Attitude determines altitude

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Attitude determines altitudeBanking the GREEN way Bank Windhoek’s manager of sustainable investments and deal origination, Ruan Bestbier, hopes to inspire purpose and influence others through his actions, work ethic and passion for sustainability and the environment. Mariselle Stofberg

Pull quote: The urgency to act on climate change is growing, and financial institutions play a crucial role in providing financing to Green projects.

When someone’s biggest fears include being unremarkable, one immediately knows that this individual has a drive and determination to be the change he wishes to see in the world.

Ruan Bestbier tackles everything in life with great enthusiasm, whether it is skydiving, researching Green things, or mastering his Frisbee skills.

“I tackle everything I do with zeal and ambition. I am always willing to learn and to try new things and I live by my late father-in-law’s mantra, ‘beproef alles en behou die goeie,’ which translates to testing everything, but holding onto what is good.”

Bestbier was born in Pretoria and grew up in a small town called Ceres in the Western Cape.

“Obviously, I became a proud Stormers fan and, to my parents’ dismay, an avid skateboarder,” he says.

Reflecting on the moment he realised that support is not always easily accessible, Bestbier says: “I clearly remember my high school maths teacher saying to me, you cannot make a racehorse out of a donkey. With that comment, school clearly took a backseat on my list of priorities.”

To his mathematics teacher’s dismay, he went on to attain a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in agricultural economic analysis and management at the Stellenbosch University despite staying in a rowdy men’s residence where he made lifelong friends with a bunch of wonderful Namibians.

“These Namibians were the ones who introduced me to my lovely Namibian wife. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I studied towards a Master of Science (MSc) in Agricultural Economics part-time whilst I started my first job as an agricultural economist at a deciduous-fruit-exporting company.”

As part of his personal development plan at Bank Windhoek, and to enhance his skill set, he completed his ACI Dealing Certificate through the Financial Markets Association (ACIFMA) and is currently completing the ACI Advanced Dealing Diploma and other online short courses.

“This diploma will enable me to acquire a comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of the foreign-exchange and money markets, their related instruments, environment and applications, as well as the links that exist between those markets and the practice of risk management,” he says.

In 2016, Bestbier started his career at Bank Windhoek as the treasury middle office officer in the enterprise risk management department.

“I progressed to treasury middle office analyst, where I was responsible for daily liquidity and market risk management, stress testing, limit monitoring and control activities for Bank Windhoek. I perform the same functions for Bank Gaborone (Botswana) and Cavmont Bank (Zambia), which are also members of Capricorn Group,” he adds.

“When the opportunity arose, I took my career to the next level and joined the treasury department, also known as the ‘heart of the bank.' It is here that I became the treasury sales and sustainability analyst as the sustainable investment portfolio moved to the treasury department. This position allowed me to initiate and manage the issuance of Namibia and Southern Africa’s first award-winning Green Bond, a move that led to my current role as manager of sustainable investments and deal origination.”

Throughout his career Bestbier has shown that actions speak louder than words. He strives to be a connector of positive change and unlock sustainable opportunities as a member of the Capricorn Group’s first NextGen Board. The Board serves as a formal body where Millennials and Generation Zs engage with the group’s executive management and give input that lead to creating an organisation for the future by sharing ideas, especially regarding bringing multiple perspectives to the table, building a unique culture, marketing, and business model development.

“I aim to inspire by showcasing how banking and a passion for sustainability can assist in transforming the economy to build a sustainable future for our people and the planet.”

His current role and responsibilities involve driving sustainable or impact investments by raising and managing funds to finance projects which contribute to a climate-resilient and low-carbon environment for future generations.

“The urgency to act on climate change is growing, and financial institutions play a crucial role in providing favourable financing to Green projects. The banking environment dynamics are ever-changing, and part of my job is to conduct continuous research around new industry trends and disruptive technologies, which might come our way in the near future.”

His goal is to make a lasting positive impact on the environment by turning Green and sustainable concepts into reality by identifying and providing them with the needed funding through the Green Bond and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance (SUNREF).

“I encourage others to never fall into a comfort zone; be ambitious; be a go-getter. Never wait for someone to tell you what to do.”

Bestbier believes that a man’s true integrity is revealed on the golf course and when he submits an insurance claim.

“I enjoy a good read, non-fiction mainly, watching documentaries, training in the gym, playing squash, trail running, spending quality time with my wife, and a round or two of casual golf. I am an attentive listener, as I believe it opens your world to greater opportunities and insights.”

Bestbier would like to one day drive a supercar around the Nürburgring racetrack and the Autobahn in Germany and believes his best advice ever given was to never overcomplicate things.

“Any fool can complicate a matter; it takes a touch of genius to simplify it.”

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The struggle kids conundrum

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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The struggle kids conundrum The issue of struggle kids being prioritised for cleaner and labourer jobs has again reared its ugly head in the form of ongoing protests at Outjo.

A five-hour meeting earlier this week reached deadlock on the issue of nine struggle kids being appointed at the town at public institutions, while residents say the jobless rate at Outjo is sky-high and local young people are battling to secure any form of employment.

The matter was referred to the Kunene governor Marius Sheya’s office for an intervention.

This is not the first time that local residents have complained about struggle kids being favoured when it comes to public-sector jobs.

Residents of Okakarara, Okamatapati and Coblenz in the Otjozondjupa Region last year demonstrated against government deploying 13 struggle kids in different settlements where they work as cleaners and labourers.

In 2018 it was announced that the education ministry had reserved 143 positions for cleaners within its directorates across all regions for struggle kids.

The directive sparked protests by 100 young people at Tses, who demanded that the positions be frozen and that appropriate requirements be attached for local residents to apply and also get a fair chance.

At the marathon meeting at Outjo earlier this week, Kunene health director Thomas Shapumba said five cleaner vacancies at the local hospital, which formed part of the nine public-sector jobs that caused all the furore, were filled by the struggle kids as per a cabinet decision. He added that struggle kids were being given equal treatment to marginalised communities in the country.

However, this may be difficult to swallow for other young people who are also unemployed and who want to be given a fair shake at applying for these posts. It is highly inflammatory to suggest that because of history one young person deserves an opportunity over another. This powder keg needs to be dealt with by those in power as a matter of urgency.

The value of the journey

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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The value of the journeyContinuously under construction Rhodda Lambert, the customer service officer at Pick n Pay, believes in the value of personal growth, determination and perseverance. Mariselle Stofberg

“So many times I focused on what I wanted to become, neglecting the process required to get there. As I matured, I realised the value of the journey.”

Growing up in the streets of Khomasdal, Rhodda Lambert was thrilled with making mud pies and leaf salads to ensure that all her cousins and friends had something to eat when they came to ‘her’ playground.

