Who's Who 2017 edition launched

The 2017 edition of the well-established and respected Who's Who Namibia publication was recently launched, featuring a new section called 'Movers & Shakers, Rainmakers & Pot-stirrers' profiling twenty Namibians from various walks of life.

Says founder and executive editor, Thea Visser: “We strive to stay current and offer our readers 'something new' with each edition. Therefore, we casted the net a bit wider than in the past when we focused on the business sector only.

“With this edition we feature well- and lesser-known Namibians who achieved something inspiring in their field of expertise.”

Several of the individuals who are profiled were present at the launch and shared lessons learned from their personal and business experience, aimed especially at Namibia's future leaders. Dr Anicia Peters, Dean of Computing and Informatics at the University of Science and Technology, told young Namibians to make sure they stand out from the crowd.

“For example, every year Google gets thousands and thousands of applications for interns; they spend only 20 seconds per application and if you don't have something that makes you stand out from the crowd, you will not get anywhere.”

Entrepreneur and founder of Slowtown Coffee Roasters, Dennis de Wet's advice to young people is to know who you are, what your passion is and to use your passion in your career. “It is so much easier to get up in the morning if you do something that you love.”

Eline van der Linde, one of the four-member team of the Ministry of Public Enterprises' Corporate Advisory Reform Unit (CARU), passionately urged young people to “read, read, read”. She explained: “Young people don't read anymore; they don't read self-help books or how to go into business. Reading is so important: it broadens your mind and in order to find your passion, you must read as much as you can. ”

For another CARU member, Renier van Rooyen, it is all about making a difference. “It's not the money you earn or the position you hold, but the difference you make.”

Jantje Daun, also part of the CARU team, encouraged the future leaders to look beyond their limits, as opportunities will present themselves in unexpected ways. “My advice to young people is: don't limit your challenges, but challenge your limits.”

Well-known businessman Johannes /Gawaxab of EOS Capital said people should learn to lead with limited resources, “as our aspirations should exceed our resources”.

Job Amupanda, activist and Deputy-Dean at UNAM's Faculty of Economics and Management Science, expressed his hope that many more young people will be celebrated in future editions.

“Too few young people are acknowledged and celebrated for their achievements. We should do more for them.”

Ester Kali, CEO of Letsego Bank, told the audience how her teacher discouraged her from ever working in a bank. “She told me I'm too stupid to work in a bank! But I proved her wrong.

Today I wish I could find that teacher, not to tell her she was wrong, but to thank her for saying those things to me, as it motivated me to push myself, to learn, to work hard.”

Elke le Roux, trained architect and artist, shared with the audience her journey from working as a full-time architect to currently being a full-time artist.

“I became exhausted, focusing on being an architect while I couldn't wait to go home and work on my art. Even though I was very scared, I took the plunge and become a full-time artist. I couldn't be happier.”

Echoing words of wisdom from other, Mildy Samaria, MD of Cornastone IT Services, encouraged young people to be bold and confident in their lives. “We are what we make ourselves to be. Take your power and make something of your life. Only you can do it – not your parents or friends or teacher – only you.”

Thea Visser of the Who's Who Namibia said young people should use their time wisely.

“We see too many young people constantly playing video games or games on their cell phones just to 'kill time'. But you are killing your future. Time is an extremely valuable commodity; don't waste your time.”

The 2017 edition of the Who's Who Namibia is available at their office (9 Bach Street, Windhoek West, Tel. 061 229414), in bookstores such as Book Den, Windhoeker Buchhandlung, Book Buddy and Namibia Book Market in Windhoek, Swakopmunder Buchhandlung and Gobabis Stationers, as well as at Livestyle SuperSpar Windhoek.