Humble roots don’t define your success

Desiree Gases

“Perseverance and hardworking people will always win and stay ahead of the game.”- Selvester Langerman

Selvester Langerman was born in Khorixas in 1991, and completed primary school at Welwitschia PS. He then moved to Swakopmund, where he matriculated at Swakopmund Secondary School

He joined Bank Windhoek right after school and has completed several short courses that helped him in his career development plan.

Careers asked Langerman about his journey with Bank Windhoek. “I started at Bank Windhoek about ten years ago, at the Outjo branch as a temp clerk. Over the years I performed duties such as enquiries, teller, collateral, back office, supervisor customer services and officer in charge of branches such as Otjiwarongo, Okakarara and Ondangwa until my recent appointment as branch administrator of Bank Windhoek Rundu branch,” said Langerman.

Langerman was the youngest officer in charge of their Okakarara branch when he was 24 years old. That was one of his biggest accomplishments. Another was when he became branch administrator at Rundu. It put Langerman in the spotlight and it showed his ability to lead and manage a team of diverse young people. The only challenge he has faced in his journey was the language differences in the different towns.

When asked what his typical day looks like, Langerman said, “Funny enough, this was one of my interview questions. A typical day for me is thanking the lord for yet another day, getting to the office, scheduling my day and plans. With the current day-to-day life with Covid I see if I don’t have any online meeting and make sure the branch is fully operational before we open.”

10 Facts

· I am a very helpful,

· Reliable,

· Strong,

· Committed,

· Vibrant,

· Hardworking,

· Social,

· accountable, and

· responsible person.



Langerman has many things he likes to do but to mention a few he loves to be in a business-oriented meeting where he can share his views and opinions with people that he knows will contribute to his work. Apart from that he loves to spend time with family and friends and to spend his days doing research on the banking model.

“I would like to advise the youth that persevering and hardworking people will always win and stay ahead of the game. I also advise those like me who have not yet completed their studies that there are short courses that you can do online and be accredited for them. Be disciplined and Godfearing. Whatever you do, please do it to the best of your ability,” says Langerman.