“Soon mud pies turned into activity books, then into assignments as I completed my bachelor’s degree in marketing at the then Polytechnic of Namibia,” Lambert says.

Lambert also completed a business certificate course and topped it off by learning German as an extra language.

“In my final year, I decided to be a part-time student and start the journey towards my desired career of being a marketing manager. Application upon application was my routine. I then got the offer to be a teacher, and I thought it would be an interesting, and convenient, twist to my life.”

Lambert loved working with children and being part of their ‘polishing’ process. A year went by and she became comfortable in her position, which made her forget her dream.

“As time flew I became discontent with where I was at, not because I didn’t enjoy or appreciate the occupation, but because I had to defer from convenience and move towards vision. Convenience harvests stagnation, and no one wants to be at a standstill.”

Lambert started at Pick n Pay (PnP) in 2017 as part of company’s talent-attraction programme where people fresh out of university receive on-the-job training.

“It was an awesome experience because I got to explore the majority of the O&L group. I had job rotation and I got a vast exposure to the whole O&L group,” she says.

Coming straight out of school into this corporate environment where one has to be involved in meetings and making decisions about things that one only reads about in books was quite a shock for Lambert at first, but she has never shied away from a challenge.

“I am grateful for all the opportunities in my life which came much earlier than expected. I had to overcome the fear of failure. In my first two years, this was especially hard because mistakes get made all the time. You can learn things on paper, but the execution in the real world is different. I can truly say I overcame it. I’m in a space where taking initiative is the in thing now. You have to explore new opportunities.”

Today Lambert is the customer-service officer at PnP.

“I facilitate customer-service training for all of our 22 stores. I developed the programme and train them, as well as managing our customer feedback on all platforms. I’m also involved in the execution of campaigns and competitions in our stores,” Lambert says.

“If you have happy customers, you have a happy business, happy employees, happy families and, most of all, a happy economy. If all businesses could strive towards having happy customers, the picture of Namibia’s economy would drastically improve.”

Lambert believes that what attracts people to one another is experience.

“It’s the glue holding an economy together. Serving someone is personal. If we can redirect the concept of customer service to focus more on customer experience, I think it would improve the way business is done in our nation. If you understand the expectations of customers, and know what type of experience they want, you would know how to serve them.”

Apart from thriving in her workplace, Lambert is currently learning to play the guitar.

“I love the outdoors and I’m fascinated by strange creatures. I want to be a part of helping those around me and to help them achieve their purpose. Dreams make us who we are and I love encouraging people and seeing them move forward in life,” Lambert says.

Commit to be fit

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Commit to be fitFitness and Food Season loading Jonathan Mweneni Mwafangeo has decided to merge his passion for fitness and economics to start a new and exciting fitness and food event. Mariselle Stofberg



It takes exceptional perseverance and determination to continue to chase your dreams despite adversity and complications that may arise. Jonathan Mweneni Mwafangeo has proven that he has what it takes to turn his dream into reality.

Mwafangeo has learned the hard way that nothing in life comes easy. This has, however, not stopped him from pursing his dreams, even when life tried to knock him down. Currently, he is planning and preparing for an exciting event that will take place in March this year, called the Fitness and Food Season, even though the journey towards this has been filled with ups and downs which have only made him stronger, more determined and more focused.

Mwafangeo is currently employed at First National Bank (FNB) in Windhoek in the Legal and Credit Risk (LARC) department where he works as a guarantees custodian. He has occupied this position for two years, after having worked as a multi-skilled consultant and deciding to move into different areas within FNB.

“The bank is a place that offers one different career opportunities. In my free time I move about the different departments, because I’m always trying to listen and learn and broaden my skill set,” he says.

Mwafangeo has the ability to grasp concepts quickly and this has allowed him the opportunity to expand his knowledge by simply investing time in getting to know the people he works with and understanding the work they do.

“I’ve been able to understand the work done at FNB Points of Presence and the relevance of data in the bank.”

After finishing grade 12, he enrolled for a diploma in accounting and auditing, but quickly realised that this career path was not for him.

This year he has registered at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) as a part-time student towards a bachelor’s degree in economics.

“I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts on how businesses are not showing growth at the required rate because they lack the necessary support they need in order to grow. I wanted to understand the scope of business dealing and understanding what an entrepreneur is required to have and understand,” Mwafangeo says.

Mwafangeo is an entrepreneur with a great sense of identifying a niche within the market and hopes to utilise the skills he gained in the bank, alongside his degree, to someday assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to use data as a way to maximise their profits and economic growth.

Another one of Mwafangeo’s passions is his love for coffee, and he is in the process of opening his own coffee shop.

“We still need to sort out some logistics in terms of a venue and so forth, but one day I will be able to make this dream a reality.”

Currently Mwafangeo is planning a vibrant and exciting event that will be taking place on 3 March in Windhoek at the Goethe-Institut.

He hopes to eventually have at least 20 stalls present at the Fitness and Food Seasons event. The overall aim of the festival is to celebrate fitness and wellness by showcasing different demonstrations and stalls offering anything from smoothies to Crossfit, meal preparations, workouts and much more.

Related to the event, they will also have a weight watchers programme where individuals who would like to lose weight can participate from mid-February until the day of the event to see who is able to lose the most weight.

Also included in the event will be runs of 5 km, 7 km, 10 km and 15 km.

Mwafangeo wakes up every day at 04:00 to complete his affirmations, exercise and prepare for the day. After work, he has to attend to his studies and the planning for the event. Mwafangeo is able to prioritise his time, and with the help of his girlfriend’s unending support, he has proven that no amount of effort is too much for something you are determined to achieve.

Mwafangeo is in the process of securing sponsors and stalls and hopes to create a spontaneous and energy-packed event to excite Namibians to join in this event of great food, fitness and a celebration of wellness.

Fort any enquiries on the event, Mwafangeo can be reached at m8heritage@gmail.com.

Investing in the people

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Investing in the people CAN’s message for 2020 Mariselle Stofberg

“A new decade signals a time for reflection and focus on new opportunities that lie untapped before us. A decade passed teaches of victories, challenges, mistakes made and corrections to those mistakes that make us stronger and better in what we do,” says the chief executive officer of the Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN), Rolf Hansen.

Hansen addressed some of their stakeholders and the media at a briefing in Windhoek on Wednesday.

During the previous decade CAN was able to assist 28 038 newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families. Hansen emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of those individuals who support patients through their diagnosis and treatment and assist them in their journey.

“Greater investment in workforce training and delivery models throughout the country is needed urgently to achieve lasting change and deliver on the promise of universal health coverage,” Hansen said.

He called for more accountability within the healthcare sector to ensure that no one is left behind and every person has the opportunity to receive quality healthcare.

