair or my son’s hair. It helps me set a spiritual space where I set my goals and objectives,” he says. So the next time you see the mayor sporting a full head of hair, know that he is working towards something big. Committed to making a difference Long before he set foot into his current office, Job held leadership and servitude in high regard. After his first leadership role as a school prefect in high school he served on the SRC while studying at the University of Namibia. This was followed by his election to the role of secretary for mobilisation and information in the SWAPO Youth League. However, his fierce advocacy for land reforms and democratisation of state institutions led to his imminent departure from the party, signalling the creation of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement of which he was a co-founder. As an AR member, Job has continued to work tirelessly to push for land reforms and advocate for other issues affecting young people in Namibia. He insists that he will keep fighting for these issues, even as he serves his term as mayor. “Job is not going to change, I’m still an activist of the Affirmative Reposition Movement, I’m still an activist for social justice – I believe in the equality of opportunity, of dreams and aspirations.” Not only focused on what is going wrong with the country, Job is also hopeful for its future. He says the unity among the diverse ethnic groups and the potential for change are what he loves most about Namibia. “I’m very excited particularly with our generation that wants to achieve economic freedom, a generation that says that it’s not just about the past, we don’t live in the past. They give me confidence and they give me courage and determination.” With leaders like Job, aged 33, among the generation that is gearing up to take the country to greater heights, there is no doubt that the future is in good hands. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99FM every Monday to Friday from 07h35, with Namibian Royal Hustlers featured on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
