Mutaleni ya Toivo appointed to Africa Games Week advisory board

Mutaleni Ya Toivo has been appointed to the advisory board of Africa Games Week, the continent's largest gaming summit, held annually in Cape Town, South Africa.

Her appointment, effective from 1 June, makes her the first Namibian woman to serve on the board of an international gaming industry event.

She told Careers: “I was genuinely surprised; it was not something I expected. I felt honoured and grateful to be considered."

She said she hopes her appointment will inspire young Africans, especially women, to see themselves in leadership roles within gaming.

“Being the first Namibian, and the first Namibian woman, to serve on an advisory board within the international gaming industry is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I hope to support the growth of an African gaming ecosystem that reflects our diversity, creativity, and potential,” Ya Toivo said.

Ya Toivo is a candidate architect, plus-size model and advocate for inclusivity.

She also serves as the international public relations manager for Edu-Game Namibia, an innovation hub teaching children game development and animation. Growing up as one of the daughters of the late Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and Vicki ya Toivo, she witnessed from an early age the importance of servant leadership, integrity and using one’s platform to create opportunities for others.

Ya Toivo holds a bachelor of architecture from Namibia University of Science and Technology and a master’s degree in architecture from the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.

Ya Toivo said gaming and various forms of play shaped her childhood and influenced her future interests.

"Some of my earliest memories are of play, creativity and experiences, computer games, board games, puzzles, visiting art galleries, playing outside, watching cartoons, attending plays and concerts and reading."

She advised young Namibians to never underestimate their potential to make an impact.

“My message to young Namibians is: never underestimate the value of your ideas or the impact you can have beyond our borders. We come from the land of the brave, and each of us has the ability to contribute something meaningful,” Ya Toivo said.