“We need to change the will of the politicians for them to also understand. In 2020 we are going to push for that accountability within the healthcare sector that is still lacking in our country,” he said.

The association further discussed some of its projects lined up for this year. These will include the well-known Spray-athon, Cancer Walk and Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Hansen also mentioned that Namibia will host the African Cancer Registry Network Meeting from 16 to 20 March. This year the focus will be on Southern Africa, and to extensively focus on the political, economic, social and medical challenges that these countries face and what can be done to address them and to become more sustainable.

“Members of the corporate community can become a part of this conference, whether it is with branding, sponsoring or coming on board to pull off this amazing event,” Hansen added.

The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.

“We are in the planning phases for this 20th anniversary of the project and we want to make sure that this year will be impactful and be one to remember,” said Bronwyn Moody, the head of corporate social investment, sponsorship and events at Bank Windhoek.

Bank Windhoek assigns Muukua with CSI and Stakeholder Engagement role

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Bank Windhoek assigns Muukua with CSI and Stakeholder Engagement role Bank Windhoek has appointed Veripura Muukua as its new Communication Practitioner, tasked with Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and Stakeholder Engagement, effective Wednesday, 15 January 2020.

In her new role, Muukua will be responsible for the administration and the coordination of the Bank’s Social Investment Fund (SIF) and its Stakeholder Engagement function.

“We are delighted to welcome Muukua in our team. With her passion for building relationships and community development, we believe that Muukua’s drive and enthusiasm will contribute to Bank Windhoek’s strategic objectives,” said Bank Windhoek’s Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communication Services, Jacquiline Pack.

Prior to joining Bank Windhoek, Muukua was a Communication Officer of the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), a leading conservation and sustainable development organisation. She held that position for a period of three years and was responsible for the NNF’s internal and external communication activities, including digital marketing and management.

Veripura holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Media Studies, majoring in Public Relations and Political Studies, obtained from the University of Namibia (UNAM). Her career and academic skills have imparted her with knowledge and skills in building internal and external relationships; events management; engaging with vast stakeholders such as international bodies, donors and government ministries; coordinating and supporting rural community projects for sustainable development and organising numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

“We wish Muukua the best and trust that her professional journey with Bank Windhoek will be rewarding,” concluded Pack.

N$60m in SA worker funds looted in SME Bank heist

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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N$60m in SA worker funds looted in SME Bank heist A whopping N$60 million belonging to the South African Municipal Workers Union National Provident Fund was among the so-called investments that have gone missing as part of the SME Bank loot.

The Mail & Guardian this week reported that the N$60 million payment was made into an SME Bank account without written permission from the retirement fund. According to affidavits before the Namibian High Court, former SME Bank CEO, Zimbabwean Tawanda Mumvuma, on 12 October 2016 wrote to the managing director of JM Busha Asset Managers with an instruction to transfer N$60 million into the Namibian bank.

This amount was duly transferred from an account held at the VBS Mutual Bank one day later. That same day, Mumvuma signed a promissory note in favour of JM Busha, thus creating a liability of N$60 million for the SME Bank to JM Busha Asset Managers.

The Mail & Guardian reported that despite the SME Bank now being in liquidation, Joseph Busha, CEO of the investment fund, remains adamant that the N$60 million can be recovered, with interest.





In an interview with the SME Bank liquidators David Bruni and Ian McLaren last October, Busha contended that he may have been defrauded by Mumvuma.

Principal officer of the South African pension fund Themba Mfeka is quoted by the Mail & Guardia that part of the fund's 'investment' in the SME Bank is guaranteed by the Namibian government and directors of the fund.

Mfeka further claimed that there is litigation against the SME Bank's directors.

An anonymous source in Namibia denied Mfeka's claims.



The ruse

Tania Pearson, former SME Bank legal advisor, retained to assist in the liquidation process in court documents, states that the JM Busha 'investment' and others were attempts to cover up the loot.





Financial records and bank statements show that between December 2013 and January 2017 at least N$247.6 million was transferred out of the SME Bank's accounts held at Standard Bank and FNB Namibia to alleged recipients of the stolen funds.

A lot of these illicit payments were concealed as either for computer hardware or building costs, and when excessive amounts became difficult to justify, the fraudsters started to call the payments 'investments'.



The cover-up

During June 2016, the SME Bank's external auditor, BDO Namibia, questioned a number of transactions and requested copies of investment agreements.

Bank of Namibia (BoN) governor Iipumbu Shiimi also started to make enquiries, but received no feedback from the SME Bank.

Pressure on the bank, however, was mounting, at which point Mumvuma, Mauwane Kotane of Mamepe Capital (to which SME Bank allegedly made a number of investments), as well as Andile Ramavhunga, CEO of the [also looted] South African VBS Mutual Bank, 'devised' a scheme to pull funds from elsewhere back into the SME Bank accounts.

This led to the milking of – amongst others – the N$60 million from the South African municipal pension fund.

Pearson stated that Mumvuma, Kotane and Ramavhunga created documents in November 2016 to represent “to all and sundry”, including the BoN and BDO, that N$57 million was repaid to the SME Bank from a so-called investment held at VBS Mutual Bank.

“[They] had by then in fact created a further liability for the SME Bank,” Pearson declared.





CATHERINE SASMAN

Fishrot bail strategy revealed

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Fishrot bail strategy revealed The six men accused of accepting bribes worth N$150 million in the so-called Fishrot scandal have so far avoided applying for bail to protect details of their alleged criminal deeds, legal experts have said.

Another possible strategy, observers say, is to wait for public anger to subside because it would be nearly impossible to grant them bail at the height of the ongoing public furore.

Since their arrest on 27 November, the so-called Fishrot Six, including former cabinet ministers Sacky Shanghala and Bernhardt Esau, have not yet exercised their constitutional right to apply for bail.

Yet, many attempts have been made to secure their release from custody – but through other means than bail.

So far the six men – the other four being Esau's son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi, his cousin James Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo and Pius Mwatelulo – have launched legal attacks on the validity of their arrest and incarceration.

Esau, who was the first to be arrested, had secured temporary release after it was ruled that his arrest was not procedural, but authorities went back to the drawing board to follow the correct procedures and rearrested him together with his cohorts.



Curiosity over the accused's reluctance to apply for bail intensified a fortnight ago when Shanghala's employee, Nigel van Wyk, who also faces charges related to the Fishrot corruption case, abandoned his bail application that had been scheduled for 10 January.



The reason given to the court was that Van Wyk could not afford a lawyer to argue his case.



In December, the six accused approached the High Court with an application to have their case thrown out on an urgent basis. The court ruled that their matter was not urgent, prompting the six to approach the Supreme Court.



