ROYAL HUSTLERS

Lazarus Jacobs on Business and the Creative Hustle

In 2009 Lazarus Jacobs was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame, a platform created specifically to recognise outstanding Namibian entrepreneurs.

He was admitted in recognition of his contribution to the economic development of Namibia through his company, Paragon Investment Holdings, and found himself in the company of notable captains of industry.

Lazarus Jacobs has built his career in the most diverse fields. He worked as a television and radio presenter, he is a celebrated stand-up comedian with many sold-out shows to his name, he is a motivational speaker and, above all, a seasoned entrepreneur.

The eighth out of nine children, Jacobs was born and bred in Grootfontein. Schools were still segregated under the Apartheid regime, and because there was no school for black children in his town he was forced to go to school in Swakopmund.

“It was a predominantly coloured school but black students were also allowed to enrol. I joined theatre classes at that school, and we started a theatre group which was very successful and won all kinds of competitions. We had a very good drama teacher who basically moulded us and encouraged us to take part in performances,” Jacobs recalls.

So it was only natural that by the time he finished school, filmmaking was one of his first choices. But this dream was cut short because he could not secure a scholarship. He then opted to work while he looked for a solution to his funding predicament, and became a clerk at the Department of Water Affairs.

Despite having to settle for this job, his dream remained. It wasn’t long before doors started opening for him. “Being a clerk was a very monotonous job but in the evenings I was writing plays. I entered a theatre competition and won the third prize and a first prize, but for acting, I won best supporting actor. The NBC took note and offered me a job.”

Jacobs started off as a continuity scriptwriter, then became a radio producer and later on a television producer.

With things just getting better from then on, he was soon approached by the Minister of Finance to become his personal assistant, a career highlight that Jacobs regards as a turning point. This was followed by a stint at Namwater.

These appointments changed his path for him, drawing him away from his performance career.

From the world of governance, he headed into business.

Together with his business partner Desmond Amunyela, he bought shares in an advertising agency and after that, Paragon was born about 16 years ago.

With all that he has achieved during his long career, Jacobs has remained a hustler and creative by nature.

He has done so well for himself that many young people look up to him and aspire to be as successful as he is. However, Jacobs considers success to be a finite concept. “I don’t think that we get to a point where we say ‘okay I’m successful’, because, to me, success is not about how much money you make or how many businesses you’ve created. Success is about the good person that I can be to my family, my community and my country. If I can make a contribution on those three levels of life then I’ve been successful,” he says.

Jacobs is hopeful for the changes that Namibian youth can bring to the country. “Young people are the biggest asset we have in our country,” he says. “So what do you do, you invest in them. When we talk about our opportunities I don’t think we should necessarily talk about a business deal, a tender or whatever. We need to invest in human resources. Successful countries have been built by investing in their people, and that’s the opportunity. An opportunity we should not waste.”

While he has been away from the comedy scene for some time, he is returning with a bang with a follow-up on some of his best moments on Twitter. Titled ‘Sii New’, the show is a satirical roast of Namibian celebrities and influential personalities.

This article is based on an interview with Lazarus Jacobs on 99FM. Tune in to The Royal Hustlers on 99 FM every Monday to Friday at 07h35.