Engineering a brighter future for Namibian communities

Born in Oshakati and raised in Windhoek, Ponheni Kafidi has long balanced her northern roots with the opportunities of the capital – roots that have quietly shaped her resilience.She completed her secondary education in 2019 and went on to earn a bachelor of engineering (Honours) in electrical power engineering from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in 2024. Today, Kafidi works at Lithon Project Consultants, a local engineering firm in Windhoek, gaining hands-on experience that bridges theory with real-world application. Beyond her professional role, she also serves as a council member of the Young Consulting Engineers of Namibia (YCEN), representing the electrical discipline and helping empower the next generation of engineers.Lighting the way Kafidi’s engineering career kicked off with a fascination for electricity and a childhood curiosity inspired by pioneers like Nikola Tesla. Her early passion grew into purpose when she realised how many Namibian communities still lacked access to reliable electricity. “I saw engineering as a way to help close that gap and bring real change to communities that have been left behind,” she explains.She says her studies at NUST taught her more than technical knowledge. They instilled independence, accountability and self-discipline. “In the working world, no one will chase you to do your job. You have to be self-driven,” she says. This mindset has guided her in the consulting field, where she continues to learn how to balance technical work with practical constraints such as budgets, timelines and community needs.Engineering's social purposeA defining moment in Kafidi’s career came when she attended the testing and commissioning of a rural electrification project in southern Namibia. Witnessing the community’s excitement and gratitude reminded her of the human side of engineering. “It’s not just about power lines and transformers. It’s about improving people’s lives,” she says.Through YCEN, Kafidi contributes to building spaces where young professionals can connect, learn and collaborate. She hopes her work will inspire others, especially young women, to pursue meaningful careers in engineering. Her message to young Namibians is simple: “Take the initiative and just start, even if it’s something small. Great things often have humble beginnings.”

Engineering a brighter future for Namibian communities

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Republikein 2025-11-20

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Engineering a brighter future for Namibian communities

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Republikein 2025-11-20

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