Legal experts this week told Namibian Sun that not applying for bail was a strategy by the six to protect details related to their alleged crimes.



“A bail application means that they have to stand in the dock and be actually questioned about the charges and the allegations by the prosecutor,” said a local lawyer, who preferred anonymity.



“That would be about two to three weeks of examination and cross-examination. It would bring out facts and allegations that would be good food for the media, which they are trying avoid.



“The evidence they give there [in court] remains on record and even if they get bail, they can never move away from what was said at bail application during trial. So they first want to see if they can exhaust all other avenues before a bail application,” the lawyer added.



Another lawyer said: “They may have skeletons that they don't want to expose. It is really bad.”



Another legal expert said the six men were delaying the bail application to allow public anger to wane.



“Given the heightened public attention, the prosecution may argue against bail. So they did well to wait for things to cool down, public protests to subside and investigations to be completed,” he said.



“So they want to challenge the basis of the arrests and conduct; all these technicalities that would not only secure their release but also undermine the charges. It also distracts the ACC and prosecution from the merits of the case if they have to deal with all these applications.”

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Same old, same old

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Same old, same oldNo school furniture Discomfort is a fact of life for learners at Nkurenkuru Combined School in Kavango West, where a lack of furniture means they either have to stand or sit on the ground during classes. At Nkurenkuru Combined School in Kavango West Region, learners are being taught under trees, seated on the floor or standing for hours due to a lack of furniture.

During a visit to the school, Namibian Sun observed a newly completed four-classroom block without a single piece of furniture.

At around 09:00, learners appeared tired and uncomfortable and demanded that the education ministry look into the situation with urgency.

Namibian Sun established that the few learners with chairs brought them from home.

“When you come to school, you suffer by sitting on the floor, and walking back home, you think about the suffering.



The next morning on your way to school, you are thinking about how you are going to suffer again,” a learner said. Some of the learners travel about 15 kilometres to school.



One of the teachers said it is difficult to teach learners in such an environment.



“The learners are forever tired and their concentration levels are very low. They don't want to take notes, not because they are rebelling but they are not in a comfortable situation. We are appealing that our government looks into our situation.”



Another teacher, who instructs learners under a tree, said they really need the situation to be addressed as they are exposed to a number of distractions, including rain.



“The reason why we are outside is because there is no classroom that is vacant and now imagine what will happen if the rain starts to pour. We will be forced to seek hiding wherever we can and the class will be interrupted. Now tell me, is it fair?” the teacher asked.



According to principal Frans Ngoma, enrolment of learners is still ongoing. The school has, thus far, enrolled a total of 1 310 learners.



The school has 40 teachers, while the learner-teacher ratio stands at 50 to 60 learners per teacher.



Ngoma, who described the situation as 'unfortunate', said these issues have plagued the school for many years and worsen each year.



He attributed the challenges to the increase in population in Nkurenkuru, saying that each year, the number of learners enrolled increases because of the demand for school placement.



“Nkurenkuru Combined School is at the centre of town and with the population increasing, it makes it worse for our school. People are coming to town either after having secured employment or seeking for jobs and in the process, they bring their children with. We also cannot deny a child access to education,” he said.



Ngoma added that their concerns are known by the Kavango West Region education directorate.



“All these years, we have been submitting our needs to the regional office and they have assisted where they can, I must say, but our challenges remain a stumbling block to providing quality education,” he said.



Ngoma pointed out that the school needs four classrooms, an administration block, 701 chairs, 702 desks, teaching and learning materials as well as stationery.



In an interview with Namibian Sun, Kavango West Region education director Teopolina Hamutumwa said she will not deny what is happening at the school.



She however pointed out that these challenges are not “as critical” as those experienced at several schools in the region.



Hamutumwa said that for the 2019/2020 financial year, the Kavango West East Region education received a budget of N$55 million, of which N$11 376 000 was directed towards the development budget.



She said N$2.5 million will be used for renovations while N$8.9 million will be used for basic facilities.



Hamutumwa said only schools in dire need were prioritised.



“As for Nkurenkuru Combined School, we know of their situation but because of the limited funds, the focus was on schools which are in dire need. It is unfortunate that the situation is like that,” she said.

A peek into the HR world

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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A peek into the HR world Julia Mushellenga

There are a few initiatives one can use to empower employees, but my main preference is through engagement. It’s important to create engagement platforms where employees can share their ideas or provide suggestions on a certain topic, celebrate wins and open discussions on how we can positively adjust or correct our shortcomings and actions to address them.

This not only retains employees because they feel engaged but empowers them to an extent of self-realization.

The more you communicate, whether through engagement websites, one-on-one talks or monthly group discussions, the more you learn and the more you challenge and enlighten yourself. This creates trust among employees and fosters remarkable loyalty and tenacity.

HR has evolved over the years, from being reactive to being proactive, meaning we have moved from being admin-centric to the task of more critical thinking.

This includes creating an alignment between the HR strategy and the overall business strategy to suit the company’s business model.

For HR to stay relevant within the business, our focus is on talent acquisition, which is recruiting individuals who show similar drive and alignment toward the organisation’s goals. We also focus on retaining talent, as well as putting measures in place that celebrate our employees.

Creating growth opportunities is also a critical priority for HR, whether through offering study bursaries, role swaps, mentoring or coaching opportunities, compensation and benefits, policy formulation and risk management (employee and labour relations).

The first hours are essential. Have you heard the quote ‘”first impressions count”? Well, a similar approach should be utilised when onboarding new employees. Firstly, introduce the employee to the organisation, walk the floors and introduce the employee to each division and what they are responsible for.

This will give the employee an understanding of the organisation itself. Ensure the employee’s station is sorted out and, most importantly, assign the employee to a work buddy. The buddy is responsible for helping the new employee adjust to the new environment.

How one manages to keep the work environment happy for employees? With consistent engagement. Here at MultiChoice Namibia, we have a Friday Funday every week. This is basically a set time for employees to relax and engage with one another.

What I like least about the world of human resources is the conversation HR does when it involves a dismissal or an employee’s separation from the company. I believe every action has consequences and as an individual, if you made a certain decision, whether good or bad, you need to be able to acknowledge and handle the consequences the same way you took on that action that led to that outcome. But in very few instances, it becomes a sensitive situation and should always be treated delicately.

We are moving towards an era of aligning talent and business, and digitisation within HR. This involves making use of technology to make HR processes more efficient, effective and future fit. Many people believe that this digitisation will have a negative effect on managing the one-on-one people’s expectations of HR, however, I believe these platforms would greatly align to individual responsibility, whereby employees would need to take ownership of their growth, performance recognition of one another and being more involved.

