10 Minutes with Local Tastemakers - Odile Gertze

Little Miss Sunshine sums up Odile Gertze best. She is a lively voice on the 96.7FM airwaves, an emotive actress in multiple Namibian films, held the national pageant title in 2010, a phenomenal ballroom and modern dancer, and occasionally acts a fool in the good name of karaoke. All of that for a self-proclaimed introvert is no small feat!

To top it all off, she is the brand ambassador for the country’s largest tourism conglomerate, frequently jetting about Namibia. “(Travel) is like a tonic for breaking out of my shell,” says Odile, who undoubtedly has the country under her spell through sharing authentic and enticing stuff with her 11K-strong following.

From an early age the allure of travel and the transformative experiences it offers enticed Odile. “With my mother's career as an air hostess spanning 17 years, I found myself jet-setting across South Africa and Europe from as early as age 5,” she recalls of her upbringing. Not only did these formative years expose her to diverse people and places, but they taught her plenty about her place in this world, and in Namibia in particular.

It is always worth investigating why locals like Odile, with star potential and loads of talent, choose to invest it back into their motherland. She says: “Namibia's remarkable diversity thrives on ample space for growth, a haven for unique, youthful innovation, and a sense of belonging for every Namibian. Despite our challenges, our boundless passion can propel us toward realising our dreams. We just need to work hard.” Through playing real Namibian characters on stage and film, speaking about our collective culture and lifestyle on-air and broadcasting the many special places to see and experience in Namibia, Odile is a tastemaker in the truest sense of the word. Her positive disposition and creative lens leave an imprint on everyone in her wake.

For Odile, a life and career filled with variety is the only option. “Predictability isn’t my thing,” she says, admitting that the only constant in her routine is mornings spent journaling, exercising, meditating, and soaking up some sun. She also finds solace and spice in life while spending time with loved ones. In fact, this author recalls a Friday afternoon driving by Roberto’s Pizza in Eros, where Odile was sitting next to her nephew, spending quality time over a pizza for two.

“When you immerse yourself in activities and a career that truly resonates with your interests, it can bring profound satisfaction and purpose to your life,” says Odile, while also acknowledging that her days are filled with the admin that comes from being a Jane of all trades.

Choosing to share wholesome, authentic perspectives of her life as an actress, host and brand ambassador, Odile’s Instagram feed is a joyous mix of content about travelling, self-care and spa days, family time and an obscene number of positive quotes. She’s bent on contributing positively to the social media landscape saying “I firmly believe in the power of authenticity and personally would prefer to resist the temptation to conform to idealised social media standards. My aim is to curate content that inspires genuine connections and motivates others to be their true selves.” Tagging along with Odile, albeit virtually, will most certainly add positivity to your day.

Part and parcel of Odile’s genuineness is the fact that she can look back and laugh at her oopsies, cringe at herself for mispronouncing 'debris' on live radio and falling on stage, and give herself the grace to make earnest mistakes. It’s a whole different ball game to slip up in the public eye, which Odile will admit is one of the biggest challenges she’s had to overcome. The key is not to take things too personally, something we can all take away from our own fumbles and mishaps.

The starlet says: “Being human means having the opportunity to grow, expand, and challenge yourself, paving the way for personal growth and fulfilment. And thanks to my incredible mother, who is continuing her studies while in her 50s, I have learnt that while the world is telling you who to be, what matters is what you tell yourself. Keep following those dreams.”

Charene Labuschagne

Emidio Hoaeb @artbyemidio Alexandra Klöhn @lexik_ | Tatjana Lohmann @tatjana_lohmann