Q: You wear multiple hats… How do you balance these roles while staying grounded in the needs of your community?
A: I believe there is no such thing as perfect balance in our world. What truly keeps me grounded is the discipline to prioritise, the willingness to stay flexible, and the commitment to plan with intention. These are the realities that have helped me carry out each role with purpose while keeping my community at the centre of everything I do.
Q: What inspired your entry into public service, and what does leadership mean to you beyond the political title?
A: I stepped into public service because I knew my purpose was to serve. I felt ready, not only to live that purpose but to fully understand my “why”. My reason has always been to create tangible change in my community. My generation has always been the ones before us and the ones after us.
I wanted to become a voice for them and a door opener who shows that participation is possible, and not just possible but possible with dedication, faith and energy. For me, leadership is the highest form of patriotism. It is putting the people first even when the circumstances are not comfortable. It means choosing to remain teachable every single day. It is the courage to be selfless to the core. We are only honourable when we deliver honourably.
Q: Many young people see politics as distant or disillusioning. What shifted your perspective and made you believe it’s a space worth engaging in?
A: A history is the clearest reminder that young people hold immense power. We speak about June 16, 1976, in South Africa. We speak about 1988 in Namibia. Young people have always been at the frontline, often as the casualty when difficult issues arise.
I had to ask myself what solutions we could create before we moved from “casualties” to “ICU.” I learnt that politics is a necessity, not a choice, as it impacts all aspects of life. It was a bold step, yes, and it was not easy. I have not solved everything I wanted to. But what keeps me going is seeing more young people step forward, participate, question, challenge and lead. It shows that something is shifting. And I am truly excited for where we are heading.
Q: What has been your proudest moment so far as councillor for Windhoek West?
A. Serving the people of Windhoek West has been an honour that sits at the top of my list. My proudest moments are not one event but the collection of lives impacted along the way. Seeing the growth of young people’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is one of my proudest moments. Transforming an abandoned swimming pool into a garden that supports our elders and strengthens food security. Refurbishing broken school furniture so our learners sit on chairs instead of the floor. Ensuring our Cancer Ward has dignified linen and materials patients need for their healing journey. Supporting tertiary students with registration fees. Building classrooms in two schools. We are equipping schools with smart boards to create smart learning spaces. These are moments that remind me why service matters. There are many more, but each represents a step forward for our people.
Q: What are the most pressing issues facing the Windhoek West Constituency right now, and how are you addressing them practically?
A: The most pressing issue remains safety and security. There’s a concerningly high number of crime-related incidents ranging from housebreaking to street robbery, and students are the most affected. We’ve managed to install two CCTV cameras. One in Pullman Street in WHK West, as it was identified as a hot spot. And one right in front of the University of Namibia (Unam) Khomasdal campus. If we remember correctly, we lost a student at that exact spot. We will further be installing three more CCTV cameras; one will be installed in Rocky Crest, one in Hendrick Witbooi Street right after the entrance of the Unam main campus and the last one in Dorado Park. All these CCTV cameras are linked to the control room of the city police.
We have further equipped Khomasdal and Pioneers Park with fencing material to close off some hot spots and trained all the neighbourhood watches in the constituency in collaboration with Nampol and City Police.
Next, we are focussing on ensuring food security. Because of the tight budget that the Ministry of Education is faced with, we’ve set up a fully fledged garden at Jan Mohr High School, where we also planted some vegetables and fruit trees such as apples and pawpaws. The aim is to enable the school to harvest its own vegetables for the learners who stay in the hostel and generate an income by selling some of the produce. We’ve also set up a garden at the Namibian Federation of the Visually Impaired and transformed the swimming pools in our office into a garden for the community.
Q: How do you ensure the inclusion of youth voices in the priorities and decisions at the constituency and council levels?
A: I make it a point to stay close to where young people actually are. I go to their spaces, listen without judging, and take their concerns with me into the rooms where decisions are made. I don’t just speak for youth; I speak from what they tell me. That is how I ensure that the priorities we push forward truly reflect their voices.
Q: In your role as Deputy Chief Whip, how do you navigate the balance between party discipline and representing diverse community interests?
A: I respect the structures of my party, but I also believe discipline works best when it is grounded in honesty. I bring real issues from the community into the party so that discipline doesn’t silence people but instead guides us toward better solutions. I always remind myself that I was elected to serve the people, not only the system.
Q: What lessons have you learnt about governance that you wish every young Namibian understood?
A: The biggest lesson is that governance takes patience, but results still come when you stay committed. Another lesson is that leadership is not about titles; it is about doing the work consistently. And most importantly, young people must know that government becomes stronger when they engage, not when they step back.
Q: As the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) district secretary, what’s your honest take on the current state of youth involvement in politics? Are we doing enough?
A: We are active, but we can do better. Many young people care deeply, but they engage from a distance. I understand why some feel discouraged, but if we want to shape the next 35 years, we need to be present and bold. Our generation must participate beyond social media and step into real organisational and leadership spaces.
Q: How can political movements and youth wings evolve to stay relevant to this generation’s challenges and aspirations?
A: We need to stay connected to the everyday struggles of young people. That means modernising how we communicate, being transparent, and focussing on real issues like jobs, safety, education, and growth opportunities. Youth wings must become centres for innovation, not just mobilisation. Young people want to lead, and we must create space for that.
Q: What would you say to young women who want to lead but feel boxed out by traditional political spaces?
A: I would tell them that even if a room wasn’t built for you, enter it anyway and make space for others who will follow. You don’t have to change who you are to lead. You only need courage, preparation, and the belief that your voice matters. Namibia needs young women who bring fresh, authentic leadership.
Q: Leadership can be isolating at times. How do you maintain your sense of self amid public pressure and expectations?
A: I stay close to the people who keep me grounded, especially those who knew me before leadership. I constantly remind myself that while positions may change, my values remain constant. When things become heavy, I step back and reconnect with why I started serving in the first place.
Q: Who or what keeps you inspired when things become tough?
A: The community inspires me. When I speak to young people trying to create a better future, it reminds me why the work matters. My family, my “fogo,” my mentors, and the small wins along the way push me to keep going, even on difficult days.
Q: If you could change one thing about how young people see leadership in Namibia, what would it be?
A: I would change the idea that leadership is only for certain people or certain ages. Leadership is a responsibility that anyone can take on. Once young people see it that way, they stop waiting to be chosen and start choosing themselves.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before stepping into public office?
A: I wish someone had told me that it was okay not to have all the answers on day one. What matters most is learning, listening and growing. And I wish someone had reminded me earlier that rest is part of leadership, too. You lead better when you take care of yourself.