Over the years, HR has created more laidback employees, but as we are moving towards a new era, we need to empower our employees to be more involved and equip them for the final stretch on the industrial revolution.

Julia Mushellenga is a HR practitioner at MultiChoice Namibia.

The rose among the thorns

January 23, 2020, 2:00 pm

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The rose among the thorns Knowing how to PLANT Gone are the days when begin vegan meant only eating leaves and twiggy salads, because now the bubbly Alexa Rack has taken matters into her own hands. Justicia Shipena



It would be difficult to meet anyone who is as passionate about food and educating people about a vegan diet than 25-year-old Alexa Rack, the owner of PLANT’D restaurant in Windhoek at The Village, which opened mid-July last year.

Passion will only get you so far, and keeping a vegan restaurant afloat with the majority people uneducated about veganism has taken a huge amount of courage, determination and hard graft.

Rack was born in South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, Cape Town. Growing up in Namibia, her diet consisted mostly of biltong, chips and Coke.

“I had a fast metabolism but I was always sick as a dog,” she says.

Rack says the words diet, health and nutrition were something she did not know much about, until 2010 when she caught measles, meningitis and German measles all in the same year. In the same year she was also told that she is wheat and gluten intolerant.

Two years after Rack was diagnosed with gastritis, she moved to Johannesburg to further her equestrian career.

“Unfortunately I did not enjoy my life there. My life revolved only around my horses and my dog, Baloo. Little did I know that my body was not coping either,” she says.

In 2014 she suddenly gained 12 kilograms in five months and started spending her money on protein shakes and other things trying to lose weight. Rack adds that she became extremely insecure, unhappy and couldn’t figure out what was happening.

In the same year she came to Namibia for a horse show to surprise her parents. They saw something was not right and eventually her doctor sent her to an endocrinologist in Sandton, Johannesburg. At that stage her hormones were all over the show, her sugar and cholesterol where sky-high and she now had type two diabetes.

“I was sent to a few dieticians where I spent a lot of money, but nothing helped. I started losing myself in this whole process, my performance in the showjumping arena started to drop and my confidence was nowhere to be found either,” she says.

Rack then decided to do some research and ultimately, after spending many nights on the internet, she decided to go vegan. Within two months of following a vegan diet, she lost weight and her blood glucose levels went down.

“My endocrinologist couldn’t believe it because I should only be eating animal protein and no carbs. It just goes to show how uneducated a lot of us are about a healthy, balanced vegan diet,” she says.

In June 2018 things went downhill for her as a professional horse rider. She needed her health and a fit body to perform but after a hernia operation she was unable to sit on a horse.

When she came home in January she was ready to head back to Cape Town but she slipped and broke her ankle. This once again put her career on hold. Rack knew she had to do something else with her life, seeing she wouldn’t be able to get back on a horse for a long time.

Often when her friends and family would ask her to go out for lunch, the question was where, as she is wheat and gluten intolerant, has type two diabetes and is a vegan.

“I got sick of paying a fortune for lettuce and having to explain myself at restaurants. So I decided to open up PLANT’D. I had to accept that my riding career has to come to a pause and focus on something else,” she says.

Rack then decided to fly to Cape Town wearing a moon boot and using crutches to pack up and get some ideas and inspiration at vegan restaurants. On the third night in Cape Town she ended up in the emergency room because she had developed a blood clot in her lung and in her calf.

She was unable to do everything as planned, so she began writing a menu in her hospital bed.

“When I opened up PLANT’D a lady wrote ‘All roads lead to PLANT’D’. In my situation, all injuries led to PLANT’D”

Rack believes that climate change is something serious and people need to take action. She wants Namibia to grow and have more “healthier” options.

According to her she would like to turn PLANT’D into something special that Namibia is yet to see. She lives by the motto ‘Make Namibia Great’.

She further said Namibia is special, but still has much room for improvement and she wants PLANT’D to be the magical vibe where people can hang out, have her talented friends play some tunes in the back, throw pizzas into the oven and enjoy an ice-cold draught. For now she wants everyone to enjoy the beautiful setting at The Village.

“We have our local birds chirping away the whole morning, fresh, healthy and tasty plant-based food and probably the best coffee in town made by our legendary Simone. I am an absolute control freak and in the kitchen with the chef at all times.”

She emphasises that PLANT’D is her life and she wants people to celebrate alternative healthy food. She points out that one does not need to be vegan to visit PLANT’D.

While establishing the first Namibian vegan restaurant, she trained three staff members to be knowledgeable about venanism.

Her aim is not really to convince people to change their diet but to at least give people an alternative to what they are used to.

“I have witnessed so many people that have changed not only their diet but their way of thinking when it comes to eating vegan. This has given me absolute delight knowing that we as a team at PLANT’D have impacted people’s eating ways.”

Some of Rack’s future plans involve getting her horse back to Namibia, to pay more attention to climate change and create awareness about this serious issue.

Fun Facts about Alexa

Meet MultChoice’s campaign programmer

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Meet MultChoice’s campaign programmer Heita is all about planning and willpower Michelline Nawatises



Lenis Heita (23) got his first job opportunity as an intern at Standard Bank Namibia in 2016 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering. In 2017, he was granted a permanent offer as a software developer and in 2018, he completed an honours degree in software engineering, majoring in mobile development. In August 2019, Heita was employed at MultiChoice Namibia as a campaign programmer.

Heita’s role is to execute campaigns and deliver regular reports of campaign results and effectiveness, including analysis and evaluation of key performance indicators (KPIs). One of his challenges is adjusting to the learning curve.

“Learning new technologies and methods is always a difficult thing, especially when entering a new field,” Heita says.

His typical workday starts with getting to the office at least 15 minutes early to plan the day. “I jot down all the tasks I must complete and prioritise them depending on their urgency and importance,” he adds.

Heita then checks his emails and calendar, and sends out daily communications. This way, he increases his pace of doing work and becomes more productive during the day.

Heita says he was inspired by his teachers. “I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to teach me and my classmates back in the day.” He recalls how he and his classmates would give the teachers a tough time. “We were notorious, but smart learners at the same time. Kudos to the people who choose to dedicate their lives to helping us learn and grow.”

His advice to young people is that it is “it is okay to fail” as it is not the end of the world to get rejected. “There are no failures, only stepping stones to help you become the best version of yourself. You must go through many challenges to learn how to be successful,” he says.

His long-term goals involve growing with a company where he can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as possible. One thing he wishes he knew more about is hardware programming.

Heita’s biggest fear is getting sidetracked when it comes to meeting his targets. “I am a driven person, but I know how easy it is to get distracted,” he says.

He mentions that childhood was the best phase of his life. “During this stage, we normally have no responsibilities or worries. We receive pure love from families and friends and our mistakes were considered innocent and we were forgiven most of the time.”

