Allexer Namundjembo
From quiet halls of a convent to bustling hotel corridors, 30-year-old Ermelinda Amses of Gobabis has traded her life as a Catholic nun for a new journey in hospitality and tourism.
Armed with vocational training and unwavering determination, she is redefined her path.
Raised on a resettlement farm by her Ju/’hoansi mother and Nama father, Ermelinda’s path reflects the barriers many Namibian youth face in securing sustainable employment.
She began her schooling at Gunichas Roman Catholic Primary School and completed Grade 12 at Epako Secondary School in 2013 with 18 points.
Her dream of becoming a teacher was out of reach.
“After grade 12, I wanted to become a teacher, but my points were too low to qualify,” she said.
After school, she joined the SMIC Sisters in Keetmanshoop, where she served as Catholic nu for three years. When she left the convent, she moved to Windhoek to improve her Grade 12 results through the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) and searched for work.
“I was looking for work but couldn’t find anything despite trying very hard,” she said.
In 2018, she enrolled at the Community Skills Development Foundation (COSDEF) for an office administration course.
She dropped out in her second year due to financial problems and returned to Gobabis.
There, she worked as a classroom assistant at Rakatuka Primary School and sold perfumes to earn extra money.
“I used the little salary I earned to buy perfumes and sell them in Gobabis,” she said.
In 2022, she received a grant from the Palms For Life initiative.
This support allowed her to take a bridging course in hospitality and tourism at COSDEF Gobabis.
Two years later, she completed an internship at the Seeheim Hotel near Keetmanshoop, gaining hands-on experience in the field.
She later enrolled for level 3 studies at the African Hospitality and Tourism Vocational Training Centre in Windhoek, specialising in front office work.
“I like interacting and being of service to people. I am the first point of contact for visitors, and that motivates me every day,” she said.
In 2025, she passed her level 4 final exams and received a job offer from Tate Village in Windhoek West.
She believes the training and support she received were key to her success.
“Palms For Life really changed my life. After gaining these skills, I finally got an offer. It was not easy, but persistence paid off,” she said.
Ermelinda encourages other young people to consider vocational training as a way to gain employment.
“To the youth out there, vocational training is the way to go. Pursue your passions and aspirations. As artisans, we are very important,” she said.
Her story highlights the role of vocational education and support programmes in helping young people build careers and contribute to the country’s development.