If he had an opportunity to change anything in the world, Heita would make sure that everyone had the same opportunities, as people need a chance to become who they want to be regardless of where they come from, their skin colour or religion.

Positivity is a mind-set

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Positivity is a mind-set Scholtz aspires to inspire

Marjolize Scholtz, who has joined FirstRand Namibia as wellness specialist, believes in the power of the right attitude, focus, and a positive mindset.

Marjolize Scholtz believes in the power of the right mindset and believing in yourself and what you want to achieve.

Scholtz understands that people will never stop growing. “Life is a journey, therefore embrace every moment, share love and understanding; because you never know what struggles the other person has to face today. And most important, always do things with a dash of love and guidance from above,” she says.

Scholtz holds a BA degree in health and social services, with specialisation in psychological counselling, obtained through the University of South Africa (Unisa), with a further qualification in strategic wellness management. In 2019, Scholtz was elected as a council member of the Namibian Blood Transfusion Service (NamBTS), serving for the next three years.

In her new role, Scholtz will be responsible for the overall health and wellness aspects and initiatives for the group. She aims to enhance organisational health and well-being through innovative awareness programmes and initiatives that encourage healthy habits and inspire employees to take responsibility for their own health.

“We aim to decrease absenteeism due to illness and stress, by cultivating a positive and supportive environment, which celebrates the improvement of the quality of life of our employees,” Scholtz says.

When asked about her aspirations for the wellness office, Scholtz said she was fully committed to delivering high-quality health and wellness services which include awareness, prevention, promotion, counselling and clinical services for all employees.

“The confidentiality of all our employees is of the utmost importance in achieving a level of trust and satisfaction. We also aim to focus on a person as a whole and would encourage employees to be aware of all eleven areas of wellness and in doing so, search and find a unique solution to overcome the challenges they are facing.”

Scholtz loves to travel and meet new people and she is also a qualified scuba diver who has many dive sites on her bucket list.

Scholtz hopes to inspire others through her attitude, and lives by a quote from Tom Stoppard: “A healthy attitude is contagious, but do not wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier!”

Her message to her colleagues is to never lose hope and become hung up on those New Year’s resolutions. “Rather make smaller changes throughout the year and sustain the changes. Remember, to fully embed a new habit or change, you will have to repeat it for three cycles of 21 days. Therefore, hang in there, you can do it. Never give up. There are various avenues of help out there and you are not alone.”

It’s more than just taking phone calls

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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It’s more than just taking phone callsA world of opportunities on a secretary’s desk After about five years at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Panduleni Kashipulwa prides himself on his emotional intelligence skills. Ester Kamati

With his degree in office management and technology secured, Panduleni Kashipulwa is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in communication and is in his third year of studies. Simultaneously, he serves as a full-time employee at the institution, playing the role of secretary to the institutional planner in the institutional planning department. These are shoes that he has been filling since being permanently appointed in 2018.

The institution was transitioning to a university when Kashipulwa joined as a student in 2012. That was after he had matriculated at Uukule Secondary School in the Oshikoto Region, where he was born. He graduated in 2016, attaining a bachelor’s degree in office management and technology. He joined the institutional planning department in 2015 as an intern, while still studying, and was appointed as the leader of the student brand ambassadors in 2016 on a part-time contract.

Currently a full-time employee, Kashipulwa’s job includes office administration and management, updating the department’s website, handling requisitions and drafting the department’s budget. He also has media responsibilities which require him to create photographic and video content for all department events and creating a photo archive, managing the planner’s diary and assisting the planner with any other duties.

Kashipulwa says he was mainly keen to take on a career as a secretary because of the gender stereotype. “People believe that being a secretary is a female job. I went for it to prove a point to everybody out there that you cannot be limited by gender to do what you want to do.”

It is rare for men to be asked how they survive in a “female-dominated industry” but Kashipulwa believes that the value of work is not linked to gender and gender should not be a factor in determining people’s careers.

“Most people think that being a secretary is about sitting and answering calls or typing,” he says, but there is much more to it. He says the department he works in is versatile and has four units, namely strategic planning, statistics, branding and radio.

“Working with a diverse group of people is another factor that I love about my job as it grows my talent pool, experience and it creates innovation.”

Kashipulwa has served on several committees, including the National Students Research Symposium, National Clean-up Campaign and currently the Nust Secretaries’ Forum Committee. He describes this as “a whole package of benefits that come with my job and I love it very much.”

Having been a student at the institution himself, Kashipulwa sometimes finds himself in a position to advise students on a variety of issues. One such instance was when a student was not sure whether the course he was studying was “the one for him.” Kashipulwa advised the student to simply continue with the programme.

“To me, it does not matter what course you are doing. Just study, you will certainly fall in love with what you do,” he says.

“I believe education is the key that can open many doors in life.” He adds that it is better for individuals to study the courses at their disposal rather than “sitting at home doing nothing.”

“Nust is a reputable institution that values its employees and motivates them to grow professionally. I am also proud to be contributing to the only university of science and technology in Namibia.”

He values the mentorship that he constantly receives in his department, as well as contributing to strategic decision-making, which he says motivates him to drive to work with a smile.

“My supervisor, Ms Neavera Tjivikua, a selfless leader, motivates me to reach greater heights. She gives everyone in the department an opportunity to grow professionally.”

He says her leadership has taught him to replace “I don’t know” with “I will find a way to do it”.

A bigger parliament, but so what?

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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A bigger parliament, but so what? When Swapo used its two-thirds majority to make sweeping amendments to the country's constitution in 2014, its members defended this move tooth and nail.

The amendments helped balloon government's wage bill by creating, among others, the position of vice-president and increasing the National Assembly from 72 to 96 voting members.

With MPs in that house earning an average annual salary of about N$600 000, the salary bill of the National Assembly must have increased by a whopping N$14.4 million per year.

The expansion of parliamentary seats was never properly justified, except to say it was “in keeping with many Commonwealth parliamentary practices”.

Now President Hage Geingob, who was an active player in the 2014 constitutional amendments, is planning to downsize his cabinet, come March 21. He cited cost as the key influence of his decision.

This is a scenario of robbing Peter to pay Paul. What difference would it make to downsize the cabinet while parliament was increased?

And, apart from the flimsy Commonwealth compatibility excuse, how has parliament become a better servant of the people with its increased army of often absent MPs?

The only notable change we have seen in the past five years is that MPs have become savvy with their gadgets on which they browse X-rated adult content sites.

Neighbours Botswana, who are our peers in every sense of the word, have a parliament of 65 seats. They have adopted a culture of doing more with less – something they have been doing with finesse and absolute efficiency.

We must thus interrogate the logic of having increased seats in our National Assembly, which on the face of it seemed to have been a ploy to accommodate as many comrades in the well-paying house of legislature.

The irony is that government increased seats in parliament and immediately started moaning about how its wage bill gobbles up over 50% of the national budget.

If President Geingob wants to salvage his legacy in the next five years, he must be bold enough and reverse parts of these amendments, especially those that have worsened our financial situation.

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High Court saves widow

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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High Court saves widowShiputa no longer has to pay for husband's suicide The traditional authority had initially ruled that the widow should “pay for the tears of her husband's family”. The Windhoek High Court has set aside a Gciriku traditional court ruling that a widow should pay 15 heads of cattle or N$30 000 to her dead husband's family after he committed suicide.

The High Court delivered judgement in the matter involving Hendrika Kashova Shiputa on Wednesday.

Last May, Shiputa was ordered to pay compensation by the traditional or community court after her husband Mukwangu Haingura Mukwangu committed suicide by hanging himself in February of the same year.

The traditional authority found that Shiputa was liable to pay compensation because her husband committed suicide at her home village.

Last year, Shiputa's lawyer Norman Tjombe launched an application in the High Court to have the traditional court ruling set aside.

Tjombe said in a media statement on Wednesday that the High Court ruling was a victory for women's rights.

He said women often bear the brunt of accusations of witchcraft, especially in rural areas.

“The decisions of the traditional authority and the headmen involved have been set aside and are invalid. Nothing can happen to Shiputa now,” Tjombe said.

Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula presided over the matter.

NAMPA

Zimbabweans endure another rainy season in risky homes

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Zimbabweans endure another rainy season in risky homesStorms predicted Zimbabwe’s early warning equipment and systems for weather and climate hazards are grossly inadequate. Farai Shawn Matiashe - Albert Sabawe, 25, is waiting to eat lunch, resting against the wall of his flimsy wooden home in a small village in eastern Zimbabwe's Chimanimani district.

The father of one moved into this shack by the river when he got married in 2018, after his parents bought the land from local authorities in 2010.

Jobless Sabawe could not afford to build a house of brick and cement, as is common in Zimbabwe.

But when powerful Cyclone Idai hit last March, ripping off part of the roof, luck spared his family.

The storm killed more than 300 people, displaced about 60 000 and destroyed 50 000 homes in the southern African nation.

It caused damage worth US$622 million, mainly in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, according to the government.

Sabawe's home survived, but located less than 10 metres from the Nyamatanda River, whose channel was widened by the 2019 storm, it remains vulnerable to flooding this rainy season.

“We are living so close to the river. I would not want another cyclone to strike again while I am still here," Sabawe said.

If offered the chance to relocate under a planned government programme, he would be willing to do so as long as the area had enough farmland to sustain his family, he said.

Chimanimani has so far received average rainfall this rainy season, which runs through April.

Building standards

But the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has predicted heavy rains nationwide in the coming weeks, and other places have already experienced flash floods, damaging homes and crops.

According to Zimbabwe’s Civil Protection Unit (CPU), many houses made of cheap materials near rivers were wiped away by Cyclone Idai, while those still standing remain at risk of flooding.

CPU director Nathan Nkomo said both rural and urban settlements and infrastructure should adhere to planning regulations and minimum standards to reduce the risk of disasters.

Edward Antonio, a lecturer in the civil engineering department at Mutare Polytechnic, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation it was high time local authorities designed buildings with climate change in mind.

Many Africa-based engineers had yet to grasp the reality of climate change or that most designs from the early 1970s were no longer robust enough, he said, while building codes were not being updated in line with disaster threats.

"Proper planning and siting of infrastructure is lacking [and] construction materials and standards being used are cheap and of poor quality,” he warned.

Antonio said key factors in determining risk were not the distance of a building from a river but river capacity, soil type, size of the water catchment area and intensity of rainfall.

Costs

Cyclone Idai brought heavy downpours to Chimanimani and Chipinge, resulting in huge surface runoff that caused flooding as the soil was saturated and rivers overflowed, he explained.

Julius Sibanda, a Mutare-based engineer, said altering building designs could face resistance from most Zimbabweans as it could hike costs at a time of economic crisis.

“Of course we can change, but it becomes unaffordable to most citizens," he said, calling for rules to prohibit human settlement in flood-risk areas.

In past decades, Zimbabwe has not often experienced landslides during storms. But last year, landslides in Chimanimani and Chipinge left devastation.

The CPU, based on weather forecasts, had advised people to move to higher ground to keep them safe from flooding – but doing so put them at risk of landslides.

Terence Mushore, a climate scientist and lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, said one lesson from Cyclone Idai was that an extreme event with a very low probability can happen.

“Landslides were beyond the expectation of anyone," he added.

Weather equipment

In mountainous Chimanimani, people were mainly worried about floods in low-lying areas but had not anticipated danger on higher ground, he explained.

The CPU's Nkomo said Zimbabwe’s early warning equipment and systems for weather and climate hazards were grossly inadequate.

There was an urgent need to revamp them and procure radar systems to track rainfall volume and intensity, he added.

In the 2020 national budget plan, finance minister Mthuli Ncube proposed allocating 165 million Zimbabwean dollar (about US$7 million) to purchase weather radar equipment.

Marian Chombo, deputy minister for local government, said people living along river channels and on dangerous slopes would be considered for relocation after a consultation process which was still underway.

The government has still to resettle about 200 cyclone-affected people living in tents in Chimanimani, suggesting the process will take longer for those who have houses.

Chombo said there was a need to construct climate-resilient infrastructure, and housing designs and building materials would be revised.

But until that happens, the CPU said it fears that cheaply built houses located by rivers, like Sabawe's, are a disaster waiting to happen. – Nampa/Reuters

Working her way to the top

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Working her way to the top Mary Ashikoto is a legal compliance officer at the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF). Justicia Shipena

Having joined the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) in 2005 just after she graduated with a Diploma in Human Resources, strong-minded Mary Ashikoto has had an exciting career so far.

Ashikoto started as a temporary employee in the data and records management division if the operations department. While in this role she enrolled as a part-time law student at the University of Namibia (Unam) with the aim of realising her dream of being part of the dynamic GIPF legal team. While studying she was appointed as a permanent employee of the Fund.

“I kept motivating myself and always reminded myself that no effort can be in vain,” she says.

“Through hard work I obtained a B.Juris (Bachelor of Jurisprudence) and I am currently rounding off my LLB (Literally Legum Baccalaureus) studies with the University of South Africa (Unisa).’’

In 2016 she joined the GIPF legal and compliance department as an assistant to senior legal advisors. Her duties are to ensure that the organisation complies with regulations, to help with contract management in the various departments, to provide legal advice and assist in drafting legal opinions, and to ensure that the administration of the legal and compliance division runs smoothly.

Ashikoto told Careers that her appointment was an opportunity that she will always cherish. It has given her an opportunity to receive training from the Institute of Compliance in Southern Africa as well as the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA).

The year 2020 started on a high note for Ashikoto, as on 14 January she was selected by the chief executive officer of GIPF, David Nuyoma, to represent the Fund at a panel discussion on the implications of the Financial Institutions and Markets (FIM) Bill for the pension fund industry. The discussion will be held on 6 February at the University of Science and Technology (Nust).

“I am grateful to be granted this opportunity and grateful that our CEO empowers women,” Ashikoto says.

Ashikoto motivates herself by starting her day with the word of God and reminding herself that every day is an opportunity to be a better version of herself. Her future plans involve being a well-rounded and purposeful person. Ashikoto says she is grateful that the father of her two children is a “hands-on dad” who enables her to juggle work, study and motherhood.

Reaffirming dreams

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Reaffirming dreams Ester Kamati



Pullquote: I have always had a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the Namibian nation but I also have a passion for finance.

Metarere Muvangua is a dynamic and artistic young man, born and bred in Windhoek, whose hunger for excellence has been rewarded with two excellence awards for his work at the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA).

Career advice is possibly the most important advice one can ever receive and as the career advice administrator at the NQA, Metarere Muvangua advises clients who aspire to further their studies about the career and study pathways open to them.

He is the current holder of the NQA Employee Excellence Award 2019 and Customer Service Excellence Award 2019, which were conferred on him in December last year.

Included in his daily tasks is assisting NQA clients by verifying the accreditation status of teaching institutions and programmes worldwide, as well as warning them about the consequences of studying at unaccredited institutions.

“The NQA offers this free service to empower prospective students to make informed decisions and study with peace of mind knowing that their qualifications will be recognised upon completion of their studies,” he says.

The sacrifice of a parent is never forgotten and Muvangua embodies that through constant recognition of his parents and their efforts. “I am inspired by my parents who fought tooth and nail to make sure I was always taken care of and able to get an education.

“I have always had a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the Namibian nation but I also have a passion for finance.”

After earning a degree in finance Muvangua worked in the financial sector for some time before making a vital discovery: “I felt unfulfilled.”

When the NQA advertised a vacancy for a career advice administrator, Muvangua saw it as an opportunity to realise his dream of doing more for Namibia. “I grabbed it (the opportunity) with both hands and have never looked back.”

Having worked at the NQA for nearly two years, he values most the “platform to make a progressive impact in the academic life of people from different walks of life.”

Although he walks, talks and acts the part, Muvangua is not your typical extrovert. Many people may not know that he actually prefers his own company. Muvangua loves all facets of Namibia and in his free time he enjoys exploring the diversity of the country, especially through music. He spends some of his time creating and listening to music. As a sports fanatic, he also spends some of his free time catching up on football.

Muvangua prides himself on being able to maintain a positive energy and remain level headed even in tough times. “I believe what make me unique is that even when adversity comes knocking, I’m always able to tap into the infinite energy within myself and that impels me to remain optimistic, absorbed and resolute in achieving my goals.”

Loving without limits

January 30, 2020, 2:00 pm

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Loving without limitsThe power of compassion Drienie Ellis is the value-added services (VAS) manager at Pick n Pay (PnP) Namibia, where she fully commits herself to inspiring her team and colleagues. Mariselle Stofberg

Drienie Ellis has compassion, the ability to be strict when needed and the ability to lift up those around her to become the best version of themselves.

Ellis has the ability to influence the lives of those around her every day. “One of my temporary staff walked up to me one day and said that I gave them a chance to work at events and with that money he could study and support his wife and baby. He said I pushed them hard but that encouraged him to be where he is today. We need to realise the impact we have on the lives of others.”

Not only does her compassion drive her every day, but she also has the perseverance and determination needed to never back down from a challenge. “Never overcommit and under-deliver, and never say ‘never’ or ‘I cannot sort this out’.”

Ellis is a value-added services (VAS) manager at Pick n Pay (PnP) Namibia. She is responsible for managing the relationships between PnP and various service providers, ensuring that they provide a variety of extras when a person does their shopping at their stores.

“I provide guidance and mentorship to the PnP frontline staff and store management with relevant training. I also assist with new business for Webtickets Namibia and sometimes work at the gates to ensure proper access control.”

Ellis is also a part of PnP’s marketing department, and assists the team in planning and coordinating PnP brand events or sponsorship projects. In 2019 she was part of the organising team for the Pick n Pay Cycle Classic which was a great success.

“I believe customer experience is one of the most important areas to focus on. Our customers will never buy something because I like it. They buy things because they like or need them. Trust is a pillar of great customer experience.”

Before her journey at the O&L family started she was one of the two founding members of Webtickets Namibia, a Namibian ticketing company that is now working in partnership with Pick n Pay providing event organisers a platform to sell their tickets online and at all PnP supermarkets.

“I was also the Namibian manager for Computicket for five years, where my passion for the events industry started. I attended courses in managing conflict, time management and effective negotiation skills, which was valuable to my job.”

Ellis was moulded at FNB Namibia for 13 years and started as a receptionist, from where she worked herself up to being a SME business analyst. “During that period I studied at the Institute of Banking and did various courses like basic financial statements, introduction to credit, banking, business accounting, business plan and funding proposal.”

Ellis was born at Aranos and completed high school at Jan Mohr in Windhoek. “Some of my childhood memories include jumping from a water tank into a cement dam and trying to explain to my dad why his dam burst and our yard was under water. We used to camp out in an outside room and fake-braaied potato slices with Aromat.”

As a manager, Ellis believes that any person in a leadership position should have a passion for their job and commit to achieve above and beyond. “A manager must focus on employees’ strengths and help them to develop their careers. You need to be able to handle pressure well, have an open and honest communication channel, inspire others and take accountability for decisions made.”

Her greatest accomplishment in life is her three children and being able to see how they are becoming adults. “It is difficult sometimes to juggle between family and business but you always find your balance. Being part of the O & L family allows me the opportunity to grow myself. I truly believe in the values and vision that the company has for us: ‘Creating a Future, Enhancing Life’.”

It was not easy to become a manager in a retail company where most of the managers were men, she says. “After 13 years in a banking environment, I had to prove to everybody that I could make a success of a new business, and I did, but it took hard work. Looking back at the experience gained and satisfied clients, everything is worth it.

“What inspires me is to surround myself with the right people who have the same beliefs and values as I have and trusting in my God to stay true to his word. I appreciate what I have and I am thankful every day. I don’t sit back and wait for something to make me happy, because I create my own journey.